Note from the Author: Hey guys! I'm surprised to see how many of you are actually reading my story! Thanks so much! After this chapter I really want you guys to review because I bring in another character from the book and I want your opinion on it. Cool? Cool. Thanks again! Happy Reading!

Chapter 6- A Band of Odairs

The last few weeks were the best of my life. Every day after the store closes, Finnick and I weave through the trees of the forest to our Oasis. While we're there, we can talk about anything…no limitations. We talk about our hatred for the capitol, the inhumane President Snow, and even sometimes tip-toe on the chance of us just running away from it all. And if we don't feel like talking, we have a trade off. I teach him how to tie knots and he teaches me how to swim. It has been about 2 weeks since my first visit to the Oasis. Father has completely mastered his wheelchair and has ridden it all around town. I haven't seen us both so happy in a long time.

Today is just like routine: get up, manage the storefront with Finnick, Father takes over, and then the Oasis.

As Finnick and I are washing windows, he abruptly stops with his eyebrows knit together.

"Finnick , what's wrong?" I ask as I stand up to look at him.

"I'm going to take you to my house tonight. My mom and grandma want to meet you," he says with a look of frustration.

Confused by his expression I ask, "Is that a bad thing?"

"Well, no. I mean they'll love you Annie I know they will! It's just that my grandma is...different," he begins.

"How?" He is starting to frighten me now.

"She is kind of a victor of the Hunger Games." And with that his eyes go straight to mine, watching my expression.

"That's so cool! What's her name?" If this is the scariest thing he has to tell me then I have no worries with him.

"Mags. She won a while back, so you might not remember her."

I have heard of Mags. She was one of the first victors of District 4. There was a whole story in the paper a while back when she refused to teach at The Academy of Volunteers. I thought that was brave... you never refuse a request from the Capitol.

"I remember her. Should I be nervous?" I ask.

"No. Not at all Annie, just be yourself. You really don't care that she was a victor?" His tone suggests that he's surprised but I have no idea why.

"Finnick, if anything it makes you and your family more intriguing but, no. It doesn't bother me."

"Oh, good. I knew I could trust you," he says as he turns back to the window.

I am meeting Finnick's whole family tonight. I know he said to not become nervous but, I can't help thinking one thing and one thing only: what if they don't like me?

…

I remember to tie a bow in my hair just to look a little fancier. When I am pleased with the face in the mirror, I come to my senses and walk towards the store's porch where Finnick is waiting. I see a pair of girls that go to my school wave at Finnick and giggle amongst themselves. Just keep walking. He grins politely back. They see the look on my face and walk away as quickly as they could.

Finnick turns to face me, "Wow, you look beautiful Annie." His eyes grow wide at my appearance.

"It's unexplainable what a bow and a skirt can do to a girl." I laugh at myself. Why didn't you just say thank you?

"Well it makes you look even more perfect than usual," he says as he grabs my hand and waves goodbye to father.

"You don't look too bad yourself."

He rolls his eyes with his Finnick-grin and guides me through District 4. Children run home after a long day swimming and the birds chirp at the now lateness of the night. We turn into the Victor's Village of District 4. All of the District 4 victors live here as part of their grand prize for winning the games.

"We are going to your Grandma's house?" I ask as we tread beside the beautiful houses. Each stand tall, wide, and the color of sand. They have monstrous columns in the front and rich wooden doors at the entry way. It is quite a prize to live in one of these masterpieces but, nothing could ever be enough to make me go into The Hunger Games.

"Is that okay with you? Trust me, it's a lot better than eating at my house." We stop in front of one of the houses and my palms begin to sweat.

"Finnick, what if they don't like me?"

He grabs both of my hands and looks directly at me, "Annie, I wouldn't be doing this if I thought they wouldn't like you. No, they aren't going to like you…they are going to LOVE you Annie. Just trust me okay? Be yourself and you'll be fine," he says and my nerves melt right away.

And with a light kiss on the cheek we walk up the stairs to the mansion and Finnick rings the doorbell. Finnick's mom answers the door. I can tell where Finnick got his eyes and smile from. Her wavy red hair shines in the light and her sea green eyes sparkle with every glance.

"You must be the Annie I have heard nonstop about! It feels like I already know you," she starts.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you Mrs. Odair. Now I know where Finnick gets his eyes from," I respond.

She gives a light chuckle and actually pulls me in for a hug. I return the favor almost immediately.

"I'm just glad to see my grandson with such a remarkable young lady," yells a worn voice. "Finnick are you going to let her melt out there or are you going to let me see her?"

Finnick laughs ushers me in. He takes a hold of my hand and lets me into the house. I can smell bread fresh from the bakery and meat cooking on the stove that would probably make father and I swimming in debt if we ever had the guts to buy it. I turn to see Mr. Odair standing by the fire and he immediately gives me a warm smile. I smile back and look to see no one other than Mags rocking in her chair with a ball of yarn and knitting needles sitting in her lap. I would estimate her to be around 70. Her gray hair is pulled back in a tight bun atop her big brown eyes. She smiles as I walk into the room and slowly stands from her rocking chair.

"Come here child, I want to get a good look at you."

She holds out her hand and I walk over and take hold of it. She spins me around and smiles even brighter.

"I can see why Finnick talks about you so much," she finally says.

"Thank you ma'm."

"Ugh. Whenever someone calls me ma'm I feel like an old lady. Just do me a favor and call me Mags?" I laugh and nod.

My nerves scared me for absolutely nothing. I really like Mags and . They all just made me positive that I am completely in love with Finnick. After the night had gone too late for comfort, Finnick stands up and grabs my hand.

"I think Annie's father is beginning to doubt his trust in me. I think I should walk her home."

"Wait. Finnick I need to speak with you for a minute. Excuse us Annie," says Mags. And with that she takes his hand and leads him to another room.

"Why don't we take a step outside and get some fresh air honey?" asks Mrs. Odair.

I nod and she takes me outside and we sit on the stairs.

"You know, I think he really does love you." She starts.

"You think so?"

"Annie dear, when I say he talks about you all the time, he talks about you all the time. He described you like he couldn't survive without you and seeing the way he looks at you, I don't think he can."

I blush and laugh. "Well you can tell him that I love him too."

The door opens behind us, "Annie please come back dear. Anytime…you just come. Okay?" Mags asks.

"I might hold you to that," I say with a smile on my face.

As Finnick and I walk away from the Victor's Village, something nags at my mind.

"Can you tell me what she said? When Mags pulled you away?" I ask

"She just said that I shouldn't screw up because she really likes you."

He squeezes my hand and leads me to my house. When we arrive, we both stop in front of the door waiting for each of us to say something.

" Did you like them?" he asks.

"Finnick, they are such an incredible family. They only add to the fact that I am completely in love with you." I say.

"You love me?" I nod and he smiles, "Good because I love you too."

He holds my face with both of his hands and gives me a kiss that makes me see stars. He ends it with a light peck on the nose.

"I'll see you tomorrow boss," he says with a turn of his heel.

And suddenly I'm counting down the minutes until tomorrow comes.