Peaceful Forever [Book 2]

Chapter 10

-Amily's POV-

It is now October and we are celebrating Annie's birthday. All of the victors gift her things for the baby, as she's due in December. She and Trent haven't found out the gender, but they've picked out some names that they're keeping a secret.

Living alone is weird. Even though I'm 19, I've never lived by myself. My house seems empty without Annie, so I try to spend as much time at the other victor's houses.

Mags and Warren have started giving me knitting lessons. I absolutely suck at it but Mags says everything I make is beautiful. I tried to convince Finnick to join us, but he was not interested.

Finnick has been oddly distant. I don't think it's cause of my abortion, but his behavior is really confusing. He will be super friendly one second and then suddenly become distant, as if he touched a burning stove. I need to sort out my feelings, so I decide that Mags is the best person to confide in.

Setting down my knitting needles, I let out a sigh.
'What is it?' Mags signs, setting down her own project.

'Finnick has been acting weird,' I reply. 'He will be super nice and then become super distant. It's giving me whiplash.'

Mags pauses to think before responding. 'Did something happen between the two of you?' she asks.

'Not that I'm aware of,' you reply.

Mags sighs. 'I'll discreetly observe,' she signs, 'and let you know if I figure out anything. He can be a confusing person.'

You give Mags a gentle smile and return to your project.

-Finnick's POV-

I can tell something is bothering Mags as I help her clean her house. Setting down the broom I've been using, I decide to ask her about it.

"Mags what are you worried about?" I ask.
Mags sits down to chat, taking a break from organizing her pantry.

'I'm worried about you,' she signs. 'you seem to be acting distant with Amily. Did something happen between you two?'

Taken aback by her question, I immediately respond. "No. Nothing at all. Why do you think I've been distant?"

'I know you too well,' she replies. 'And I am very observant.'

Sighing, I realize I kinda want to tell Mags about my feelings for Amily, as well as my conversation with Anchor.

"Anchor told me I was getting too close with her," I state. "He thinks I like her and he doesn't want that for her."

Mags looks surprised.
'Well do you like her?' she asks.

"It doesn't matter," I reply. "She doesn't like me like that and Anchor wouldn't approve."

'I think she likes you more than you realize,' Mags smiles. 'I don't think she knows what she feels, but I think Anchor is stupid for making you keep your distance.'

I laugh at this, shaking my head.

'She may not be ready right now,' Mags continues, 'but you two are good for each other. Distancing yourself won't help her.'

Realizing Mags is right (as usual), I thank her and return to sweeping her house.

Later that evening I go to check up on Amily. Knocking, I get no response and I immediately start to panic. Maybe she isn't home. Luckily, her door is unlocked so I let myself in.

I hear quiet crying coming from upstairs. Is this a bad time? I think about leaving and coming back later, but decide to go upstairs to check on her.

The crying stops as I walk up the stairs, presumably because she hears me.

"Amily?" I call out, trying not to alarm her.
I find her sitting on the floor in the middle of her now half empty bedroom. She bursts into sobs and I rush over to comfort her.

"It's so empty," she whispers. I knew she didn't love that Annie was moving out, but I didn't realize how much it was affecting her.

"I'm so alone," she sobs.

"No you aren't," I reply, trying to comfort her. "You have me and the other victors."

She looks up at me but continues crying.
"I know but Annie is gone. She left me," she cried.

"Hey it's ok," I say soothingly. "Annie's not gone for good she just lives somewhere else now. You will still see her often."

"She has Trent," Amily whispers. "She doesn't need me. I have nobody who needs me."

"Amily look at me," I state. "I need you, ok? You are my best friend and you mean a lot to me."
She looks shocked at my answer and I can't tell whether or not she believes me.

"You're wrong," she mutters. "You don't need me, but it's ok."

"Do you want me to spend the night?" I ask. "I'm worried about you."

"Sure," she whispers and I tuck her into her bed. She tells me she needs space so I sleep in Annie's now vacant bed. Of course I didn't bring any pjs, so after she passes out, I strip into my boxers to sleep. I'll throw my clothes back on first thing in the morning so she doesn't have to see me in only my boxers.

-Amily's POV-

I wake up at the crack of dawn to notice a sleeping Finnick in Annie's bed. He looks so peaceful and lets out the quietest of snores. Even though it's chilly out, he doesn't have a shirt on. He must sleep hot.

I can't help but stare at him. The feeling was strange. I'd seen him shirtless plenty of times at the beach but something about seeing him shirtless in bed felt different. Was he attractive? Was I attracted to him? I can't be. I've never been physically attracted to someone before.

I've had plenty of small crushes growing up, but I never found anyone physically attractive. Sure I could develop a minimal level of romantic feelings for someone, but I've never seen anyone and thought 'wow they're hot'.

My feelings began to make me nauseous and I sneak away to the bathroom to throw up. My anxiety often makes me vomit but luckily I'm not pregnant this time.

I must have woken Finnick up as he frantically bangs on the bathroom door, asking over and over if I'm ok. I exit the bathroom and tell him that I'm fine.

"My crying last night made me nauseous, that's all," I tell him.

It takes me a few moments to notice he's only in his boxers... he looks hot? I'm too nauseous to decide so I walk past him and back to my room. He follows me in and quickly puts his pants back on.

"You need to lay down," he says. "I'm going to go grab you some water and crackers. Stay here."

After he exits, I go to my closet to find a new shirt to wear since I got a bit of puke on my current one. I pick out a soft tank top until I realize I can't wear it. The fresh cuts on my arms would be visible. Anchor would kill me if Finnick saw them.

I hear Finnick coming back up the stairs and quickly throw on a hoodie from my hamper.

He sits with me as I eat crackers and drink water, making sure that I don't throw up again. After an hour, I fall back asleep. I assume Finnick went home as he probably has things to do.

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AN: sorry for posting later than usual so here's a longer chapter :) more posted tonight