Dead in the Water | An Odesta Fanfic

Chapter Thirty-Six

"Two more seconds and you would've been pulled overboard, Odair."

"I would not! I was completely in control of the situation."

"And I suppose dropping your pole in the water was all part of the plan too?"

"A calculated decision."

"Right."

Finnick shot her a look. "Maybe I'll just take the boat out by myself tomorrow."

"You said that last time. And the time before." Annie shook her head. "You know, I'm starting to think you actually enjoy my company."

"And I've told you before, I just need the extra set of hands."

"Yeah, because you keep losing every big catch we get." said Annie.

"It was one time!"

But Finnick didn't mention the way that Annie had nearly dropped a net full of fish that morning, when her right hand didn't grasp quite like it used to. Even with the bandages off and the stiches gone, her grip wasn't the same. A damaged nerve, the doctor had said. There were some complicated surgeries in the Capitol that could take care of it, but Annie didn't want any more scars from the Capitol. So the arm didn't heal right, and they both ignored it.

It was easier that way, ignoring all the things that made life so confusing. He didn't question the way she replied to the voices in her head, and she didn't question the way he dodged back and forth between District 4 and the Capitol. He never brought up her arm, and she never brought up the tears that she had seen from him. It made life a little more confusing, and Annie was still unsure of everything she knew about Finnick Odair, but it was easier that way.

Finnick paused at the edge of the docks. "Coming to the market today, Cresta?"

It was his way of asking – feeling too crazy to be around people today?

To be fair, he never exactly said the word crazy, but she knew what he meant. Annie nodded and tucked her hands back into the sleeves of her sweater. "Yeah, I'll come."

The market wasn't so bad. It was almost easy to go unnoticed and overlooked in the bustle of the crowds there. Annie kept her head down, avoiding eye-contact with everyone she passed. She couldn't stand the looks of fear – or worse, pity – that she knew she would find. Finnick, on the other hand, never seemed to shut up. He was always pointing out new items in the bakery, some new shop that had opened up, or any other small detail about the marketplace that he could find. He was quiet enough on the boat, but as soon as they reached the busy streets of the district, he chatted away about everything and anything that came into his head. Annie didn't mind so much. It distracted her from the rest of the voices in her head and the whispers that always followed them through the market.

Their trip took a little longer that day, not just selling the fish they had caught but stopping at a few more stalls to buy some groceries for Mags. Flour, eggs, sugar, and countless other ingredients – until Finnick's arms were full and Mags had enough supplies to feed all of Victor's Village.

Annie stared down at the change in her hand as they left. "I think you gave her too much money."

Finnick shrugged. "It's okay."

But Annie couldn't stop looking back at the last shop they had visited. "No, we should go back. You gave her almost twice as much as you needed to."

"It's okay." Finnick said firmly. "I've got money to spare. So do you, for that matter."

The coins suddenly felt a little heavier in Annie's hand. It was easy to forget when they spent the day out on the water, just like she might have been doing if her life had never changed. But it had changed. Annie was a victor now. And the money - a victor's reward.