Nightmares And Seashells

chapter two

Luckily Finnick was not reaped that year. However the games were still a sad one for District 4 both tributes had died in the bloodbath the first day, and the family's and friends of both tributes were devastated.

School classes at the academy were still solemn until well after the victory tour of the district one winner Gloss.
After the tour every child and parent were just counting down the days until two more children would be sent off.
That year Caspian and Avery would both be old enough to have their names in, and Finnick's name would be in another time.

That year, like the last. The day before the reaping Avery woke up extra early and walked over to the Odair household to fetch Caspian.

"Aves it's too early for this." He complained half asleep still, as she dragged him down to the beach.

"It's not THAT early Cas, you just like sleep too much!" She jested full of energy despite it only being 6:30 in the morning.

"Yes it is! The sun's barely up, why are we?" He asked rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"Because Caspian, today is going to be a nice day! So unlike last year, after school this beach will be full." She said bending down and grabbing something from the sand.

"Okay? I'm still lost.." He replied then looking down to her outstretched hand he understood. She was handing him a small shell.

Once he took it, she began walking out to her knees in the morning waves.

"It worked once right?" She called over her shoulder. 

With a small smile, he followed her out until they were side by side.

Then she muttered her wish of not being reaped and he muttered his for him and for Finnick.

After throwing them as far as they could they walked back up the beach soaked from the waist down from the morning swells.

"So do you want to stay over again like last year?" Caspian asked now fully awake.

"Sure!" She chirped a skip in her step.

"I'll ask mags after school, maybe we can make this a tradition every year until we age out!" She said smiling over to him.

"I'd like that Aves, but maybe next year NOT so early.. okay?" He said scratching the back of his neck.

"Alrighty, you got yourself a deal Odair." She replied holding her hand out to shake.

"Deal."

and sealed with a handshake, the best friends parted ways to get ready for school.

As Avery walked out of victors village she met up with both Caspian and Finnick to start their walk to school.

"So Finny, are you ready to get your butt kicked today? Annie told me were paired with your class for training again this year." Avery asked skipping ahead so she could walk backwards and talk to the boys.

"As if! I'm still in the top of my class, you don't stand a chance Aves. And stop calling me that were not kids anymore." Finnick said with a scoff.

"Speak for yourself Fin, I plan on staying a kid forever. What's the fun in being an adult anyway!" Caspian told his brother while bumping his shoulder with his own.

After they'd finished classes they moved buildings to go the the academies training center. While they were on the mats stretching and waiting for everyone to arrive Avery couldn't help but notice Caspian kept looking over his shoulder. Specifically at Avery's friend Annie who was talking to a few of the girls from her class. Annie was Finnicks age a year a head of them. So with an evil smirk Avery cleared her throat loudly catching the boys attention.