Finnick and Annie

Swimming Lessons

I woke up early next morning just in time to see the sunrise. I watched in awe as the sky changed colors in a matter of minutes. It was beautiful, and I was about to wake Annie so that she could watch it with me, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. Annie was asleep; she laid on her side facing me, her head resting against my chest so peacefully.

I noticed how much Annie had grown. She had gone from scrawny and awkward to a beautiful girl. She was still not very tall, but her body wasn't as flat or bony anymore. Her face hadn't changed very much, she still had freckles on her cheeks, and her eyes were bright and beautiful. She made me think about all the girls I had met in the Capitol because she was so much different yet so much better than all of them.

I realized that what made her so beautiful was that she didn't care. She didn't try too hard to look good, in fact, she didn't try at all; she was just stunning. At least in my eyes, she was. It was a mystery to me, how Annie didn't have more friends, but at the same time, I was grateful for that, because as selfish as it was, it just meant that I had her all to myself.

"Wake up, Annie," I whispered and kissed her forehead. She opened her eyes and looked at me sleepily.

"What?" she asked disoriented. I chuckled, and sat up.

"We should get to the beach before the sun is too strong," I said as I stood up from the hammock and walked back into my room.

"But it's really early, Finnick," she whined.

"Yes, it is. Go get changed while I make breakfast," I said.

"Fine," she groaned.

I made us scrambled eggs and toast, and I left a note to my mother, so she knew where we were.

"Why did I let you talk me into this again?" she asked.

"Because you are aware of how wrong it is to live in District Four and not know how to swim. Plus, it is a very useful skill!" I sat down besides her and took off my shirt. "Alright, Annie, I'm going to teach you a few things before we go into the water, so pay attention."

I taught her everything I knew, and then I made her get in the water with me. She was comfortable in the shallow water, but she started freaking out a bit when I make her go deeper.

"Annie, I'm here. Nothing's going to happen to you. Do you trust me?" I asked. She nodded and held on to me to keep her head above the water. I helped her float first, after she was somewhat relaxed, I made her start kicking. She was doing fine, but then she panicked and swallowed some water, so I had to drag her to shore.

"You were doing fine, Annie! What happened?" I asked.

"I don't know how to swim!" she whined, "and you made me, and I almost drowned!"

"You did not almost drown," I rolled my eyes. "Come on, let's try it again.

"Are you insane?" she asked.

"Annie, if you don't practice, you won't get better!" I said.

"I don't care, I don't like swimming," she said, "I only let you teach me because I think you need a distraction."

"What?" I asked.

"Well it's true! Finnick you won't talk to anybody about the arena, and if you still have nightmares about it, then you're obviously not okay!"

"I don't like talking about it, it just brings back memories." I protested.

"But the memories are still there whether you talk about it or not."

"I talk to Mags about it," I said.

"No, you talked about that like three times, and then you refused to discuss it. I talk to her too, you know?"

"Well, Annie, it is none of your business!" I snapped.

"I just want to help you, Finnick. I hate seeing you so upset," she said.

"Do I act upset around you? No, I don't," I muttered.

"No, you pretend to be fine, and then you lock yourself up in your room and cry when I'm not there to help you sleep!" she yelled.

I stood up and walked back into the water, and I went swimming. I hadn't felt so relaxed in months. When I swam, I forgot about everything else, and I just focused on the movement of my arms and my legs and the cold water against my skin. I swam parallel to the shore until I had reached the beach in front of the Victor's Village, which was a pretty long distance.

Once I got out of the water though, my peaceful state of mind was dragged away by the waves, and I started thinking of my conversation with Annie. She'd gotten me thinking about everything again.

I sat on the sand, and rested my head on my fists. Stop thinking about it... I said to myself, but I couldn't. All that crossed my mind was the games, and the Capitol. I killed nine children.

"Finnick," Annie whispered from behind me. I jumped up, startled, and looked at her. "Finn you're shivering," she frowned. "I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have pressured you."

I shook my head and unleashed the sobs I kept trying to hide from her. Annie had never seen me that way before, but I couldn't hold it together any longer.

"Finn." She sat by my side. I hugged my legs against my chest and she wrapped her arms around me. "Hey, it's all right. I'm here for you," she said, and I knew she really was.

I met her gaze and she looked concerned. She stroked my cheek with her thumb and wiped away a tear. My lip quivered as I tried to hold back the sobs, but she just hugged me tightly.

"I'm a monster, Annie," I cried, "Why are you still here?"

"Finnick, it's not your fault! Someone had to do it, and I'll love you no matter what you do because I know how huge your heart is. You feel remorse, and that's a sign of how good you really are." I looked at her. Her eyes were shining with honesty.

"You mean it?" I sniffled.

"Of course, Finn," she smiled. "You're amazing."

"No, do you really love me?" She blushed, and nodded.

"Yeah... I do."

"Annie?"

"What?" she asked. I looked at her as a blush crept up her cheeks. The wild sea breeze blew her salty hair into a tangled mess and though it was almost noon the sky was dark with clouds but her eyes were bright and startling as ever. I couldn't help myself. I leaned over and kissed her.