Waves Breaking Over Rocks Part 1

Chapter 7- Miracle of Nature

Miracle of Nature

**Please note that this chapter is in Finnick's point of view**

"Well, Finnick is great. I mean, he's kind and funny and he helps me when I cry. He's so nice to me, even when I don't deserve it. It is a gift, having had the opportunity to meet him because he can make me laugh as I cry and shed tears of joy. He's honestly the best mentor anyone could ever wish for." She says.

I'm shocked. I don't know how to respond. But I look at her in the eye and know she means it, like she means everything else she says.

When I first looked at her, my first though was:

She's a goner.

I think back to her little brother, looking up at me defensively, telling me he'd kick me if I didn't teach her how to fight.

Her sister came to see me. She was heading out of the room Annie was in. I remember thinking that she looked so tough. She stopped when she saw me and glared at me.

"You get her out of that arena. You do that, or I will personally cut your throat." I knew she meant it.

I remember the first conversation I'd ever had with Annie. She was so scared. She was different. When I tried to ease her fear by flirting, which always works on every single girl I've ever tried it upon, she blushed, but it was the type of blush that happens when someone does something unexpected that you consider too far. I appreciated that more than I care to admit. She was so pure, so gentle, and so innocent.

I remember holding her while she cried. She told me about her family with such longing I wanted to cry.

In the days that followed I saw how kind, gentle, pure, sweet, innocent, carefree, nice, and wonderful she is.

I look down and smile, which is what I do when I'm sad. It helps me hide the hurt. If I look to the ground and compose myself, no one will see the hurt in my eyes. Finally, when I'm ready, I look up and give the stupid citizens what they want. I smile and wave and blow some kisses.

Annie's time is up but I can't stay. I ran out of my client's apartment to see her give her interview because she needed me. But I know I can't stay any longer. I get a taxi and drive to the tribute living quarters. There, instead of going to my room, my feet take me to Annie's.

There, I cry, whishing Mags was here to comfort me.

At first I cry because I remember her hands on my body. I get into the shower and try to scrub the memory of her dirty fingers on me. Then I cry because of Annie. I cry because she is so fragile. I cry because she didn't want me, she didn't want my body, like all the other girls do. She wanted to be friends. She didn't make any comment on how beautiful I am or how sexy. She told all of Panem that I was kind and nice. If only she knew how dirty I am. I cry when I get out of her shower because I know that she is the best girl in existence. And she was brought into my world. My awful, dirty world.

She is too kind, too gentle, too pure, too sweet, too innocent, too carefree, too nice, and too wonderful. The arena is going to kill her.

I hate everyone involved: the Gamemakers, the citizens, the other tributes, the other mentors, the President, and I hate myself, for breaking such a miracle of nature.

I hear light footsteps and then the door opens. I see her with a surprised look on her face. I run and hold her close, knowing that I can't protect her from the Capitol's sick games. I hold her, but my crying overtakes me and I find myself crying into her shoulder, sobs echoing through my body.

She slides her thin arms up my back, only making me cry harder because she is so good.

A while later I hear another set of footsteps. I know instantly who it is: Mags.

We break away and Mags comes into the open hallway, closing the door that leads to the dormitory hall. She rushes towards us and hugs me like she'd done a hundred times before. She nods to Annie, who goes back into her room and closes the door.

"Do you want to be alone?" Mags asks.

"Yes, Mags."