The Hunger Games - I'm Still Burning

Chapter 3

"Annie!" I call out, pushing through the throngs of people who now fill the village hall. Strangers congratulate me along the way, squeezing my shoulders, my arms, my hands. I smile, I nod, say thank you, to the people who's faces I cannot put a name to.

"Annie!" I try again. I'm close enough for her to hear now.

She stops and turns to face me, causing the light blue dress she's wearing to swirl around her ankles. A giggling Finn rests upon her hips, crumbling a chocolate biscuit in his chubby hands. He smears the mess down his once green shirt and claps his hands triumphantly when he sees the sticky masterpiece he has created. Annie watches him disdainfully, rolling her eyes and laughing.

"This is his new trick," she says as I come to a stop at her side. "Make his clothes as dirty as he possibly can."

"Funny!" Finn squeals, waving his arms in the air.

"Funny for you maybe, not for me when I have to sit and scrub them all to get the stains out," she laughs, tickling him under the chin.

Watching the two of them so happy together, sets the pangs off in my chest. My hands move round to embrace my stomach and the what could have been. I push the thought away though knowing how selfish it is. Annie may have Finn but she doesn't have Finnick. She's bringing up her child alone. If the roles were reversed, could I do the same? Probably not.

She kisses Finn on the cheek, leaving a red lipstick stain behind and places him on to the ground. "Go and see if you can find some other children to play with," she says.

He takes off at full speed, adding chocolate-covered handprints to the back of people's clothes as he goes.

"He's grown so much already," I say to Annie, who stares after him fondly.

"He has," she agrees, turning her attention back to me. "How have you been?"

I shrug my shoulders.

"Some days are good, some not so good," I say.

She nods like she knows exactly what I'm talking about.

"I just wanted to say thank you, for what you said in District 4. For stopping me from making a big mistake. I wouldn't be standing here right now if it wasn't for you," I say.

"I don't think my being there made a difference, Katniss. You wouldn't have jumped," she says quietly.

"Why not?" I ask.

"Because you need Peeta just as much as he needs you," she replies.

She suddenly grabs my arm, a laugh bubbling from her mouth. She points through the crowded room to where she has spotted Peeta and Finn. Peeta has Finn in his arms and is manically trying to dodge the sticky hands that Finn is trying to put on to his face. He's not moving fast enough though and it doesn't take long for Finn to trap Peeta's cheeks between them. When Finn pulls his hands away, there are two chocolate handprints coated on Peeta's face.

I'm laughing beside Annie, who has now caught Peeta's eye. As he walks towards us, with a squirming Finn hung over the back of his shoulder, I feel myself falling in love with him all over again. It warms my body as it circulates through my bloodstream and settles into my drumming heart.

"I think you lost something," he says, holding Finn out to Annie.

She tuts loudly as she takes Finn back.

"Look what you've done to Peeta's face, Finn. What do you say?" she asks. She tries to keep a straight face but that all goes to pot as soon as Finn opens his mouth.