Annie's Story

Chapter one

The rain pours over me, leaving me all soaked. My long brown hair floating in the strong wind. Why am I going through this? Well, it’s school time. I hate school. Everyone ignores me most of the time, and when they don’t, they make fun of me. I start to run, I need to get out of this rain! The school is already in my sight and there they are. The lead careers… I’m afraid of them, they are good in everything. Because I live in district four, we train for the Hunger Games. I’m bad at almost everything, and they are really good. ‘Hey creep! Come over here!’, Paco shouts laughing. I look at the ground, trying to ignore them. ‘Little mermaid! This is no fun if you don’t join us!’, the whole group starts to laugh. I bite my lip and keep on walking, faster and faster and faster. I quickly open the school door and I run towards the class. That’s where I spend every single second of my life, waiting in front of the class door. A little tear runs down my face, why do they always have to pick me?! I turn around and bump into someone. I fall on the ground and look up at him. ‘Finnick Odair…’ I whisper in disbelieve. Finnick is the most popular boy in the school, what’s he doing here so early? ‘Oh! I’m sorry!’ He says while he reaches out his hand. My eyes go wide open and I stare at his hand, is this some sort of trick? Is he going to hurt me? I crawl backwards a bit and slowly stand up myself, giving him a disbelieving look. He pulls his hand back and stares at me. I stare back, and it feels like we are standing there forever, staring at each other. ‘What… Er…’ Finnick mumbles. Then he raises his voice a bit. ‘What’s your name again?’ He asks me looking really interested. My hands start to shiver, the most popular boy ever is talking to me. To me! ‘Annie Cresta.’ I whisper, almost not hearable. ‘Beautiful name! I’m Finnick, Finnick Odair.’ He says with a slight smile. ‘I already knew that.’ I say while I look at the ground to avoid eye contact. He laughs softly. ‘Most people know that, but oh well, that’s not important.’ He says while he looks away. ‘So Annie, what are you doing here so early?’ He asks me. I try to look up, but when our eyes crosses, I look back down again. ‘I er… Always want to be early.’ I tell him. He nods and scratches the back of his head. ‘And you?’ I ask him curiously. ‘Me? Oh I’m just here to learn some stuff. In the lessons, I can’t learn because of all the attention, it’s really annoying.’ He tells me. I can hear some sort of honesty in his voice. I can’t help it but smile, I finally look up at Finnick, in his stunning eyes. ‘You? Studying?’ I ask grinning a bit. He shrugs and laughs. ‘Yup. Everyone needs education.’ He gives me a wink. ‘Speaking of education, want to join me?’ He asks me while looking at me hopefully. I try to control my shaking hands by putting them behind my back. ‘Sure…’ I whisper.