Annie's Story

Chapter twelve

I hold my breath while watching the finale. It's going to happen... One of them will be crowned as a victor, the other two will die. I'm praying for Finnick, please, please let him survive! I'm biting my nails while I see Finnick stabbing Greg to death out of the bushes. One down. One more to go. Lorelei looks mad, like she's going insane! I could get that, I would go insane too if someone would kill Finn. But Lorelei and Greg have been kissing each other through the whole Games. That's what kept them alive, their love. I'm not sure if it's really love, or that they just did it to get sponsors. No matter if it was real or fake, she's freaking out. She tries to hit Finnick with her mace, but luckily he ducks. I can't... I can't watch this anymore! I turn around on my bed, away from the television. This is it, he might die now. From behind I hear a loud scream of pain and fear. The fight is over, who won? I... I don't dare to turn around. I take a deep breath and turn around.

Finnick! Finnick won! He won! I let out a loud scream of happiness and tears start rolling down my face. He's alive! He made it out of the worse game ever. 'Finnick! You won! You won!' I shout hoping he can hear me. I know he can't, but it just makes me feel even better. 

After three days, Finnick is fine. All of his wounds are healed and he's going to come back to district four. I rush out of my house, wearing a light blue dreamy dress. As fast as I can I run towards the square. Finnick will arrive in any minute! I'm late! When I reach the square, I see lots of people. Damn it, I need to get to the front row somehow... I start pushing myself a way through the crowd, mumbling. 'Excuse me, sorry, pardon, I need to get through.' I stand on the fourth row, not too bad. District four is really excited, it's been a few years since we've had a victor. Well, lots of years. Then the lovely Mags won. I stare at the stage, only a few more seconds... 

He walks onto the stage, having his old smile back. He waves at the crowd from district four. Everyone is screaming his name and cheering. Except me. I stand there, frozen. I stare at him, hoping he will see me. His eyes go over the crowd and then they meet mine. His smile disappears for a second, but then returns. I see his eyes watering. Mine start to water too. 'Finnick!' I shout cheering along with the crowd. My smile is bigger than ever before. He waves in my direction and I wave back. 

The ceremony is over, Finnick is being escorted to his new house now. In Victors Village. Well, I know I'm not allowed to come there, but... Slowly I make my way over to the gate, which is in front of the Victors Village. I stare at the giant houses. Wow, they are so rich now. I think my house fits in those houses at least 20 times. What am I even doing here? It's not like Finnick is going to say "hi" to me and everything will be back to normal. We can't eat fish with each other anymore, the rules don't allow it. We can't pretend of all of this didn't happen. So, why exactly am I here, standing behind a gate, waiting till he will come over here? I sigh, it's hopeless. I can't get the old Finnick back. I turn around and start to walk away.

'Annie! Wait!' A voice screams from behind. I turn around and stare into those deep blue eyes I fell in love with. Behind the gate stands the boy I love, the one and only Finnick Odair. 'I... I...' I stutter, not knowing what to say. 'Annie, I'm so sorry.' He says while he grabs the bars of the gate with his hands. 'What are you sorry for?' I ask him confused. He sighs and looks me right into the eyes. 'That I said that I didn't care about you. That was a lie.' My heart starts pounding faster and I step a bit closer to the gate. 'Somewhere in my heart I knew that.' I whisper with tears in my eyes. 'Good. How are you?' He asks while blushing a bit. 'I would say good, but I'm not. I'm fine though.' I answer him awkwardly. 'And er... You?' I ask him. 'I'm horrible. Broken. Hurt. In pain.' He says while a tears starts rolling down his face. I place my hands on his. 'I'm so sorry Finn.' I say while I feel the warmth of his hands. It makes me feel comfortable, it makes me feel like I'm at home. He is my home. 'Annie I lo-' Finnick says but then he stops. His eyes stare in fear to something behind me. 'Annie, turn around.' He whispers scared. 

I turn around and look into her eyes...