I remember a podium was in the middle of the beach. The waves crashed behind it and the sun was beating down on each and every person standing in the square. I took a deep breath. Soon, so soon, I was going to find out if I was this year’s tribute. Raviah was in the bowls, hand flirting back and forth. Every girl held her breath. All of us wanted this so much. To give pride to our district. Our last victor had been only 6 games ago. And how badly all of us wanted to be the next, to work with Finnick Odair. To win.
“This year’s female tribute is…” Raviah paused. How badly I wanted to scream. My whole life I had been waiting for this. This was one of my last years I could be chosen. Crushing pain hit me as I waited to hear the lucky girl’s name.
“Annie Cresta.” His voice boomed. Cheering broke out. I ran to my place on stage, nearly crying, nearly falling. Not breathing. I was floating. I shook Raviah’s hand and smiled broadly. He then directed me to take a seat.
Right next to Finnick Odair. My heart pounded harder, I smiled at him. He rolled his eyes. Of course, I knew I had no chance with him. But a little flirting never hurt. I didn’t even hear the name of the boy called with me. I don’t think I’d even seen him before. Before I even knew it I was being herded to our main building. My sisters and parents were in the room waiting for me.
“Oh Annie!!!” my youngest sister called. I could feel the pride coming from my family. My father pulled me into a hug.
“We know you’ll do so well. You’ve trained so hard for this.” He told me. My mother was in tears.
“Darling we’re just…we’re so proud.” She said. I cried too. This was the greatest moment of my life. My sisters clutched onto me.
“Annie, Annie, Annie!!! I can’t wait to see you win!!!” The youngest one said.
“Annie, are you going to win?” Asked my other sister.
“I sure am.” I told them. Soon, the peacekeepers came and ushered them away and me to the train….
How? How is it that something I was so ready for and wanted so badly, turned out to be such an awful thing? How was it that the man, who rolled his eyes at me when I smiled, was now the man beside me? With great horror, pain, and tragedy I got love. It sickens me and yet…at the same time lifts me. I was in hell those two weeks, I will never forget them. I will never forget seeing that boys head come clean from his neck. I will never forget the faces of all the dead. I will never forget that Finnick saved me from it, in more ways than anyone could ever know.
We met at that moment when I had been called up. Of course, before that, I knew who he was. I knew who he killed. I knew how he won. And I wanted him. He was strong, brave, and oh so handsome with those glimmering eyes and wavy hair. I think he avoided me on the train, as one of the previous female victors did my makeup for fun. I loved the Capitol. It was so glamorous and fascinating. It was another huge reason for why I had longed to fight in the games so badly. Those few weeks beforehand would be my heaven, even if I died.
For once I could feast on something other than fish and clams. I could wear trinkets of the boldest colors in my hair; have a conflicting color as my hair. Be made into something beautiful by my stylist. But most importantly, I would be there. In the home of dyed skin and luxury. The life I always felt I deserved to be born into, especially now that Finnick Odair had a new girlfriend there every week!
I remember lying in the train as it sped to my beloved Capitol, and for whatever reason I had begun to feel homesick. It just so happened that Finnick was still awake and sitting in the food cart when I got there to get a plate of salmon…
“What are you doing up?” he asked. His voice sent shivers down my spine.
“Hungry.” I lied, gathering seaweed bread and fish onto a plate. He smirked and grabbed a jug. He poured two cups of a blue liquid.
