~Sexual Assault Trigger Warning at the end of the chapter, not detailed, just mentioned~
Months passed, my sketching was my skill I chose to work on. Finn came and went, back and forth from the Capitol. When he was in District 4 we would always share a house and bed. It was so hard the nights he was gone. He was my comfort, without him I had horrible dreams. But when he was gone, Mags would stay with me. One day, Finnick presented me with a large fish he had made from yarn. He had done it all from tying knots.
"When I'm gone, sleep with this. It might help." he told me with a smile. I hugged him as a thanks. In the time that had passed we'd started a relationship of sorts. Everytime he went to the Capitol he'd bring me home treats and presents. Everyday I wore the necklace he had given me the day after I won the games. It was my way of having him with me.
A whole room in my house was painted by him and decorated with paintings I did. I had a poem framed that he gave me. In every single way I was falling for this boy. Then came the day where Raviah came to my house.
"Your victory tour starts in a week." He told me, as he walked into my house.
"Oh yeah..." I'd forgotten. Soon cameras would be flocked upon me once again as my every move was documented. I would have to play sane and pretend I didn't love Finnick. He was good at disguising his love for me as a brotherly type of thing, but I had only just admitted to myself that I was in love. So I had him come to the dock while my house was prepare for the cameras and stylists.
I waited in one of my simple dresses he had bought for me in the capitol. It was pink, with blue flowers on it. I sat on the edge of the dock, sketching away in my book. He walked up behind me, holding his trident and shirtless. He was gorgeous, no doubt about that, but more important things needed to be said. He sat beside me, letting his feet dangle into the water.
"Hello Annie."
"Hi Finn."
"So what is the meaning of this meeting?" He asked me, he was looking in the water for fish. He enjoyed catching them for the poorer families.
"My victory tour is coming up." I told him.
"I know. I get to go."
"But we can't act like...this."
"Like what?"
"Like...this."
"And what is this, Ms. Cresta?"
"Don't make me say it."
"You've never said it."
"I'm scared to."
"Why? You already know I love you."
"Yes, I know..."
"Maybe I need to hear you say it." He said softly. Sometimes I hated how sweet he was. How broken. One of us needed to be strong. At least he was good at faking it.
"I love you." I mumbled.
"I love you too." He smiled.
"But we can't let the-"
"Capitol know. I know." He interrupted. "I can play it off for the cameras. I'm known as a flirt so...noone will notice the difference. And they show you as an innocent sort of flirt out there, noone will bat an eye."
"You might get in trouble."
"Maybe I want to. Maybe you're worth it."
"Finn."
"Annie." He said with a smirk, and suddenly threw his trident into the water. It went through a large fish, sending blood into the water. I cringed, seeing the bodies of the other tributes in the sea. He looked at me, with pride at first and then worry.
"Oh damn..I forgot. Sorry Annie."
"It's okay. I wish I could forget."
"I didn't mean it like that."
"I know. I just...never mind." He grabbed the trident, bringing the fish up with it. He kissed me softly.
"Let's go take this to the Evroy family. They could use a good meal." he said as he wrapped the fish in a large cloth. What was with him? In the Capitol he was a bad boy slut. Here he was a charitable sweetheart. Either way everyone loved him no matter where he was. I was told they loved me as well, but I was loved for being shy and "cute". I was like a puppy dog. It was hard to imagine that Finnick could find me sexy, seeing as everyone else saw me as innocent. But maybe that was part of the appeal. I was as pure as girls came, and I think he found that fascinating.
He walked me back home and it was packed with my stylists and Raviah. Raviah gave us a stern look.
"Calm down. We're just good friends." Finn told him with a smile. A sigh came from Raviah.
"Annie, President Snow wants to speak with you. He's waiting in you art room." Raviah told me. Finn's face filled with worry.
"Why is he here?" Finn asked.
"He has to make an offer to Annie."
"Whatever it is say no." Finn warned. I nodded and walked into the room. There sat President Snow, looking menacing as usual. I sat in front of him.
"Hello sir."
"And hello to you Miss Cresta."
"You wanted to see me?"
"Indeed I did. I'm sure you know of Mr. Odair's profession?"
"Yes sir." I said softly, looking down.
"We were wondering if you could do the same?"
"No. I'm sorry."
"Let me rephrase Ms. Cresta. You love this Odair fellow, correct?"
"I..."
"We already know. Want him safe? Your family safe?"
"Of course, but I can't..."
"Can't what? Be a symbol of love and happiness to the Capitol?"
"I can't be a whore."
"Annie, whore is a strong term for such an honorable..."
"I refuse your offer."
"I see, and no chance of you changing your mind?"
"None." I said strongly. I had to put my foot down, for Finn. He stood and pushed me against the wall.
"I'll ask one last time."
"NO!" I yelled. I heard Finnick ask Raviah what was happening, as Snow pushed my skirt up and unzipped his pants.
I screamed.
I will spare you the details, but as you can imagine it wasn't pretty. I raced out of the room crying when he had finished and down to the lake. I was going to drown myself. Finnick chased after me, but I was fast. I knew I was fast, faster than most people. How else would I have done so well hiding in my games?
I got to the docks and immediately jumped into the water. It brought back painful feelings of being in the arena and I had swum out as far as I could. I could hear Finnick screaming at me and swimming after me. Finally, my exhaustion got the best of me and down I went. I forced myself farther and farther down. Slowly, I lost my grip on consciousness.
