Just then, a door from the other side of the room flung open. Peacekeepers walked into the room.
"Miss Cresta, it is time for your crowning," said one. My gaze flicked up to Finnick's. Honestly, I didn't want to leave his grasp.
"Don't worry," he smiled. "This is the fun part". I sighed and walked to the peacekeepers who escorted me out of the room, and to a new one, this one with Darcy in it.
"Hey!" she smiled.
"Hi," I said. She held up a new dress. This one was a royal blue dress, with shiny pearls as straps and gold ruffles at the bottom. Shiny purple ribbon was used as a belt. I told her it was beautiful as always, and she helps me into it, then my prep team comes bursting in.
"Annie!" the all scream, and tackle me to the floor. "Your welcome," said Dime, at the same time Siren exclaimed, "Youre alive!" And Uridecee laughed, "Bello deserved that!"
They let me up. I supposed they're used to this, watching the games and cheering for their favorites. Always happy and positive. Never actually deciding to think about what it would be like to be in the games as a tribute, to go through the pain and nightmares that will stalk us for the rest of our lives.
I got up and brushed the dirt off my new dress.
"I'm so glad to see you!" I say. They all laughed and did their job, doing my hair, nails, and make up, for the very last time. They were done pretty quick, and when they were, peace keepers escorted me to another room. This one was small and enclosed and white, with a door on the other end. I was afraid to touch it, I might ruin it, I might break it.
"Just stay here," the peacekeepers told me. They left, closing the door behind them. I waited, just standing there. Until someone opened the door in front of me. I looked up, somewhat startled, and saw President Snow. Up close, he was more wrinkled, more startling. He motioned me forward, and I followed out of the room and into a balcony laced with red velvet. In front of the balcony was Capitol citizens waiting to see me crowned, and cheering when they saw me come out of the little room. I felt my heart flutter a little bit. So many people..
I didn't want a crown for killing children.
"Take a seat, Annie," said President Snow, pointing to a giant throne sort of chair. I sat down in it, and the president walked up to the front of the balcony and silenced the audience. "Settle down, settle down," he said into the microphone. I saw on a raised pedistol a silver crown with shiny thorns and opal stones on it. I had to admit, it was gorgeous. It must be for me.
"I am proud to announce," The President said into the microphone, "the winner of the 70th annual Hunger Games, Annie Cresta!" The crowd roared, loader than any other crowd I've heard before, and the president lifted the crown off the pedistol. I stood up as straight as I could, and he placed the heavy thing on top of my head. The crowd cheered loudered. Then, the next thing I know I'm being shoved away from the balcony and back to my room in the Capitol by peacekeepers. They shut the door behind me, and I turned to look at what was going on. Finnick, Mags, my prep team, and Darcy were watching the TV, which was bright and alive, my face showing on the screen. It was me getting crowned, and then images of me in the Games. I looked away. I didn't ant to relive any of it.
Darcy turned to look at me. "Well that looked fun," she smiled. I ignored her and looked at Finnick. "When can I we go home?" I asked. He rubbed the back of his bronze hair. "Tonight after your interview with Caesar," he said. I walked over, kicking off my shoes and taking a seat next to Finnick. "Good. I wanna go home. I'm getting sick and tired of this place". It was true. The once dazzling sight of the living room was now the symbol of unhappiness and anticipation. I was still exhausted from the arena battle with Bello. "Don't worry," said Finnick, putting his arm around me. "We'll be home soon".
I yawned, and stood up. "I'm gonna go take a nap. Wake me when it's time for the interview, Darcy," I say, glancing my stylist a look. She nods, and I leave to go to my room. I crawl under the blankets, exhausted. I begin to get very sore, so I quit moving for a while. I just lay there, and my mind drifts off to what Finnick was saying earlier. How they broke me. His words rang in my head, bring back every single bad memory that happened to me in those games.
Broke me.
I was sore and broken and worthless. That was the pure truth. But to Finnick I was the strong fighter who won the Hunger Games for him. I hated how he thought of me that way. And how he refused to change his vision of me. Then a brilliant thought crossed my mind. A thought that I wouldn't marry him until he saw me as the poor mad girl I was.
Because no one should marry a beautiful lie.
YOU ARE READING
Annie Cresta- Beyond the Sea
FanfictionSixteen year-old Annie Cresta is chosen as tribute for the 70th annual Hunger Games. This is her story in the games, and how she went from the lovesick songbird to the poor mad girl from District 4. {BEING EDITTED}