Snagged

Chapter 1

Going to sleep is the worst part of my day. Sometimes it's impossible to fall asleep, but somehow I manage to slip into a restless slumber filled with horrors that can't even be escaped in the real world. Finnick makes it bearable; somehow waking up in his arms makes everything I've gone through worth it.

Seeing him get out of bed is awfully painful as-well, and knowing what he must do during the days and nights when he's away. It hurts me.

"Finnick?" I ask. Trying not to show how upset I am that he must leave on a "business" trip for the next couple days.

"Yes, Sunshine?" He replies dragging out the last word just to make me giggle.

That's something I've always admired about Finnick: no matter what happens he is always trying to put a smile on my face. Even in the darkest of times, I know he will always care for me, and I hope one day we can make it official. Going to the Justice Building and turning in our marriage form will be the happiest day of my life, but until Snow will let Finnick and I openly date it's sadly a pipe dream.

"Must you leave for so long? Surely you can charm someone to let you come home earlier." I know asking is pointless, and the answer is always the same. But one day I hope it's different, just once, can we have one week alone together. It seems small but me and Finnick have been under a microscope ever since I was named the victor of the 70th Hunger Games.

"You know the answer to that question Anne Marie." He returns with a sad smile gracing his face only for a moment before returning to his signature smirk.

"Don't do that." I say stunning him. "You know I hate it when you look at me like that. I'm not one of those other capital girls; you... you can't just wave me off with a smirk and a wave of your hand." My hands shake with instant regret from my statement. I know how hard it is for him to be the perfect boy. Silent tears run down my face and he runs to get a tissue.

"Hey. Hey. Don't cry... your ok sunshine." He hugs me and wipes my tears whispering me sweet nothings until the moment he must leave. I'm handed off to Mags and he's gone...again. I just wish I could be with him forever; get in a boat by the docks and row off into the ocean in search of a faraway land. Something straight out of a storybook I know, but sometimes daydreaming stuff like that is the only thing that gets me through the day.

Dinner comes quickly and me and Mags prepare dinner in silence. Not like she can talk anyways, but that would certainly make my life a lot easier. Finnick loves her though like his own mother, and its something I don't understand but I can try my best to respect it. We talk by writing notes to each other instead. Mostly about the upcoming games and what had happened last year with Katniss and Peeta. I wish I could be like Katniss she's strong and brave things I can never be. I might have won my games at 14 like Finnick, but he's so different that me he was strong and smart. I hid like a coward to the very end; not without aid from the capitol. They knew I would never show defiance against them, and when they knew that they rigged the games for me to win. Something Snow would never let me forget.

Dinner ends abruptly when peacekeepers come knocking at the door looking for me. Some meeting with Snow, unfortunately: I try to act as if he's my friend, but some days just his name brings bile to the back of my throat. I haven't talked to him directly in weeks and I'm worried I've done something wrong

The peacekeepers lead me to the office in my almost unlived in home; as I spend most of my days with Finnick or Mags. Before I can even sit down Snow starts talking. "Hello, Mrs. Smart." He says politely reaching out his hand to shake with mine.

"Hello, President Snow" I return shaking his hand in an awkward manner not trusting him to not try to turn it into something else. A hug would probably be even worse.

"I bet your thinking in that little mind of yours what possibly could President Snow what to talk with you about" He says in a calm, slow, teasing manner. It brings goosebumps to my arms, and I try not to snort out in surprise at his attempt at humor.

"Yes sir, and what exactly is the problem sir?" I say trying not to offend him in any matter or come off as snarky.

"Yes, well I would like to remind you of your promise to me that you and Finnick wouldn't show affection to each other in public." Snow says in almost a whisper as if it was our little secret.

"Yes sir I do remember that" I say as he pulls up a picture of me and Finnick kissing on the beach.

"Then what is the Anne Marie?" He almost tauntingly says to me. All I can do is sit in shock no explanation coming to mind. I'm sure he can hear my heart pumping blood to my extremities as he waits for an answer in the deafening silence.

"We didn't realize anyone was around sir." I say trying to feign innocence, and hoping it comes off as the truth.

"Your lucky I like you Mrs. Smart consider this your warning before serious actions must be taken. Promise me you won't let this happen again" he spits back at me.

"Yes sir I promise" I speak up as he leaves my house. The peacekeepers shutting the door harshly leaving me in the office to sob as I look at the special moment he managed to ruin for me. I throw a glass filled with candy at the projection wanting it to go away, and hoping to never see it again. I cry and cry until the sun is rising and I'm so exhausted I sleep on the rug under "my" desk. Hopefully not waking till Finnick comes home the next day.