75th Hunger Games (COMPLETED)

O N E

I wake up from a horrific nightmare around 6 in the morning. No point in trying to go back to bed after that, so I get up, get dressed, and go into the kitchen. I make myself a bowl of cereal, and eat it as I watch the TV. Once I finish my breakfast, I put the bowl in the sink and then go outside in my backyard. I walk through the cool, damp grass, and into the shed that houses my virtual archery range the Capital provided me with.

I program it to advanced, then grab my bow and arrows. I take a deep breath, then it begins. Shadowy figures start to appear, and I shoot the first figure, and then I am completely absorbed in the moment. I roll to avoid a laser and then come up on one knee shooting my attacker. I continue with this until all the figures are gone. I take a few deep breaths, steadying my heart rate.

Then, I hear slow clapping from behind me, and I jump, spinning around. I aim an arrow at my attacker, but drop it immediately when I see who it is. "Finnick! Don't scare me like that!" I scold.

"Sorry, Liz. I came over to say hi, but when saw you shooting, I couldn't help just watching you," he says, smirking. I roll my eyes at him. "You're still pretty good."

"Thanks. It's been a while, but I guess it's like riding a bike." I shrug, walking out of the shed, breathing in the crisp morning air.

We head to the shore of the beach, hand in hand, ocean breeze blowing my hair back off my face. "Another nightmare?" He asks as we sit in the sand. I nod and rest my head on his shoulder, and he strokes my hair. "I wish this would all just be over, you know?" Finnick says, looking at the sunrise.

"Katniss and Peeta will be here tomorrow." I remind him. "We should probably go check and make sure that everything's ready, and help with last-minute chores."

"I know. Want to go for a quick swim first?" he asks, smirking at me.

I smile back. "Sure."

I wait until I'm waist-deep, then start swimming out at least 25 meters, then stop to take a break and float on my back. Suddenly, something grabs my legs, and pulls me down.

I open my eyes under the water, and see Finnick there, smiling at me. We break through the surface, and I roll my eyes at him. "Nice job, Finn. You sure got me." I say, laughing.

"Race you back," he says, speeding off to the shore. I glare after him, then start off. Even though I sprint it, I still get to the sand a split second after Finnick. "I win!" he announces.

"Yea, because you had a head start!" I cry indignantly. "That's cheating!"

Finnick shrugs, smiling at me. "I still won, though. I'll accept my prize in kisses...." he says coming closer. I smile, deciding to have a little fun with him.

"Okay. If you insist...." I say, picking up a piece of seaweed, and stuffing it in his face. He spits it out, and glares at me. I laugh, and start to run away, but he catches me.

"Oh no you don't!" he says, scooping me up in his arms.

"Hey! Put me down!" I cry, laughing hard.

"Okay. If you insist...," he says, mocking what I said to him seconds ago. He carries me back to the beach, and drops me into the water.

I burst through the surface, and spit out water. I hop up, and shake my head. "You're so immature." I glare at him with a smile on my mouth.

He just laughs and shrugs at me. "What can I say? It's just who I am." he jokes.

I roll my eyes. "That's true...." I agree, trailing off. I quickly kiss him on the cheek and dash off. "See you later Finn!" I call over my shoulder. I turn my head, and see him still standing there, with a goofy grin on his face.

I run back into my house, and sit down on my couch. My dad and Dean are the first ones up, as usual. They come into the kitchen and have a cup of coffee with their breakfast, same as they do every day. Then, my mom comes out and gets Jamie ready for school. She eats some cereal, then gets ready for work.

My parents and older brother go off to work around 8:30, so I have to get Olivia up, and finish getting Jamie ready. Then, at 9, I get up and Olivia and I walk Jamie to the schoolhouse down the block. She's old enough to walk by herself, but she likes walking with me, so I don't deny it to her. I drop her off at the classroom, then walk back with Liv.

When we get back to the house, I play with Liv until noon, then I put her down for her nap. I take a quick shower, then debate whether I read for an hour or go out and take pictures on the beach until she wakes up. Today, I stick with reading. Then I get her out and play with her until my parents come home at 4:30.