Chapter 6.

A YEAR LATER.

The sun glimmers on the water, making it shine like a thousand bright jewels. Annie and I sit on the

rocks, next to the ocean. The white foamy waters crash against us, splashing us with water. Annie lays

on her rock, with a pair of shorts on, and a beige tanktop on. I was sprawled out on mine, wearing

a pair of trunks.

"How are things, Finny?" She asks. We've changed some over the years. Annie turned

sixteen, whilist I turned seventeen. Fischer is now eighteen, contributing more around the district. I

told him he doesn't have to, since our family has wealth now, but he just shakes his head, and tells me

it gives him something to do.

I chuckle at the nickname she gave me. I roll over to face her, squinting under the hot sun. Our skin is

tan and toned from the long hours of the sun. I just shrug.

"How beautiful the ocean is." I sit upright, and peer down into the water. It's bright and clear, and a huge

smile spreads across my face.

"Finnick-" Is all she gets out, whenever I grab her, and throw her into the water. I belt out a shriek of

laughter, and jump in after her. She surfaces the water, with her long hair clinging to her face.

"Finnick Odair!" She scolds, pointing a finger at me. But after awhile, her frown turns into a smile.

Both of us, growing up in District Four, has allowed us to move gracefully through the waters.

Annie, swims like a mermaid. Her body moves through the water so effortlessly. I tread some water,

and cling onto the rock, waiting for her to surface once more.

After awhile, she rises, and gasps for air. With one hand , she wipes her eyes, and opens them.

"Look what I found." She murmurs. She holds up her other hand, revealing a large oyster. She eyes it like

she's found lost treasure.

I scoop it from out of her hand, and climb up on the rock. I lend out a hand, and help her us as well.

With Annie, the Games never come to mind. I forget all the horror of them, with her.

I hold the oyseter in my hand, and slam it against the rock, cracking it open. The shell is split into

two halves now. Carefully, I lift the top half of, and inside, reveals a white shinny pearl. Annie

gasps, and stares with curious eyes.

"Beautiful." She comments, rolling it around in her index finger and thumb. She sets it in a nook

on the rock, careful so it won't roll off. She rolls over to her rock, and lays there on her stomach

for a moment.

"The Reaping is tomorrow." She whispers. I look at her, and realize she isn't safe anymore. I look down

and study the grains of sand.

"I'm nervous." I confess, talking in a hushed tone. She shifts closer to me, and nestles her head against

my arm. I glance over to her, and shes looking at me, with her eyes squinted.

"Why are you nervous?" She asks, confused. She picks up the pearl before she kicks it off the rock. She

closes her hand around it, feeling its texture.

"Because I have to mentor whoever get's chosen." I say, turning over to face the sun in the sky. She does

the same, and she moves so her head is against my stomach. Suddenly, the thoughts of tomorrow

fade away, knowing that Annie is here with me. She clears her throat, and I can feel it vibrate against me.

It goes quiet for a moment, until I hear hollers from the distant. Annie lets out a groan, and sits upright.

"That's mother. I have to go now." She grumbles, sliding off the rock. I follow after her, and she turns around to face me.

"Annie, whatever happens tomorrow, I'm here." I whisper, bringing her in close to me. She hums and relaxes against me.

"I know Finnick." Her voice is pure and delicate. Sweet sounding. I kiss her forehead, and smile at her. She returns it, and backs away.

"See you tomorrow, the glamarous, Finnick Odair!" She shouts, in a Capitol like accent. She blows kisses at me, making fun of all the girls back at the Capitol who admire me. I chuckle, and wave back to her, and

watch as she slips inside of her house.

Now it's time to go back home.