The Real Story

9

I go back into the living room to Annie. "You wanna go for a walk", I ask Annie, exending my hand towards her. She takes it and we look into each other's eyes. I feel embarrassed to be all 'lovey dovey' with Annie in front of my parents. We walk to the door, but my grandfather grabs my other hand, startling me. But he just winks, he was always a bit weird like that.

We walk to the part of the beach where we always used to meet. Annie walks in front, to the edge of the water, then turns. "You up for a swim", she says relieving me. I haven't been swimming in a while and I'm begining to miss the pleasure. Another thought pops into my head, will there be somewhere for us to swim in the island of Ireland. "Did you hear the news", I ask carefully. "Ireland", she says, "Never heard of it", she says sighing. "Maybe that's a good thing", I say trying to put her at ease.

Annie jumps out through the water and I have no choice but to follow her. When we get deep enough, she giggles and dives into the water. Then she starts swimming. I watch her for a moment, she must have been practicing, she has improved. I then feel the pull of the water and I start swimming too. I get that feeling again. Freedom. Maybe it will be like this in the island of Ireland. What if we aren't near the sea? Where will we be free to swim? I don't want to worry Annie with this minor thing so I don't say anything.

About and hour later we swim to shore, tired from all the swimming. But I still feel refreshed. We wrap ourselves in our towels and sit on the sand. "Finnick, we have to leave tomorrow, what does that mean? Will we never see our family and friends again?" Annie asks me worriedly. "I know as much as you Annie, but at least we'll still have each other. And, maybe we can write letters", I think, trying to re- assure myself as well as her. "Plus, we won't have to deal with the Capitol anymore. Maybe this Ireland place will be really different, and better", I tell her. Neither of us really know what lies ahead in this new place, but anything will be better than the threat of being sent to die in a torturous, barbaric way of entertainment.

"I got the letter you left me", she says. "I thought you weren't going to come back this time", she tears up. "Annie, I will never leave you again", I say as I look deeply into her eyes. She leans in and kisses me passionately. I can't believe how much I missed this. How I longed for her kiss. When she pulls away My heart is racing. "I love you Annie Cresta", I say to her, almost breathless. "I love you too Finnick", she smiles.

Then we see Rick walking across the beach with his little sister. "Hey lovebirds, it's time to pack your things", he says almost ruining the moment Annie and I just had. When I get up, Rick's sister ,Lily giggles. "Hey, cover up there Finnick", he laughs covering Lily's eyes. I realise I am standing in my underwear and wrap the towel around myself. We walk back to my house in silence. When we go through the door my parents are sitting around the fire again. "How was the water?", my father asks. "We just saw Finnick Odair in his underwear", Lily blurts out. Annie, Rick and my parents burst into laughter while I stand akwardly looking at the ground. That's the happiness I hope will stay with everyone when Annie and I leave.