AN: Day two and here's the next chapter! Better late than never. :)

Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games! I also do not own Finnick or Annie.

Chapter 5

The rest of the walk home was gloomy and depressing. The happy people walking by seemed to be mocking us with their over exaggerated laughter and face spitting smiles. I just want this sick joke to be over. I just want to curl up in my bed and ignore everyone. Nothing can fix this day. As soon as I set foot in my house I run to my bedroom and jump into my bed, swallowing myself in blankets. Tears start to trickle down my face as I picture his face again. Soon it's as if a dam has been broken and a river of tears pour down my face. My pillow soon becomes wet and squishy as my tears soak it. I don't know how long I'm there, only that it has become dark and I have no tears left to shed. Soon, my room becomes too enclosed for me and I long for the fresh sea breeze upon my face.

The cool sea breeze almost erases the troubles of the day. Almost. It lingers in my mind around every corner. Not even mother natures light whispers of comfort could make this all disappear. The sun that caresses my face feels too hot and uncomfortable. The sand that crunches under my toes feels too grainy and rough today. The beach usually makes me feel at ease. It transfers me to another world where everything is calm and serene. I feel like I belong. Apparently, today's an exception. I'm pulled out of my reprieve by the sound of high-pitched sniffles. Looking down a ways, I can see a small figure with waist length bronze hair and tan skin wearing a light blue dress. "Kailana." I breathe as I run towards the crying little girl. I approached her with my hands slightly extended in a cautious yet welcoming way. "Kailana." I started. She remained in her position but her crying quieted a bit so she could hear me. "My name's Annie. I'm a friend of Finnick's." Her head snaps up at the sound of his name. She slowly turned towards me and ran into me with a bone crushing hug. Her tears made a reappearance as they streamed down her face and into my dress. "It's okay honey. He'll be okay." I soothed her. Hoping my words have helped her in some sort of way. I mean what else are you suppose to say. I'm sorry your brother got chosen to fight to the death with 23 other children. he will most likely not come back and I'm sorry for your loss? That just seems cruel yet everything about the Hunger Games is cruel.

"How do you know?" She hiccupped into my shoulder. Excellent question. How do I know?

"I just do." I answered knowingly. "Trust me." I smiled into her hair as her tears slowed. "So why are you out here by yourself?" I inquire, trying to take her mind off of Finnick and the Games.

"Every year, after the reaping, Finnick would take me to the beach so we could play around and spend time together but this year..." She trailed off while looking up at me with her tear-stained face. Poor girl. I thought. Well, I did promise myself to get to know her better and looks like my opportunity has arrived.

"Hey, how about I play with you instead." I offered with a small smile. Her sea-foam green eyes meet mine as they widened slightly. She bits her lip, uncertain about playing with a stranger but nods slowly nevertheless.

"Haha no." I laughed as I look back down at the lump of sand at my feet. Her bucket tossed to the side carelessly and her failed attempt staring back at her. She throws her blue plastic shovel on the ground, clearly frustrated with her lack of sand castle skills. "You need to use dry sand with it." I informed her confidently.

"What are you talking about? I followed exactly what you told me to do!" She stated in a matter of fact. She stuck her hip out while putting her hands on them giving me a pouty face.

"Here, how about you make this one with me this time." I suggest as I pick up her disregarded bucket and shovel and offer them back to her. She glanced at them out of the corner of her eye and sighed, frustrated.

"Alright." She says a little defeated taking the shovel out of my hand. I gathered up all the sand and met her at her spot. Packing the sand in very tightly, I put her hands under mine and flipped the bucket over together. Reluctantly, we pulled up and a perfect dome-shaped sand sculpture was produced. Her face breaks out into a smile as she stares at it. "Hurry Annie. Let's build the rest of it." She runs away getting more sand, giggling the whole way.

We ended up with a four tower castle with windows, a princess, and a flag to top it off. We took a step back and admired our creation. "Wow, it looks amazing." Kailana smiles a face splitting smile, never taking her eyes of our castle.

"Ya. It sure does." I agree as I look back at the ocean one more time. "Oh" Dang it! The sky had been replaced with an inky blue blanket with no blemishes except for the big glowing moon in the middle of it. "I better get you home. It's late!" I exclaim as I grab her bucket and her hand. We walk off the beach in silence thinking back on the day. Playing at the beach, making a new friend, and having your brother's best friend reaped all in one day can really make a person think. Finnick. His name makes me want to start crying again. I can't even imagine what this must feel like for Kailana. My hand reaches for my neck as an idea forms in my head. I stop walking and notice we have arrived at her home. Perfect. I kneel down in front of her and remove my neckless, attaching it to the back of her neck. "Here, I want you to have this."

She looks down at her neck sees all the shells that decorate the side of it. What really catches her attention thought is the pearl in the center of it all. She carefully turns it over in her hands as she looks back at me. "It's pretty." She states simply.

"Thanks I made it." She looks at me surprised.

"You made this!" She shrieks. "That's amazing!"

"I can show you how to make one sometime, if you want." I shrug. It would be a great way to bond with her. Plus I've been dying to make a new one anyway.

"Thank you Annie. That would be amazing!" She smiles and throws her arms around me in a tight hug. I chuckle at her lively reacting and squeeze her back. The sound of a heavy wooden door makes me look up, right into the face of Finnick's mother.

"Hi Mrs. Odair." I greet while letting go of Kailana and standing. "I brought Kailana back home from the beach to make sure nothing happened to her."

"Thank you Annie." She says stiffly. I could see her blood shot eyes and puffy cheeks and can only assume that she's been crying all day. She takes Kailana's hand and pulls her into the house and into a tight hug. I could see her desperately holding onto her daughter, trying to protect her within her grasp. She glances back at me before quickly making eye contact with the floor. "Umm. You and Your brother a-are welcome...to come over tomorrow and watch the opening ceremonies with us... if you would like."

I give her a kind grin and nod my head slightly. "Sounds great! I'm sure Adam would love to."

"Great. Then I guess I'll see you tomorrow." She states as she turns away from me and slowly closes the door.

"Okay bye Mrs. Odair. Bye Kailana." I wave before beginning my walk home but before I'm left to my thoughts and the chilly night air I hear a low and shy voice.

"Bye Annie."