Life With Annie, chapter 3

I'm sorry I didn't get anything out yesterday, I've been so busy, so here's an extra chapter, just for you guys!

I roll over in bed, and sigh.
The victory tour is tomorrow, on the bright side, Annie is coming! It will be so great to have her there, I know I can make it through seeing the families of the people I murdered, with my best friend there with me.
I can't believe how fast the week has gone by, only yesterday it seems like I was talking to Mags about the victory tour.
Wait a minute...
I sit bolt upright, and jump out of bed.
"Dang, dang, dang, dang! Oh man I am in so much trouble!"
I look at the clock, 9:30.
"Shoot!"
I don't have time to take a shower. I can't believe I forgot. Today is Wednesday, the day my prep team shows up with the crew from the capitol magazine. What was it called? Weekly Gush? I have a photo shoot and interview today, and I have no idea when everyone is showing up.
I groan as the door bell rings. To late, they're already here.
I run downstairs, still dressed in sweatpants and a dark grey T-shirt.
I jump down the last four stairs, and skid to a stop in front of the door. I take a deep breath, and open it.
"Finnick!"
"It's sooo good to see you!"
"It's been too long really!"
Fuchsia, Petunia and Violet all squeal excitedly when they see me. They rush into the house, and all start talking at once.
"Woah, woah, woah. Calm down, I can only listen to one of you at a time."
They all giggle, and take turns criticizing me.
"Goodness! You forgot we were coming didn't you?"
"Did you just get out of bed?"
"Oh dear! You haven't kept up with yourself at all!"
Fuchsia turns to the other two, and claps her hands.
"Alright! It looks like we have a lot of work to do, Dalia is going to arrive in an hour with the magazine crew, and we need to have him looking like a victor again. Petunia, you work on his hair. Violet, get to work on his horrible dry skin. I will work on all the little details. Hurry now! We don't have much time!"
They push me upstairs, and set up in the huge master bathroom. They run around preparing things here and there, then they get to work.
"Well at least you still work out. I think you're even more toned then when we first met you!"
"He's grown taller too!"
"I see you've started shaving too! Your jaw is all prickly!"
They all make comments like this with giggles as they speedily get me looking like a groomed young man once again.
They have me "acceptable" By the end of the hour. Just as they are doing the finishing touches, the door rings.
"Oooh! There here!"
"I can't believe their next issue is featuring you!"
"Here put this robe on, they'll have outfits for you to wear."
They run downstairs, and I follow them at a slower pace.
The front door opens, and the magazine crew starts pouring in.
They are all from the capitol, but in place of the bizarre clothing, they are all wearing black uniforms with the logo for "Weekly Gush" on the back.
They all get to work transforming my living room into a studio. Setting up lights, and white screens, and cameras. They also pull my furniture out-of-the-way, and put in more "fashionable" Chairs, coffee table and couch.
As they all bustle around preparing things, Dalia comes up to me with two very capitol looking people.
A man and a woman. The man is dressed in a silver suit, has silver hair and makeup on, and silver tattoos shaped like moons all over his arms. The woman is dressed all in gold, including hair and makeup, and she has tattoos on her arms as well, shaped like stars.
Dalia is dressed all in white as usual, and she gives me a hug.
"Finnick! it's so good to see you. This is Glam, and Glitz. They are the creators of "Weekly Gush"
Glam shakes my hand as he gives me a wide smile, even one of his teeth is silver.
"Finnick! So good to meet you!"
Glam smiles, flashing her gold tooth.
"I can't believe we are meeting you!"
I fall back into my 'capitol' personality.
"I am so honored and excited to be featured in your next issue! Really the honor is all mine."
They look at each other, and squeal.
"Oh we picked right!"
"I say! He's perfect!"
They clap their hands together twice, and everyone lines up in front of them.
"Listen up crew! You've all done an amazing job on the set, thank you sooo much!"
"In a minute we are going to start, you all know your places!"
Everyone scurries to their spots, as Glitz explains what they are planning on doing today.
"We are going to start with pictures. We have talked to Dalia about what our vision is, and she has made all of your clothes! You'll get changed into one outfit, and we will have the light and decor coordinated with it, once we have enough pictures, you'll get changed, and we'll do it all over again! After the photo shoot, Glam and I will interview you. The interview will be published in the magazine, but it will also be featured on television! So we are going to be the whole time as well. Sounds like fun doesn't it?"
I give her an exaggerated smile.
"Let's get started!"
Dalia takes me into the other room, and has me dress in a outfit that consists of: A dark green rather clingy shirt, a pair of jean shorts, brown sandals, and a thick wooden wristband.
"This outfit is supposed to reflect on your more casual everyday look."
We walk back into the living room, and I blink in surprise. They have transformed it to look like we are on the beach. A screen projection mimics the ocean in the background.
They have set up a hammock, and a wicker chair.
"Wow."
Is all I manage to say.
Glam and Glitz jump up and down, both exclaiming at the same time.
"Isn't it wonderful!"
They have me sit, stand and pose in a million different ways. After about a thousand pictures, they tell me to go get changed.
Dalia hands me another outfit.
"Time for a more tough guy look."
I see what she means when I'm dressed in a white T-shirt, black jeans, a leather jacket, and a large gold watch.
The set has changed from a beach scene, to a street sidewalk with a backdrop of a city.
Next is the "sophisticated" Look. With a dark grey suit, and a blue tie. The scene is completed by the stage set up to look like a classy club.
After several more changes, and a million pictures. They have me change into one last outfit as they set up the interview stage.
Dalia hands me a pair of jeans, and a button down dark purple shirt.
"Leave the top couple buttons undone so you can see your token."
I do as she says, and leave the top open so that you can see the token I took into the arena. A thin gold chain, with a trident charm. Annie gave it to me when she said goodbye, and I haven't taken it off since.
My living room has been changed back to its normal state, the only difference being that they pulled the couch and two armchairs into the middle of the room.
Glitz and Glam are sitting in the chairs, and they tell me to sit on the couch.
"We will start filming in a minute. They just have to make a few adjustments."
Several lights are set up, and the cameras get in place.
"Start filming in three...two...one...go!"
Glitz turns to the camera, and starts the interview.
"Hello! And welcome to Weekly Gush! I'm Glitz..."
"And I'm Glam!"
"We're here to present our newest issue!"
"And the subject for that issue is none other than the victor of last years hunger games: Finnick Odair!"
The camera pans over to me, and I smile and wave.
"Now, to start our exclusive interview. Finnick, how did you feel when you found out we were featuring you in our newest issue?"
Glitz asks.
"To tell the truth, I was lost for words."
I answer.
"When you find out that you are going to be in one of the most popular magazines in the capitol, there are no words to describe it."
Glam asks the next question.
"How has your life changed since you won the games and returned home?"
Great, figures they would throw that one out. I can't exactly say: Oh I hate having attention drawn to me, and I hate that I can't even take a walk without getting mobbed, either by fans or haters.
"Well, it definitely has changed. When I arrived home, the first thing I was told was that my friend Robbert had passed away."
They both looked shocked, and cover their mouths dramatically.
"Oh dear! Not the same Robbert who you volunteered for?"
I nod.
"He had passed a few days after I was reaped. Mrs. Cresta was the one who told me."
Glam starts crying, so Glitz asks the next question.
"That must have been hard, coming back from the games to find out that you lost your close friend while you were gone. How did you handle that?"
I stare into space, and tell them the truth.
"The only thing keeping me from losing it after the games, was the thought that I would be able to get medicine to help Robbert. Then when I found out...well the truth is I almost lost it. But I had to stay strong for Annie, she needs me, especially then. And I promised Robbert that I would look out for her. So I have, and we made it through together."
Glam gets her tears under control enough to ask the next question.
"There has been a lot of talk going around that you and Annie are more than friends, is that true?"
I shake my head.
"No, absolutely not. Annie has been my best friend for as long as I can remember. We have always been close, but never like that."
Glitz raises his eyebrow.
"That brings up the question. Are you single? We know that you were before the games, but it's been six months, and you've only grown better looking. Do you have a girlfriend yet?"
I give the camera a cheeky grin.
"I do not. Haven't found the right girl yet. Who knows? Maybe I'll meet her on the victory tour."
Before they can ask the next question, someone knocks on the door. Glitz and Glam look at each other, then at me.
"Who could that be?"
I shrug.
"Well, why don't you go see! We could use a break anyway to discuss what we will be talking about next."
Someone yells "cut" and I get up to answer the door.
"Annie?"
She is standing in the doorway dressed in a short yellow dress over brown leggings, and a pair of brown boots that almost reach her knees. She's wrapped in a brown pea coat, and no wonder, the weather is quite chilly. Sometimes you forget that it's winter time in district four. The temperature stays moderately warm, and it never snows.
"Hey Finn. I was going to the shopping center and was wondering if you would like to go. I know you don't like shopping all that much, but I was thinking we could hang out after and talk about tomorrow...Why are you dressed up?"
"Um...A magazine from the capitol is featuring me in their newest issue, so I had a photo shoot and I'm doing an interview."
She raises her eyebrows, and looks past me into the house.
"What, you mean like right now?"
Before I can answer, Glitz and Glam rush up.
"And who might this young lady be?"
"A fan perhaps? Wishing for the famous victors autograph?"
I scratch my head, and smile.
"Not exactly. Glitz, Glam, I'd like you to meet my best friend, Annie Cresta."
They both drop their jaws in shock, and open their eyes wide.
"No!"
"Really?"
I nod, and they clap their hands together.
"Oh this is too perfect!"
"The Annie Cresta!"
Annie was staring in shock at the two flashing people in front of her. I forget the only capitol person she's ever seen is Tiffy Cuff, the districts escort. She blinks several times, and smiles.
"Um, Hello. It appears that Finn has already told you about me. I was just asking if he wanted to come with me to the market, but I didn't know he was busy. I guess I'll talk to you later?"
Glitz and Glam give each other a look, and they each take one of Annie's hands.
"Annie. You probably do not know we are the creators and managers of "Weekly Gush" a capitol magazine. Our newest issue is all about Finnick Odair. And well, since you're his best friend...how would you like to be in the rest of the interview?"
"Please! It would mean the world to us! It would be a HUGE Bonus to have you in the magazine as well!"
"What do you say?"
She looks at the two shiny people standing pleading with her. Then she looks at me.
"Sure. Why not?"
Glitz and Glam jump up and down clapping their hands.
They rush back inside to decide what to do for the rest of the interview, and I lead Annie inside.
"You know you could have told me about this ahead of time."
Annie mutters to me as we walk passed the stage and the crew.
"Sorry, I didn't think you would visit today. I kind of forgot about it myself to tell the truth."
Dalia walks by, then pauses and turns back around.
"This can't be who I think it is?"
I smile,
"Annie, this is my stylist Dalia. She is responsible for making me look amazing when I need to. Dalia this is my best friend Annie Cresta."
Dalia shakes Annie's hand, smiling as she says.
"It's good to finally meet you. Although I feel like I already know you with how much Finnick talks about you."
Annie smiles, and I can tell she likes Dalia.
"It's good to meet you too. Finn talks about me a lot huh? Not anything bad I hope."
Dalia shakes her head.
"Far from it. Are you going to be in the rest of the interview then?"
Annie smiles, and shrugs.
"I guess so. Although I'm not used to any of this like Finn is, although he's a natural anyway. To tell the truth I'm kind of shy."
Dalia pats her shoulder.
"Don't worry, Finnick will help you. Won't you Finnick?"
I nod my head.
"Of course. You don't have to worry about anything."
My prep team rushes over.
"We heard that Annie was here!"
"Oh my! She is so adorable!"
"You didn't tell us how cute she was Finnick!"
introductions are made, and they all insist on giving her a makeover.
"You don't need much!"
"Please! Just hair and makeup!"
"Oh it would be such an honor!"
She finally agrees, and they pull her off in the direction of the master bathroom. She looks over her shoulder and shoots me a glare. I smile and wave cheerily at her. I know how much she hates girlie stuff, and now she is going to have a makeover.
I'm called back over to the stage, and Glitz and Glam ask me several questions.
"Is there anything we should know about Annie before we start filming?"
I think for a minute, then answer.
"Well, she is usually shy around people. She doesn't usually open up to people, especially if she doesn't know them, so maybe ease into the whole questioning thing. Oh, and whatever you do, don't mention her brother Robbert. It's been really hard for her, and I don't want it to be brought up."
They both nod sympathetically.
"Of course not."
"The poor thing."
My prep team run into the room, and squeal excitedly.
"She's ready!"
"Oh Finnick wait until you see her!"
"She is so cute!"
Dalia walks in and shoos them away.
"She's embarrassed enough already without you making a huge announcement. Go away and leave her in peace!"
They leave reluctantly, and Dalia leads a blushing Annie into the room.
I hear Glitz and Glam gasp, and I feel my jaw drops as she walks in.
She is dressed the same, except she's not wearing her jacket anymore. Her eyebrows have been plucked into perfect arcs, and she has the slight hints of makeup on her eyes cheeks and lips. Making her features bolder, but making it look natural. Her hair has been curled, and it's pulled up in a pigtail, the shorter hair around her face has been curled, keeping her natural look of having hair in her face, but making it manageable and pretty.
"Wow."
Is all I say, she wrinkles her nose.
"I look so girlie!"
She says it with disgust, but she's grinning.
She sits next to me on the couch, and I give her some simple instructions.
"Always sit up straight with your shoulders back, remember to smile and speak clearly, and don't be nervous, I'm right here."
She straightens her back, and gives me a nervous smile.
"Good! Don't worry, you'll do great."
She keeps smiling, but I can tell she's nervous.
Glitz and Glam take their seats, and the camera crew start counting down.
"Filming in three...two...one...go!"
Just as the camera starts, I grab Annie's hand and hold it tightly so you can't tell she's trembling.
"We're back! And during the break we had a surprise!"
"Joining us today is none other than, Annie Cresta!"
The camera pans out to show Annie and I. She squeezes my hand, and we wave at the camera.
Glam starts the interview up again, and she does ease into it, asking me the first question.
"Finnick, why don't you tell us a little about Annie."
I gaze terrified at them.
"What? I can't do that! She's sitting right here!"
They laugh, and I grin at Annie, and she smiles back. There's the Annie I know.
"Well, how about you tell us how you first met."
I squint my eyes, thinking for a minute.
"When I first met Annie...Well, it was around eight years ago. I was just a lanky little seven-year old, looking around the docks for work. Well, I went around to the boating docks for the wealthier people who could afford their own boat. I heard shouting, and decided to see what was up. There was a boat about thirty yards away from shore, and there was a woman screaming in it. I spotted someone floundering in the water, and so naturally I dived in. Turns out Annie's mother had taken the boat out, and Annie had snuck on without her knowing. Halfway out Annie falls out, and Mrs. Cresta can't risk turning back around because of the boat propellers. Anyway, I pulled her back to the boat, and we've been friends ever since."
Annie holds up a hand.
"Hey! I didn't fall out, I jumped."
I turn to her.
"But you couldn't swim."
She shrugs.
"I was an over-confident five-year old Finn, what can I say?"
Glitz and Glam laugh.
"Now I notice Annie, that you call Finnick, Finn. Is this his nickname, or do you just call him that?"
Annie smiles.
"It started out as a joke. I couldn't say his name right when I was little, so I called him fish. Which might have also had something to do with him saving me from the water, as I got older though, I made the connection that his name Finnick, shortened is Finn, which is the part of a fish it uses to swim with, so it changed from fish, to Finn, and it just kind of stuck."
I laugh, remembering little Annie calling me 'fish'
"Finnick, are you going to miss Annie when you leave for the tour tomorrow?"
I look at Annie.
"Do you want to tell them? Or should I?"
"You go ahead."
I smile at them.
"Annie is coming with me as my special guest."
They gasp in surprise, and clap their hands.
"That will be wonderful! You'll get to see our beloved capitol!"
"We hope that you'll have a lovely time!"
The rest of the interview Annie is laughing and answering their questions with ease.
Once we are finally done, Glitz and Glam say goodbye as their crew pack up everything.
"Thank you so much!"
"The magazine is going to be amazing!"
"Don't worry, both of you will be getting the first two copies!"
"We hope to work with you more in the future!"
The crew of "Weekly Gush" all bid goodbye, and leave for the capitol. The last to go are my prep team and Dalia.
"We'll see you tomorrow!"
"The train leaves early!"
"So be ready this time!"
They rush off to the hotel as Dalia says goodbye.
"Get some rest tonight Finnick, I'll see you tomorrow."
Annie sighs as I close the door.
"Whew! I guess shopping is out of the question now. It's almost six!"
I yawn, and stretch.
"What did you want to go shopping for?"
She shrugs.
"I wanted some new outfits for the tour."
I grin.
"Guess what?"
She looks at me curious.
"What?"
"On the train, they have these closets that you can program it to give you almost any outfit you want."
She looks at me suspiciously.
"You're kidding right?"
I just grin.
"Wow really! That's awesome, I don't have to pack anything!"
"Yes it's a dream come true. Don't worry, my prep team will make sure you are looking your finest when we go somewhere."
She cringes.
"I'm going to look so girlie all the time."
I give her a hug.
"But you look so pretty! Don't you want to look girlie?"
She pushes me away smiling.
"Get off of me!"
"Oh come on, you love wearing makeup and having your hair done pretty don't you?"
She rolls her eyes, and walks to the door.
"Goodbye Finn."
I follow her to the door, teasing the whole way.
"You can't wait to get all dressed up and have another makeover, and go talk to all the capitol girls about fashion, and what boys you think are the cutest and..."
She opens the door, and walks out without looking back.
"Goodbye Finnick!"
I laugh, and stand in the doorway.
"I'll pick you up early tomorrow morning!"
She waves and walks down the street to her house.