"Mom! Are you alright?" Katniss cried as she saw her mother clutch her head.
"Yes, of course, honey. It's nothing really, just an ordinary headache. You know how I get like this!" Her mother tried to smile it off but Katniss still looked concerned.
"Mom, I've told you a hundred times to go see a doctor but no, you never listen!" Katniss crossed her arms over her chest in anger.
"Katniss," her mother began. "There is no need for one & you know we can't really afford it. Now leave it and let's prepare dinner. Aunt Alice will be home soon from work." She stood up and walked towards the kitchen. Aunt Alice was the sweet old lady who had taken them in when they couldn't find a place to stay.
Katniss sighed in exasperation and followed her mother.

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Katniss was just about to go take a shower when the phone began to ring. She picked it, hoping it was her friend. "Hello?" She called into the phone.
"Hello, may I speak to Esme?" A gruff voice answered.
It turned out that it was her Uncle Haymitch. Katniss handed Esme the phone. Haymitch was her mother's third cousin; however, they were as close as siblings. He was the Victor of the 54th Hunger Games and had gotten a Victor house somewhere near New York. Hunger Games, Katniss thought with shudder. When 24 innocent children were forced to kill each other. But there had only been 70 Hunger Games. A Rebellion had taken place and the Capitol had been completely destroyed along with its bloodthirsty ruler, President Snow. Katniss had been happy that the Hunger Games had ended but her family had never moved up the chart of living. When her father had died, Katniss was forced to earn as much as she could to support her mother. Aunt Alice had been a great help.
"Katniss!" Esme called when she had finished talking "Your Uncle invited us to his house and already bought us tickets for tomorrow. How about we start packing after lunch?"
Katniss smiled and nodded. Uncle Haymitch had always been very kind & polite towards her and her mother. He never made them feel as if they were lower than him. That's why Katniss adored him since she was a small child.

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"My, my, my, Katniss, sweetheart, you've grown so much." Haymitch said and engulfed Katniss in a bear hug before patting her head. Katniss smiled.
"So," Haymitch turned to Esme. "How have you been?"
Esme gave him a tired smile."I'm fe-" She began but suddenly clutched her head and fell to the floor.
Katniss's eyes widened in shock and she ran to her mother. "Mom, wake up. Mom!" She cried, trying to get her to awaken. Haymitch didn't say anything as he pulled out his cell phone and called an ambulance.

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Katniss was sitting besides Esme in the Hospital. Esme was fast asleep and Haymitch had gone to fetch her medical reports from the doctor. Katniss looked up as she heard the door creak open and two people her age walked in. She instantly recognized the tall male as Haymitch's son, Cato. The small brunette standing next to him, however, she did not recognize.
The brunette acknowledged Katniss with a big smile. "Hi!" She exclaimed and stuck her hand out. Katniss shook it silently, still in a state of daze.
"I'm Clove, Cato's best friend. You must be Katniss."Clove handed her a bouquet of roses. "These are for your mother. How is she?" Katniss accepted the bouquet and placed it on the table next to her. "Thank you." She answered. "She's a lot better now." Katniss noted that Cato was quiet, but he was always like that.
"Oh, that's great!" Clove exclaimed. "A few friends of ours are expecting us so we must be leaving now. Nice to meet you." Clove gave Katniss another smile before she walked out with Cato following behind. After a while, Haymich returned holding some papers. "Katniss, let's go home." He said. "Your mother is going to have an over night stay at the hospital and I'll pick her up tomorrow. Besides, I need to talk to you."

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"Uncle! H-How could that happen?" Katniss cried, holding a hand to her mouth to muffle her sobs.
"I know, sweetheart, but it's true." Haymitch pulled Katniss into a warm hug.
"But… how?" Katniss shook her head in disbelief.
Haymitch sighed. He knew he should've waited a while before telling Katniss that her mother had a brain tumor but since she was the only surviving member of her family, he had to tell her. What he didn't tell her, however, was that Esme had only a month left to live.
"Now listen, honey." Haymitch began. "Until your mother gets… gets better, you both are staying here. I called your Aunt Alice and told her as well."
Katniss nodded slowly. She couldn't speak. She knew she would break into a fresh set of tears if she did. Taking a deep breath, Katniss went to the bathroom to wash up before dinner.