Haymitch stood in the crowd, waiting for the reaping to begin. He stood with his back straight and his hands clutched behind his back. He avoided his girlfriend's eyes. President Snow's words were running through his head, "In honor of the second Quarter Quell, the districts will offer up twice as many tributes." Haymitch hoped his girlfriend, Mary, and his brother wouldn't be picked. God, his brother was only 12. This was his first year. The escort began to speak, "Happy Hunger Games! May the odds be ever in your favor, ladies first." She drew the names and Haymitch sighed with relief. Mary's name hadn't been called. The escort drew the name of the first male tribute. The boy was about Haymitch's age. He had seen the boy around school but they had never had a conversation. The woman drew the second name and called out, "Haymitch Abernathy." Haymitch felt fear rise up but he quickly swallowed it as he walked up to the stage. Haymitch stood next to the other male tribute. He gave his brother a small smile and acted as if being chosen didn't bother him, as if the games were beneath him. Haymitch acted as if there was no question on his returning. However, he knew that no one was betting on the boy from District 12, especially not this year. When his family came to see him at the train station, they would be saying their final goodbyes. They would be expecting a dead body to return.
Haymitch sat straight up in bed clutching his knife and drenched in a cold sweat. It took him several minutes to calm down and remember that they were all dead. Haymitch began to cry silently. He then wiped the tears from his eyes and stood up. He grabbed a bottle of wine that was half full and took a swig. He then sat in his arm chair and turned on his television. Today was the big day, the day the star crossed lovers from District 12 were getting married. The news was going to be abuzz with this event. They were the ones who saved Panem from the Hunger Games; they were the first ones to survive the same Hunger Games. They were the star crossed lovers. This event would never have been small. Haymitch sighed and took another drink. He knew it bothered Katniss to be all over the news again but Peeta had convinced her somehow. Haymitch took another drink; he knew he should stop drinking. He had to be sober for the wedding. He had agreed to walk Katniss down the aisle.