Two days later I am woken up by mom sitting on my bed telling me that my prep team is here. I groan and mom dryly laughs.
"Don't worry; the victory tour will be fine." Mom reassures me and leaves the room telling me to come downstairs. I take my time getting out of bed, swinging my legs off and dragging my feet on the floor towards the door.
When I make it down the stairs the first person I see is the purple eyed one, Avia, I remember. She in the middle of a conversation with the other girls in my prep team and Evert, my stylist. I make little noise coming down the stairs but they still must hear me. They turn towards me and all have lively smiles on their face.
Avia is the first one to run up to me and hug me lightly. Her clothes have a slight springy scent, like flowers and a warm breeze. When she pulls away the smell has vanished and I am in the arms of my other prep team members. Evert is last and quickly after hugging me he tugs at my sleeves and says we better get started. I don't know whether or not to take that as an insult but I follow him to the couch where a familiar cream colored robe lays, draped over the back.
I change into it and sit down on couch letting the prep team examine me. They mutter under their breath about how hairy my legs have gotten. I don't say anything back to them, I just let them put on the heated wax to make them satisfied. After they're done with that they quickly curl my hair and give me a light application of bright makeup.
When their done I take a look in the mirror and thinking I'm alone I give a brief sigh. Suddenly a warm hand glides over my shoulder.
"I know, but at least you won't be wearing a completely glamorous dress." Evert says to my reflection in the mirror. He grins, showing his big white teeth. For Evert's sake I force a smile on my lifeless lips. We walk away and he places my outfit over my shoulder. I don't look at it before I head to my room to change, because I know that I wouldn't be able to object to what I'm wearing anyway.
The dress is a soft blush color that goes to just below my knees. The fabric is soft and brushes over my body loosely like a blanket. The straps lays softly over my shoulders and cross in the back. I do have to admit, it does feel good to be in pretty clothes, but I feel already sick of the Capitol's citizen's idea of fashion.
I come down the stairs to find mom dad, and Will. Will must not be coming with us, because he does not looked touched at all, whereas mom and dad have a look about them that look Capitol altered. Will has a slight frown on his face, so that's how I know he isn't coming. Staying in District 12 means staying with Haymitch, who Will had never had much of a liking of.
"Dad why can't I go!" Will says turning his head up to him. Dad tousles Will's blond curls and gives a small grin.
"We're not going to be gone long Will, at least you can stay here with Haymitch." Will turns his head and rolls his eyes so only I can see. Mom and dad head towards the door to see all the cameras already outside. I use this time to say goodbye to will. I pull him in for a quick hug and say,
"Don't be so mad, trust me; you don't want to go to the Capitol." He looks at me with confusion and I know it didn't mean anything what I said to him because he is still frustrated he couldn't go. I ask him to take care of Onyx when I'm gone, and I can tell for once today he was glad to stay home. It's like I can see the tunes he would sing to the Mockingjay sparkling in his light gray eyes.
Mom, Dad, and I emerge from the house to see at least five cameras staring into my face. I'm sure the shot is getting all of us, but I feel the camera directed on my face, every step I take the camera moves with me. Even as I turn my head to glance at the ground I can sense the camera turning with me. I'm trying not to look directly in the camera; I don't want to come across as pretentious, I still want to show the Capitol that I am not looking for trouble.
Then suddenly I get a flash from the past, President Crowe's dark eyes glaring at me as we were confirming our deal. The deal that if Nick and I don't say anything about his sick, twisted plan he wouldn't take away Nick and his memories. When I think about President Crowe and his plan my heart gets cold for a quick second. I think of the tributes he brought back to life after they slowly died, one by one. I must be shivering in my thoughts because I feel the warm touch of dad's hand,
"Are you cold?" his face shows worry and his blue ocean like eyes wash over me with fatherly concern. I convince dad I'm fine and I try to keep my mind off President Crowe. I try to keep my mind from wandering back to the memories of the past, I've been trying for the past month, but something usually breaks my peaceful state. A plant in the woods, might remind me of one I saw in the arena. A look Nick might give me could make me think of memories in the arena.
We're getting closer to the train center when from in front of us I see the tall shadow in front of me. I know instantly that it belongs to Nick and it takes everything inside of me not to run up to him and throw my arms around him.
Dad is looking at me and he must see the sparkle of excitement in my eyes, because I see his eyes on mine still with the same look of concern. Though dad has had months to accept the fact that Nick and I are together, I know that he is still very wary in the situation. Nick and I take caution to be showing public display of affection in front of my father, but we have little control of what we show once we're on camera. The whole world may be watching, but I think we both feel closer when we show our romance to the Capitol citizens.
As the camera people follow us I can tell they can't wait to film Nick and I, the crowd is always a sucker for romance. Despite trying to keep my mind off of the past, I am unsuccessful once again. I can hear President Crowe's voice once again. This time telling me how to act during interviews. Ordering me to do what he says while threatening Nick.
"Hailey?" In my flash from the past I didn't notice Nick had come from in front of us to be next to me. I blink my eyes in surprise then raise my head up to Nick. He looks as though he has been calling my name a few times and I have been unresponsive. Before I do anything I notice that my parents are a few steps in front of us. I grin up at his face and pull him in for a quick kiss. I pull away and place my hand in his warm soft hand.
I turn my head towards the camera, the only things that had witnessed our kiss, besides Gale and his wife Fawna who stands next to the station. Though I'm not sure Gale minds if we kiss. A part of me thinks Gale might be happy for his son, happy he got the girl he wanted. The two of them look happy besides that they are not allowed to come with us to the Capitol. I don't think Nick minds too much. Nick has told me he loves his parents but if it meant being alone with me, he was all for it.
The rest of the time we spend getting on the train, saying goodbye to the people of District 12 that came to see us, turns into a big blur to me. My mind never fully recovered from the flashback from before and I kept trying to keep my smile on for the cameras and Nick. Gale and Fawna says goodbye to Nick and I.
I remember seeing Effie waiting for us with her usually bright face and bubble gum pink hair. She hugs us immediately showing us the food that is waiting for us on the tables. We do sit down for the meal. And then after that I don't remember much. I remember changing into comfortable clothes and going to sleep for the next couple of hours. I don't recall be that tired, but I guess remembering the past drains out every ounce of energy I have.
I wake up feeling way more relaxed compared to how I felt before. When I get enough energy to get up from my bed I head to the door. As soon as I open the door I can tell it is late. The hallways in the train are dark but there is still enough dim light surrounding me that I can see where I am going. There is no one in sight the narrow hallways are empty. I must have missed dinner, not that I was that hungry anyway but it was just the point they let me sleep through it. I sigh and keep walking towards the table that held the abundance of food this morning, it's not like I can go back to sleep now.
When I find my way to the table I am surprised to see a few plates of food left for me. I walk closer to the plate and start ripping at the soft bread. I nibble on it as I look around the train. This train was the same one we took the first time I went to the Capitol. I sit down on a love seat nearby; I remember sitting in this seat just moments after getting reaped, scared out of mind. When I told Nick about my fear of the games and he told me to sleep, the first time we were cuddled into each other's arms.
My thoughts are cut short when I hear the faint sound of footsteps. I whip my head back very fast only to see Nick staring back at me. His lips curl into a smile, the one he always has on when he saw me. His eyes start to sparkle and I always have to try not to blush. He comes and sits, not saying a word just keeping his eyes on me.
"You missed dinner." He says as though I already didn't know. I smile and roll my eyes. "I don't appreciate that actually" he gives me a grin, "Leaving me all alone with your parents." I laugh softly. I picture Nick sitting at the table keeping to himself, while mom, dad, and Effie are in a deep conversation. I apologize to Nick with a smile in my voice and continue eating my bread. I can't help but keep thinking of our first train ride to the capitol. Soon after I let my mind wander off into the endless memories of the past I hear Nick.
"Hailey? Are you alright." I look next to me at Nick to see him looking at me with worry in his eyes.
"What? Oh yeah, I'm fine, why wouldn't I be?" It wasn't a total lie, but there was still something wrong. I smile to prove my point. Nick doesn't look convinced and keeps his eyes locked on mine.
"Well you have been acting weird ever since your mom mentioned the Victory Tour at your birthday dinner." He face shows no trace of a smile or a joke. His eyes are serious and I know he will not take a pathetic excuse to why I am like this. I sigh and pull my knees up to my chest on the couch. I rest my head on Nick's shoulder. As soon as I feel the strong muscles I feel comforted.
"How can you be so alright? Everything I see is reminding me of the games." I feel my throat getting tight as I softly speak the words. He doesn't say anything back to me; he just gently puts his arm around me. My mind is already spinning with my feelings and I feel like I can't stop.
"When I see you and how you smile at me, it reminds me of Crowe, it reminds me, one slip up…" I stop. "One mess up… and your gone." I am not sobbing but a lone tear drops from my eye. My tilted head causes it to land on my nose. "What if… What if President Crowe goes back on our plan, what if-"
"sh…" Nick tells me to relax and he wipes the tear off my nose with his thumb. He takes his warm hands and clutches my head gently in them. His soft eyes are full with so much love and care.
"Hailey, I won't let Crowe get close to you and I. He is a sick man, but I'm sure he will keep his word." He loosens his hands and I nestle my head into the crook of his neck. "Not even Crowe taking away my memories will make me forget you." He says this with such confidence. I don't say anything but I know how much my dad loved my mom and how when he got hijacked, tried to kill my mother.
He hugs me back and softly kisses my neck. My head stays rested in his neck. It smells of a slight warmness, something that makes me never want to leave it. We stay there for a moment, embracing each other, until from behind the table with the food on it we hear a small cough.
We both fling our heads up to see Effie staring at us with her hand on her hips. She doesn't look mad, but does look a bit disappointed.
"Shouldn't you two be getting to bed." She says in almost a whisper. I see the small grin rise from Nick's mouth as he stands up from the couch, helping me up along with him. We start walking towards the hallway, to our rooms when Effie speaks again.
"In your own rooms, you two, I saw that smile Nicholas." I can't help but give a soft chuckle as we walk away with Nick's hand on my waist. After getting to our rooms he gives me a soft peck on the lips and tells me to not think of the past and think of the future instead. I smile and walk into my room.
Though I slept already I figured I would get under my covers anyway. I lay on my bed looking up at the ceiling thinking of what Nick said, to think of the future, not the past. Once I got reaped thinking about the future was a scary thing, but now it seemed like the only non-frightening thing to think about.
I think of the many days, months, and years ahead of me and the moments I will spend with Nick in that time. My lip curls into a soft smile as I think of what Nick said, "I won't let Crowe get close to you and I" I close my eyes and bite my lip. I sure hope he won't.
Sorry for the abnormally long wait from me, I've been busy with school work and also other fanfictions I hope to finish after I am finished with the Hailey & Nick story, if you want to keep in touch or ask me about the other fanfictions tweet me (Laniebobaniee) on twitter.
Thanks for all the reviews and tweets, it really makes me happy& motivated!(: