Chapter 4
Previously: I think about it. And it really makes perfect sense. But for that reason, I'm even more mad at him. I get up from my lovely food, and say "I guess you're right, but I have to go."
"Go where?"
I almost say 'Away from you' But I manage to withhold myself. "To think."
He seems to accept that answer, and I step back into my confining room.
Once I'm in my room I immediately step out. I retreat into there too often. I waltz through the halls just leaning against the walls, and walking against it. I go past, one, two, three rooms on my way. I then spot a painting up ahead. When I reach it, I look to see what it looks like. It's a really beautiful picture of a bridge over a lake swarmed with dainty flowers floating around in it. It kinda reminds me of the place I used to go with my dad a lot in the woods. It had that magical feeling to it.
As I stare at the painting I hear a door slamming shut and I see a staggering Haymitch leaning against the walls like me. I hear him breathing heavily, and staring into space. He's drunk, but I can tell he's getting over it, and regaining a correct state of mind. I shift a little so I can alert him of my presence without making him go bazooka. He turns his head towards me.
"Who are you?" He slurs out.
"Um… I'm America." He looks quizzical. Seriously? He doesn't even know the names of the people he's mentoring. And then it hits me. We have like no chance of winning if Haymitch is our mentor. It makes me feel both bad and good at the same time. I mean, at least stuck-up-Schreave won't win. "I'm one of the tributes from district twelve. Do you know me now?"
A look of recognition shimmers through his very pale blue eyes. "Oh… Yeah, I remember, you were the one who showed up the Capitol." He blurts out. Showed up the Capitol? How on earth Could I have done that?
My thoughts must've read on my face because Haymitch, the 50th games winner speaks up again and says "You volunteered for your sister. It was a different kind of brave than winning the games. The kind that the Capitol doesn't like." How had he managed to say all that in his current state? Oh, well. I guess he's right. I just hope they didn't notice that mistake. Wait, wait, wait. Holdup. Haymitch won the 50th Hunger Games. He is our mentor. I have to be nice to him in order to get sponsors.
So I put my nice face on. Haymitch seems to be fully conscious, so I know he will remember this. "That is really wise, Mr. Abernathy. I see how you won the games. And what shampoo do you use? That hair is simply gorgeous." Well, really his hair is chin length, blonde, and really, really greasy. I don't think he showered in months, let alone shampoo. Anyway, he takes my statement into consideration. Then he narrows his eyes. Uh-oh.
"Well, little girl, flattery doesn't work on me. He steps towards me, and I step back. "But, I admire your strategy, and desperation." I frown at him.
"Excuse me? Desperation?" I cross my arms.
"Yes, desperation. But desperation is good. It means you would do more than you usually would to get something you want." He barks quietly. I don't know how he does that. It's like he's angry with you, but he's using his angry voice at average conversation volume. But I see his point. I am desperate.
"Okay, fine, you're right. Under normal circumstances, I would never compliment you."
He looks at me, in a rage "You better be nice to me, girl, because one wrong move from you, and down you go into the death hole."
I look at him, shocked. "You just said that fattery doesn't work on you!" I then cover my mouth, realizing what I said.
"Fattery! Are you calling me fat? Because I can make it so you won't call me anything." Is that a threat?
"No, no! It just slipped out! It was just a mistake. I meant to say flattery. Honestly."
He still looks angry, but he seems to calm down a little. "I know what you meant to say. But lesson one for training: It doesn't matter what you mean to do, I matters what you do do. Got it?"
"Got it. I got to go eat dinner. Seeya." I quickly walk to the dining hall, before I can mess anything up with him. Once I reach my room, out of sight, I do a silent happy dance. Yes! Strike two. I got Silvia on my side first, and now, I think, Haymitch. Now just the whole country, so I can get sponsors! Wow, I actually shouldn't be that happy. I got two people out of like, I don't even know how many. But I gotta stay positive.
I'm trying to not make this exactly like the book, because I've read Fanfics like that. I'm trying to put Marlee in somehow. Any ideas? Anyways, love ya.