The rest of the night passed awkwardly, she wouldn't be sleeping in his arms tonight. In the morning when he woke up he reached out for her, he cursed to himself when he remembered what happened the night before. He was dreading going to breakfast, but he just had to carry on as normal. It was just a mistake. He took one last swig of his alcohol and left the room.
He walked onto the room where she was sat at the table, silently applying her makeup. Cinna and Portia were sat opposite each other talking about clothes. 'Good morning Haymitch.' She said in her normal chirpy accent, she glared at him and glanced at the others. He knew at once what she meant. 'Mornin' sweetheart' he said and walked over to hug her.
She stood up and threw her arms around his neck. 'Well, it's good to see that you two sorted things out.' Portia said. Effie leaned in close to his ear 'You've been drinking' she mutered. 'I can do as I please, now smile.' He snapped back.
She let him go and turned to Portia 'Oh it was nothing, really, everything is fine now!' She walked over to sit with her as Haymitch sat at the other end of the table. 'So, Effie, what's on the agenda for today then?' He asked trying to make conversation.
'Well, later we'll need to go and get some sponsors signed up because as you know they need food. So whilst me and you are there, Cinna and Portia will be at their interview with Seneca. Then this evening the Gamemakers are in a meeting so theres no gathering in the hall, so we have the evening to ourselves to brush up on stratagies and what not.' Effie looked down at her clip board to make sure she hadnt forgotten anything. ' And that's about it for today.'
'Thankyou Effie, do you mind if me and Portia go get ready for our inteview? It's just, i might a have a promotion ahead of me if i get this right.' Cinna said as he got up to leave. She could tell that Cinna didnt care about a promotion, he just wanted to leave them alone. 'No that's fine, see you later.' She said and glanced over at Haymitch who was silent for a change .
The two sat there for a while, silently eating. 'I think i'm going to go aswell, see y' later Eff.' Effie sighed, stood up and put her hand on her hip 'Ok then, but be carefull not to bump into the Elephant in the room on the way out.'
*'An elephant in the room' is a phrase that British people use for something like an ovbious problem or dilema that people are deliberatley not talking about, in case you didnt know. xx
Haymitch sighed. 'Look Effie, I wouldnt expect you to understand but-' He was cut off by her 'Oh, you dont think i'd understand? Am I just that stupid, Haymitch? Is my corsett to tight for me to think straight?-'
'Ok then, you wanna know why I dont want to be with you? It's because of who you are!' He yelled at her. Shocked, she screamed back at him, 'What? Am I not good enough for you, you and all your District 12 glory? You know i've heard some excuses in my time but that is by far the shittest!'
'No, Effie! It's because you're too Capitol! With your wigs, and makeup and ridiculous costumes! Everytime I see you like that it hurts me because I know I'm doing to people like you and it hurts because I love you and I cant do anything about it!'
'Oh' well, I'm sorry you feel that way-' She began but she was cut off by Haymitch pulling her into a hug. 'No, sweetheart, I'm sorry i just don't want you to get hurt.' He said kissing her forehead.
'Why would I get hurt?' She said leaning back so she could look into his eyes. 'I doesnt matter' He muttered, suddenly turning cold on her. 'Look, when we're around the others just act like everythings fine.' He then walked away leaving her wondering why they had to pretend.
The rest of the day goes as planned, with all the sponsors she barely sees Haymitch at all. By the time they all get back to the viewing room everybodys too tired to hold any real conversation. Instead they all just listen to Katniss and Peeta's heart-to-heart. 'Do you think he really thinks that?' Haymitch says out of the blue. 'You know, that I like her more than him.' He stares blankly at the screen.
'No Haymitch, I'm sure he doesnt really think that' Cinna said, but they all knew that he did really think it. 'Because, It's not true. I love them both equally and I would do anything for either of them. But only one comes out and it breaks my heart to see either of them suffer.' That was the moment when they all realized how much he really did care for them.
'We know you do Haymitch.' Portia said, taking his big hand in both of her small ones. He could only smile at her. 'Hey, why dont you send him something, you know, like a treat?' She said hopefully.
'Yea, that's a great idea Portia, and we have enough sponsors dont we?' Cinna said placing a hand on her shoulder from behind the sofa. 'Yea, what do you think Eff?' Haymitch said to Effie who was sat in the chair with her knees up to her cheeks. Usually she wouldnt sit like this around people, but they were an aception. She looked up as if the was just noticing them for the first time. 'The like the lamb stew.' She said blankly and looked back down.
'Lamb stew, perfect. I'll be right back.' He said getting up to go order the parachute. He was trying to be nice to her, but she wasnt making it easy. As soon as Haymitch was out lf earshot, Portia got up and went to see Effie. 'What's wrong with you?' She said softly. 'You've been like this all night, are you Ok? You can talk to me you know. We're on the same side.' She said, lowering her voice towards the end. Effie didnt understand. On the same side about what? But instead of asking her, she just didnt reply. Understanding she didnt want to talk, Portia went back to sit with Cinna.
'Sorted.' Haymitch said as he walked back into the room with a big grin on his face. He sat on the sofa next to Cinna and Portia whilst they waited for the Parachute to arive. He decided that it was a special moment and that they should all be sat together so he walked over and before she could protest he picked Effie up from the chair.
He loked down at her to see if she'd protest but when she didnt look back up he carried er over to the sofa and sat down, allowing her legs to lie across him and her head to rest on his chest. 'Look, I sent them the stew and a few other surprises.' He says to her quietly. Effie smiles as their faces light up at all the food. Instead of replying she leans up and kisses him on the cheek, then rests her head on his chest again.
The group all laugh when Katniss and Peeta start to talk about them. They especially laugh when theyre talking about Haymitch. When they move on to Effie, she expects them to say nasty things and do Capitol impressions like previous tributes have, but instead they make a joke about manners and say they miss her. Seeing that they care, a small tear escapes her eye.
Haymitch is quick to wipe the tears from her face whitch takes her by surprise because she didnt even knw he was watchng her. He plants a smal kiss on her head and rubbs soothing circles on her back.
Cinna lets out a small yawn. 'I'm off to bed now. You coming Tia?' He said nudging her. Confused she looked up him and he glanced to Haymitch and Effie, indicating that they shoud give them some space. 'Yea, I'm so tired after today!' She said abit to enthusiastic, Cinna elbowed her but luckily neither of the two noticed. Instead they just stayed cuddeled together.
'Alright then, goodnight lovebirds.' Cinna said giggeling. Now it was Portias turn to elbow him. 'Cinna!' She scolded, giggelign aswell. The two ran off back to their room laughing all the way. When they were gone Effie detached herself from Haymitch. 'Are you alright?' He asked her.
'They're gone now, you dont have to pretend.' She said, not making eye contact. 'Effie, I dont know what you mean.' he said, lifting her chin so she looked at him. 'You said when we were around other people we should act as if everythings alright, now there gone you dont have to pretend.' She said and stormed out, he was going to go and comfort her but he knew she'd wan to be alone tonight.
Little did he know that all night, she lied awake waiting for him.