A/N: Hey guys. Sorry I haven't updated in a long time. *cowards away from angry readers* I'll try to update every Saturday from now on. Also, there is no opening quote for this chapter, sadly.

Chapter Four: A Very Drunk Haymitch

"Come sit," Effie instructs us when we arrive in the dining cart of the train. I sit down across from her while Gale sits down next to me. Haymitch isn't here, so I'm supposing that he's either drinking or he's still not conscious from falling off the stage.

People come in with tons of foods to eat. Gale and I load our plates as much as we can, not being use to this much food. I'm about to start eating when I think of our family's. They don't have as nearly as much food that's here. I set down my utensils and stare down my plate.

"Eat, dear," says Effie. My stomach grumbles in response.

"Catnip…" I look over to Gale. He has the same pain in his eyes as me. I can tell that he wants me to eat because we have to put on as much weight as possible. I nod and start eating. Slowly. He's satisfied though because he doesn't say anything else about it. We eat dinner in eerie silence, until Effie decides to break it with that big mouth of hers.

"At least you two have manners. The pair last year disgusting." That sets me off. Both of the tributes last year were from the Seam. You could practically see every bone of their bodies. They weren't prepared at all, even with the Capitol's "generosity" of giving us some time to train before we go into the games.

"Probably because they were never feed right a day in their damn lives," Gale argues. I can't yell at him for that because he's 100% right. He has his arms crossed over his chest and a scowl written on his face. I give him a nod, telling him that he did the right thing. Thankfully, his comment makes Effie shut up.

I decide to eat disgustingly, as Effie puts it, for the rest of dinner. I can see her scrunching her nose and shaking her head and Gale trying to hold back his laughter. When I'm finished, to top it all off, I wipe my hands on the tablecloth.

"I think this is a good time to go watch the reaping recaps," says Effie. She pats the corner of her mouth with a white cloth. "Come, come." Gale and I trail behind her.

She takes a seat in an over-cushioned chair while Gale and I sit down on a couch. He puts his arm around me and I scoot closer to him. I lean my head on his broad shoulder. Effie turns clicks a button and the television turns on. Claudius Templesmith and Caesar Flickerman appear on the screen.

"Hello and welcome to the recap of the 74th Hunger Games reapings!" Claudius greets. Only a few districts stand out, which is usual. A ditsy Career from District 1, Glimmer. Marvel, a slim boy who has an aggressive look in his eye. He's also from District 1. Both of District 2's tributes look like they know how to kill people a million different ways. They probably do, considering that they've been training their whole lives for this. Districts 3 and 4 don't catch my eye. District 5 has a girl that looks sly and stealthy. I immediately give her the nickname, 'Foxface'. The rest of the districts look like they would any year until District 11. The girl that gets reaped is only twelve-years-old, so she reminds me of Prim. Her name is Rue. They ask for volunteers, but no one steps up.

Then, they show District 12. Effie, greeting us and starting the video. Prim's name echoing through the square. Her slowly walking to her place. Me volunteering. Prim pleading with me not to while wrapping her arms around me. Gale taking her off and taking her to my mother. Gale's name being called and him taking his place. Haymitch falling off the stage. The mayor reading the Treaty of Treason. Gale and I hugging.

I'll admit, hugging wasn't the best idea. It makes us look weak. If our emotions weren't running so high it wouldn't have happened. We shift uncomfortably, both of us thinking of the same things.

"Looks like we're going to have an interesting year, don't you think so Claudius?" Caesar says enthusiastically. "Why yes, I do think it's going to be an interesting year." Claudius states. "Especially with a rare outer-district volunteer and maybe even star-crossed lovers from District 12?" His eyebrows raise up to his forehead questionably. Effie looks over to us, even though it's obvious to her that we are.

I shift again because it isn't any of these creepy, colorful, oblivious, Capitolite's business. Haymitch then stumbles into the room with a bottle of liquor in his hand again. "Did I miss the recap?" he mumbles.

"Haymitch, you have a lot to learn about manners," Effie scolds him.

"And you have a lot to learn about fashion," he snaps back. She scoffs and I smirk. She gets up out of her seat and leaves the room. But before she goes I think I can see her blushing under all of her makeup. I thought it was impossible.

Haymitch takes a long swig from his bottle before he collapses on the floor. So much for help. Gale and I stand up at the same time and we surround him. We stay there for a while trying to decide what to do before I sigh loudly. "Should we clean him up?" I suggest.

"I don't know," says Gale.

"Then what do you think we should do?"

"Leave 'em."

"Leave him!? He's our mentor, Gale. We need his help so we need to get on his good side."

"I don't think that he's going to help us."

"Then we have to do what we can to make him."

Gale sighs in defeat. I take hold of Haymitch's legs and Gale takes his shoulders. We haul him to his room (at least I hope it's his room) and Gale start a shower for him.

"I can take it from here, Catnip. You can go get some rest," says Gale. I nod in agreement and walk to my room.

I consider changing the clothes I have on now, but ultimately decide to leave them on. They're comfortable and I think that they actually are supposed to be pajamas. I take the necklace out of my pocket and the pin off my shirt. I set them down on the bedside table. I crawl into the covers and arrange myself into a comfortable position. The bed feels like I'm floating on clouds compared to the flattened one at home that I share with Prim.

I constantly roll and flip over to settle in, but it doesn't work. My eyes stay wide open even though it feels like I could sleep for a million years. I sigh in frustration and jump out of bed.

I walk down the hall and end up in front of Gale's door. I hesitate for a moment, not wanting to wake him if he's asleep. I make the decision to open the door. It creeks as I do this, which catches Gale's attention. Good, I think, he's awake.

"Hey Gale," I address him. He smiles.

"Hey Catnip," his smile falters a little. "Something wrong?"

"No, I just, you know, couldn't sleep," I say passively.

"Same," he says. He lifts up the corner of his blanket, inviting me to sleep with him. I have an argument in my head whether or not I should accept. He senses my hesitation because the next thing he says is: "Don't worry, Catnip, I'm not gonna try anything."

I blush a little and walk over. I lay down beside him and nuzzle my head into his chest. I throw my arm around his waist while he absentmindedly played with my hair which relaxes me.

We lay there in peace until our thoughts lull us to sleep.

I know, I know! Pathetic ending and horrible chapter! Say what's on your mind about it in the reviews. Even if it's a flame, I deserve it for this chapter. Until next time, SyFyGeek.