Chapter Three

I watch the clock as it slowly approaches 8pm. I haven't seen Haymitch in five months but every week we speak on the phone at precisely 8pm. I miss him so badly, I haven't even tried to move on, I can't, when such a big part of me admires him so. I miss his little comments, and his touch and his sarcasm and his being and even his smell. I am currently in the "dead zone" in the Capitol, the area of time when nothing exciting is happening, it's too late to be speaking about the last Hunger Games yet too early to begin to be excited about the Quarter Quell. So recently I haven't had any interviews, any work so I've basically been on my own for about a month. All I've done for most of the time is piece together my outfits for this year.

The phones rings and I allow it to beep twice before I pick it up, "Hello, Effie Trinket, Lady of Trinket Manor speaking, how can I help you?"

"I thought you had to be married to be a 'Lady'" Haymitch points out.

"Thank you for ruining the illusion Haymitch"

He laughs "No problem, Sweetheart, if you really wanted you could say Lady Trinket-Abernathy?"

"Ugh no, no hyphen! I would either be Lady Trinket or Lady Abernathy, not both"

"So you would consider taking the name then?"

"Is this you proposing?"

Haymitch snorts, "No, not at all, that's way in the future, Sweetheart"

"You actually believe we have a future?" I ask suddenly changing the mood.

"Yes I do, I do believe we have a future, just not like this, we will find a way but Effie."

"I hope so, I really do. How are things in District Twelve?"

"Bleak, boring, the usual. Peeta and Katniss have been distant from each other… I don't know if I should try and help them…"

"They'd love that! Relationship advice from Haymitch Abernathy! What next?"

"What should I do then?"

"Leave them be, the poor things have been through enough. You should probably give them my number, just if they ever need my help"

"How are things in the concrete jungle?"

I sigh "Lonely, extremely lonely"

"I'd like to think that that's exaggeration but it's not is it?"

"Unfortunately not"

"I wish I could be there with you, you know that… if things weren't the way they are I would be at your side and would never leave it"

I beam and am about to reply when I hear Peeta's voice in the Background of Haymitch's line.

"Um, Haymitch is this a bad time?" I hear him say and realise he must've heard some of the conversation.

"yeah it is, what's wrong?" Haymitch snaps.

"I just wanted to drop off the bread rolls"

I hear Haymitch let out an exasperated breathe, I have to hold in my laugh. He thanks Peeta for the bread and then he leaves.

"He only means well" I say.

"I know, Sweetheart."

We are both silent for a few moments.

"I miss you so much" I blurt out and regret saying it the moment that I say it. Now I must seem so desperate to him.

"I miss you too" He says to my surprise.

I squeeze my eyes closed to relieve the tension that I feel.

"Effie, have you ever considered eloping?"

If I was drinking something I would've spat it out, "What?" I ask confused for a second.

"Me and you, we run away, away from the Capitol where they would never find us, we could build a house somewhere isolate, only have each other, live by the land-"

The line suddenly goes flat.

Then an all too familiar voice speaks directly into my ear

"I thought I had made myself quite clear that you hadn't to be with this man Miss Trinket. I am rather fond of you and would prefer it not to harm you, therefore I am doing you a favour and destroying your contact line to the District altogether. The only way you will speak to someone of the District is if I allow it, do I make myself clear?" President Snow hisses.

My knees have went week, my mouth dry.

"I asked you a question Miss Trinket, do I make myself clear?"

I swallow down the sob, "Yes sir, you make yourself perfectly clear"

"I also want to keep a closer eye on you. This is your final chance do you understand me, one more step out of line and I will cut of every one your fingers until you learn to be obedient. I will not only hurt you, but also your precious Victors who have already made a mockery of me, your mother and even him. Especially him. As of tomorrow you will be working directly for me, in my home, I will find something for you to do, perhaps rearranging my wardrobe. You will also move into one of the workers lofts in my grounds. Don't worry though, you will still be an Escort, just not until the Games start up again. You should get packing now Miss Trinket, I will send a car to collect you at 9am. I'd hoped it hadn't had to come to this. Good night Miss Trinket."

"Good night sir" I barely manage to say and then the call cuts off and my telephone goes dead. I slide off of my sofa and onto the floor where I curl up into a ball, feeling more alone that I had ever imagined anyone could ever feel.