Never Forget
Chapter 7- Fighting Chances
"JAKXON, GET AWAY FROM MY CATNIP."
My head spun as Jakxon accidently pushed me away. Haymitch came barreling out of the forest, wearing a black eye and a bloodied lip. I immediately felt guilty but I stopped thinking about it when I heard the two of them fighting.
"You took her against her will and tried to-"
"I didn't do anything! She wanted to kiss me! Did you see the look on her face when-" Jakxon shouted when he was interrupted by a punch to the face. I stared as Jakxon's cheek started bleeding. He touched it, bringing the blood on his fingers to his eyes. A look of resentment flashed upon his face and he took a step back. I sighed a breath of relief that the fight wouldn't continue, it's not that I don't like fights, it's just the fact that they were fighting over me.
But alas, I spoke too soon. Jakxon drew his fist back and shoved it into Haymitch's face, causing the skin around his mouth to rip open, blood spilling everywhere. Haymitch touched his busted lip, feeling the blood oozing out. Then once again, before I could do anything, Haymitch retaliated by kicking Jakxon's head. That was the last straw, Jakxon got back up and used all of his pent up aggression on Haymitch, turning it into a full out brawl. I stood there watching them, as the fight reminded me a bit too much of the Games I had just come out of. Trying to distract myself from the nightmares of the Arena, I looked around, trying to find something else to focus on. It was there where I saw another set of eyes watching me.
I almost jumped in shock when I first saw them, but feeling completely awful after that. I forgot about Dad. This could be my only time left with him and I am not spending it with him just because two guys were fighting over me! I quickly walked on over to him, hoping to spend a bit more time with him.
"Don't tell me you are going to start proclaiming your love to me too," I half-joked, hoping that he really didn't feel that way too, or things would get awkward fast.
"Nah," he replied, "I have another girl in mind, and I wouldn't want to get in between these two anyway, by the end of this I wouldn't be surprised if one of them has a broken arm."
"So do they do this, or fight in general, often? I could not help but noticing whenever I mentioned you two Haymitch would either quickly change the subject or look like he was about to kill someone. So did something happen to one of you? Or is it just those two?" I gestured to Haymitch and Jakxon rolling on the ground, using their longish hair to their advantage, and holding it and smashing their heads into the ground. It was rather comical I have to say.
"Well, about two or three years ago Haymitch was dating this girl Karon. She was pretty I guess, but Jakxon started hitting on her. Haymitch saw this and told Jakxon to back off but he would not listen and continued anyway. Haymitch got really pissed after that, and rightfully so, as he caught them kissing one day after school. Haymitch started beating up Jakxon, earning him a detention, and Karon ran away terrified and later broke up with him. Haymitch was devastated but she's not around anymore, I'd hate to have you struggle to win his attention." My face flushed as I heard that last comment fight to get his attention. Why would I want his attention to begin with?
"Why would Karon not be here anymore? What happened to her?" I asked him, trying to keep a calm composure and ignore what he said.
"Oh, well… she was the female tribute for the Games last year, she died in the bloodbath," he told me morosely. I was about to tell him how sorry I was and how I vaguely remembered her when the fighting pair of Haymitch and Jakxon barreled into us. I stepped back and looked at the two of them, bloodied up with bruises already forming on their faces. Haymitch took another swing at Jakxon and it made contact with his nose. Jakxon stumbled back, which gave Haymitch a satisfaction that he disabled Jakxon. Before he knew it, though, Jakxon came up from behind and brought Haymitch into a hold. I looked at the two of them and it immediately brought me back to a memory.
I stood atop the Cornucopia, arrow loaded and aimed, ready to shoot Cato. Blood was pouring down his face from what appeared to be a broken nose and a few missing teeth. He held Peeta in a way in which if he fell, Peeta would too. I looked over to Peeta and he nodded to me, I knew what I had to do. I repositioned the arrow and released it.
A flurry of skin and hair knocked me out of my flashback. I fell to the ground with the two boys on top of me. This annoyed me to no end, more than just them fighting in general. I stood up again and shook the dust off my pants. Walking up to the pair of them, I separated them enough to slap them both in the face. Haymitch turned to me shocked while Jakxon just held his face in his hand and muttered how that hurt.
"You two really needed to stop that fighting, it was annoying me," I outright told them, "And I'm not absolutely sure the real reason you're fighting but resolve it now."
"Then choose someone," Haymitch muttered under his breath.
"What was that, Haymitch? I'm sorry, I just can't hear you all the way over here!" called out Darion.
I smirked realizing how my father was milking the situation. "Go on, say it so we all can hear, sweetie."
"Choose one of us! You can't be dating both of us at the same time,"
"I chose before, can't you two figure it out yourselves?"
"She obviously chose me, Haymitch. Didn't you see the way she was going to kiss me before you butt in?" Jakxon cut in, with a smirk directed towards him. Haymitch looked over to me for confirmation; I just gave him a pointed look and raised my eyebrow. His eyes widened in realization and then a small grin spread across his face.
"No, she chose me. Right Catnip?"
A/N I'm sorry! I am a bit of a huge procrastinator. Luckily, I ended on a cliff hanger, so I'll be able to write the next chapter. But after that... I'm not sure. So enjoy! And take the poll on my profile! And possibly review? And, if I don't post anything in 2 weeks, feel free to harass me until I do. Actually, please do so.
