The morning is turning out to be longer than the night. I'm in the guest room holding up the millionth dress that Effie is waiting to try on. Time spent with Effie means relief from Therron and Finn. So I plan on staying by her side for as long as she's in 12.

She's stopped asking me what I think as the dresses have all blurred together so any response from me holds no weight.

"Goodness me! You need to get dressed as well, Violet. Off you go," she says after she's decided on one of the first dresses we dug out.

"What about Haymitch? He was planning on showing up with nothing and I don't want him to ruin-"

"I'll take of that man," she snaps. "He's going to wear what I've picked out and he's going to like it and be grateful he has people in his life that care enough about him." I should have taken a piece of that advice. A week ago my life was fine. Normal. Steady. Now I barely know which way is up.

My father knocks at my door after I've spent as much time adjusting my dress and hair as Effie did helping me find something fashionable. As long as I can pass for not looking foolish my braided hair and white dress will keep me in Effie's good books.

"I don't even have the words..." A wide grin spreads across my father's face as he takes me in. "Not sure what Effie's done with my little girl but you do have a strong resemblance."

"Daddy..." I warn him from getting too mushy. "Can we just get this day over with?"

He chuckles. "You sound just like a certain old man."

I feel more connected to Haymitch than ever before. We're sitting side by side in our get-ups not quite out of place but surely not as elegant as the rest of the guests. The night lights around the garden party illuminate the dresses and suits in true Capitol fashion. I definitely win the award for simplest outfit. Haymitch could get second. His tuxedo is lined with gems that sparkle like the stars on a cloudless sky. Even my parents are glamorous in their historic outfits created especially for them from former interviews.

"Cold, sweetheart?" Haymitch nudges me in the shoulder. I unclasp my arms and shake my head. Not on the outside. Just the inside.

"Do you ever wish you do a day over again?"

Haymitch takes another sip of... I think it's his fifth drink. "That's what this is for. At least helps you forget the days you don't want to remember." He shoves his glass my way. "The way you handle liquor your night could be over at the bottom of one glass."

Tempting. But no. I need to have all my faculties in check. I may take him up on his offer once Finn is on a train though. Lectures from Therron about drinking too much are preferable than any other as well.

My bottom being planted on a seat seems to be of great annoyance to Effie. She didn't find me the perfect dress to have it wasted on Haymitch. So she says. Instead I must be presented like her trophy in front of random guests and the cameras which all move with me as I'm presented from person to person. I smile. I answer the same questions with as few words as possible and move on.

I breath a sigh of relief as the cameras finally sway away from me. Until I see their new target. I'll always be second to Finn Odair.

I try to start a actual conversation with the woman who just asked me about my future plans. She's short and I'm pretty sure there might be a dead bird in her hair. "So how do you know Haymitch?"

"Haymitch? Oh, well I've known Effie for years. Practically sisters. And when I heard she needed to fill spots at the tables for him I jumped at the chance. You don't get to meet Victors in the Capitol very often." Or Victor's children. That answer seems about as much as should have expected. I thank her for coming and turn to see who my next awkward conversation will be with.

"One of is going to have to change." The twinkle in his eyes is overshadowed by the surrounding bruising. "Unless I play the pity card with Effie so she'll have to deal with both of us wearing white."

Finn's suit is not completely white like my dress. It shimmers as if he walked under a golden rain and it left gold dust everywhere. Not to mention he's only wearing an open jacket and pants, showing off his most attention grabbing assets.

Averting my gaze from anything below his neckline is my second top priority. First being to see what mind frame he's in. "Mine's actually champagne. So nothing needs to change."

He takes in a light breath as he surveys the crowd watching us. Mostly him. "You sure about that? Cause right now people are commenting on your pretty face more than mine. I'm feeling a little self conscious about that."

"Does it still hurt?" I ask, and immediately regret it. I meant to only to refer to his nose but he could interpret it differently.

"Nah. Your mother sent a doctor over this morning to give me his opinion on how broken it is. Bad news was it's very broken. Good news, I have an appointment set up with our doctor in Four as soon as I get back." He sounds upbeat about it. It must look worse than it feels. "Therron here?"

"He's in hiding. From Effie," I say quickly. "He told me he apologized..."

"Yea, yea. He's a good guy. Came clean straight away about how you were just friends and you seemed to be in need of protection and his instinct just kicked in. Stronger than he looks. Now if it was a posing contest you know I would have taken him down," he teases.

I conjure up a smile even though I don't feeling like smiling.

"Sorry. We're going to have to laugh about the time I fell in love you one day. A story to tell the kids. Not ours, of course. Unless you've come to your senses..."

"Finn," I say through strained teeth.

"Just putting it out there. For fun. Can we..." He leans in close enough I can still make out his Capitol cologne. He just can't stop with that stuff. "If we dance I think our talk will be a little more private." He's being considerate again. No chance of me being anywhere out of public sight with him.

I agree and let him lead me to the dance area where several other couples are gathered. He keeps a respectable distance away, holding my one hand with his and placing the other on my waist. Still closer than I feel I should be allowed.

He smiles at me a few times, working up the courage to say what he wants to say. Until he finally dives in. "I didn't mean for this to happen either. I've always thought of you as my closest friend. Which is partly why I didn't think it odd that could be something more. But if you aren't there I can't force it. I won't. I'll wait," he says, putting as much pressure on as I felt the first time I knew it meant more to him.

I don't want this kind of control over him. He deserves more. "Please don't. If I mean anything at all to you, you won't waste another second on this, Finn."

He slows our dance to a near standstill and pulls me closer. "I'm going to wait. There are only two ways out of this. Either you'll come knocking on my door, roses in hand or I'll call you with news that I've met someone and you're off the hook. I think you know which one is more likely." I would like to have that same look of hope that shines back at me from his sea green eyes.

I rest my head on his shoulder. At least he's given some thought to another possibility. "You forgot one. I could meet someone."

We both arch an eyebrow at each other. Like that will happen any time soon.

I position myself back on his shoulder. "I'll be waiting for that phone call, Odair. And then I'll bring flowers to congratulate you."

He turns his head and smiles into my hair. "Forget the roses. Bring a bouquet of honeysuckles. They're my new favorite."

The rest of the night goes off just as Effie planned. Sparkling candles were added to the cake instead of fireworks and all the guests still oohed and aahed over it. Haymitch was intoxicated enough he joined in with his birthday song and happily ate the first piece of cake. Lucky. Probably won't even remember how hard everyone laughed at Effie's well crafted speech at his expense.

I walk Finn to the train station after we change to see him off. Like a good friend. When he leans in to kiss me he smirks and raises his chin to give me a kiss on the forehead. I wait for the relief to set in when he boards the train. Then when his face fades from the window. I wait for it all night. Because when it does I'll finally know we can both move on.