A/N-Here's another chapter! Enjoy!

Loud knocking awakens me from my slumber. I grunt in response. The knocking only continues. "Haymitch," a voice screams.

"I'm coming," I yell back. Since when did I become so popular?

I rub the sleepiness out of my eyes and make my way downstairs. I don't bother getting changed or anything of the sort. Why should I bother?

I make my way to the door and open it leisurely. I am faced with a frazzled looking Vanessa. She has fresh tears rolling down her face.

"What happened," I ask. She looks frightened.

"We're over," she responds.

"Wait, what? What happened, Vanessa?"

"We're over," she screams.

"Let's talk about this. What happened?" I reach for her hand. I notice a bruise on her wrist.

"Please, Haymitch," she replies as more tears make their journey down her cheeks.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she answers.

"How did you get that bruise? Who hurt you?"

"I can't say," she whispers. She backs away from me slowly. "I'm so scared."

"Why? What are you scared of?" I think I already know the answer.

"I can't say," she repeats. She turns around and begins to run. I chase after her in my pajamas. This is not how I wanted us to break up.

I sprint to her and catch her in no time. I always have been faster than Vanessa, so it was not hard for me.

"Let me go," she hisses as she squirms around in my arms.

"No," I respond forcefully. I tighten my grip and she cries out in pain. I immediately release my hold on her. "Are you okay?"

"No."

"I'm sorry." I pause, reconsidering if I should ask her this. I cautiously gaze at my surroundings. I don't see anyone.

I step closer to her. She doesn't shy away. "Did Maysilee hurt you," I whisper in her ear. She nods. "I'm so sorry," I whisper as I gently pull her into a hug.

Her tears flow freely now. "I'm so scared," she sobs.

"Don't worry," I say. "I won't let her hurt you ever again."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I'm not."

"Why me?"

"What?"

"Why does Maysilee hate me?"
"She doesn't like that we're dating."

"Why?"

"I think she loves me."

"She's dead."

"I know."

"So, she's a ghost."

"Yes."

"You two can never be. Why is she so selfish?"

"What?"

"I mean, she's holding you back. She's not letting you be you. It should be your decision whether you date me or not, not hers."

"Vanessa."

"She the one who gave you those bruises, right? If she loves you, she wouldn't have done that."

"She couldn't help it," I screech. I pull myself out of our embrace. "She couldn't help it," I repeat in a lower volume.

"Why are you defending her?"

"Why are you pretending that you know everything about her? You don't know her! You don't know what she's like!"

"Oh my."

What?"

"You love her." I don't respond. "How can you love her? I thought you loved me."

"I did, Vanessa, but I don't anymore." The words are harsh, but the truth is the truth.

"I love you, Haymitch! I still do," she sobs.

"I'm sorry."

"We're over," she says as she leaves me. I begin to saunter back to my house as well.

My mind wanders to Maysilee. What am I going to do with her? She hurts the people I care about. What if she goes after my family next?

I arrive at my house quickly. I didn't notice the tears rolling down my face until now. I wipe them away. I don't cry.

"Are you okay," Maysilee asks as soon as I walk through the front door. I don't acknowledge her. "What happened?"

"You know damn well what happened," I growl. My response takes her by surprise, but she quickly regains her composure.

"What do I know?"
"How could you hurt Vanessa? She didn't do anything to you!"

"You should've seen yourself! You have spent way too much time stressing over her. I did you a favor. You won't have to worry about her anymore. She ended it, right?"

"Yes."

"See? Now you won't have to worry about breaking up with her."

"I could've broken up with her without your help."
"Really?"

"Really. I don't need your help. I'm a grown man. I can handle myself."

Her eyes begin to turn black at my response. "Oh, really? If I recall, I can remember saving your life during the Games. Did I get a thank you? No. My help is never appreciated." My body is thrust against the wall. "Where were you when I was dying? You were playing at the edge of a cliff."

"I tried," I whisper as I am shoved into the wall. "I really did."

"Yes, but I'm still dead." I wince as I feel a force propel me into the hard wall.

"I never meant for that to happen."

"Say what happened." I don't respond. "Say it," she screams as I collide with the wall once more.

"You died." I brace myself for the impact that never comes.

"That I did," she says as she takes deep breaths. "I did," she repeats.

"You can control yourself, May. I believe in you."

Her eyes become a little lighter. She looks at me and begins to mumble to herself. I don't understand a word she says.

"We can finally be together," I whisper.

My words turn her eyes a little lighter. "We can."

"I forgive you for what you did."

Her eyes are almost back to normal. "Really?" I nod.

"We have our whole futures in front of us, and I want to share mine with you."

Her eyes finally return back to normal. I am so relieved. "I want to share mine with you." We fall into silence.

"You're getting better," I say, trying to break the awkward silence between us.

"Huh?"

"It was easier to break you out of your trance."

"Yeah, thanks to you. I couldn't get through it without you."

"I'm here for you."

"As I am for you," she says with a smile. I smile back. For that moment I forget about what just happened. I lose myself in her smile.

A/N- I hope you liked it! Tell me your thoughts! I don't bite!