Three months passed since I won the Hunger Games. It was my seventeenth birthday. I couldn't wait to see my friends. Angel Starworth had become my best friend. We became near inseparable. I came to view her as a sister. Mr. and Mrs. Pepperidge were like an aunt and uncle. Milano's little sister, Rosemary, was like a cousin. Maury and Rosemary hit it off as soon as they met. Both were thirteen going on fourteen. My mind drifted to Haymitch sitting in the living room. He was talking to my parents about something. I shook my head. Since it also happened to Sunday my dad had the day off. I smiled when Angel came in my room.

"You're not ready yet", she asked.

"No", I admitted. "I don't know what to wear."

"What about this", she asked.

I looked at what Angel was holding. It was a red dress with orange and yellow flames. I shook my head as Ambros walked in. I grinned at him. He was carrying a garment bag in one hand and shoe box in the other. I knew he'd bring something for me to wear. I watched as he opened the bag. Inside was a short sparkly black dress. Angel squeaked slightly as light bounced off it. Almost immediately I wanted into the dress.

"Let's get it on you", Ambros said. "You're party starts in three hours. It will take that long to get you ready."

Right when he said that, Axel, Dagmar and Brunhild rushed in. Angel took her leave to the living room. I had taken good care of myself since the Games. Axel did my hair and nails. Dagmar did my makeup. Brunhild used some of floral scented lotion on my arms and legs. Two hours and forty five later, I was close to being ready. Ambros helped me step into the dress. It ended just above my knees. He had me step in a pair of silver ballet flats. We had five minutes left. I looked in a full length mirror that stood against the far wall. My hair was braided as usual. It was pulled up to look like a dark crown with diamond studded bobby pins. Ambros led me to the door that went into the living room.

"You ready to meet your admirers", he asked.

"You know it", I said. "I was born ready."

The door opened to reveal Caesar Flickerman on the other side. I grinned at him with genuine happiness. I saw him after the Games. I had an interview while I was being treated for malnutrition and dehydration. He stepped back to let me by. Ambros goes in before me.

"Where's Rosie". Maury asked.

"Right here", I said.

Everyone erupted in to cheers when they saw me. They took turns in hugging me. Even President Snow gave me a hug. That really surprised me. Snow wasn't normally a warm hearted man. I returned his hug smelling roses and blood. Once hugs were done we go about talking. I sat beside Maury answering questions. Maury even helped me with the answers. Before long, it was time for the cake. Mom lit the candles and everyone sang 'Happy Birthday'. Dad told me blow out the candles. I did after making a silent wish. The rest of the party was filled dancing, singing and eating. I opened the presents brought by the guests.

A necklace with a Greek medallion in the center. A pair of headphones, a CD player and several CD's. Several books on Greek and Roman mythology. I soon reached the last gift. It was from Blossom. I looked around but didn't see her. Inside the bag was card and a set Russian nesting dolls. The card said she was sorry for not coming. She'd wanted to come but was so busy she couldn't get away. The rest of the party passed in a hurry. By the time everyone left it was almost ten at night. I got into my pajamas then crawled into bed. Haymitch decided to stay the night. About four hours later, I woke up to Haymitch crawling into my bed.

"Can't sleep", I mumbled.

"No", he grumbled. "Your brother won't shut up."

"Welcome to my family", I whispered.

I felt him smile as he pressed a kiss to my temple. We fell asleep together. When I woke up again, I realized I didn't have any nightmares. Haymitch stirred behind me. I looked back at him with a smile. He returned the smile and kissed my temple. I crawled out of bed with Haymitch close behind. He went to the bathroom to get ready for the day. I stayed in my room to do the same thing. It took me all of ten minutes to get dressed, brush my hair and get my shoes on. I scarped my hair into a ponytail being as I didn't want to braid it. I went to the kitchen and found Rosemary sitting at the table crying.

"Rosemary", I said. "What's wrong, honey? What happened?"

"M-my parents kicked m-me out", she said. "T-they thought I was p-pregnant."

"You're not though, are you", I asked.

"No, I'd never become pregnant", she said. "Not I'm unmarried. They know that to. Please don't tell the Head Peacekeeper, Rosetta."

"I won't say a word", I assured her. "What they don't know won't hurt them."

She nodded then hugged me tightly. I returned the hug with a smile. Poor girl was probably scared witless at the time. I pulled away and asked if she was hungry.

"Very", she said. "What can we have?"

"Anything we want", I said. "How about eggs and bacon?"

"Yeah", she said. "Orange juice too?"

Absolutely", I replied.

I pulled out eggs, bacon and orange juice. Rosemary grabbed plates, forks and cups. Haymitch came in smiling at the smell of bacon.

"Maury left already", I said. "He went to school."

"I'm only here for breakfast", Rosemary added."

"Why aren't you in school too", Haymitch asked Rosemary.

"I graduated early" she said. "I have an IQ of a hundred eighty."

"So you're basically a genius", he said.

"Yeah", she replied.

I slid a plate in front of each of them. I sat down beside Rosemary smiling at her.

"What are you going to do today" she asked me.

"I don't know yet", I said. "Do you have any ideas?"

"How about a movie day", she said. "I've always wanted to watch the Santa Claus trilogy."

"Alright", I said. "Movie day it is. What about you Haymitch? Any plans?"

"I to do some shopping", he replied. "I'm low on food."

Rosemary and I nodded at the same time. We could have fun without him. We finished eating and I washed the dishes. Haymitch helped by drying them. Rosemary put the dishes away. Haymitch said bye to us as he left the house. I quickly found the Santa Claus trilogy and put the first one in. We sat through the movies really enjoying them. By the time we'd finished the movies Maury was walking through the door. Mr. and Mrs. Pepperidge were following him.

"Rosemary", Mrs. Pepperidge cried. "I'm so sorry for I said this morning. Can you ever forgive me?"

"Yeah, mom", she said. "Same with you, dad."

"If you have a baby", Mr. Pepperidge said. "You won't be coming back home."

"I'll be married before I have babies", Rosemary replied. "Rosetta, you'll let me come by again, right?"

"Absolutely, Rose", I said. "You're welcome to come by anytime."

With that, they left to go back to their home. Maury was working on his homework in his room. It wasn't until two Peacekeepers came by I realized mom and dad weren't home. I knew right away there was trouble.

Please R&R. I really want to know what everyone thinks.