As soon as I walked into the dining room I knew this was going to be a shit show. The look on Haymitch's face told me all I needed to know. He definitely wasn't happy, and by the sheepish look on Cole's face as he fled to his room I had a good idea why. I knew exactly how I was going to handle this and I was sure Haymitch wasn't going to like it. I wouldn't let him take control of the situation, and I definitely wasn't going let him take control of my life.
He spoke before I even opened my mouth. "So, Katniss. I heard you weren't present for training today. Want to elaborate?" "What I do is my own business Haymitch." "It certainly isn't when you don't show up for training, it makes me look bad!" "No, the fact that you're a drunken asshole makes you look bad! Now, if you'd excuse me I have a few guests coming over so be a good little drunk and stay quiet." I turned to head towards my room when one of Haymitch's greasy paws grabbed ahold of my wrist, his grip growing increasingly tight.
I spun sharply back to him, my eyes burning with raw anger as they bore into his own. My fist swung towards him before I could comprehend my own actions, a sickening crunch followed by the ding of the elevator brought me back to reality. Whilst I knew I should control myself, especially in front of my soulmates, something primal inside me snapped the moment he touched me.
I looked at him, seeing the already darkening bruise on his jaw, grinning maliciously at the pain I caused. I heard the low murmur of chatter from my soulmates blur into the background and I knew I needed to make my point fast before I was stopped. I gripped his collar tightly in my fist and swung him around until he slammed into the wall, I pinned him there with my body, my forearm pressed firmly against his windpipe.
"Now you listen to me you old drunk, if you ever and I do mean ever threaten me, or those I love there will serious, painful consequences. Do you understand?" Haymitch's eyes met mine as he fought for air, too breathless to answer though in that moment I wasn't seeing sense. I pulled him towards me and slammed him back into the wall in one swift movement, the breath once again expelled from his lungs.
"ANSWER ME!" I roared, his silence pushing me closer and closer the the edge. I inhaled a deep breath as I attempted to push down my rapidly increasing ire. "Answer me Haymitch or you won't enjoy what happens. Will you respect that my life is my own and therefore none of you're business?" He nodded rapidly and I finally released my grip on him, allowing him to sink to the floor, curling in on himself as a form of protection.
I rested my forehead against the cool surface of the wall and I felt all my pent up frustration flow away, leaving a painful headache and a strong desire to finally acknowledge my soulmates. I turned towards them, expecting anger for my outburst. What I found however, was much better than I'd expected. I found all of them gazing at me in wonderment and concern. I could also see excitement in Cashmere's expression, obviously impressed by my display of dominance.
My gaze passed over all three of there faces once more before I finally spoke. "We should go to my quarters, at least we'll have some semblance of privacy then." I spoke , sending one last sneer at Haymitch's slumped form before entering my room, closing the door softly behind my guests.