So I know I said one more chapter and an epilogue but I'm going to have at least one more chapter. This one was getting really long. Plus I needed some time to think up interview questions and I didn't want to make you guys keep waiting. Also if a 'were' is typed as 'we're' it's because I accidentally messed up the spell checker on my google docs to auto correct 'were' to 'we're'. Anyway here you go.
Flavius was in the gigantic closet digging through dresses and shoes. He was obviously looking for a specific piece. Haymitch was a different room being forced into a suit and tie that I was dying to see. We went on at eight, that was all we knew. Effie had been very vague about everything, and the one time I actually cared about the schedule too.
"Here it is!" Flavius exclaimed as he walked out of the closet.
It was orange, like the sunset. That was Peeta's favorite color I remembered with a ghost of a smile. I didn't feel sad by this anymore, somehow talking about everything that had happened made everything seem better. Weird, Haymitch was right about something.
I slid into the dress. It was strapless with jewels that sparkled like flames on the corset. The skirt part flared out just below the waist in beautifully draped cloth. It went down to just past my knees before stopping. It was shorter in the front and displayed the orange silk that lined the inside. I felt like I was surrounded in lava.
I looked like I was surrounded in lava with fire sparkling on it.
"It was Cinna wasn't it?" I asked still studying the beautiful dress.
"He wanted you to wear this... when the war was over. We've been saving it for the right time," Octavia explained.
"Will I be spinning tonight?" I asked, the same way I had asked Cinna before I went on stage.
They nodded eagerly.
I slid into the shiny black shoes. Their straps wrapped around my feet up to my ankles with a high stiletto heel. Portia brushed the last bits of makeup on my face and for once I looked like me when she was done.
A much prettier me, obviously. Still, for once I wasn't going on the stage behind a mask. I looked like a normal human being, if there was such a thing.
"Who said I had to wear this again? I will kill Effie! Heads will roll, blood will be spilled, limbs..." Haymitch trailed off from his rampage as he walked through the door.
My prep team was beaming at his response off in the corner of the room.
"Katniss... you look... beautiful," he stuttered.
I blushed bright red.
"Thanks."
I could almost hear my prep team rolling their eyes. The three of them were the biggest fans of Haymitch's and my relationship out of the entire country.
"Just kiss already," one of them whispered.
I spun around. They all looked at me for a moment before giggling profusely.
I felt Haymitch's hand on my waist. I looked up at him. He didn't look bad. In fact he was quite handsome, a black suit and orange tie, black pants, and shiny black shoes. His tie appeared to be made of the same silke that lined my dress.
I doubted it was a coincidence.
He brought his lips to mine, kissing me softly. There was no alcohol on his breath. I couldn't have been more proud.
Effie cleared her throat loudly from the doorway and Haymitch and I reluctantly pulled apart.
"Well if you to are quite done," she sounded angry but on closer inspection it turned out she was beaming proudly.
"Haymitch you look spiffing as usual, and Katniss... well! Cinna has certainly saved the best for last," she looked ready to cry. "You are stunning, absolutely... absolutely gorgeous!"
I gave her a huge hug and was joined by Haymitch and the prep team in only moments.
"Don't cry Effie, you'll ruin your makeup," I said.
That seemed to snap her out of it.
She inhaled sharply and pulled out of the hug, "Yes right of course. Now Katniss there is someone waiting for you downstairs before we head to the studio. And they are not particularly happy about something."
Oh god! I had forgotten my mother. How had I forgotten to tell my mother that I not only had a boyfriend, but that it was Haymitch. Haymitch who grew up with her. Damn it.
Probably because she had abandoned me in District 12 and I had, had bigger issues like suicidal thoughts and actions than telling her about my personal life.
Still I felt bad. Effie had known, hell the whole country had known, before my mother did. Whoops.
"Oh, right," I grinned sheepishly up at Haymitch. He looked amused.
"Well this will be fun to explain to your mother," he laughed.
I looked at him indignantly. "NO! It most certainly will not be fun to explain to my mother!"
He only laughed harder.
I sighed. If I didn't fall down and die attempting to walk in these shoes, my mother was certainly not going to let me live for much longer. I was as good as dead.
"Katniss! You look so beautiful," she smiled nervously.
"Hi mom," I answered awkwardly.
She stood up from the couch and wrapped me in a hug. Somewhere deep inside I had missed her hugs. I'd missed her and the routine she brought. I missed when she was the adult in the family and I could be the child.
Pulling away we sat down on the couches opposite to each other.
"I watched your show everyday," she began. "Oh Katniss... you are so grown up, and I couldn't be more proud of you... but..."
Here it was.
"Are you sure you are making all the right decisions? Are you sure this isn't just Peeta's death making you run to Haymitch?"
"Mom, honestly it's not. I love Haymitch, I think I have for a long time. When I first realized that, I didn't even know about Peeta yet," I murmured, my eyes were pleading with her to understand.
To my surprise, and delight, she smiled.
"What?" I asked in disbelief.
Was she actually accepting this?
"That's how I know he's good for you Katniss."
I kept staring at her, figuring this was a joke.
"When I say Peeta's name you don't cry. You can say Peeta's name and not cry. That is not something that happens because Effie starts a show," my mom said. "And you are eighteen. I can't really tell you what to do anymore, I was never a good mom anyway. Most days I think you are more of a grownup than I am."
I became aware of my eyes filling with tears and brushed them away quickly. I had never been more thankful for the special tear resistant makeup or whatever the prep team used.
"Thanks mom," was all I could think to say.
"But we do need to have a discussion about why I wasn't informed of you two before the country was."
I looked down guiltily, "Sorry. I just forgot, there was so much happening. I tried to commit suicide and Haymitch stopped drinking, and then this show."
I didn't want to tell her why I had really forgotten, because she wasn't there for me anymore.
I saw a glistening tear dripping down her cheek. She knew what I was thinking, "I should have stayed with you. You needed me... oh Katniss, I'm so so sorry!"
I stood up and sat down next to her, softly rubbing her back. She was forgiven. We sat there for several minutes until Haymitch walked in.
"Hi Haymitch," my mom smiled standing up to give him a hug.
"Mrs. Everdeen," he answered hugging her awkwardly. Haymitch was being a gentleman. It was laughable.
They stepped back and my mom's look suddenly became icy.
"You listen to me Haymitch Abernathy! If you ever, ever hurt my daughter, there won't be anything to bury. People will be scraping your remains off the street, because that will be all that's left of you," she growled.
Haymitch actually took a step back. I had never heard my mother sound so strong.
"I would never hurt Katniss. Never."
I could see the truth shining in his eyes as he took my hand.
Haymitch and I we're on stage, for what was apparently a live interview, about fifteen minutes before we would start. The problem was the lack of an interviewer.
"Don't worry, they'll be here," Effie had assured us upon our arrival.
Only five more minutes until we began and still no sign of our mysterious interviewer.
"Miss Everdeen, Mr. Abernathy." A voice greeted.
It was eerily familiar. It was the voice of the same person who had spoken to me everytime I had my tribute interviews.
Seems someone's a little nervous.
"Caesar?" I asked absolutely beaming now. He was one of those people who, in my not so humble opinion, had been brainwashed into loving the games. His presence now just solidified my belief.
"Hello Katniss, I must say your public speaking skills have improved immensely, I am very proud of course. And Haymitch, it's been a long time. Good to see you," he smiled widely.
He still looked completely unchanged since the quell, a little skinnier perhaps but he was the same otherwise. The two men shook hands while I went for the less dignified hug.
"Alright! Places!" Effie yelled. I could tell from her smile that she had planned this reunion.
"And, 3... 2... 1..."
So probably one more chapter and an epilogue. I mean it this time:) For some reason I always imagined the prep team as total fan girls so I wrote them that way, at least a bit. Sorry if the kissing moment was described awkwardly, I've never kissed anyone so I'm not really sure about it. Anyway please leave reviews, I literally can get high off of them I think. That's how I feel anyway. Thank you for all the wonderful feedback but a little more would be great, *hint hint*.
I love everyone who reads this story, reviews, favorites, of follows it.
Also I will also be updating my Dramione, 'Blood Red', tonight. Follow me on tumblr (the link is on my profile), I'll make posts when I update either of my two stories.
Wow, I talk a lot. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I tried to make it longer than the last one.
Have a great day.
I'm honestly done now.