By the time we are finally able to grasp the reality finally able to come back to the real world, Caesar is trying to usher us to the couch for an interview.
Haymitch finally lets me on my feet but I cling to him still dazed by what has just unfolded.
We sit down and the crowd still hasn't calmed they are still wild with excitement. I'm still trying to gain my breath find out what has just occurred and make sense of it.
I guess the truth is nothing will ever make sense in my life.
"Wow, so Noelle what are your thoughts?" My mouth is open and I for once can't find words. "That's how all of us feel I'm sure" Caesar laughs. "So this is the lucky lady Haymitch?" He nods just as speechless as I am. "What is it that happened to you?"
We are both silent, he asks a few more questions but we can't speak I'm blown away by him and he is by me.
I'm sure we both look crazed but we haven't kissed like that... Ever. "Are you both alright?" He laughs at us.
"Well" I speak up finally, "I never thought I would be again but... Well it seems he's changed all that." I laugh a little put my face in his chest. I feel him kiss my head and I can't be happier.
"We're going to move right along folks. Thank you for that stunning display!" Caesar smiles warmly,
"Good bye" I stand up swiftly and almost bolt off stage with Haymitch in tow.
Once we are finally on the train back I speak up. "True?"
"Excuse me?"
"What you said... Was it the truth or was it a show?" He laughs at me before taking my hand.
"True" He whispers kissing my forehead.
"Good because then I was going to have to kick your ass." I smile at him.
"I'd love to see you try."
"I didn't say I'd win!" I smile.
We get back home and all that's ever on the news is the newest tribute and us. We've made quite a show for ourselves, and it will be fairly easy to keep up.
He's not afraid to take me around the town or even the seam. He shows me where his old house is. It's now the home for a new family, but I take him away as soon as I'm able.
One day I showed him the river the one where my father found me. We venture through town and we know that we are headline news for the Capitol.
The Capitol loves us and we are close to the only thing ever on television. They can't wait to see us in a few days when we go to the victors ball.
Haymitch has adjusted to living with me now and we are actually busy cooking when I hear the television turn on.
"I'll be back" I sigh rolling my eyes. The Capitol does this to us frequently.
I step in my living room and see an intro to a segment on Caesar's talks show. You guessed it it's entirely about us but not just us as a whole one part of us, Wedding Watch is flashing on my screen and I could just about vomit.
The capitol wants a wedding. As soon as I turn off the television the phone rings.
"Hello?" I question. No one ever calls me well no one except-
"Hello Miss. Garner it's President Snow"
"What do you want?" I ask locking the door so Haymitch doesn't barge in to listen.
"You see Miss. Garner that display will be a rather tough act to follow. It was a good show don't get me wrong congratulations should be given, but I must wonder what next?"
I clear my throat, "why wonder about the future when the present has yet to be fully laid out?"
"Health Miss. Garner, welfare... Hope"
"I believe we are on two entirely different pages sir"
"Now Miss. Garner I know you're not stupid. I know that you understand fully what I want you to do."
"It is not in my hands sir" I hear Haymitch knocking at the door, "It is not your place to choreograph my life"
"That's where you're wrong Miss. Garner. I choreograph the world" I stiffen at his words.
"This conversation is over-"
"We wouldn't want another Roxanne incident would we?"
"You-" I gasp at the realization, "H-how could you?" I stutter.
"Think about it Miss. Garner" He hangs up the phone and I stand shocked.
I follow my first instinct to throw the phone at the wall.
"Love! You okay?" Haymitch shouts through the door.
"Not in the least!" I shout nearing the door. When I open it I'm fully freaking the fuck out.
"What happened?" Haymitch asks taking me into his arms.
"Snow... H-he threw Roxanne into the arena to hurt me... He killed her so I could give him a show." I start gasping and trembling. "He killed a little girl" I cover my mouth in an attempt to stop my hysterics.
"Shh It's okay Love. It's okay" Haymitch sooths me trying to make me feel better. "We gave him the best show we could."
"He congratulated us" I almost laugh at the thought.
"Well we did damned good..." He smiles as my breath settles. "Come on Love" He leads me out of the living room and up to bed.
Snow wants us to get married? Is he nuts? We've only been dating a year and a half.
I've never taken marriage seriously and never thought I would ever be married.
Frankly it scared me the thought forced me to not sleep. I get up and walk to the bathroom careful not to wake Haymitch.
I don't know why it scared me. Losing my freedom maybe, maybe it was the thought of change.
But really what would change? And if he even tried to take my freedom I'd slap the crap out of him.
Not now I'm not ready for marriage not so soon... But how long can we keep the Capitol occupied?
That's when I hear him scream. He screams bloody murder and I don't think I do.
I run into the room and lay my hand on his heaving chest.
His face is contorted in anger and he seems to be fighting something off. I'm impressed that he's not woken himself.
"Haymitch it's only a dream" I say as calmly as I'm able. He thrashes under my hand punching me but I hardly flinch, "Shh it's alright you're safe it's over I'm here" Those last words settle him a tad, "I'm here now" I say softer and it calms him more.
"I'm here and I always will be" I say finally quieting him and his breath settles. I sigh relief and climb back into bed next to him.
In the morning I wake up first but stay in his arms until he wakes up. My thoughts drift back to Snow, I can't get married yet I just can't do it.
Marriage inevitably means children. And children meant another generation to see the games destroy children's lives.
But wait a minute having children also means returning home. Which I'm not ready for either. The whole thought of getting married is not for two teenagers and that's that!
"Love?" Haymitch mumbles.
"Hm?" I look up at him.
"What's today?" he ask trying to rouse himself.
"It's... Shit!" I spring out of bed and down the stairs of my home. Today we're leaving for the Capitol and just as I reach the front door there is a knock.
"Oh Assandra! I-"
"Oh dear it seems that we are in a terrible situation! Haymitch is missing!"
"Oh Assandra he's up stairs" I laugh at her.
"What? Why on earth would he be there?"
"Because we live together" I say in a questioning tone.
"I didn't realize that you two would-" She coughs and My face turns red with embarrassment.
"Oh no we haven't-"
"It's fine dear you're teenagers I understand things happen"
"But we-"
"Haymitch we don't want to be late!" She says shrilly.
"I'll just go and change" I sigh in defeat right as I make my way upstairs Haymitch runs down buttoning his shirt. That certainly doesn't help convince Assandra that we have not had sex.
I quickly make myself presentable and Assandra ushers us out to a car parked right outside.
We make it on the train and Haymitch and I are able to squirm away from Assandra's prying eye.
"Well that could have gone worse" I sigh.
"What do you mean?"
"Assandra thinks we're sleeping together." Haymitch lets out a cackle that I seldom heard.
"Oh that's a good one Assandra" He sighs. We get to sit in silence for longer than I would like to admit.
Sitting next to him not saying anything letting him hold me... It was nice.
It's coming along nicely if I do say so myself. I think that the next chapter will be a montoge! Hoorah!
