You're the most important person in my life and if I lose you, I don't think I can take it. I will not survive that, Eff. It will kill me. I know it will.
Effie repeated that again and again in her head. She contemplated ending her life way too many times. She even went ahead and tried it. She just now realized what it would do to Haymitch. He lost his entire family before including the woman he loved and there she is trying to take herself away from him. She cannot do that to him not after everything he did for her. Despite her anger for being left behind and for all the things she endured, she cares about him. She loves him. The realization might be too late. She knows she will be sent to the arena and that her fate is sealed. She is no fighter. She can take a beating but she doesn't know how to fight.
Effie stopped sleeping again. She can't bring herself to sleep. She spent nights just watching Haymitch sleep next to her. It can be her only chance to see his face at peace. He didn't notice that, of course, but Peeta did. He knows her too well. He knows when she's staying up all night even though she uses tons of concealer to hide the dark circles around her eyes.
"He's been calling everyone", he said to Effie when they were left alone in the kitchen.
"I know", she said.
"I don't think we can pull that big of a string", he said.
Effie stopped cutting the tomato.
"That's all right, Peeta. It's an impossible string to pull anyway", she replied with a small smile on her face.
Peeta cannot return her smile. He's heartbroken by the turn of events. He finally got his team, his family, with him in Twelve and now Effie will be taken away from them right after she managed to overcome her demons.
"Haymitch is not in a good place right now. Would you be a dear and look after him when…I'm gone?" she asked.
The boy stiffened but he nodded.
There are only three days left before the Reaping and Haymitch kept on dwelling himself into finding ways to get Effie out of the games. Effie couldn't bear to look at him getting frustrated over her so she decided to get out of the house so she can breathe some fresh air. She then decided to walk in the woods. It's not her scene and it makes her feel uncomfortable but since it might be her environment when she goes to the arena, it's probably time to explore it a bit.
"District Twelve really did change you, Ms. Trinket", someone said from behind her as she takes a stroll.
She stopped and turned around.
"They said you're gone", she muttered.
"They might say that but I stick around hoping I will catch a word with you", Felix said with a smile that is making her sick.
"I don't want to talk to you. Please, leave", she said maintaining her politeness.
It made him laughed. Of course, Effie Trinket is always polite.
"It's just here. You can choose to run but why would you? I am here to make your life easier", he said.
Effie scoffed and dropped her manners.
"…like the time you put a chain around my neck and almost slit my wrist with your handcuff?" she asked.
Felix's smile dropped and he's now serious. It's the face she remembers well. He never smiled that day. He was angry.
"In three days, your name will be drawn in a bowl and you will die in the arena. We both know that. I came here to offer you a deal. I can make your name disappear in that bowl", he proposed.
Effie frowned. She knows the deal is not for her. The price will be too high to pay. You're the most important person in my life and if I lose you, I don't think I can take it. I will not survive that, Eff. It will kill me. I know it will. His words rang in her head again. He will be broken if she dies. She doesn't want him to be broken. In that moment, she did consider humoring Felix.
"What's the catch?" she asked.
Felix smiled.
"It's one little thing. You come with me to the Capitol and be my wife", he answered.
The day of the Reaping came. Everyone turned to their television to watch. They all cooped up in Haymitch's house. Peeta and Katniss are clinging to each other while Effie sat on the couch with Haymitch by her side.
"Caesar Flickerman!" President Paylor announced the name one by one.
Effie gasped at each name of her colleagues being called. She knew them all. Some of them became her friends.
"…and lastly, Celia Floss!" with that everyone in the house jumped out in surprise and rejoiced, all except Effie.
They are so relieved that Effie was not called during the Reaping which means she will not go to the arena to fight for her life. She smiled as the children hugged her. She even talked to Johanna and Annie on the phone when they called to express their relief. It took Haymitch to notice Effie's demeanor at the whole thing. He expected her to jump in happiness but there she is just smiling like she doesn't even mean it.
The kids bid their goodbye to go to town so they can buy ingredients for their supper. Peeta is planning to have a celebration and they need a lot so they left the two alone. That's when Haymitch can finally talk to her.
"Aren't you happy, princess?" he finally asked.
"Of course, I am", she answered.
"Then why do I get the feeling you already knew your name was not going to be called?" he asked again.
Effie did not answer. She cannot tell him. How can she? It might break him but she cannot allow him to destroy himself with her death.
"Effie, what did you do?" he asked.
"I pulled some strings", she answered.