Who knew Katniss can actually act? It's not as convincing as they would like but it's enough for the audience. They don't know her. They don't know her stubbornness so they easily bought the courageous darling she presented on stage. She's beautiful and when she forced herself to smile, she makes the crowd smile as well. When Caesar brought up her sister, her reaction is genuine. She answered truthfully, that she volunteered to save her sister's life and it touched the viewers' hearts. They empathized with her and her love for her little sister. Then, came Cinna's surprise for everyone. Katniss twirled on stage and fire came out of her dress that had everyone gasping in awe.
"Katniss Everdeen, the Girl on Fire!" Caesar announced proudly and everyone applauded on their feet.
The last tribute to be interviewed is Peeta. Now, Haymitch has no clue what he and Effie cooked up backstage but when the boy walked onto the stage, he got that confident smile on his face. He felt relaxed like he's been doing this his whole life. He's a natural and a pro. He played along with Caesar, bantered with him, even asked him to smell his perfume. It's a good show for everyone and then…he dropped the bomb.
Loverboy…so that's what Effie has in store for Peeta.
The boy confessed his love for Katniss and it gained a favorable reaction from the Capitol. It poses a dilemma for everyone. Only one tribute will be crowned the winner. That makes them the star-crossed lovers of the season, of the decade even.
So, it is not surprising that when Peeta returned backstage, Katniss had him pinned onto the wall with her arm pressed against his neck in fury.
"Katniss!" Effie exclaimed.
"What the hell are you doing? What the hell was that?" the girl snapped.
"Snap out of it. The boy did you a favor", Haymitch intervened.
The girl glared at him.
"A favor? He made me look weak", she accused.
"He made you look desirable. That's what he did", comprehension started to work into her and she loosened her hold on his neck, "The whole selfless sister is good and all but that will only get you so much. Now, the star-crossed lovers…a boy pining over a girl who is in the same arena as him? You have everyone watching you now. They are rooting for you even though they know it will only break their hearts", he explained.
Effie pursed her lips, clearly annoyed at Katniss' behavior but she kept her mouth shut.
"Fine. Next time don't go behind my back like that", Katniss demanded.
Peeta gently massaged his neck and nodded.
"Sure, as long as there will be a next time", he muttered and walked away.
Effie sighed out loud.
"Seriously, Katniss, must you make a scene after wowing the Capitol? That behavior you displayed is unacceptable if you must know and you will apologize to Peeta when we return to the penthouse…"
"Apologize?"
"End of discussion", Effie ended firmly and followed Peeta.
Katniss turned to Haymitch with that shock expression on her face and all he can do is shrug.
"Don't look at me, girl. I am not the role model for manners and good behavior", he said and started walking too.
Late that night, Haymitch found Effie smoking at the rooftop. How long has it been since they've been there? Too long.
"It's been years since you graced this rooftop your presence", he muttered when he stood next to her.
She took a long drag before exhaling a cloud of smoke into the air.
"It's not just for show, you know",
"What is?" he asked.
"Peeta's feelings for Katniss. He meant it. He told me about it. He knows her from Twelve although he doubted that she saw him before. He has always has that crush on her and then he got to know her now and he fell in love, Haymitch. Can you imagine that?" she answered.
He ran his hand through his hair.
"Well, I'll be damned", he muttered.
"Yeah…he actually wants her to win even if it would him dying. That's how much he loves her. It was my idea to put his feelings out there so everyone will know. I want them all to see what this world does to people. The images everyone present in the games are either too shallow or not solid enough to shake the people from the truth. The Capitol is a sucker for romance so we give it to them. They now root for a love story but they're also conflicted because it's not going to end well. I want that image out there and I want it to stick", she explained.
Haymitch stared at her. He can understand where she's coming from. The game has ruined so many things. Snow has ruined and continues to ruin everything. If it is a different Panem, maybe they don't need to hide and pretend as well. He would have the trouble admitting his true feelings. He wouldn't be scared to let people in and fear that they will be killed because of him.
"It's a good PR. It's new and people are eating it all up", he said.
She smiled briefly before putting out her cigarette.
"Tomorrow is the private training sessions and then they will be given the scores. What if…what if they don't do well?" she asked.
"Don't worry, princess. It's not going to affect them much. Like you said, people are rooting for them now. Sponsors will be easy for us. Come on. Let's go to bed. My balls are freezing out here", he answered.
"Language…always so vulgar", she chided.
"I'll show vulgar later", he teased and pulled her back to the penthouse with him.
The next day, Haymitch gave one final advice before the two tributes went to the gymnasium for the private session. During this time, Effie and Haymitch decided to hit the bar to scout. Chaff, Finnick, and Johanna are both chilling at the lounge when they arrived.
"Ah, there you are! Long time no see!" Chaff declared.
It turned heads but they quickly moved on. Haymitch sat next to his best friend while Effie took the seat next to Finnick.
"You two have been busy. You got two lovebirds and everyone is pining after them", Finnick mentioned.
They detected a hint of envy in the boy's voice. He clearly regretted not being able to use that card on his tributes. Finnick can be competitive when he wants to although this is the season he's not going to beat Effie and Haymitch. There's too much at stake.
"Everyone loves a good love story", Effie muttered and took a quick sip from her glass.
Her eyes are cataloging the people present inside the bar.
"Never thought this place know such thing called love", Johanna spat.
"You will be surprised how this city craves a fairytale, girl", Haymitch commented.
"So, the two of you are fighting very hard for your tributes this year, huh", Chaff stated.
Effie met Haymitch's eyes before averting her gaze.
"That's our jobs. Besides, they do have a shot", he responded.
He cannot tell his friend about Effie's situation because it is dangerous and he does not want Chaff to get in the middle of it.
"I guess we will see about that when the scores come out tonight", Finnick said.
They stayed at the bar for a few more hours after calling it a night. When they returned to the penthouse, Katniss and Peeta are back and Cinna and Portia are looking very worried.
"Okay, what's wrong? You all looked like you're ready to explode", Haymitch asked before Effie could.
"It's not exactly bad…Peeta did well in his private session. Katniss, on the other hand…" Portia trailed in her explaining.
"Katniss what?" Haymitch asked with slight annoyance.
"She shot an arrow at the gamemakers", Cinna just ripped the band aid.
Effie's gasped rang throughout the penthouse while Haymitch is ready to murder Katniss.
"I did not shoot an arrow directly at the gamemakers. I was there with the bow and arrow and I missed my target the first time because the bow felt odd to me. The second shot, I got it but they weren't paying any attention. They're just chatting and laughing and eating up there and I got pissed off…so, I shot an arrow at the apple in the mouth of that roasted pig. That got their attention and I did not miss", the girl explained in her defense.
Haymitch does not know whether to be amused or be pissed by her action but he got to admit, that was really something to have the balls to do that to the gamemakers. He would pay to see the look on their faces when her arrow hit that apple and he failed to control the laughter that came out of him which prompted the others to laugh as well. Effie, on the other hand, is beyond pissed. She's seething. She's actually crimson in anger.
"No one is harmed, Effie. It's a good show to be honest", Cinna tried to lighten her up.
"Yes…it only highlights her skills in aiming", Portia added but Effie is not having fun.
"I specifically requested for you to impress them not attack them", her voice shook a bit so she paused to regain composure, "Sometimes, I wonder why I bother working this hard when no one, and I mean no one is taking this thing seriously", she gritted between her teeth.
"Okay, calm down, princess. Even if they give the girl a low score, Sponsors will still line up for her and loverboy here", he said just to ease her temper but it failed.
"Well, it seems that all of you are in agreement. I will excuse myself for a moment. I have something to take care of", she said and started walking towards the elevator.
Haymitch frowned. They don't have anything else in their schedule.
"…but Effie, they will announce the scores soon!" Portia called.
"I'll be back shortly", Effie said before the door closed.
It took Effie almost half an hour before she was able to return to the penthouse. By the time, she got in front of the TV, they're starting with the announcement of scores. As usual, Career tributes scored high. It's expected from kids who had been trained to handle weapons, not that anyone will admit that. Scores became lower and lower as the names went on and then it reached Peeta.
"Peeta Mellark…8", Caesar announced.
It is obvious with the way it saddens the boy. He is obviously hoping for something higher. Effie gently touched the boy's shoulder to let him know of her presence.
"We can work with that", she said when he turned to her and the boy smiled.
It's touching how the boy trusts her completely and she felt that familiar pang of pain in her heart because she might lose the boy soon.
"And finally, Katniss Everdeen…" the girl already buried her face into her palms in embarrassment. "11", Caesar declared.
Everyone was shocked at first but then rejoiced at the miracle. Portia and Cinna hugged the girl and Peeta and Haymitch congratulated her for the high score before they all turned to look at Effie, waiting for her to say something.
"It seems that you impressed them after all. Don't let that go into your head, young lady. Your action is still improper at best. Now, that announcement is over, we may retire and call it a night. Tomorrow is a big, big, big day", she said before walking towards her room.
She should have known that her door won't remain close for long because a moment later, Haymitch is already behind her, grabbing her arms and turning her around to face him.
"…not now, Haymitch", she said.
"Tell me how you manage to get the girl that score", he demanded with a growl.