Chapter Twenty-Nine; Atonement

(Stephanie's POV)

Stephanie's stomach growled loudly and Haymitch snickered.

Stephanie pulled back from his arms. "What is so funny? I haven't eaten anything since yesterday morning practically," she chided, folding her arms and trying to appear cross.

Haymitch rolled his eyes. "Fine then sweetheart, let's go get breakfast then?"

They entwined their fingers together almost shyly. Stephanie peeked up at him and Haymitch glanced away clearing his throat.

The sound of Isa's irritated tone could be heard and Stephanie reluctantly slipped her hand from Haymitch's.

He glanced at her and a look of understanding passed between them.

"I want to keep this secret. The Capitol can't have this. I won't let them use it as some cheap selling ploy," Stephanie spoke quietly, her eyes trained on Haymitch's. And silently she suspected that alerting Seneca to the changes in their relationship was not a good idea.

Haymitch nodded in silent agreement.

Sighing in relief Stephanie made to walk for the door.

"Though I wouldn't say you convinced Frenkin sweetheart," Haymitch said, pressing a hand to the small of Stephanie's back.

Stephanie's lips quirked into a small smile.

"I don't think so either," Stephanie agreed.

"There you two are! Honestly, do you know how much work we have to do today?! Stephanie pet, how are you feeling today? These fainting spells of yours are quite inconvenient. And Haymitch dear…how are you? You know you should really watch how much you drink…" Isa continued to fuss over them as Stephanie and Haymitch took their respective seats at the table.

Stephanie ate hungrily, too distracted to be much bothered by Haymitch's smug look as she shovelled food into her mouth.

Frenkin was notably absent.

Between mouthfuls of food Stephanie brought it up.

"Where's Frenkin?"

Isa paused her speech on her nails (a neon orange today, dotted with various gems) to answer Stephanie's question.

"He is already in with Alba getting ready for today."

Stephanie nodded, gulping down mouthfuls of hot coffee.

"What are the plans for today?" Stephanie asked as Haymitch poured her another cup of coffee.

"Shopping!" Isa squealed excitedly.

Stephanie nearly choked on the food in her mouth. She was sure she had misheard Isa.

"Shopping?" Stephanie repeated. Isa nodded vigorously. Okay so she hadn't misheard her. But surely she was going 'shopping' for sponsors or something. After all she was in the Hunger Games, not a pageant.

"Yes. The finest designers of the Capitol have opened up their boutiques for the tributes, only for today!" Isa continued, leaning forward eagerly. Okay, so they were shopping for clothes.

"I thought that was why we had our own personal stylists for," Stephanie asked, pushing her plate away from her. There is no way I can string an outfit together, Stephanie thought panicked.

"Yes, but this is shopping!" Isa explained. Stephanie waited for further clarification, but it seemed that that was the explanation.

Stephanie booted Haymitch under the table. She couldn't see his face because he had suddenly found the ground more interesting but she instinctively knew that he was smirking.

Isa began to talk about the many wondrous Capitol stylists before adding. "Oh Stephanie pet, if you are finished then Ficen is waiting in your room."

Stephanie inhaled sharply at the mention of the stylist, recalling Ficen's suspicious glances the previous night. Stephanie felt Haymitch stiffen beside her.

"Ficen will help you choose the right outfits. Afterall, let's be serious Stephanie pet, you couldn't pick an outfit," Isa continued.

Stephanie tried to reassure herself. Ficen knew nothing…But then why did Stephanie feel a sinking feeling like lead in her stomach at the thoughts of spending the day shopping with Ficen?

Stephanie swallowed the yelp in her throat as Haymitch captured her hand under the table in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze while he pretended to listen to Isa.

Stephanie returned the reassurance before standing.

"I'll go to her now."

Stephanie caught Haymitch's eyes before she left the table and made her way to her room.

Nearing the door Stephanie regulated her breathing as she paused outside.

She could hear the murmur of voices from within and could make out a few phrases. It seemed to be nothing but idle talk.

Trying to swallow her fear Stephanie entered the room with a confident air, which was quickly shattered when her eyes met Ficen's cold stare.

The other three stylists giggled and exchanged some comments about her state of dress. Stephanie might have felt embarrassed if she wasn't already terrified by Ficen.

Ficen doesn't know anything, Stephanie tried to reassure herself.

Stephanie felt relief wash over her when Ficen broke her stare to glare at the stylists.

"Well…get to work then."

A short while later and Stephanie was donned once more in Capitol finery, consisting of a fitting, long sleeved shimmering cream dress that ended just above her knees. The dress itself was quite plain by Capitol standards. The colour scheme seemed to be gold or shades of it.

She was practically lifted into gold ankle boots that she found a little steadier than the regular heels. Next was an assortment of jewellery that only seemed intent on weighing her down. Make-up was identical to the previous night, only now her lips and cheeks had an additional gold sheen to them.

Stephanie winced in preparation for the harsh pull of her hair into whatever new contortion Ficen had dreamed up, but it never came. Stephanie shivered as she felt cold metal slide into her hair and clamp securely. Ficen had merely secured her hair back from her face with an intricate gold clasp allowing it to tumble freely down her back.

"You're finished," Ficen stated firmly and Stephanie trembled a little. Because she couldn't help but think that Ficen meant it in more ways than one.

…

(Haymitch's POV)

Haymitch shifted nervously as he waited on Stephanie. His nervousness was due to the odd looks that Frenkin insisted on throwing him every few moments.

"Isa is that a smudge in your make-up?" Haymitch asked innocently.

Isa screamed in horror before racing off to the bathroom to correct the 'smudge'.

Haymitch caught Frenkin tug at his collar of his white shirt awkwardly.

"Hey…kid, get it off your chest already," Haymitch scowled.

Frenkin turned to him with wide eyes before blinking rapidly.

"I…You and Stephanie…I mean…" Frenkin trailed off looking up at Haymitch questioningly.

Haymitch gulped hard and tried to reason the possible scenarios that could entail.

"Do you like her?" Frenkin asked.

Silence.

"Well…yea kid, I kinda…like Stephanie – a lot," Haymitch's words trailed off.

"Do you love her?"

Haymitch glanced at Frenkin who returned his gaze with wide, unblinking blue eyes.

"Yes I love her," Haymitch answered quietly.

Frenkin nodded as if in confirmation.

"Kid…Frenkin…" Haymitch began pitifully but stopped. What could he say? That he would still try to save him? But that would be a lie. The moment he had admitted the truth that he loved Stephanie, everyone in that arena had become a threat, even little, innocent Frenkin with his wide, blue eyes. He wouldn't lie and tell him he would try, the kid already knew.

Frenkin seemed to stare off oblivious until Isa came bounding around the corner followed closely by Stephanie, Ficen and the other three stylists.

Haymitch felt a gnawing feeling as he observed the tell-tale signs of Stephanie whenever she was trying not to cry or burst out in anger; the tightening of her jaw and how her eyes always seemed brighter and her pupils trembled.

He glanced at Ficen who just brushed haughtily by him followed by her three assistants into the lift, the doors immediately sliding shut after them.

Isa glanced over Stephanie approvingly, issuing praises before as the lift doors slid open once more the four of them stepped into the empty lift. Isa was facing the front, practically bouncing on her heels in excitement.

In the lift for a brief moment Stephanie leaned back against Haymitch and after assuring that Isa and Frenkin's attention was otherwise occupied, Haymitch slid his arms around Stephanie's waist and placed a lingering kiss on her cheek.

There was a ping and Stephanie stepped out of Haymitch's embrace as the doors slid open.

Haymitch wondered if Stephanie felt something of the same guilt over Frenkin as he did, for as they left the lift and made for the front doors and the waiting cars Stephanie draped an arm around Frenkin's shoulders. She pulled Frenkin tightly against her before dropping a kiss on his head.

But then why would she? Haymitch thoughts countered. It's not as if she is giving Frenkin up for dead.

Once out the door a horrified Alba dragged Frenkin out of Stephanie's grasp, once more claiming Stephanie's 'manhandling' was destroying his hard work.

There were two separate cars and each group of stylists slipped into each one.

"Haymitch pet, will you take Stephanie?" Isa asked as she began to direct Frenkin to the car with Alba and his stylists in it.

Yes. Of course. Happily. Forever. "No."

Isa turned around with a confused expression, her hand still on Frenkin's shoulder. Stephanie paused at the door of her car and turned to him with a questioning look.

"I'll take Frenkin today Isa. You can go with Stephanie. It will be better, you will be able to help Stephanie more than I could, two women shopping etcetera," Haymitch enforced.

Isa tilted her head slightly but shrugged in acceptance. "Okay Haymitch pet, I suppose you're right," Isa replied cheerfully, giving Frenkin's hair a careful pet, wary of displacing a single hair under Alba's watching eye.

Haymitch glanced over at Stephanie who still stood frozen at the car door. Her face was blank, a smooth mask. But she gave him an understanding nod and a small smile before slipping dutifully into the car.

Haymitch would save Stephanie at all costs…He loved her. That was why he had to give Frenkin this…this one day if that was all it was. Atonement. Because he wouldn't save Frenkin.