Chapter Thirty-Two; Explanations
(Haymitch's POV)
Isa tottered into the kitchen breaking into a bright smile when she saw Haymitch.
"Isa what happened today?" Haymitch cut to the chase immediately.
Isa pouted for a moment as she thought.
"Stephanie fainted. Nothing new," Isa finally replied with a casual shrug.
Haymitch clutched the bottle in his hand tightly.
"No Isa. What happened? Everything that led up to Stephanie fainting." Haymitch knew that Stephanie only fainted under testing circumstances.
Isa frowned with a little whine stomping her foot.
After Haymitch remained un-budging, Isa rolled her eyes and took a seat at the table.
"I swear Haymitch pet, sometimes you can be so tiring. I wouldn't put up with you only you are so handsome. Well, let me see…"
Haymitch took a seat facing Isa as she began.
"We were showing off some wonderful outfits. There was this one particular blue dress…" Haymitch cut through Isa before she had a chance to go off on a tirade about dresses.
"And what happened after that Isa?"
Isa chewed on her bottom lip thoughtfully.
"She was being interviewed by one of the reporters. You know Kad, such a wonderful man, does brilliant interviews and…" Haymitch cleared his throat and Isa glanced at him confused.
"Isa, what did Kad ask her about?"
Isa began to trace patterns on the table with one of her nails.
"He asked her about the dress and what she thought of it. Stephanie thought it was the most beautiful thing in the world. Then…he asked her about her loves!" Isa's eyes lit up and Haymitch felt something like dread enter him.
"What happened?" Haymitch prompted.
"Well Stephanie denied having a love at first," Isa said.
"At first?" Haymitch interrupted.
"Well yes, Kad weaselled it out of her. She has two loves!"
"Two," Haymitch repeated disbelieving.
"Yes she has one from her District but she also has one from the Capitol!"
Haymitch stared at Isa not sure what to think.
"It must be Dess."
"Dess," Haymitch spat.
"Yes, well who else would it be?" Isa explained in an excited voice. "Well my pet, I must fly. I have appointments to attend. It's not easy looking this beautiful." Isa got up and skipped from the kitchen before Haymitch could question her any further.
Haymitch's thoughts raced. He trusted Stephanie and he had no doubt, he knew Stephanie had no Capitol love. But… the one hour that was missing from her story the other night and now what was this today? Haymitch ran a hand through his hair again in utter frustration feeling more confused than he did before.
…
(Stephanie's POV)
Stephanie cracked an eye open feeling slightly better.
She eased herself from her bed, hands outstretched in front of her as she edged her way towards the bathroom.
Stephanie turned the tap on and splashed her face with handfuls of cold water. She gasped sharply as the freezing liquid woke her senses.
"Are you feeling better?" Haymitch asked.
Stephanie jumped slightly at his silent entrance and turned to face him where he leaned casually against the doorframe.
Stephanie nodded gingerly, walking over to him. She buried her face in his chest as he wrapped his arms around her, bringing his chin to rest on top her head.
"Do you want to tell me about it?"
Haymitch felt her shoulders stiffen and she pulled away from him, looking up at him with keen eyes.
"No," she answered softly.
He nodded and then smirked. "Nice dress sweetheart."
Stephanie glanced down to see that her dress looked a complete mess.
She smirked. "Shut up."
Haymitch gave a low whistle. Stephanie glanced up at him with an arched eyebrow questioningly.
Haymitch reached out and picked up the necklace in his hand.
"Ficen really out did herself with these expensive rocks."
Stephanie froze, cold fear shooting through her veins as it seemed the very air around her got thinner.
Haymitch looked at her curiously and Stephanie offered him a weak smile.
"I'm going to get changed out of these glad rags," Stephanie said, rubbing her arms vigorously to try and heat herself up.
"Are you okay? Really?" Haymitch asked gently. He brought his hand up to slide the back of his knuckles over her cheek.
Stephanie closed her eyes for a brief moment before opening them.
She nodded vigorously. "Yes," she lied.
...
(Stephanie's POV)
Stephanie sat on the bed hugging her knees to herself. Before her on the bed lay the necklace that had caused so much uproar.
Stephanie clenched her jaw tightly as she breathed noisily. Stephanie had no doubt that Seneca was personally responsible for today's events and was most likely currently congratulating himself.
With an angry cry Stephanie grabbed the necklace tightly, ignoring how it dug painfully into the tender flesh of her palm, and flung it to the far corner of the room. It landed with a harsh thud and Stephanie stood feeling slightly better.
There was a tentative knock at the door. Stephanie went to it and opened the door abruptly.
Frenkin stumbled back a step, his wide eyes looking uncertain.
Stephanie's expression softened. "Hey," she prompted gently.
"Oh…I was just coming to say that dinner will be soon."
Stephanie didn't respond just leaned against the doorframe with a heavy sigh.
"Are you…okay Stephanie?" Frenkin asked nervously.
Stephanie stepped out into the hall and shut the door.
"I'm okay," Stephanie reassured with a small smile. "How about we go wait for dinner?"
Frenkin's expression brightened and he nodded, already turning eagerly down the hall, so he couldn't see when the smile on Stephanie's lips faded.