AN: Well, this was a hard chapter. A what was supposed to be a date AND the wedding, the wedding was the hard part. Review, because the next chapter is a game-changer both ways. I just want to let you know, in my story Haymitch becomes who he is because of Serenity. So yes he's cocky, and indifferent, but not like how he is in THG.

It's a beautiful night,

We're looking for something dumb to do.

Hey baby,

I think I wanna marry you.

-"Marry You" by Bruno Mars

The music was blaring so loud my ears hurt. And we were still in the car. Amethyst looked at Haymitch. "Are you sure we should be take Serenity? She's fourteen." She whispered.

Haymitch replied by an eyeroll. "She's a big girl, a victor." He said simply. "Besides it's not like we're dragging her to a rave or anything like that. Apollo chose a highlighter club."

Before we got out Amethyst murmured, "Melinda is going to murder me."

The club was called Lighterz. Like Haymitch said it most certainly was a highlighter club. When you first got in you got a neon marker of your choice. And if you wanted to be wearing white, they were selling shirts and socks and crap like that. The blacklights made everything glow, which was bugging my eyes but Amethyst and Apollo seemed to be in their element. No, honestly, they were laughing, dancing, drinking, signing autographs with highlighters. They seemed like they could be having a better time somewhere like Two but they still looked pretty happy with the setting.

Note to self: Make sure to go clubbing in District Two in a few years.

I settled on a black bean-bag chair, scrawled with white paint marker writing. Haymitch gave me his aviators for the lights. But that didn't stop a green-skinned fan to notice I was the great Serenity Starr.

About an hour since we arrived Haymitch sat in a chair beside me. "Not your type of thing, huh?" I asked.

"I'd rather drink then dance." He replied and grabbed a shot from a watresses tray. Instead of drinking it he handed it to me. "Tequila on fire."

I thought about it for about a second and downed it, enjoying the burn it left behind. "Looks like a girl, drinks like a guy." Haymitched smirked.

"Looks like a asshole, acts like one too." I shot and grabbed another drink.

Haymitch chuckled. "Touche."

I glanced around. Amethyst was in a corner making out with some dude with about a million tattoos and Apollo was flirting with just abot everyone, even a women that looked old enough to be his mom. "Wanna ditch with me?" I asked tentatively.

Haymitch rolled his eyes. "Now why would I want to do that?" He asked.

"Because there's a pink haired freak staring at you like she hasnt eaten in days and you're a huge steak." I smirked and got up, leaving a five dollar bill on the table Haymitch was in. "Your choice."

Through narrowed eyes he glanced at me then back at the Capitol freak, who seriously was looking at him like dinner. "Alright. Just take me far away from that." As the girl approached him he hissed in the lowest, coldest voice, "Get the fuck away from me."

The host stopped us, "Leaving so soon?" It was directed to me, I could tell, because he was staring at my chest.

"Yeah this club sucks." I replied and slapped the guy's face.

"Well played." Haymitch said darkly.

I stuck out my tongue at him and walked out. "I should say the same about your little Capitol lover."

He scowled. "Must you always be a smartass?"

"Of course, it's my nature. You're cocky, I'm clever, it's like the circle of life or something like that."

He didn't say anything.

I've come to realize, I was really the only person Haymitch couldn't hold an argument with. I thought for a while it was because he felt he owed me or something until I finally figured it out. And it made me feel stupid I took so long to. When it came to me, Haymitch has met his match.

We walked in silence. "Hey Haymitch?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you ever wonder, like, what life would be like if we were never in the games?"

He sighed, not with solemn but wist, "Perfection. I honestly think my life was close to perfect before the games. What about you Serenity?"

I closed my eyes, "Hell. Torture. Pain. The games changed me for the better."

Haymitch rolled his eyes. "Typical Career answer. Did any deaths affect you, the slightest?" It was an accusation.

Those words felt like I had been slapped. "Of course they do! You think I'm heartless? I-...Blue was like my brother."

"Who just happened to be stabbed with your knife." He said. My eyes widened at his words and he realized he'd gone too far.

"And Maysilee just happened to die because of you being you." I said shrewdly.

"I guess I deserve that." He grimaced.

I stared at him and rolled my eyes. "My parents were psycho." I said quietly. "That's why I embrace the games, they took that away from me. The really did save my life."

Ever so quietly, I heard the quiet words that I never thought I'd hear from Haymitch. "I'm sorry."

/

Today is the day.

I swear, I don't think I ever felt this much excitement before in my life and it's not even my wedding. "Serenity!" Ninette, Colette, and Anette cry with joy when they see me. They're doing my hair and makeup and Calypso is doing Melinda since it's her day.

I picked, after arguing with Haymitch several times a deep blue-ish purple dress. It's pretty short and unlike almost every other bridesmaid it has straps but it clashed so beautifully with my hair. I just adored the beading down the front where the chest met the small but wavy ruffles. The dress was supposed to be pink, but Haymitch refused the hot pink tie.

"Do you want your trademark streaks?" Ninette asks and I shake my head.

"I think I've out grown them." I say.

Anette laughs. "Then the Capitol hasn't outgrown you, people are endlessly dying their hair your aqua left and right! It's like Haymitch and Apollo mean nothing. They still adore you."

"Not now, but in the future, I want you guys to cut my hair. Back to sitting on my shoulders." I say.

The triplets give sounds of horror but nonetheless agree so that they can see me before the next games. I'm really excited. This will be the first year I'm mentoring for my actual District. I somehow managed to have Wave be my co-mentor, assuming he doesn't change his mind.

Colette claps her hands. "You are done, and might I add, you look absolutely fabulous. Haymitch will die when he sees you and all of your beauty."

I blush. "Thanks but I highly doubt that."

Colette shakes her head, "You watch, besides Melinda, you'll be the number one desired dance partner. Even to Haymitch. If he's a boy and straight like an arrow then he would have to be absolutely positively insane to not want to dance with you."

/

"You may now kiss the bride." President Snow tells Wave and he doesnt hesitate the slightest. He swoops a crying Melinda down and brushes his lips softly against hers. When he leans up Melinda pulls him back in for a more demanding kiss.

Haymitch and Apollo whistle and I stand up to be the first one to clap. "Get a room!" Wave's oldest brother calls and the crowd laughs as they pull apart. Wave in a daze, Melinda blushing furiously.

Haymitch and I follow Avra and Jared, Melinda's brother. We walked arm and arm as guest threw calla lillies all over us, District Four flowers, just like every other couple. His touch against mine made my skin tingle, for reasons I don't know. Besides the married couple, us two had to be the spotlight for cameras.

"Now time for the fun part." Haymitch grins.

"I think Apollo beat you to it." I pointed to the limo that will take us to the fancy reception place. It looks like while we were taking pictures Apollo had found the limosines liquor stash and was already downing brandy as we speak. I pull back his collar as he makes a move to join him. "Uh uh uh, after. I refuse to walk in with a drunk."

He grumbles. "Fine, but once that whole entrance dance with your partner thing is over I'm drowning in whiskey and you can't stop me."

To hell I can!

"So, are you guys, like, going out?" A reporter asked me and Haymitch as we waited for the last couple to leave the house.

Haymitch blanched. "Um, no." I said, feeling slightly sick. This could not be good.

"Too bad, you guys would make the cutest couple. Mentor and tribute. Fire and ice. People would die to see you two together." The reporter continues.

People have.

"Thank you but I prefer brunettes." Haymitch excused, walking away with me, still arm in arm with me.

I pulled away. "Excuse me? Blondes have it better." I tossed my hair over my shoulder and before I let him defend himself I pointed to the limosine. "In the stretch, now."

At the party I found myself next to Chaff at dinner. "Good drink?" I asked him.

He offered me the rest of the glass. "As good as they come. A nice sweet burn, just the way I like it. Apparently, you do to." He commented, seeing my face turn from tense to relaxed. "They just put some calming shit in it, makes everything all better.

I grinned. "Now I wont be as stressed about my speech to them."

"That's the spirit." Chaff raised his glass of bubbly and clinked it to mine. "And speaking of which, I'd shut up unless you want Avra to murder you for speaking during her speech. Although no one would probably reply since we're all pretty scared of Avra..." I've learned Chaff rambles a lot when he's drunk. Kind of like Wave.

Only three of us were giving speeches: Avra, her sister Samantha, and me, the unofficial other maid of honour.

Avra started by raising a flute of the Capitol's finest champagne. "First I'd like to say congrats to a badass Four couple." There was a ton of cheers, both from the wedding party and the guests. "Second in history, after the third and seventh winners from Two. If you guys are here, your awesome too."

"I guess I'll start off by saying: Melinda, I love you like my sister. You are my sister. You're the nicest victor-person-I ever met. You ended the Four/Two feud not even a year into winning your games. Everyone that knows you looks up to you, yes, even me. Ha ha. I'm so happy to be able to spend this day with you and I'm glad to see you having the night of your life. God knows you deserve it." More claps and Melinda started tearing, mouthing a thanks to her.

"Now Wave. I'm obligated to say nice things about you." The crowd laughed. "You're a cocky little prick, and something is telling me that will never change. But hey, half of us are so you can't say I was being mean! God Wave, your like my little brother, the one that wont admit thatt you secretly adore me." Wave shot her a 'yeah right' look but he was grinning.

"I'm glad you found Melinda, because if anyone, she can set you straight. Melinda, good luck. Yes, I am happy to see you happy tonight because in all honesty, Wave, I have never seen you happier. Or see you smile, and if anyone repeats this I'll gladly maim them, but you have a brightening smile Wave and you should use it more often. Still I wish the happy couple my best and cheers to the badass couple from good 'ol District Four!"

Avra took a few pictures with the hapy couple and then announced into the microphone, "Now to hand this over to someone with a better way with words the one, the only, Serenity Starr!"

I grinned and took the mic. "Like Avra Kedaba over there said, you guys are a badass couple, even though your two of the greatest people in the world. Can you believe my first impression of Wave was a drunk lunatic that could not help my disrict partner for his life, literaly. I really was an optimist." The crowd laughed again. "But I admit I was wrong. Wave, your the best guy in the world. Your funny, sweet, nice, genuine and you honestly deserve every ounce of happiness. Today you went from my best friend to my adopted father, sort of."

"Melinda, in a really crucial time, you adopted me, basically saved me. I knew you had a good heart, but man, it's really pure. You're constantly keeping Wave and I out of trouble and, laugh at me if you will, but I was proud seeing you say 'I do'. Everyone knows how great of a person you are but getting to know you and spend time with you makes me realize you deserve a lot more than given. And nothing makes me happier than to see you two lovebirds finally Mr. and Mrs. Garret."

"Just saying, I would prefer not to walk in on you guys doing anything...affectionate." Another laugh. "So a toast to Melinda and Wave on their special day. Cheers!"

"Cheers!" Everyone echoed.

I'm starting to believe this is the start of an almost perfect life.

AN: Eeeek! Next chapter starts the whole love story but it's kind of depressing and a great character will be leaving us. Wondering who? Guess, the first one to get it right will get a character of their choosing.

Hint: It's a victor Serenity is somewhat close to (so NO, I'm not killing off Melinda or Wave!)