Chapter thirty-Don't quit the game.

Katniss POV:

My eyes snap wide open as the footsteps echo in the hallway. The door slides open, revealing a man in his forties, his hand brushing the piece of dirty blond hair covering his face. I stand up from my seat as fast as possible, my teammates following my lead. I wait in silence as he approaches us with a blank expression on his face. He lets out a sigh as he takes in his surroundings. His eyes travel around the gym until his gaze falls on me. He looks at me with a curious expression, crossing his hands over his chest and a small smile lingering on his lips.

''I presume you're the captain,'' he states, taking a few steps closer towards me. I give him a slight nod, the pain still visible on my face. It's been a week since the funeral. A lot of people came to say their final goodbye's. Even now, I'm in denial. Every time I turn around, I wait in delusion for him to walk out of those doors and yell at me for being so lazy. He made sure I had a second family. My team. And I'd always be grateful for it, for he gave me hope I was so desperately in need of and a bright future.''My name is Haymitch Abernathy,'' he says in a deep voice, turning towards the rest of the team,''I'll be your new coach.''

Six. Six players left the team, along with any hope of winning the tournament. They went on the same day coach Red left us. All heads are low, their expressions unreadable. They need a leader now, to guarantee them the scholarships every player in this room worked hard for. I can't provide them that. I never could. I always watched from the sidelines as Red did all the inspirational talking. Despite that, he believed this spot was made for me. That was the only mistake he made from the day he started coaching us. Making me captain.

''You,'' he points at me, snapping me out of my thoughts,''I expect the most from you, considering you're the leader.'' I let out a breath, the pain in my chest getting stronger. ''The second round starts next week. I expect all of you to be prepared for it. Personally, I don't care about people who surrender, but I owe it to my brother when I gave him my word I'll take care of his team. Since we're all being truthful today. By we I mean me. I'd like to mention I was once a player, and a coach afterwards. You want to know what happened? My team forfeited in the finals, because they were weak. If you don't have the ability to continue on, either leave or I'll be seen in the left corner drinking my liquor since you know what's best for you. I gave my word to my brother to stay sober enough, but I won't sacrifice my time if I don't see your sacrifices in return.''

His eyes pierce right through me, demanding an answer to his statement.

''I understand,'' I simply say, earning a nod in return,''What are your orders?''

''There won't be anymore actions,'' he says in a serious tone. Our head snap in his direction in confusion. What does he mean by that? ''You should all know your partners strength and weaknesses, so I assume you won't be needing any actions. You will train everyday as a team, so when the game comes you'll now exactly when to pass the ball and to whom. Do I make myself clear?''

''Yes, sir,'' they say, walking away to stretch themselves.

''How was practice?'' my mum asks, concern evident in her voice since I wasn't myself the past couple of days. The day before, I was so distracted I forgot I didn't eat anything.

''It was okay,'' I mumble out, while kissing her cheek.

''And..?'' she trails off in hope I provide her with a little bit more information.

''And we got a new coach,'' I say, looking down at the lunch my mum served for me. I missed her cooking. ''Red's brother,'' I add.

''Huh,'' she mumbles, her expression thoughtful,''I never knew he had a brother.''

''Neither did I,'' I say.

A couple of minutes later, by the time I finished my plate, a dark skinned man walked through the door, Cato and Derek following close by. He seemed fairly young and handsome. He shoots me a kind smile, while I look at him oddly. I didn't expect they'd have a guest coming over this afternoon. The least they could've done is warn me.

''Am I missing something?'' my eyebrow raises, while I cross my hands over my chest.

''Katniss,'' my mum huffs, annoyed by my actions,''In the future would it kill you to remember something? I've been telling you throughout the week we'll be having Derek's friend, Cinna over for a cup of coffee. Also, he's our stylist. ''

''Pleasure to meet you Katniss,'' he smiles,''I'll make sure the dress of your dreams becomes reality. It would be a pity for such a brave girl like yourself wears anything less.''

''Thank you, but it's not my dress you should be worrying about. I'm also curious to find out why exactly you're here now, considering the date of the wedding hasn't been set,'' I ask.

Cinna looks over towards Derek and mum, and they return his gaze.

''Katniss,'' Derek starts, anxious,''Your mum and I have been thinking this through and we decided on a date.''

''Well?'' I demand. Cato clenches his fists and lowers his head in anger. I look at him, desperate, but he refuses to return my stare.

''Three weeks,'' Derek answers my question,''The wedding will be in three weeks.''

Third person POV:

''Do not feel threatened Coin,'' the man sits in his chair, while holding onto a certain picture,''The girl will have to kneel down to me eventually, for her sister's sake''

A/N: Hey guys ! So sorry it took me this long. Right now I have a lot of studying to do and as I once mentioned, for a week my school starts at two so by the time I get back I don't have time, so right now I can only update on weekends. But, the situation for next week should be a lot better, so I'll be able to update more often !:) I would also appreciate if you could check out my other story if you already didn't, so you have something to read until I update this one.

Thank you so much for all the reviews, I love every single one of you who took the time to favorite, review or even just read my story. I'm really grateful. To answer a few questions I've been getting, Katniss isn't pregnant..I just skipped that part since I didn't want to ruin the mood. Also, if Katniss's crying confuses you. There are different types of relationships you can have with your coach(I'm not talking about romantic..). I had a coach who just trained me, but wasn't too involved with our lives, and on the other side I had a trainer who made me feel like I had a second family. You'll be surprised how many coaches take the time to listen to your lives or even help you( one helped a friend with his drug problem even though he could've just kicked him out of the team). Anyway hope you enjoyed ! xx