A/N: Hi guys! I apologise for the lateness of this chapter, I've just been feeling a bit lazy recently… Also, I just want to say that while writing this chapter, the song I was listening to was 'never let me go' by Florence and the machine… I love it, it's just….Ahh! You guys must listen to it, it's awesome! Well anyway on with the chapter!
"I guess this is where we say goodbye…"
"I guess it is."
I look down at the suitcase placed against the wall of Haymitch's living room, a melancholy feeling suddenly washing over me. I pick it up by its handle and whey it in my palm.
I don't want to leave; I want to stay here where there is something for me to occupy myself with. Of course, I have an interview tomorrow evening but after that, the excitement of the Tour will die down and everyone will return to their normal everyday lives, myself included.
"You have to promise to write-or call; I've heard you have a new phone." I say with a half-smile playing on my lips. He shrugs.
"I will until I tear it outta the wall again."
"You will not tear it out of the wall again;" I scold "do you promise?"
"Okay, I promise." He says in an offhand manner.
My face breaks out into a full smile and I pull him in for a hug which is proving quite difficult while carrying a case at the same time. "I'll miss you, you old drunk."
"I'll miss you to, princess."
He pulls away and rests his hand on my cheek. "I really will."
I nod, "I know, so will I." I put my hand on top of his and place it on my waist. He smiles to himself before pressing his lips to mine.
I let the suitcase fall to the floor and wrap my arms round his neck, never wanting the kiss to end. He snakes both arms round waist and pulls me that little bit closer to him coaxing a sigh from the back of my throat.
I break the kiss, looking him in the eye. "I'm going to miss my train." I say sadly, but knowing that if I do I will get into a fair amount of trouble. He nods but as I make a move for the door, he grabs my wrist pulling me back into his arms and into his lips.
The kiss this time is much shorter but most definitely not lacking in passion. Haymitch pulls away this time and says in a disconsolate manner, "You're right, I'll walk you."
I nod, a smile creeping onto my lips, and pick up the suitcase from the floor.
We spend the short walk to the station without touching or talking, presumably not to let on there is something going on between the two of us and trying to seem as normal as possible - and by normal I mean resenting each other.
Within five minutes we have arrived at the small brick-clad building that serves as the train station. The lustrous machine seems to stretch for miles in both directions when stood on the snow coated platform and when the sun comes out from behind a cloud I have to squint to refrain from being blinded by its incandescent surface.
"Well, goodbye again." I shrug and he smiles down at the floor, shifting his feet around.
"Goodbye again."
I pull him in for a hug and put my lips next to his ear. "Take care of yourself," I say "don't do anything stupid."
He snorts. "No promises there. Okay, I'm sorry, I will."
I pull away and press my lips to the corner of his where they linger for a moment. My head is saying walk away now in case someone is watching but my heart is almost screaming to move my lips just over an inch to the right and kiss him properly.
I listen to my head and bid my goodbyes to the man I have grown especially fond of over the past few weeks, but as I am walking over to the train, I realise I listen to my head a little too much.
I stop walking and sigh deeply as what I do probably won't go unnoticed but somehow when I send my suitcase clattering to the ground for the second time today and take off in his direction, it seems so incredibly right.
He staggers back when I press my lips to his with as much force as I can muster; obviously not expecting me to return at all, but after regaining his balance he returns the kiss. It's short and sweet but just the right kind of goodbye.
I say nothing else as I go to pick up my suitcase and board the train; everything I needed to say was in that kiss.
I sigh a little when my feet hit the carpeted floors of the train and I feel the heat from the radiators warming my skin almost instantly. I'm about to sink into one of the armchairs but before I do, I feel a pull on my arm.
I look round and see Portia, a look of perplexity and stupefaction written across her face. She pulls me down next to her on one of the sofas at the far end of the room, away from doors and prying ears.
"Do you want to explain what that was?" she asks almost sounding as stern as my mother. I gaze heavenward trying to think of a viable reason but can't so I just come out with one simple word.
"No," I shake my head and more words tumble out, "Wait, how-how did you even see that?"
"They have these magical things on this train called windows." She replies sarcastically and I put my head in my hands. She puts her arm around me in an attempt at comfort.
"Effie, what were you thinking? Have you lost your mind? This kind of thing…it's forbidden. You know what will happen if-"
"Yes, I know." I snap, instantaneously regretting my harsh tone. After all, she is only caring. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap. I just don't understand why we aren't free to love who we want."
"Wait, you love him?"
"I don't know." I throw my head back into my hands in exasperation and sigh, willing the world to disappear altogether.
"Oh, Effie… you always fall for the wrong ones." She says barely louder than a whisper, a hint of amusement in her tone.
"What do you mean?" I lift my head and look her in the eye.
"Two words, Seneca Crane." She laughs and although I am trying to suppress my amusement, I laugh to.
"Oh, that's not fair. A, you liked him too and b, I had been friends with him since I was ten so it was bound to not work out."
"But in all matter of seriousness though… Haymitch?" She questions and I shrug nonchalantly.
"He really isn't that bad. He's quite the gentleman, when he wants to be and when he isn't completely intoxicated."
She nods, "I'll take your word for it. Now, come on we'll be late for dinner."
I stand in the wings of the stage, watching as Caesar Flickerman greets the audience, his signature midnight blue suit twinkling as he moves underneath the lights.
I look down at the almost non-existent microphone clipped to the neckline of the black lace dress I bought especially for the occasion, and decide it is probably not the best thing to fiddle with.
I would've most likely stayed in the wings for the whole show if I hadn't been nudged forward by an attendant when my name was called.
I walk toward the centre of the stage, a smile plastered on to my face and a confident spring in my step, where Caesar greets me and kisses me on the hand before leading me over to my seat.
"Well, thank you for coming to the show today. We're very glad you could make it." He says taking his seat and crossing one leg over the other.
"And I am very glad to be here." I say smiling
"So," he shuffles around in his chair obviously trying to get comfortable, "how have you found your first victory tour?"
"Tiring," I say and the audience laughs, "Although I have rather enjoyed seeing the rest of Panem, even if that was the insides of Justice Buildings."
"Well, from what I understand, that was your first and last Victory Tour. Is it true that you are giving up your position as Escort?" He asks and there are small gasps and whispers from the audience.
"Yes Caesar, that is true." I say eliciting more conversation from the audience.
"Do you want to tell us a little bit about that? Why is it exactly that you're resigning?"
"Well, I just thought that I am not getting any younger and that I should settle down and start the family I have always wanted. While I still can." I say truthfully and he nods.
"Is there anyone you have in mind?" he asks grinning and I can't help but let out a small laugh.
"No." I say smiling and looking down at my feet, neatly crossed at the ankles.
"You have the exact same look about you as Peeta Mellark did last year in his pre-game interview. I'm not sure I believe you…" he says obviously trying to coax a name out of me.
I look up and meet his gaze, my eyes asking all the questions I can't out loud. Do you know?
He seems to understand exactly what I am trying to say as he gives an almost imperceptible nod of his head. From this simple gesture I lose all hope of hiding mine and Haymitch's relationship and one thought hits me like a ton of bricks. If he knows then the President definitely will.
"No, I have no one in mind at the minute. No serious relationships." The words tumble from my mouth before I can stop them and I realise how selfish I must sound to anyone who already knows.
The last few minutes of the interview pass by in a haze and I try to answer most of the questions as truthfully as possible even though my mind keeps flashing back to that one question. Is there anyone you have in mind? Yes there is, in fact if he dropped down on one knee and asked me to marry him, I probably would.
Caesar bids me goodnight with a kiss on the hand and I continue to smile warmly until I get off the stage where I practically tear the microphone from the collar of my dress and throw it to the ground.
As I walk down the streets of the Capitol to my apartment, I can't stop the tears running down my cheeks. If he saw it, I will have hurt him greatly if he feels the same way about me as I do about him.
Once in my apartment I waste no time pouring myself a glass of red wine and downing the whole thing in one figuring I will have to be quite drunk to make the phone call I hope I will never have to again.
A/N: Well, there it is guys! I'm not sure what to think of that last paragraph but I really didn't know how to end this chapter so I just settled for that. I'm gonna need some ideas of things that can happen during Effie's time in the Capitol. I already have some ideas of things she can do but I just need a few more so if you have any, either leave them in a review or PM me. Continue reading and chapter 12 will be up soon!
~H x