Well hello there! So this is a very speedy upload but I don't really have much else to do. I was re-reading the previous chapters and I have to say... they weren't actually all that bad! I'm quite proud! Prepare yourself for some Hayffie thoughts, (we're not quite there yet) and some Cinna!

Hope you enjoy!x


I am drowning. This is all I'm aware of. I have no idea where I am, not a clue why I'm here, the only thing I know is that I'm drowning in this icy water. It's impossible to tell which way is up or down. I struggle for a while before finding the bottom of the lake. I swim upwards before losing control of my limbs. I am no longer drowning, I am falling. I land on the cold mattress of my bed in the Capitol. I can't breathe. I feel as though I am choking on the water I was drowning in a minute ago. After a lot of trying and some forced coughing I regain my ability to draw a shaky breath. What was that about? I am no stranger to nightmares, they visit me often, but they are usually about other people. My father, my sister, Cinna, Portia, the tributes whose names I have pulled from the reaping bowl and on occasion Haymitch. They never used to involve me. I can't think why they've changed.

It takes a moment for my brain to register that my phone is ringing. I raise my hand to answer when I find it drenched in sweat, the rest of my body seems to be aswell. I answer with a shaky. "Hello?"

"Effie, it's Cinna. I wanted to make sure you'd be on time for the train."He replies with a slight laugh.

"Cinna, I'm never late,"I reply, laughing, but my voice is still weak, Cinna asks me what's wrong. "Oh nothing, just not feeling like myself, I'll be better once I've got some caffeine in me," I lie, he doesn't sound satisfied but he just reminds me that I have to be at the station at ten. I do feel a bit better once I've had a shower and a coffee but mostly I'm just confused. Why am I so concerned about myself all of a sudden?


I meet Cinna, Portia and the prep teams, all looking exhausted, at the train station two hours later. I feel a little bad for the prep teams, those poor idiots don't know how to be up and out before noon, they'll have to get used to it. Cinna's looking at me suspiciously, he obviously didn't belive me earlier, but I don't comment on it knowing that if I do I'm going to be sentenced to questioning. I suppose the roles should be reversed since I haven't completely ruled out the possibility that there might be something going on between him and Portia. The trip to 12 does nothing to help that situation, they spend almost every waking moment locked in the garment car and only come out for meals. Most of which Cinna spends staring at me, I only realise why after breakfast on the day we arrive. We are nearing the end of the meal when Atalia, one of Peeta's prep team says. "Oh, I'm so looking forward to seeing Peeta!" We all nod in agreement.

"If only Haymitch wasn't so ...," someone else says, trailing of, trying to think of an appropriate word. Damaged. I suddenly feel the need to defend him, even though I know he'd hate me for it. He hates me anyway so it can't hurt.

"He's really not that bad," I find myself shrug, some seem to consider that I might be right, after all, I know him better. Cinna nods for moment before he speaks.

"Well, if you're into that," he replies simply. At first I'm confused but as Portia slowly turns her head towards me I realise what he means, Cinna thinks I have a crush on Haymitch. Well, he's not wrong. I'm absolutely positive I'm blushing. I glance up at him, shake my head slightly and he directs his attention back to the prep teams.

When we arrive at Victors Village I go to Peeta's house first. He's much easier to talk to and Katniss might actually kill me. That girl would drive you to drink. Awful choice of words Effie. Almost the second I walk through the door a cup of tea and a cookie are shoved into my hands and Peeta greets my excitedly. The living room is full of paintings and Haymitch sits in the corner, nursing a bottle. I finish my tea before heading over to Katniss where I am greeted, not by paintings, by dresses, fabrics and sketches. She seems overly excited going around holding up dresses it's obvious Cinna designed. Primrose brings be a cup of tea and one of Peeta's cookies. They're awfully polite but I know they don't want me here. After all, I did almost nearly sentenced Primrose to death.

I'm unbelievably relived when I'm told the camera crew want to start shooting outside. It's very convincing, one wouldn't doubt their love even if it is fake. they don't let go of each other until they're on the train, where they immediately drop hands. After dinner, which is delicious but quiet, Cinna pulls me aside in the corridor. He simply raises his eyebrows but his question is clear, I pretend I don't understand. He rols his eyes before speaking. "Haymitch?" It's not hostile, slightly confused, more amused. "Really Effie?" I shrug in reply and turn to leave, he grabs by forearm and pulles me back. "Come on Effie, you know what I mean, your just so... he doesn't seem like your type..." I can't help but smile, Cinna's so easy to talk to. " I'm not saying he's not attractive, he is... in a way." I start to laugh at this, it's obvious Cinna had a crush on Haymitch at some point. "Breifly," he he says with a smile, but his face quickly turns serious, "Effie, be careful," he says before walking away. I don't need to ask what he means, what I'm feeling is technically illegal. If the wrong person found out I could very well be punished. I decide it't best if I ignore him. This decision proves difficult to stick with. He's always around and always trying to annoy me. I decide to return the favour my constnatly giving out about manners and his drinking and going over the top when the train has to stop for maintnance. it's Katniss that cracks though, Haymitch stays completely silent. I leave the compartment shortly after Peeta.

The trip is dull, apart from 11, it's the same thing every day, they make speaches, we go to dinner, we leave. At least Katniss and Peeta are getting along. I see him slip out of her room each morning, Haymitch tells me to talk to Katniss about it saying it's a 'female thing'. I mention it, she sas they'll be more discreet, they don't. We're between 5 and 6 when I decide that Katniss and Peeta need to learn to dance. Cinna refuses to help, claiming it's someone elses job. He is killing me! I find all three of them sitting in the living room.

"You know, it just occured to me," Katniss says when I enter, "Peeta and I don't know any Capitol dances. We'll have to learn some." Her eyes flick between me and Haymitch expectantly. I hold out my hand to him, he stares at me for a moment before realising what I'm asking.

"No chance, no way, not going to happen," he protests, not stopping for a breath.

"Well I would ask Cinna but he's busy, and you're their mentor," I say holding out my hand. Katniss and Peeta are both nodding and Katniss points out that as their mentor it's his job to teach them. After a while we eventually get him to agree. I take his right hand and place it on my waist, he steps away but I pull him back. I nod to Katniss to start the music and we start a simple waltz. Haymitch obiviously remembers it since he only stumbles a little at the start. Halfway through and he's completely transformed, his movement is swifter, he's pulled me closer and his grip on my waist is considerably firmer, burning through the fabric of my dress. Suddenly, something flashes in his eyes and he drops my hand, let's go of my waist and is out of the car in five seconds flat. I glance at Katniss and Peeta, both looking as confused as I am. I decide to teach them sepeately and by dinner my feet are aching and I can't look Haymitch in the eye.


Haymitch's POV

I'm contemplating leaving the car when she walks in. Damn woman, why is she always so smiley? Even during the Games, but then again it seems pretty forced. She's always smiley but she's not... I'm barely done with these thoughts when she holds out one small, perect, porceline, well manicured hand and forcing me to dance. I haven't danced in years and there's no way I'm starting now. But I do... God I hate Katniss, that girl never gives up. I suppose that's why I end up dancing with Effie, because I know Katniss won't give up. Anyway, I end up doing a stupid Capitol dance with a st... No, not stupid. It's not that bad really, I actually start to enjoy it, until an image appears in my head.

It's Effie, at least I think it is. It must be. She's dancing... dancing with me, she's smiling, laughing. Then I notice the dress, white. It's a wedding dress, tiny diamonds sparkling in the evening light. We are dancing, barefoot in the meadow, on our wedding day.

The image dissapears and I am brought back to reality. I have to get out of here. I drop her hand and leave the room, heading straight for the bar car. I really need a drink.


Effie's POV

"So how'd it go?"Cinna asks me in the corridor, I shake my head and walk on. "Badly I suppose?" He continues, following me. I turn so suddenly he bumbs into me.

"I have absoloutely no idea how it went." I snap in reply, "do you really think I have any idea what goes on in that mans head?" Now I realise why I'm mad at Cinna. "Oh my God," I whisper. "You planned this...You told Katniss? I trusted you, I told you that in confidence!"

"OK first of all," he says calmly, "I forced that confession out of you in complete confidence, and second, Katniss figured it out by herself, these kids aren't blind Eff, and neither are you..." I wait for him to continue but he doesn't.

"Are you going to tell me something here?" I ask, wishing he would just say it outright.

"Look around you, figure it out." he says before turning the corner. What am I supposed to be looking for? Haymitch? Rebellion? It's confusing but I listen. Haymitch won't look at me at all and Portia smiles a lot more than she used to. But it's the districts that I notice the most. When We're in 4 there's an bvious feeling of rebellion in the air, odd for a Career district.

Watch your back Katniss, anything could happen.


I got a little lost there in the middle but I found my way back. Pease review!x