An early update! Next chapter will be uploaded on Sunday. Enjoy! All characters belong to Suzanne Collins, except for Eden (played by James Marsden). Please read and review! :)
Effie's smile was wide and genuine when her big brother opened the door of his apartment in the Capitol. "Eden!" she squealed. Eden gave her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Effie, dear! It has been way too long. Are these two your victors?" he said, referring to Katniss and Peeta. "And oh, the mentor. A pleasure to meet you Mr. Abernathy." He politely introduced himself to them and let them in. He was very handsome. Clad in a tailored suit, his brown hair gently slicked back.
He quickly gave the visitors a tour around the big apartment. "I have two spare rooms right here." Eden showed them. "Every room has two beds, so Katniss and Effie, Haymitch and Peeta?" Haymitch, Peeta and Effie nodded in agreement. Katniss on the other hand, seemed to disagree by the look on her face and Effie knew why. Peeta was there for Katniss when she needed him, as Haymitch was there for her. Effie threw her manners out of the window for a moment and whispered "It will be alright." in Katniss' ear, Katniss smiled slightly and nodded.
That night Effie didn't wake up because of Katniss' screams. Neither did Katniss wake up from Effie's screams. They both woke up because of someone else's. Effie immediately knew it was Haymitch. Katniss seemed confused as Effie leapt out of bed and quickly threw on a dressing gown over her short nightdress. "I will be right back," Effie whispered, "don't worry."
She opened the door to the boys' room to find Peeta desperately trying to calm Haymitch down without waking him. Effie quickly sat down on the edge of Haymitch's bed and woke him, careful not to scare him. Haymitch opened his eyes. They softened as they landed on Effie and his breathing slowed down again. Peeta was rather confused. "Who are you?" he whispered. Effie looked him in the eyes. "Don't worry about that." She tried to stay calm and hide the blush that crept on her cheeks as she realized she wasn't wearing a wig nor makeup. "Go back to bed, darling."
Peeta seemed to recognize her by her voice. "Alright." He turned around and laid down on his bed. "You look pretty without makeup, Effie." Peeta yawned. "Thank you." She grinned. But Peeta had already fallen asleep. She turned to Haymitch again, who was sleeping too. A soft smile on his face. She stood up. "Good night." she whispered, and went back to her own room.
It was morning. The sun shone brightly. It was hot. A beautiful day to prepare for death, Effie thought. She was wearing her favourite monarch butterly dress. The one she wore at the reaping for the Third Quarter Quell. It meant a lot to her. Her brother was again clad in a tailored suit with an orange tie to match Effie's dress. On either side of the City Circle sat the victors of each district. Staring at them. Judging them. Peeta, Katniss and Haymitch were there too. They smiled at her reassuringly as she walked by, her hand in Eden's. Her brother gave her hand a squeeze and let go to be seperated from her. Men on the left, women on the right. Effie looked around. She saw her friends, family members and acquaintances. Her mother stood behind her. Her father stood next to Eden. There were small children too.
"Welcome." A deep voice filled the hot air they were standing in. It was Gale Hawthorne, Effie realized. Gale hated the Capitol, Gale hated her. "Welcome to the reaping of the 76th and final Hunger Games. A small change: volunteering is forbidden." His eyes seemed to be fixated on her. Pure hatred filled them. But then again, he could be looking at anyone. Effie knew Gale was a good man and she had long accepted the fact that he would never forgive her for what she had done.
"First, the men." Gale walked over to one of the reaping balls. Flavius' name was called. Effie cursed under her breath. Gale went over to the reaping ball with the female names. Octavia. He went for the other reaping ball again as Flavius and Octavia made their way to the makeshift stage. Effie looked over at Katniss. She looked scared, and full of… regret? Effie looked at Gale again. This was already a sick game. You never knew what was going to happen next. Whose name was going to get picked. "Eden Trinket." Gale called out. No. No way. No. "No!" Effie yelled and frantically looked for her brother. A rebel stopped her, his gloved hand made her shiver. Eden gave his sister a reassuring nod. "It's going to be okay." his eyes said. He walked up to the stage as well. Effie stayed quiet for the rest of the reaping. Names of loved ones and names of people she didn't know flashed by. But she didn't seem to hear anything. She did hear her mother, quietly sobbing behind her. Her father was eerily quiet.. Effie stood like that for a while, looking at her feet, not listening to anything until Gale's voice called out: "The final tribute: Euphemia Trinket."