After a hangover and a concussion, Effie learned her lesson. She didn't dare touch alcohol or even stay too long in the lounge with all the other people who worked for the games. Haymitch tried to persuade her to come sit with him, but she turned him down to sit alone on the District 12 floor.
Part of him knew why she didn't want to leave the floor, she'd have to face others. She was Effie and she was naturally too emotional. She was still embarrassed over 12 being made an example of by her boyfriend. Haymitch spent a week by himself mostly as the games dwindled down.
District 3 crowned a victor out of sheer dumb luck in Haymitch's opinion. The boy had been lucky and stayed under the radar for the whole game. The Careers had been stupid this year and thought he was dead and turned on each other.
Effie had been down ever since the bloodbath and he actually missed her being cheery and overly-pleasant. He finally had enough and knocked on her door. "Effie… Open up."
He heard the music stop in her room and she swung the door open. Effie looked very uneffie-ish, she had on black leggings and a tanktop. Her hair was braided and she didn't have any makeup on. Haymitch was flabbergasted and stumbled over his words. He spied her bags already packed.
"You're leaving?" He leaned against the door frame.
Effie shook her head, "Yes… Like everyone else tomorrow. Did you need something?"
Haymitch stood up now, "Actually, yes. You're getting dressed and coming to the crowning celebration with me."
Effie rolled her eyes, "No, I'm not. My head…"
"Bullshit, princess. Your head is fine. Your concussion was gone over a week ago and I've never known a hangover to last more than 2 days. Go get dressed. I'm tired of you sulking around in here."
"I am not sulking!" Effie gasped, "What's so wrong with me taking a few days to relax?"
Haymitch crossed his arms, "You haven't left this room in 5 days. You haven't left this floor in over 7. Last time I checked Effie Trinket didn't let anything or anyone get her down."
He stepped in and took note of the trashy tabloids she had piled on her vanity. With all manners of headlines running stories about Seneca and her and the debacle that was the bloodbath explosions. "I'm throwing this trash out, and you are getting dressed for a party. I'm giving you 10 minutes and I'm dragging you down there in whatever you're wearing. If you think I'm joking then be prepared to make an entrance like you've never done before. With no wig and make-up."
Effie had been ready to fire back a bunch of insults and narrowed her eyes, "Really, Haymitch?" She crossed her arms and didn't move.
"You've got 9 minutes and 30 seconds now." He checked the watch on his wrist.
Effie scowled and ran to her closet. She grabbed a handful of things and ran for the bathroom. Haymitch laughed and sat on her bed, ripping up the tabloids as he called out the minutes she had left. "8 minutes!"
Effie rushed out of the bathroom in a sequined black dress and tall heels. It wasn't a typical dress he usually saw Effie in. It had a low back and was very fitted. This dress was meant to be worn to make someone notice her. Haymitch didn't have to guess who.
He watched as she tugged her hair out of the braid and rolled it into big curlers that looked like they heated up themselves. She swiftly started applying creams and powders to her face. He was surprised how quickly she got herself together.
"3 minutes." Haymitch noted as she brushed on grey eye make-up and painted her lips a deep red. She was fascinating when pissed off at Seneca.
"Crane got your panties in a twist?" He laughed.
Effie scoffed and fluffed her large blonde curls. "He hasn't said a word to me since the pre-bloodbath explosions." Oh she sounded angry about that. "My mother told me one thing and that was never chase after boys. He's acting like a dick, when I'm the one who has the right to be upset. So yes, I am dressing like this to prove a point. If he won't man up maybe he'll see that someone else will."
Haymitch laughed, "Alright then."
Effie picked up a silver clutch and tucked it between her elbow and her ribs. "I beat your little count down." She smirked and twirled to show him she was ready.
His eyes wandered over her frame and he stood up. Effie was different this way and he certainly liked it. She had more fire in her, more fight than he had ever realized. Sure she locked herself up for a week but it took a few well-placed taunts and it lit her up.
"That you did, I'm honestly surprised. So why does it take you 3 hours every morning then?" He laughed as they walked to the elevator.
"Indecisiveness." Effie smiled and stepped into the elevator once it opened.
Once inside the large ballroom Haymitch grabbed two champagnes for them and Effie slowly took one from him. She was leery of drinking again.
"One glass won't kill you." He reminded and sipped almost half of his in one gulp.
Effie found it hard to swallow once she remember how much pain she was in after the last time she drank. She noticed Seneca off near the District 3 mentors and staff. She stood up straighter as she caught his eye.
"Go talk to him." Haymitch said gruffly.
"No, he can come to me." Effie reminded. She took another sip of her drink. One of her escort friends popped up and chatted with them. Haymitch half-heartedly joined the conversation. Johanna, Chaff and Finnick had dropped by and rowdily chatted with Haymitch.
"Effie?" She felt someone touch her elbow and she turned around. Seneca had come over to see her after all. "Could you join me for a bit?"
Haymitch watched from his conversation as Effie glanced at him then walked away with Seneca. It was awkward as the two of them headed out to the balcony that overlooked the Capitol. Effie looked up at Seneca and waited.
"You look different." Seneca noted and sat on a stone bench motioning for her to join him.
"I wasn't going to come.. Haymitch made me. I only had 10 minutes to get ready." She said softly and sat down next to him.
Seneca sipped what smelled like whiskey from his glass, "I am sorry, Effie…"
Effie cleared her throat and looked at her feet. "It doesn't feel that way."
He sipped his drink again, "Effie, I told you everything that night last week. I will admit to making the decision about Tabitha. Oliver's death was an order from far above my control. I can apologize for that."
Effie blinked and looked out over the Capitol skyline. "That's not what I was referring to."
He turned to face her, "Enlighten me then." Just as she started to reply a bunch of men approached Seneca and loudly chatted with him. They had little regard for the conversation he was having with Effie. She bit back a sour look and waited. Once Seneca was free of the other he turned to Effie and motioned for her to continue.
She sipped her drink and looked at the bubbled rolling up the sides of the glass. "I recall you saying 'I'll keep in touch Miss Trinket'." She frowned and looked at him, "Awfully formal for someone you said you love."
"You know how busy I am during the games, Effie." Seneca replied stiffly. "I do love you, that hasn't changed."
"Yes, I know you're busy. But even last year you made time." She noted and looked away.
"You didn't exactly make time either, Effie." He countered. More people approached him and Seneca pushed their conversation off to the side in way of small chat with strangers. Effie drank more and waited rather annoyed with him for not asking the people to excuse him for just a few more moments. When they did leave Seneca turned back to her.
"How could I?" Effie whispered, continuing the conversation again. "I'm embarrassed, and humiliated. Have you see the articles they're running? I drank myself stupid that night and cracked my head open on the damn toilet. All because it literally hurt to know I love you so much and all of this hurts like hell. Everything that's happened has been awful this past week. How can this work if it's going to be the same year after year. I can't guarantee the District 12 kids will behave next year. Are you going to keep blowing them up at the expense of our relationship?"
Seneca stood up and paced, "Well would you rather them run stories about favoritism towards District 12?"
"No…" Effie finished her drink and set it aside. She watched him pace and fidgeted her hands. Be strong Effie.
Seneca stopped and faced her. His hands shoved into his pockets, his drink sat abandoned on the bench. "So where does this leave us, Effie? We haven't spoken in a week. You're hurt because of my job. I love you and I hate what this has done to us. I want to make it better, tell me how."
Effie felt the telltale quivering of her lip. She tightened them to force the feeling that she might cry away. "I need time…" She said quietly. "It's too fresh now. Both of us are too emotional about it."
"So, this is over?" Seneca asked reaching for his drink now.
"Is that what you want?" Effie slowly looked up at him.
"No, that is not what I want."
Effie watched the people in the ballroom dance and carry on with the celebration. "What should we do then?"
He looked down at her and sighed, "I want to keep you happy, Effie. If time is what you need then I'll gladly give it. Please don't take too long."
Effie found herself feeling like the bad guy now and stood up. "Seneca…"
Effie watched three people hurry up to Seneca and motion to something going on in the ballroom. He laughed and clapped one of the men on the shoulder. He waved them off after saying he's join them in a moment.
He shook his head and turned back to Effie again, "I'll give you time. When you're ready to talk, please call me." He added. "I'll leave you be, I won't try to contact you. But I draw the line at 3 weeks, Effie. Any longer than that…"
She knew where he was going with the statement. "Are you angry at me?" She asked quietly.
"No. I'm not." He replied, "I just want to see you happy again."
Effie didn't know what to say so she just nodded. Seneca stepped back and locked eyes with her before waving and walking off toward his friends. Once she gathered her thoughts she grabbed another glass of champagne and went to dance with her friends. It was late in the evening when she realized she hadn't seen Haymitch in a while. Supposing he had gone off in search of more booze, she didn't spend much time thinking about it.
*Please review. I'm anxiously awaiting any type of feedback. I just love all the angst and tension with Haymitch, Effie and Seneca. I cant wait to post the next chapter. I've had it written for almost a year. I needed to do a lot of plot building before I could post it! Thank you for reading!*