Chapter 14

Haymitch's house is the most disgusting place I have ever set foot in. I nearly slam the door shut as soon as I open it, repulsed by the odor that seeps out from within the confines of the home.

I'm surprised Sae even comes in here. She takes care of all of us, even Haymitch. I pity that such a kind-hearted woman has to put up with a nasty old drunk and a broken huntress every day. Good thing Peeta is back- less work for her.

Shuffling through empty bottles, smelly food wrappers, and dirty laundry, I struggle to keep my breakfast down as it threatens to make a reappearance. I head over to the window and yank the drapes aside. Rays of sunlight are thrown around the room and I immediately spot Haymitch lying on a disgusting, stained couch. He's sleeping, his mouth hanging open and a bottle clasped in one hand. In the other, the knife he always sleeps with.

I throw the window open and thankfully take a few deep breaths of fresh air. The cloying scent of alcohol and rotting food is making my head spin.

Using my toe, I nudge Haymitch's elbow. "Haymitch. Wake up."

He must have really overdone it with the alcohol this time because there's no response. Shaking my head, I stalk over to the kitchen and find a pitcher of water in the fridge. I don't pause as I dump the contents straight on his head.

Haymitch springs to his feet, sputtering and eyes wild. The arm with the knife waves around frantically, slashing at imaginary enemies as I lean back, just out of range of the sharp blade. When he stops flailing, I use the pitcher to knock the knife from his hand. "That's dangerous, you know. If you fall off the couch in a drunken stupor, you could stab yourself."

His eyes flood with recognition then turn cold. "Yes, sweetheart. I'll remember that next time someone throws water on top of me."

I sit near the window because its the only space I can tolerate the offensive smells from his house. "Clean up, will you? This is disgusting." I say.

"Not your house."

"You missed breakfast."

"I had my breakfast. It came in a bottle," he says.

I wrinkle my nose. "You're despicable."

"What do you want, sweetheart?"

Suddenly, I'm not sure if I want to tell him about Peeta. Haymitch has always been a brutally honest, yet mostly rude, advisor. Perhaps I don't want to hear what he tells me. Or maybe he'll just poke fun at me until I leave.

"Come on, I don't have all day." He growls at me like a wounded animal. I reach down and use a finger to flick a soiled shirt on the floor at him to wipe his face off.

"Its Peeta."

He blinks, then sneers. "Finally going to thank me for surprising you at the train station?"

I scowl. His guffaw says it all. "Well then, you're welcome. I knew the boy would be good for you. He got you walking around instead of still holed up in that rocking chair."

"Shut up."

He snorts, using the shirt to mop off most of the water streaming from his hair. "So what? Did you guys enjoy breakfast without me?"

The look on my face must say it all because he starts cackling. "Its not funny," I snarl at him, blushing and irritated. He's howling now, falling back onto the smelly couch as my anger grows. Trust Haymitch to react inappropriately.

When he finally composes himself, his eyes glinting, I'm debating whether or not to make my escape through the window. "So what about the boy? Hopefully you didn't shove him into a vase again."

I look away and he notices my blush. "Ah, so that's what you two were up to."

"Its nothing like that!"

"Then what was it, sweetheart?" he says.

"I don't know! That's why I'm here!" I'm shouting now, but I don't care.

Haymitch shrugs before reaching down and picking up an unopened bottle, popping the top open. "Well, what do you want then?" he says.

"I don't know what to do." I say.

He smirks before taking a long pull. "Look, sweetheart. Anyone can tell that he's still in love with you and going nowhere soon. Don't you think its time you opened up to him instead of shutting him out like you always do?"

I flinch, but don't respond. Haymitch continues. "Yeah, we all know you're scared of getting close to people, love, emotions, babies-"

"What are you getting to, Haymitch?"

"I'm saying that you need to get over those things if you want that boy to still be part of your life." Haymitch looks me in the eyes, serious. Well, he's right about that. Even if we'd been through so much, Peeta won't wait around forever for me.

"How do you feel about him, sweetheart? What do you truly feel for him?"

The question only has one answer. I don't hesitate at all. "That I will die without him."

Haymitch smiles then. He sits back on the tarnished material of the couch and raises his bottle in my direction.

"Here's some advice then. Stay alive."