One Last Game -Haymitch Abernathy-

Chapter 6

After her conversation with Haymitch the previous night, Amelia couldn't stop thinking. She had never been worried about their relationship before,  but she was now. To anyone watching, it was clear the two cared for each other. They really didn't have anyone else. Amelia had never thought much about losing him, but what if she did? If Snow knew they were close, what would stop him from using Haymitch to get her to do things? She regretted not saving her family and knew she would never make that mistake again. Haymitch would be the perfect bargaining chip. She finally had something to lose again, and that terrified her.

The entire day seemed like a blur, and Amelia was sure she dissociated for most of it. With Haymitch wandering around The Capitol and the tributes having spent their morning in evaluations, all she could do was think.

However, Amelia didn't think the evaluations would go as they did. Considering Katniss shot an arrow at them. Or towards them, as she specified multiples to Effie. Effie was furious, but Amelia couldn't help but be impressed. Her evaluation had gone poorly, and she received a six. If Amelia could go back, she would probably do the same thing as Katniss. "Are you crazy," Effie wouldn't stop pacing.

Katniss was hunched over, "I was just mad."

Amelia glanced at the girl who was sitting beside her. Cinna was on her other side. "Mad?" She pointed a fan at her. "You do realize your actions reflect on all of us. Not just on you."

"They just want a good show," Cinna tried to calm her down. "It's fine."

"How about it just bad manners, Cinna. How about that?"

"Effie," Amelia breathed. "It's okay."

Effie glared at her and turned to Haymitch, who was walking down the stairs. "Well, finally. I hope you know we have a serious situation here."

Haymitch stopped and gave Katniss a thumbs up. He had a bright smile, a smile Amelia had never seen that big. "Nice shooting, Sweetheart." Amelia and the others grinned at his happy manner. It was unexpected but also expected. Effie rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips. "What did they do when you shot the apple?" He sat in the solo chair across from them.

"Well," she started. "They looked pretty startled."

Haymitch laughed loudly, twirling in the chair. Amelia's mood only brightened seeing how happy the man was. He seemed so pleased and carefree. "What did you say? Thanks for-"

"Your consideration," Katniss finished with a laugh of her own.

He clenched his hand, "genius."

"I don't think we will find this funny when the Gamemakers take this out-"

"On who," he raised his hands. "On her? On him?" Haymitch kept his eyes on Effie. "They already have. Loosen your corset and have a drink." He leaned closer and stared at Katniss. "I would have given anything to see it."

Amelia chuckled, but out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Ceaser Flickerman on the TV. He was speaking, but it was muted. "Cinna, unmute the TV. The evaluations are in."

The entire mood in the room changed as Cinna pressed the remote. "As we know, Tributes are rated on a scale from 1-12." Haymitch moved across the room and took a seat on the couch. His body slumped back and partly leaned on her. Amelia didn't mind and felt a smile makes its way onto her face. She glanced at him but quickly let her eyes return to the TV. "The Gamekeepers would like to acknowledge that there was an exceptional amount of talented individuals." Amelia huffed, "from District 1, Marvel, with a score of 9." The districts went by male first and then female. Amelia watched each person carefully, taking first in their appearance and then ranking. It took time to go through each, and after a few, they started to blur together. The results were important but didn't determine anything. She had scored low but won. The same went with another past winner she knew of, Johanna Mason. She scored low but was brilliant and won her games. "And our final District, District 12. Peeta Mellark." This was when everyone paid more attention. Peeta leaned closer, rubbing his hands together nervously. "With a score of 8."