In Power We Trust - Haymitch Abernathy

Chapter One - Happy Birthday

Amelie

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dearest Amelie, happy birthday to you!"
I looked down at the (half-burnt) loaf of bread before me. More food than I've seen all year. Must've taken Ma all her savings to get it.

District 12 was as unforgiving as it was cold in the winter months. At least in the springtime you could sneak out into the woods and pick some swamp potato or set some squirrel traps. Not in the winter. In the winter, the forest went quiet. No promise of life. I reckon that's why I always hated having my birthday in December.

Before the reason changed to my father ending his life this month, that is. Three years ago, four days before my 13th birthday, my Pa took a peacekeeper's gun and finished it. My Ma lied to me of course, told me he died of hunger. But people talk. And even at 12, I knew. I knew that tall, large men like Pa don't just die of hunger like that. I knew.

So when I looked up at the woman singing happy birthday to me, I smiled. Not for myself, no I didn't need to pretend to be happy for my own peace of mind, no. I put a smile on for her.

"Thanks Mama, here," I started to rip the bread in half to share it with her.
She placed her noticeably cold hands on top of mine, "No." She said softly but in a stern manner, "This is your present Amelie. You shouldn't have to share."
I probably should've fought it, insisted she take some bread. But the rumble in my stomach was screaming at me to do otherwise, so I did.
I sat there and ate all of my bread. Or at least, most of it.

Bout 20 minutes later it was time for school. Ma rushed me out the door as usual saying something along the lines of: "Come on Peanut get out the door 'for I smush you like one."
I just smiled and gave her a brief side hug before walking out the door and down the porch steps.
The cold hit my face immediately. I couldn't be too bothered though because for once my tummy didn't hurt real bad.

As I approached the school yard I saw him, the cutest boy in my class: Marcus Oliver. I've had a crush on him ever since I can recall knowing him.

He walked with his usual right hand man Haymitch Abernathy. A nice boy whom I didn't know much about but had gotten to grow fond of during our past few interactions.

I made eye contact with Haymitch as I got closer and waved him over. I walked to him as he nodded bye to Marcus.

"So? How's the plan going Hay-Bale?"

"You know I'd prefer you didn't call me Hay-Bale."

"Why not?"

He didn't answer, he just chuckled to himself.
"So did the plan work or not?" I asked, growing more impatient.
"Well that's the thing, I haven't gotten a chance to talk to him yet."
I hit Haymitch lightly on the arm, "Come on all I asked was you put a good word in for me with Marcus. Is it that hard?"
"In my defense Amelie, you haven't held up your end of the deal." He tilted his chin up at me slightly.
"Like hell I haven't," I grabbed a small piece of my bread out my pocket and held it out to him.
His eyes widened, he took it and held it up to his nose. "Oh Amelie I could just kiss you!"
"You best not, Hay-Bale." I smiled.
He just chuckled and started walking to his seat in the classroom, "Today!" He said walking backwards, "It's happening today."

•••

Haymitch

I felt the bread in my pocket all of class, it distracted me. Made me more impatient for lunch break than usual. When we were dismissed Marcus and I made our way to the corner and sat down, where we usually found ourselves lunch-less and waiting for break to be over.
"Guess what Marcus." I said, the edges of my mouth hinting at a smile.
Marcus looked up at me and tilted his head in curiosity. I picked the bread from my pocket and held it out like a trophy. "Oh my god!" He perked up, "How'd you get that?"
"Honest answer?" I leaned in and hushed my voice.
Marcus nodded with enthusiasm.
"I made a deal with that girl, Amelie, she said that if I were to you know, put in a good word with you then she'd give me some food."
Marcus jerked his head back at this, "Amelie?"
I nodded.
"What she's got some sort of crush on me?" Marcus began to laugh.
"Why's that funny?" I asked, my face growing a bit hot.
"Seriously man? Look at her. She's not even- I mean just ew!" He started laughing harder.
This bothered me, though I barely knew the girl, I'd grown quite fond of her.
"Stop Marcus. She's not that bad."
Marcus wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes, "Wha- don't tell me you like her Haymich?"
"It's not that I like her- I- you're just being a jerk."
This made Marcus laugh even harder.
"Haymitch and Amelie sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-"
I didn't think, I couldn't. I just did the first thing that came to mind. I silenced his laughter, his taunting, with a hard punch to the jaw. Gasps erupted throughout the room, making me realize we'd had an audience. And I didn't know for how long. In the front of the crowd surrounding us was Amelie. Her eyes, swollen with tears, as they met mine.
"Amelie I-"
The children's voices around me began to murmur, discussing what had just happened. Amelie shook her head and shoved her way through the crowd.
Out the door.