Hayffie Stories - Oneshots (#Wattys2016) (Fanfiction)

Walking Alone

The sponsor party is anything but dull. Every sponsor, escort, and victor are at this party. Even though the games are still going on, people are celebrating. Yeah, the Capitol always celebrates the games, but that's not something I've ever wanted to participate in. I just imagine we are all having a good time because we are with our friends; however, I know that its far from the truth. Haymitch left my side a little while ago, but I haven't seen him since. I'm standing in a group of loud, obnoxious people wanting to sing as loud as they can as the music screams through the speakers. Sure, I like a good party, but this is insane.

I decide to look around to find my ride. There is no taxi in sight as I walk outside. The Capitol may be persistent on the games, but not everyday transportation. They're probably not even running anymore this late at night. I don't have a watch on me, but I'm guessing its a little after midnight. City life may be exciting, but after a while it gets way too repetitive. Sometimes I wish I could just move to the districts, but I know many consequences come with that kind of commitment.

Walking over to a bench, I sigh in pain because my heels are making my feet sting. I take the jeweled shoes off and stare off into the distance. Thousands of lights are coming from the many buildings in the Capitol. And in each and every single building are hundreds of rooms being occupied at this very moment. It's a crazy place, and Im pretty sure no one sleeps. All anyone does is party and watch innocent children being killed because of something that happened years and years ago. Its amazing how long people can actually keep grudges.

There has got to be some way to get home. Not a single car is in sight, so I make the courageous decision to get up and walk. It will be a long hull, but I have no other option. I could always find Haymitch, but what would he do? When I know that he won't be able to do anything, I start my long journey to my apartment.

Everything seems so still, which is uncommon, but I know inside every single room, loud music and talking pounds through every ear. It's amazing how much can change when you move from one place to another, no matter how far away. I slowly walk past street lamps and bus stops. There's something inside of me that just wants to cry. How did I even end up in a situation like this? Not just the games, but my whole life has been hell ever since I was born. My parents always wanted me to be a proper young lady, when all I wanted to do was make things right. Not too long after, my parents were killed. They were caught stealing clothing from our local boutique and were shot on sight. They aways wanted too look their best, even when they didn't have the money to pay for it. I swore I would never be like them, and it hasn't happened yet. Hopefully not ever. But sadly theres a thing called heredity and it will soon haunt me in ways I never thought were possible.

Tears start to crawl down my face, and I think about everything I have done as an escort. Every piece of paper in the bowl. Every name written down on those pieces of papers. Every innocent child that I have killed because of where I came from. Its all too much for me, and I cry harder, walking faster so I can reach my house and no one will see me. I slide my wig off and let my blonde curls fall down to my shoulders. The Capitol would never allow this, but who's stopping me now? My past is haunting me, and no one is here to see me cry.

I suddenly stop when I see Haymitch sitting on a bench, similar to the one I sat on earlier. "So this is where you went." I say, matter-of-factly.

Haymitch looks up from the ground: "Have you been crying?" Its funny how thats the only thing he notices; not my de-wigged hair or the massive heels I am holding in my hand. Either way, I answer: "Yeah."

He gestures for me to sit next to him, and I obediently follow. I sit down next to him, and he speaks once again: "Why? Don't you have everything here?"

I laugh and cry, and try to make Haymitch understand: "Its tortuous here. I have the worst job in the world, and now I have to walk all the way home because there doesn't seem to be a cab in sight."

Haymitch keeps his focus on me as I stare at the ground, not wanting to confront my fears. I didn't think that he would ever understand, but he seems to get it. We live in two different worlds, but we live the same life.

"Would you want me to walk you home?" Haymitch asks. I finally look at him and nod, with a smile on my face. When we stand up, he wraps an arm around my shoulder. "Its a f--ed up world we live in." I laugh at how true that statement is. Nothing will every seem to go our way, but we do our best, even though in the end, we fail. I rest my head on his shoulder.

"You might have the most terrible job in the world, and the most hideous clothes I have ever seen, but you are a good person." Haymitch says. He isn't the one to wow you with his words, but he has his moments: "And you are beautiful, Effie. You just cover it up with a bunch of crap! Do you know how bad you look with it on?"

I take a step back and laugh: "You're an asshole!"

"You know its true."

"Yeah, I know its true, but I don't have a choice. So embrace my crappy-ness!" This time, we both laugh. "So, you think Im beautiful, huh?"

Haymitch denies it: "I said you looked better without all of the makeup."

"No, you specifically said I was beautiful!"

"Don't push it, sweetheart."

I place my arm around him so we can walk back to my apartment together.