Haymitch's Love: The Untold Story

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Welcome Home

Nemit is running as fast as she possibly can, the pink jewel bouncing on her chest. She must get to the station. Move feet, move! She urges herself on. She's going to be late!

After two painstaking days and one dead tribute filled nightmare, Haymitch can finally feel the engine of the train gradually slowing.  He is extremely eager to get home. Eager to see his mother. Eager to see Melmar. But most of all, he is eager to see past few weeks have been unbearable for him. The only reason he wanted to win was to see her again. He longs to hear her musical laughter. Longs to inhale that sweet smell of honeysuckle. Longs to see her dance freely in the forest, not a care in the world. He longs to press his lips against her own soft, warm ones without having to worry about anything. He wants to hold her, keep her safe from any harm. Just thinking about her makes his heart ache. He needs her. Without her, he is nothing, there would be no reason left in his life. Heh closes his eyes and tries to picture her in his mind like he has done every day since being reaped, conjuring up an image of angelic beauty.

As the train passes through a tunnel and into the District Twelve station, he readies himself for the innumerable cameras that are sure to be eagerly waiting for his arrival. Is he prepared for all this attention? For fame? Fortune? He has just been crowned Victor of not only the Hunger Games, but of the Quarter Quell. It still hasn't really sunken into his head yet.

The train comes to a halt and his mentor and escort appear behind him, hissing last minute advice in his ears.

'Enjoy it, kid. This is a once in a life time experience.'

'But remember to keep you head!'

He feels a warm, tickling sensation on his back and realizes in alarm that Dolly Lomberson, who has plastered on so much makeup she resembles a circus clown, has placed a satin gloved hand on his shoulder.

'Just relax, Haymitch. There's nothing to worry about...' She practically purrs.

Nothing to worry about? Who is this woman kidding? No, he will definitely never get used to this kind of attention. Especially from older women...

Rockwell pushes the train door open and the three are immediately engulfed by the roar of the ecstatic crowd, blinding flashes from cameras, and a copious amount of reporters. Someone has released infinite, multicoloured balloons into the air. People are everywhere he looks; hundreds of them swarm the station, their faces as bright and happy as ever. Are all of them waiting for him, Haymitch Abernathy? Does his District really care about him? He eagerly searches the crowd but cannot find her. She must be here somewhere, just hidden amongst the people.

Nemit is now clutching a painful stitch forming in her chest. She is completely out of breath, but still, pushes herself on. With the intention of seeing Haymitch set in her heart, she would run to the ends of the earth if she had to.

Reporters grab every inch of him that they can get their hands on, shove microphones in his face, and start bombarding him with random questions.

'How do you feel?'

'What's your strategy?'

'Favourite food?'

'Where's your girl?'

He ignores them all and stands on tiptoe, looking over the countless heads bobbing in the station, which are all hopefully trying to catch a glimpse of him. Where is she?

The station is now in full view, a throng of people spilling out. She pushes through the crowd with all her might to get inside.

'Excuse me... Pardon me... Sorry, sir...'

'Nemit!' Haymitch shouts rather desperately through the noisily cheering crowd. He begins pushing past the reporters and through the mob. The people near him seem thrilled to be in such close proximity, to actually pat him on the back, or even wave. It doesn't matter though, he isn't paying attention.

She is finally mixed deeply into the crowd. The train is in full view as well is Dolly Lomberson and Rockwell Hogget but... Where is he?

'Haymitch!' She shouts frantically.

'Nemit!' Someone, somewhere in the crowd, calls her name, a definite note of desperation in their voice.

From a distance, he spots her. He can actually see her, mousy brown hair and all. Nemit is searching for him through the crowd, pushing forcefully past every person she encounters. With his heart lighter than air and a grin suddenly spread wide on his face, he runs to her, bumping into many joyful people on the way.

'Haymitch! Haymitch!' The crowd calls his name but he longs to hear one person in particular say it instead.

'Nemit!' He calls.

'Haymitch!'

The two bump into each other and are knocked to the ground in the middle of the mass of people.

'Oh, sorry...' Nemit mutters distractedly, not looking at who she just toppled over.

It's her... it's really her...

She is looking more beautiful than ever, wearing the pink jewel and tattered polka dotted dress. He had forgotten how gorgeous she really is...

As she turns to get up, she looks him straight in the eye and abruptly stops dead in her tracks, gasping. For a moment, the two stare at each other. Haymitch hungrily looks into those pale, green Seam eyes, which are wider than ever. There are heavy, purple bags plastered underneath her eyes and she has lost a considerable amount of weight, looking scarily bony. He burns to cradle her, tell her everything is alright.

Nemit cannot believe this. He is here. He is right in front of her! She slowly rises and he does the same. Neither take their eyes off each other. She takes a deep breath and looks him over. He has gotten devilishly handsome. She grins and he smirks.

And suddenly, she jumps into his arms, wrapping her legs tightly around his torso and arms around his neck, and they both begin to laugh and kiss at the same time, not caring that they are both out in public, in front of hundreds, probably also on camera. He buries his face into her neck and inhales the honeysuckle and pine needle scent. Fresh, just like a forest or meadow of wild flowers. He loves this girl so much it hurts. It actually hurts.

He smells different, like fancy Capitol cologne, the kind you pay a small fortune for a tiny ounce. His shoulders feel less broad than before and his dark, curly hair has been styled immaculately. She refuses to let go of him. Never again will she let him leave.

For a while, Haymitch forgets about his stunt with the axe and how much danger they are all in.

They are the happiest people alive, actually believing that they will be able to live out their happily ever after...