TUSETHA (Edited)

14 ~ To Tell Or Not To Tell

I cautiously approach the dining room table, seeing Peeta is already there. No sign of Haymitch, wonderful. And I do genuinely mean that, it's a wonderful thing he doesn't wake up until nearly noon. I grab a small plate of fruits and a cup of coffee - coffee is essential in the morning and my favorite part of each day - then take my plate at the head of the table.

"Good morning Mr. Mellark." I say through a tight grin.

He looks up from his plate, his mouth filled with assorted foods, seeming to have not noticed me here. Peeta graciously swallows his mouthful of food before speaking. "Good morning."

"Any sightings of Mr. Abernathy or Miss Everdeen?"

"No, just a couple train conductors." He looks around. "Should I get them?"

"Oh, no no, let them sleep." I nod and sip my coffee.

He hesitantly nods and goes back to eating. I sigh internally and look around. Why can't Katniss be awake already? We need to speak desperately... Though perhaps telling her isn't the best of ideas... Maybe it would be best to wait. But she deserves to know before she dies.

Haymitch saunters out and sits across from me, beside Peeta. "Mm, morning Trinket. Peter."

"Peeta. His name is Peeta." I quickly remind him and sip my coffee. "Good morning, Mr. Abernathy."

He makes a face as if he's offended by how nicely I greeted him. "Why so formal this early in the morning?"

I raise a brow, glancing at him through my false lashes. "I'm always formal, Mr. Abernathy."

"Maybe you should loosen up, Trinks."

"I'd only loosen up if you were to stay sober for more than 4 hours of the day." The way I speak makes it as if I'm teasing him. Don't tease him, you toad! We're not interested in him! Take it back, or make it better! Do something! "Well, I-I mean... No, no I wouldn't but it would certainly make things easier, Mr. Abernathy."

And, of course, this is when Katniss decides to step out of her room.

"Call me Haymitch, you know that's my name." He winks. "I've heard you scream it before."

My cheeks burn up as my eyes widen, my mouth forming words but I hear none of them coming out. Katniss just looks between us with a disgusted look on her face.

"You two are foul." She pushes past us.

I repeatedly smack Haymitch's arm and back as he retreats back to his room, slamming the door in my face. What a foul and disgusting pig! How on Earth were you ever with him, Effie?! You fool! My word, if I wanted to hear him speak like that - which I don't - I would have stayed with that bumbling idiot! How in Panem's name could-

"Miss Trinket." A small voice breaks through the chaos in my brain.

I blink rapidly and look over as Katniss gently grabs my shoulder. "Yes, dear? I...I'm terribly sorry for what you heard. Mr. Abernathy has been drinking again, I assure you."

"That's...not what I was asking about."

"Oh.... Right. I apologize again." I laugh nervously and look down, straightening out my dress.

"My mother, well....she isn't who I thought she was. She told me about who is...biologically my mother. And I wanted to know if you knew anything about it..."

"Well...What exactly did your mother tell you, dear?"

"She told me that a woman named Euphemia Trinket was my real mother." She makes dead eye contact as I look up at her. "You're her, aren't you?"

"Yes, dear... Yes I am..." I gently grab her hand.

"And that means...."

I sigh softly. "Haymitch Abernathy is your father, unfortunately."

Her face turns to one of disgust once again. "Are you kidding me? That is absolutely rancid." She yanks her hand away. "I was going to say that I had a twin. Haymitch Abernathy is my father?! These last 24 hours could not possibly get any worse! Are there any other secrets I should know about before I die, you lying bitch?"

My mouth falls open as she raises her voice. I keep mine calm and quiet, but firm. "Miss Everdeen, I cannot believe you are accusing me of being a liar. You have no idea what the story is behind all of this. This is no way to speak to your mother."

"You're not anywhere near being my mother." She narrows her eyes and pushes past me to get back to the safety of her room.

Well... I suppose you didn't have to tell her in the end. Her mother already did it for you. Oh, shut up you. This couldn't have gone worse. You're wrong, you could be dead after your own daughter stabbed you to death for lying to her her whole life. Good point... Maybe it's best we didn't tell her...

(A/N: Comment! Vote! And as always, keep on reading my little Hayffie shippers! I'd love suggestions for the next chapter!

My lovelies, I am so so sorry. This has been in my drafts since June and I couldn't bring myself to post it. I felt like it should have been longer and I didn't like this chapter at all. But please please let me know what you think. I'll get writing on the next chapter soon.)