Piece By Piece {Completed}

Chapter 2: Closer

Peeta and I continue our daily dinners over the next couple of weeks and in that time I find it easier to get out of bed. I've even helped out Peeta by checking up on Haymitch, which is where I'm going now, like always Haymich is sitting in his chair in the dark corner and I hold my breath as the stench of liquor and vomit enters my nose, I give him a disapproving look at how he's gone back to his old lifestyle. I pick up empty bottles and get rid of them, I look over my shoulder and see that he's passed out, I take this chance to down some of the liquor he still has but not all of it, Peeta and I planned to make his usual train with liquor to come with less every trip that the train makes, he hasn't noticed just yet.

I walk outside to his yard that has dead grass and mud everywhere as his geese run around freely. I let out a sigh before going back into the house, when I do Haymich is up and scowling at the bottles I drained out, he slowly looks at me as if expecting me to explain myself for ridding him of his liquor

"There's so much, Haymitch. You need to slow down" I say

"You don't know what I need, sweetheart" he grumbles, I roll my eyes and drag him to sit back in his chair

"Probably not but I know you don't need any more of this" I reply taking a half drunk bottle of liquor, his reflexes being much slower than mine, I was able to take it from him

"Peeta agrees with me" I add, he scoffs

"Of course he does. You could suggest sending me off and he'll do it willingly" he mocks and I scowl at him

"You know if you weren't such a drunk then people would like you" I say, folding my arms

"What makes you think I want people liking me. I don't need anyone" he grumbles, I shake my head at him

"Take a bath, Haymitch, you stink" I reply before leaving his house, that man angers me a lot and I don't know why I keep bothering in trying with him.

Walking through town gets easier but I still get the judging looks from some which I always expect, I walk past the almost built bakery and I can see Peeta working with other men and women and I try to train my eyes away from the toned muscles stretching his shirt. Looking at him makes me feel weird and it's a scary feeling, the same feeling from the beach on the Quarter Quell, I shake my head and keep walking to try and distract myself from it.

Gale and I may not be on good terms right now but I still check up on Hazel and the kids to see how she's holding up, the rebellion has changed her a little and so fifteen year old Rory is stepping up and doing jobs in the mines if he can but it's not enough for everyone, I still hunt and because of Paylor being president, I don't have to be careful when showing it in public and so most of the meat goes to them. Paylor didn't want to feel unfair by continuing with our districts providing with what were suppose to but depending on age, they'll be paid a certain amount, Rory's age being given less but because of my victor earnings still coming in and having a lot of money as it is, Peeta and I split it so Hazelle has some extra money for luxuries for herself and the children.

I walk up to the home of the Hawthorne's to see Posy dancing around the front garden while Hazelle washes clothes, Posy sees me and runs up to hug my legs

"Peeta isn't here?" Posy says confused, Peeta started joining me recently and Posy has taken a liking to him, she loves looking at his blonde hair and blue eyes, being so peculiar to her which amused everyone when she first announced that Peeta looked strange in a room full of familiar looking people

"Not today, Pose. Next time he will" I reply and she takes my hand as I walk over to Hazelle, she smiles sweetly as she greets me

"Have you heard from Gale, at all?" She asks hopefully but I shake my head, another reason why Gale isn't good in my books, he's in District 2 and apparently too busy being commander that he can't simply call or write to his family and every time I see Hazelle that's the first thing she asks and my answer is always the same