Figure It Out - Effie and Haymitch

2. On The Surface

On the Surface

"Well, what brings you here, sweetheart?"

I'm so deep in thought that I didn't even realize he was there. I turn around, startled. How long has he been standing in the doorway? Haymitch just stands there with a hint of a grin on his face and a bottle of wine in his hand. His blond hair falls slightly over his forehead. He doesn't even bother to strike it off.

Suddenly my nightgown seems far too revealing. How thankful I am that I didn't take my makeup off! Without giving him an answer, I stand up and want to slip past him when he starts to study me. "You're little, how cute," he remarks, and laughs amused. "How's the air down there?"

I glare at him angrily, but he doesn't seem to mind. I flee abruptly from the compartment but call to him over my shoulder: " You better make sure you're not drunk out of your mind until dawn!"

I know he heard it, but he's not responding. He hasn't been sober for very long, but anyone could have guessed that was going to happen. However, my behavior wasn't really appropriate. As soon as I reach my room, I lock the door behind me. I silently take off my wig. It's attached to my hair with lots of little pins. So it takes me a while to completely remove them. I unbraid my real hair and a moment later it falls in soft, blonde curls over my shoulders and onto my chest. Then I take care of my face. Luckily, it's a lot easier to remove the layers of makeup.

A strange woman looks at me from the mirror. Without all the make-up, the fake, put-on smile and the artificial hair, I seem like a completely different person. That's how I feel too. Not on my worst day can I imagine setting foot on the street like that. Only now can I see the different emotions that are reflected in my eyes because they were previously suppressed by all the make-up. My feelings are like a secret that I protect with makeup. After all, I'm the only one who ever sees me like this.

Tired, I turn off the light and try to crawl into bed in the dark. Not easy. Luckily, the moon gives some light, so that I finally make it to the bed and gratefully close my eyes.

oOo

Today is the Opening Ceremony. A special moment, especially for the Capitols, to see their favorites from many years. I started the day with mixed feelings and am now fully dressed at the table in the Training Center. Katniss and Peeta were placed in the hands of their prep teams as soon as we arrived. Haymitch didn't show up. He's probably sleeping off his hangover right now.

Recalling our strange encounter on the train last night, I lean over my folder, sighing and shaking my head. There, I have listed all the important sponsors that Haymitch and I will canvass in the days of the Hunger Games. Some of them already supported us last year, others are new. A glance at the clock tells me that it's about time for lunch. I'm not sure if I should wake Haymitch or leave him alone. Ultimately, I decide to do the former.

I stop at Haymitch's door and knock. No reaction. So I tap again, harder this time. "Haymitch?" Then, finally, I hear a grumble from his bedroom. "It's already around noon," I try to explain to him. "I thought maybe you'd like to eat something?" Somehow it seems wrong to be standing here in front of his door and asking him for lunch.

When he actually opens the door, I'm a bit surprised. Haymitch can't have gotten much sleep as the dark circles beneath his eyes are clearly visible in contrast to his fair skin. His gray eyes are drenched in a haze, which tells me the alcohol hasn't completely left his body. However, he doesn't look angry, which I take as a good omen. Our eyes meet for a moment and his mask begins to crumble as I see the pain in his eyes.

"Are you okay?" My voice sounds too pitiful and I can tell from his reaction that he doesn't want to be felt for. But I don't pity him at all. Or do I?

"I'll be right there, give me five minutes," he simply says and closes the door in my face. As always, his behavior leaves a lot to be desired, but I'm not used to anything else.