Dear Diary,

Well. I was able to make it through the Victors interview with Caesar.

It honestly wasn't that bad. I had my eyes closed for most of it. Then got up to go to the bathroom towards the end.
I had an awful headache from listening with my eyes closed.
Mom always complained about it. She thought I was always making it up. Which just made it worse.

Haymitch somehow snuck a flask into the theatre. All I could do was sigh, roll my eyes, and "turn back to the screen".
It's a wonder he hasn't gotten alcohol poisoning. Yet.
About halfway through he ran out and dozed off.

After the interview we went back to the tribute center to pack.
Haymitch was going back to D12 and I was going home. To my empty flat.

I'm supposed to go to D12 with Haymitch part of my "escort duties". But I don't think I could stand another minute with him drunk or sober. Besides I needed to search the want ads for a job.
The only time I'm a Capitol escort is during the hunger games and when I am required to check in on Haymitch and the other victors every three months. The beginning of each season.

I hope I get some victors soon.
But if Haymitch is going to refuse to sign the forms, I probably won't get any for a while.

After I finished packing I walked into the living space where almost three weeks ago I had two wonderful tributes.
I sat down on the couch next to Haymitch. He didn't have much to pack.

I couldn't help it. I just started bawling.
It confused him at first. He just sort of patted my back.
He said he was sorry. Which threw me off completely.
Haymitch Abernathy apologizing?! I looked at him utterly confused and asked him what he was apologizing for.
He looked at me and said he was sorry for the way he had acted and for what he done to me during our fight.
I was flabbergasted!
After he apologized, I asked him if he'd like to go out for coffee before the train was ready to leave.

I took him to my favorite coffee shop. Capitol Cup.
They have the best pour overs in the whole city. In my opinion at least. I always get their medium roast.
Haymitch got a dark roast. We took our coffees outside after he doctored his up with a shot or two of whiskey.

While we walked back to the old tribute center we made small talk. I aways hated small talk. But I hate silence even more.
Haymitch was quiet all the way back so I just kept talking.
When we got back to our quarters he asked if I was ready to go.
I told him I wasn't eager to leave since I would be going to an empty flat.

He thought I was going to escort him back to twelve. He asked me to go with him. It's a two days trip going back because the engineer isn't in a big hurry and we have to climb some mountains.
After he asked I kinda hesitated. But then stupid Effie had to say yes. I wasn't even thinking about going but yes falls so easily from my lips.

So we headed off to the train station. The three of us. Haymitch, me, and my big mouth.

Later that night, after supper. I poured us some red wine. We sat on the couch in the train, listening to some music, watching the fire go in the fireplace, and sipping some wine.
It felt so cozy. The two of us on the couch. I was curled up next to him, he had his arm around me.

The fire made me so sleepy. He begged me to stay a while longer.
I gave in. Of course..
Sometime around 12:00 it started raining. Which made me fall asleep. I woke up sometime around four to Haymitch snoring and the thunder rolling.

I picked up the bottle of wine we had left on the coffee table and practically sleep walked to the wine fridge in the bar car.
Then I went back to the car where Haymitch was. I put a blanket over him and went to my quarters to get a few hours each of sleep.
Love,

Effie

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Sorry I haven't been updating like I normally do.
I hope this chapter doesn't seem to drawn out. Hope y'all are having an amazing week!

-SteggyInTheTARDIS