Inseparable (A Hayffie story)

Chapter 4

The five years Effie trained for passed in a blur. She gradually changed her looks and got rid of the natural makeup in exchange for ghostly white face paint and dark pink lipstick, with eccentric eyeshadow. She wore large, pompous clothing in bright neon colours and subtle pastels. However underneath all the layers of makeup was the real Effie, trapped behind a mask that the Capitol forced her to wear. She had even cut her blonde hair short and wore wigs all the time. The only person who saw her for who she really was and without all the makeup, was Haymitch. She barely saw Haymitch, she wouldn't be allowed and she couldn't exactly sneak off to 12, the Capitol would find out about them so easily if they snuck around. So she only saw him when the games were on and he was mentoring for District 12. She was 18 now, Haymitch was 21 and today was the day when they would be assigned to a District to be an escort for the games. Effie hated having to do this, having to send innocent children to their deaths. She would be the one to reap the poor things, have to stand and call their names, whilst trying to show no remorse and sound so happy. Standing in front of the mirror, Effie straightened her pink blouse and turquoise jacket and adjusted her pink wig. She sighed, this wasn't her, but if it meant she could see Haymitch every year
If she could see him , she would give anything. She walked over to the stage and took he place when she was called. They took turns selecting an escort and a district from a glass dish, much like the ones they use at the reaping. When it finally came to Effie's turn she took a deep breath. Please District 12. Please District 12. She thought, and when they drew the small piece of paper from the dish she held her breath and it seemed like an eternity while they painstakingly opened it. "Miss Effie Trinket will be escort to District 12!" The woman said in a cheerful Capitol tone. Effie fought the urge to scream with happiness. She would get to be with Haymitch every year. The reaping was in two days so she would be travelling to 12 tomorrow. The next morning Effie woke up as fast as she could and packed a couple of sets of clothing, just incase. She did all her makeup and got dressed then boarded the train with the other escorts. A few hours later all the escorts had got off the train at their Districts. Suddenly Effie saw a sign saying District 12. Haymitch would be waiting for one of the escorts at the station, little did he know it would be her. She saw his face light up when he saw her ghostly grin staring back at him. The train pulled to a stop and Effie practically ran off the train. She didn't hug Haymitch, though, she wanted to, but they couldn't show any public displays of affection. It might mean their separation, and her to go to another district. Haymitch just smiled at her and showed her to the victors village, where she would be staying for a night in one of the many empty houses. Haymitch was the only person who occupied one, which meant she could be next door and go over and see him at night.