Chapter Fifteen
It was early Monday morning. The sun hadn't risen yet and everything was dark. How did I know it was morning? Because I hadn't slept the entire night.

Even though I was exhausted from our trip, my stomach wouldn't allow me any peace. I felt like I had to throw up. My body was sweating like crazy, not helping the situation much either.

It was presentation day.

Even though Haymitch had agreed to speak for me, I still felt awful. Here I was, making one of my traumatized family members speak about their role in the rebellion. Why? Why was this an assignment?

Didn't Mrs. Belling realize how hard this is for me? Couldn't she see that not everyone is comfortable talking about their mental scars? I wasn't like most of the kids in school whose parents can hardly remember life before the rebellion. My parents were the foundation of our current lives. Without them, who knows what we would be doing now.

My parents weren't babies or children at the time of the rebellion. My parents were tributes in the unspeakable Hunger Games. People nowadays don't seem to understand how much those awful events effect a person.

I know though.

I hear my mother's screams.

I wake up in cold sweats, hearing her shouting for her sister Prim or her ally Rue. On rare occasions, I'll hear her calling for Dad or Rye. Sometimes she sobs about Finnick or Thresh.

But the scariest moments are when I hear my own name.

What does she picture?

The Capital broadcasting our lives to everyone? Someone hurting me?

Maybe it's me being drawn into the Hunger Games.

Maybe it's never having me at all.

"Willow, it's time for school." Her voice spoke, startling me. I jumped, gripping my sheets. Her footsteps echoed down the hallway towards Rye's room. Quietly, I slipped out my bed and went downstairs.

I sat down at the table, staring at my oatmeal. The idea of eating anything in general made me feel nauseous. I held onto my stomach, looking at the mushy brown mess. Usually, I can eat oatmeal without a problem. Now, I can't even smell it.

"Now, I know it isn't Capital food, but it's still delicious." Dad teased, smiling at me. I looked up, meeting his blue eyes.

I smiled, grabbing my spoon. I thought it would slip through my sweaty palms. I took the biggest scoop possible and shoved it into my dry mouth. I gave a happy hum, nodding my head in approval.

He grinned walking back into the kitchen.

I swallowed my mouthful and nearly gagged. I had to eat this for Dad. He couldn't know anything was wrong. As much as I wanted out of this, I knew I would have to do it eventually.

By the time Mom had carried Rye downstairs, I was finished with my breakfast. Quickly, I rushed upstairs, hurrying to get ready. This way if I did throw up, at least I was near the bathroom.

Gradually, I ran down the stairs, hooking my backpack over my shoulder. Rye was patiently waiting at the bottom, talking to our parents. He was excited to hear from Gale again. He liked learning about history. If only he knew what he was in for.

"I'm glad you're happy to be back." Mom smiled, fixing his curly blonde hair.

"Gotta love a studious son." Dad teased.

"I don't even know what that means." Rye laughed as I reached the bottom. "Willow!" He grinned, looking at me.

"And there's our bright eyed daughter." Mom smiled, looking at me. She walked towards me, her cold hands fixing my hair. Cautiously, she tucked the loose strands back into my braid.

"She looks ready to be back at school." Dad nodded. I nodded my head, anxiety pumping through my veins.

"Goodbye. We love you." Mom stated, kissing both of our heads. Dad followed behind her, kissing our heads as well.

"Be good." Dad smiled, opening the door for us. A rush of cold air entered in, sending chills up my arms.

We walked outside, the sun just beginning to glow. A frost was present on the grass and sidewalk. Winter was starting to come. Any day now, I was expecting snow to appear on our doorstep.

Slowly, the school came into our eyesight. Rye and I went our separate ways, him going to the younger schoolhouse while I went to the older one. Today was going to be interesting. Today would change everything.

xxx

Parents began to enter the schoolhouse. Any minute now, we would start our assignments. I slightly prayed that Haymitch wouldn't wake up or that he would forget to come.

Almost as if he could hear my thoughts, he took his seat beside my desk. His dark locks were brushed back and his gray eyes showed an emotion I had never seen before. Yet, he smiled at me. He kissed my cheek, greeting me.

Around us, adults began to whisper to each other. I knew what they were saying.

"Seriously? The town drunk?" One mother spoke behind me.

Haymitch obviously heard, stiffening. I could tell he was arguing with himself about what to do. Haymitch has never been afraid to speak his mind, but currently he was in public with me. He didn't want to embarrass me. Well, more like he didn't want to embarrass my parents.

I held out my hand, my nerves starting to act up again.

His cold, callused hand slipped into mine. His grip tightened, just enough not to crush my fingers.

It made me feel safe. It made me feel protected.

"Now that everyone is here, let's begin," Mrs. Belling spoke up, gathering our attention. "The children were assigned to bring someone to talk about the rebellion. We would all like to hear personal experiences about life during that time. If a subject gets too hard, don't feel forced to speak about it. The students realize that this was a difficult time in our history."

The room was slightly buzzing. Parents talked among themselves about what to say. "Let's begin with Prim." Mrs. Belling declared, gesturing to one of my classmates.

Her grandparents stood beside her. They talked about living in the Capitol and watching my parents during the Hunger Games. At their names, my grip tightened on Haymitch's hand. Eventually, they finished their story. That was really the only one I could listen to.

The rest began to blur into one, huge story. We had families from District Four, talking about their fights. Another one talked about stealing Peace Keepers' weapons to attack the Capitol. My stomach began to churn harder and faster.

"Thank you, Finnick and your parents," Mrs. Belling smiled. She turned to me. "Willow, you're next."

Haymitch and I stood up, our hands still intertwined. People began to whisper to each other again. Their curious eyes turned into evil glares. Why would I chose a drunk over my victorious parents? He couldn't even compare to my glorious family.

I swallowed hard, trying to ignore their snarky comments and harsh whispers of criticism. "I brought my uncle, Haymitch Abernathy." I declared, making most people stop talking.

"Most of you probably know me as the town drunk," Haymitch began. Everyone nodded to each other, their noses scrunched up. Haymitch's head tilted upward and his chest slightly puffed out. "But what none of you know is that I'm the victor of the 50th Hunger Games. I'm the victor of the Second Quarter Quell."

The room was silent.

They had forgotten, didn't know, or didn't recognize Haymitch until this moment. Their glares morphed into wide eyes of shock. Their hands covered their gawking mouths. No one could speak.

"Two weeks after I was crowned victor, my mother, younger brother, and girlfriend were murdered by President Snow. I began to drink to drown any feelings or memories of them. I mentored 46 tributes, including Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. I watched Katniss and Peeta go back into the Hunger Games for a second time, assuming they would were as good as dead." He continued.

His grip tightened on my hand. "I successfully made it to District Thirteen, only to hear that District Twelve was bombed. Only a lucky nine hundred survived," he breathed. The room was tense and silent. It was hard to even breath. "I watched countless rebels die at the hands of the Capitol. After the war, I couldn't believe the fallout. Close friends had gone insane or were dead. I had never felt lonelier. Even though President Snow was dead, it felt like he still controlled our painful lives."

Still, no one moved. They didn't dare to blink.

"Soon, people moved back to District Twelve. The quiet place now had noise and action. Eventually, tiny babies grew up in the house next me. I never knew how much I would grow to need their innocent laughter. After all of the pain I had endured, I never thought I could feel happiness again. Watching the those children grow into kind, pure humans has shown me a better tomorrow. They've shown me what I craved most, love." He finished.

Quietly, we both sat down, our hands still tightly together. I thought we would need a crowbar to separate us. "Thank you, Mr. Abernathy," Mrs. Belling spoke. "I think I speak for everyone when I say that you will never go unremembered."

xxx

After the last student had finished, we were all allowed to go home. School had already finished for the younger kids, so Haymitch and I walked home, our hands still clamped together. "I didn't know that you had lost your family." I spoke up.

"Most people don't. Everyone was told that they had died from the latest disease. President Snow wanted it to be kept a secret." Haymitch explained.

"Then how did you know?"

"He wanted to make a point, Willow. I had done something I wasn't supposed to, so he had to show me that he controlled everything about me."

"I'm not sure I understand."

His eyes looked into mine. For the first and only time ever, I saw tears. They were pooled in his soft gray eyes. "President Snow wanted to keep everything to himself. He was an evil excuse of a human who would kill anyone who even thought about rebelling."

"Why didn't just he kill you then?"

"That would be too nice, Willow. He wanted to make you hurt. He wanted to break you until you were on your hands and knees begging for forgiveness. Hurting people you cared about was just one of his evil weapons of torture."

I stared forward, still slightly confused. I thought I had this whole President Snow business figured out. Maybe it was a lot more complicated than taught in school.

"Let's not tell your mother about today, okay? I think I spoke about some things too explicitly. I don't want her or your daddy to worry." Haymitch spoke up, clearing the air.

"Okay, Uncle Haymitch." I agreed. I wasn't planning on telling them anything.

He nodded his head, licking his lips. Soon, we reached the front door of my house. "Uncle Haymitch." I began, looking at my feet.

"Yes, sweet pea?"

"If I have anymore questions about the rebellion and the Hunger Games, can I talk to you about it? I'm afraid to scare Mom and Dad. I don't want them to worry about me and I don't want to remind them of bad things that might have happen to them." I explained.

"Of course, sweet pea. Anything for you."

"Thank you." I breathed, wrapping my arms around his torso. Slowly, his arms wrapped around me, his cold hand brushing down my hair.

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Sorry that I haven't updated in forever!! Summer got really busy but now I'm free a good amount of the time! Hopefully I can update once a month again!! THANKS FOR READING AND STICKING WITH ME!!