Chapter Text
It had been three months since Haymitch and Maysilee were crowned the victors of the Quarter Quell. Three months since they had broken their lovers hearts. Three months since they had been drinking excessively. Nowadays, you would never see Haymitch without some form of alcohol in his hands. And Maysilee seemed to be fairing better to the public eye. But in private? She was drinking at least 2 bottles of whiskey or gin a day. Haymitch would come home from the Hob only to see Maysilee, crying on the floor with two empty bottles accompanying her and her sorrows. Maysilee would only go to the Hob every once in a while, she knew Wyatt was there, setting odds for his family’s business. So whenever she went, she would head straight to the bar or to the stage where the Covey were preforming. And when she went to the bar, she would only get one glass of wine or water, knowing she would have to look after Haymitch and his excessive drinking.
But tonight was different. Maysilee Donner was sitting on a bar stool, head on the table, and incredibly drunk. She didn’t know what was so different about tonight. Maybe it was because Wyatt’s birthday had passed yesterday and she couldn’t stop by to wish him a happy birthday. Or maybe it was because she was seeing Wyatt in every place she looked. Maysilee saw him every time she saw a gold coin on the ground, a flower in a field, heck, even when she was doing promos with Haymitch for the Capitol. Every time she would have to imagine it was Wyatt instead of Haymitch next to her in their butter yellow outfits just to bear it. Effie, their stylist and future escort was incredibly talented with fashion, but she would always put them in stupid butter yellow. Maysilee was actually in a yellow dress that night, a gift from Effie for winning the games. But she had spilled gin and tonic all over it after her 2nd drink…wait…how many drinks has she had? Maysilee had stopped counting after the third, though she assumed she hadn’t drunk as much as Haymitch that night.
Maysilee lifted up her head slightly, tears staining her cheeks, ruining her makeup. “Cans I have anothers!” She shouted out, lifting her hand. Then she felt a hand on her shoulder, probably Haymitch asking to order another one too. “She’ll take a water.” That wasn’t Haymitch’s voice, it was voice that was all too familiar to her. A voice that haunted her where ever she went. It was Wyatt Callow’s voice.
“She’ll take a water.” Wyatt sighed, rubbing Maysilee’s shoulder slightly. It was loud in the Hob tonight, but when is it not? The peace keepers that should be stopping all of this were dancing and singing with pitchers of beers in their hands, chanting along to the songs that the Covey played. Wyatt had saw Maysilee enter the Hob that night with Haymitch, her arm hooked around his. Even though he knew their situation, he couldn’t help but feel copious amounts of jealousy raging through his veins. Wyatt told himself that after his oddsmaker duties were done with, he would go find Maysilee and talk to her outside the Hob. After he had finished setting the odds of “How many beers will Haymitch Abernathy drink tonight?” he walked around to find his Candy Girl. And Wyatt did eventually find her, but only to find her crazy drunk and alcohol on her dress. The sight had shocked him. He had never seen her drink in public like that. From what Wyatt knew, Maysilee wasn’t that much of a drinker, she might’ve taken a sip of wine here or there, but never heavy alcohol. But probably after every thing that had happened, she had definitely started drinking in the private of her Victor’s Village home. Maysilee was good at pretending, thats no doubt.
“Wyyattttt…?” Maysilee cooed, turning her head to the side. “You’re incredibly drunk.” Wyatt deadpanned, grabbing the water from the bartender with a smile. He handed it to her, still rubbing circles into her shoulder. “Nooo, I ain’t drunk! Yous are!” Her speech was slurred and low. Maysilee started laughing uncontrollably as she pointed at him lazily. Wyatt could feel his heartbreaking as he watched his Town girl wipe a small tear from her eye. Wyatt had taken his time, and had wanted to talk to her that night about how he felt. But he couldn’t do it while she was like this, while she was laughing at her own fingers. “C’mon, let’s get you home.” Wyatt said, his hand gently grabbing Maysilee’s right hand, helping her stand to her feet.
“Aww nooo, I haven’t even…even…” Maysilee’s sentence trailed off, she had probably just forgotten what she was about to say. “Just proving my point here.” Wyatt said, paying for all 5 of her drinks plus the water. “Do you want me to drag Haymitch out of here as well?” He asked Maysilee. Wyatt definitely didn’t want to drag Haymitch out of here, he’s seen Maysilee do it too many times to count. He definitely didn’t want to deal with a screaming and kicking 16 year old who had at least 5 drinks that night. “Nah, I just wants it to be yous and me’s.” Maysilee giggled, squeezing Wyatt’s hand with a bright smile on her face. Oh, how he had missed seeing that smile. Not the forced smile she put on for the Capitol, Wyatt could always see it in her eyes that she was faking that smile. But he missed seeing her really smile, especially at him.
The former lovers walked down the street. Well, it was more like Wyatt was walking and Maysilee was stumbling by his side, unable to walk in a straight path. “‘S too hard..” Maysilee whined while trying to keep up with Wyatt, who was walking extra slow just to stay in pace with her. “Whats too hard?” Wyatt asked, stopping to face his ex-girlfriend, his candy girl. “Beings without you.” Maysilee mumbled, her top half bending over towards the ground, causing her to stop her stumbling. Wyatt couldn’t say it wasn’t true, it was hard without her, and he guessed she felt the same. They used to see each other at least twice a week, but now, they weren’t seeing each other at all. Wyatt purposely avoided any public events because he knew that Maysilee would be there, with Haymitch. She was always with Haymitch. Wyatt thought about how they would hang out on his off days from the mines and how they would sneak around District 12 to do whatever they wanted. But Wyatt was soon snapped out of his thinking by Maysilee’s slurred words.
“Ya know, I misses ya. And I hate myselfs for what I did to ya. I loves you lots Wyatts, but now you hate me. And you hate me forever and everrr. And I’s don’t wants that. I want you back with me, me and yous. I really miss the ways you would kiss me afters the sun went down. And how we would—“
Maysilee’s drunken rant was cut off by a wave of vomit spilling from her mouth.
Wyatt rushed towards her and put one of his calloused hand on her back as threw up all of her drinks. When Maysilee finished vomiting, she stood up straight too quickly, and then immediately fell backwards. Wyatt caught her and hoisted her up and turned her around to face him. “So strooonng!” Maysilee cooed with a sway of her hips. After this incredibly long night, Wyatt had a chance to finally get a good look at her. And oh my, how it shattered his heart. Maysilee’s eyes were red and puffy, the bottoms of her eye were underlined with black circles. Her thick, black mascara stained the sides of her cheeks, making her look a mess. Her lips were chapped, which never happened, she always had some form of lip gloss or chapstick on her at all times. But since becoming a victor, that was the least of her problems.
Maysilee’s golden blonde hair had thinned out just a slight bit, you wouldn’t even been able to tell if you saw her. But Wyatt could tell, Wyatt noticed everything about this woman. He noticed how she only takes her coffee black, how she only eats with silverware, how she always messes with her necklaces in pattern. How she wears different hair-clips depending on the season, how she walks, how she does everything. Wyatt had noticed it all. Maysilee stared at him with her once icy blue eyes, but they were now dull, she had lost the spark in her eyes.
Maysilee started to giggle uncontrollably as she looked at him, causing Wyatt to cock an eyebrow. “Whats so funny?” He asked her, a smile starting to form on his lips. Her laugh was contagious, Wyatt knew it first hand from the amount of times Maysilee started laughing and he couldn’t help but laugh along. “Yous…you’re just so gorgeous…” Maysilee blabbed with a drunken half smirk, winking at him playfully before going back into her giggling fit. She threw her head back she giggled and laughed into the night sky. “Mays…” Wyatt smiled at her, his stormy gray eyes looking at her face, then he noticed a dribble of vomit sliding down her chin. Wyatt gingerly grabbed her chin and pulled it forward, making her look at him. “Huh..?” Maysilee blabbered out, looking utterly confused and exhausted. Wyatt took the sleeve of his white button up and wiped the vomit off onto the sleeve, looking carefully as he wiped, trying hard to ruin her makeup. “What! Why would you do that! That was a good shirt!” Maysilee squawked, waving her arms around like a madwoman. Wyatt, without thinking, put a hand on her waist like he used to when Maysilee’s had these outbursts.
“It’s cause I care for you Maysilee.”
“No…you hate me..”
…
“Quite the opposite, actually.”
Maysilee stared at her Oddsmaker, incredibly confused, like she couldn’t process what he had just said to her. Wyatt only smiled softly at her before taking her hand in his dirty, calloused, ones. The mines had been unforgiving to Wyatt, just last week he almost got crushed by a landslide. He would’ve been a goner if it wasn’t for his older brother Danny pulling him out of the way. Wyatt is very grateful for that, but Danny had popped his arm out of socket from how hard he yanked him. They popped it back in place, and he got a day off from the mines. Oh, how he had wished to spend that day with his Maysilee, their bodies tangled together in his bed. “I need to make a stop before I get you home, is that okay?”Wyatt asked her, adjusting his paperboy hat to where it wasn’t falling over his eyes. “Anythings okay with mes.” Maysilee said while booping his nose, giggling to point where she almost toppled over. He remembered those giggles, whenever he said something that he didn’t mean to be funny. Or when Wyatt had some days off from the mines, and they would spend it holding each other, laughing at each other’s jokes or nonsensical comments. He starting reminiscing on the time where him and Maysilee were lying in his old, creaky bed after a long day of kisses on his day off.
Maysilee was practically on-top of Wyatt as they snuggled close to each other. It was a cold December evening, and Maysilee and Wyatt were spending it together, cuddling to keep themselves warm but also, to be closer to each other. Wyatt caged Maysilee with his large olive skinned arms, his blue sweater emitting warmth onto Maysilee’s body. They had been in this position for hours upon hours, almost the whole entire day. It was too cold to do anything outside, heck, Maysilee almost froze on the way over to his house. But she was greeted with open arms by Wyatt’s Ma and brothers, they all liked her, saying that “She’s a spitfire compared to Wy Wy over there” they would laugh. But Maysilee was just glad that they even liked her, because not many people in twelve do. Well…except for Wyatt of course, because he didn’t just like her, he loved her.
Maysilee was currently showering Wyatt with lipstick coated kisses all over his face. “Sorry *kiss* for leaving *kiss* kiss marks.” Maysilee said in between the kisses she was leaving all over his Olive toned skin, not that sorry for leaving marks. “It’s all right, I like them.” Wyatt said, his arms tightening around his candy girl. He felt safe around her, he felt secure, he felt grounded with her. Even if the world around him was mess, as long as he had her, he would be alright. And Wyatt definitely enjoyed the kiss marks that Maysilee would leave on his face. It let everyone know that he was hers, that he was her boyfriend, and nobody else. Maysilee’s golden blonde hair cascaded down the side of the face, her bangs becoming messed up from their kissing. Wyatt lazily smiled at her as she settled down her kisses, laying her head on his chest. “You’re so beautiful, Mays.” Wyatt sighed, kissing the top of her forehead. Maysilee let out a small giggle then readjusted the sweater she was wearing.
Earlier that day, Wyatt and Maysilee were walking in the snow, hand in hand. Then, out of nowhere, Maysilee slipped on a patch of ice that was covered by the thick snow that blanketed the Seam. Then Wyatt soon fell after trying to catch her. Thankfully, she was alright with only a small bruise on her back, but her purple jacket, sweater and blue jeans were soaked with cold snow. Wyatt took her to his house, because walking to the town from the far end of the Seam would take a minute. Mrs. Callow offered her some of her own clothes, saying that they would cut off a bit short, due to Mrs. Callow not being the tallest. But Maysilee politely declined, saying she could just take one of Wyatt’s sweaters, and Mrs. Callow only shrugged. So now Maysilee was wearing one of his deep blue sweaters from when he was 15, even then it was still large on her. And she had stolen a pair of P.J. pants that were much too big for her. But Maysilee, being the fashion guru of District 12, she rolled over the waist of them, and pinned them with two safety pins she kept in her purse. So now here they were, Maysilee’s sopping wet clothes on the floor, wearing her boyfriend’s clothes and cuddling with him.
“This has to be heaven.” Maysilee mumbled into Wyatt’s chest. “Just think, this is what our lives are going to be like in the future.” Wyatt said, taking his right hand and rubbing her back gently. He smiled at the thought of them in the future, married, possibly with children. Wyatt had always wanted a family, a family he could love and protect from the dangers of this world, unlike his father had done with him. Wyatt’s father wasn’t really present in his life as a kid, until he learned that his son was great with numbers. The only gift he ever received from his father was the scrip coin his fiddles with, but even then he had stole it from some gambler at the Hob. Wyatt wanted to give his kids the love they deserved, he wanted to give them the father he couldn’t have. “Mhmm, yeah. Waking up like this every morning, and all the bells and whistles that come with being married. I would love that.” Maysilee smiled, pressing herself harder into Wyatt’s chest.
Maysilee gazed up at him, then attacked his growing stubble with her lips, causing Wyatt to yelp in surprise. “Ah! Hey! Maysilee!” Wyatt giggled as he tried to stop her from kissing his chin. “Thought you said you liked my kisses..” Maysilee teased, then going back to kiss the stubble she absolutely adored. Wyatt had started growing it around 10th grade, but was actively shaving it back then. But ever since he started working in the mines, he’s had almost no time to shave it, so he only shaves every once in a while. Maysilee absolutely loved the stubble and how it made him look somewhat more mature. She loved how every time she would kiss it or just even touch it, he would get all giggly. She loved seeing this side of him, the side where he’s not afraid to have fun.
“I do! It’s just— Maysilee! It tickles!” Wyatt laughed, his shoulders bouncing while he tried to get her off. But Maysilee was too determined, she wanted to keep kissing there, she wanted to make him laugh. “Good.” Maysilee murmured against his chin then went straight back to kissing it, eliciting even louder laughs from her Oddsmaker. Wyatt’s laughs racked his chest as he realized there was no getting her off of him. And honestly? He could live with that. His laughs echoed throughout his room as he couldn’t help himself become all giddy as Maysilee’s kisses raged on. Then the door opened, quickly, too fast for Maysilee and Wyatt to have time to get off of each other. And worst of all, it was one of Wyatt’s older brothers that opened the door.
“Hey Wyatt, Maysilee, Ma said its time to—“
Maysilee and Wyatt sat up quickly, forgetting that Wyatt still had all those kiss marks over his face. Maysilee snapped her head towards one of Wyatt’s older brother, Noah, who was wrapped in a plaid blanket. “Oh shit—“ Noah mumbled, covering his eyes with his hands. “Didn’t know you two were doing—“ Wyatt interrupted his black haired older brother. “We are not!” Wyatt snapped at him, his expression going from giggly to defensive. Maysilee, despite everything, just stayed quiet, cause she knew first hand how siblings could be. From her experience as a twin, it was better for everyone in the household if nobody interfered with their quarrels. But who knows, it might be different for brothers, especially when theres an older and younger dynamic. “Are you sure? Cause there’s kiss marks all over your face, and…” Noah cut himself off with his suppressed laughs. “And what?” Wyatt snapped at Noah, his brows furrowed in annoyance. “Never-mind, just come to the dinner table, Ma made all of us some dinner.” Noah said, wrapping the blanket tightly around him. “Okay.” Wyatt snarled, focusing his attention back to his candy girl. Noah was about to close the door, but then reopened it again with a smirk.
“Oh, and Wyatt.”
“What.”
“Don’t get her—”
“NOAH!”
Wyatt grabbed one of his pillows and threw it at him, but Noah closed the door just in time for it to not hit him. They both could hear Noah’s laughter as he walked away from his younger brother’s room. Wyatt grunted in annoyance and anger as Maysilee grimaced, somewhat embarrassed. “I’m so sorry about him, he’s so weird.” Wyatt sighed, looking at her. “Yeah, no kidding..” Maysilee said. Wyatt looked down to see what Wyatt’s older brother had meant before he cut himself off. Wyatt’s old sweater that Maysilee was wearing was slipping off her shoulders. Wyatt quickly fixed it by pulling the sweater back on her shoulders, still looking at her and her beautiful icy blue eyes. “Oh, thanks gorgeous.” Maysilee cooed before kissing the tip of his nose. Wyatt loved when she called him that. He would instantly melt into a puddle when she called him “gorgeous” or any nickname of the sort. “No problem.” Wyatt said, burying his face into her neck, not wanting to get up and deal with his other older brothers. “Come on, lets wipe these kiss marks off so you and I don’t face any more teasing from you brothers.” Maysilee said, getting up and grabbing a tissue. “All right.” Wyatt sighed, following her after she got up. Oh how he loved this girl, and how he would follow to the ends of the earth.
Wyatt knocked on the door to his house, knowing his mother was home. Maysilee stood next to Wyatt, swaying from side to side, unable to stay still. “Mrs Callowww..” Maysilee cooed as she slowly went on her knees to the ground, and then laid down on the Callow’s front porch. “Maysilee, what are you—“ Wyatt was cut off by the door swinging open to his mother with her hair wrapped in a blue bandana and dark green night gown. “Hi honey, whats—“
“Hi Mrs. Callowwww!!” Maysilee exclaimed from the floor, waving her hand in the air to get noticed by Wyatt’s mom.
Mrs. Callow blinked, looked down at Maysilee, then looked back up at Wyatt, disappointment dancing in her dark gray eyes. “No.” Mrs. Callow deadpanned, shaking her head, grabbing the door handle to shut the door. “She’s not coming in, Ma, I’m just taking her home. She was incredibly drunk, I didn’t want anyone to hurt her.” Wyatt said, putting his hands in his pockets. To nobody’s surprise, Mrs. Callow did not like Maysilee anymore. Mrs. Callow would do anything for her sons, especially her baby boy, Wyatt. Though he was no longer a baby, but was much closer to becoming a man, she still couldn’t help but be protective of him. He was always different from his father and brothers, he was gentle and kind to others and living things. When she found out he was incredibly gifted with numbers, she knew her husband, Jethro, would use it for the business. Why did she marry him? She’ll never know. Mrs. Callow looked at Wyatt with a sadness in her eye, knowing her son was completely head over heels for Maysilee, even if she did “cheat” on him.
“Wyatt. You saw what happened on the T.V., I don’t want you to stay in relationship like this. Even if you still love her—“ Wyatt cut off his mom. “Mom. I told you what happened, and why she did this. Maysilee wouldn’t have just done that to hurt me.” Wyatt said, looking his mother in the eyes. “I know, I just find it hard to believe.” Mrs. Callow sighed, rubbing her temple with her hands. “Well, believe it.” Wyatt said, probably more harsh than he expected to say it. Wyatt loved his mother deeply, but he also loved Maysilee, and right now, he needed to stand up for his candy girl. “I just don’t want you to end up like me.” Mrs. Callow said, her eyes looking to the floor. Jethro Callow had cheated on his wife plenty of times, too many to count. Whether it be for a bet or just for his own enjoyment, it was always re-occurring. He always told her that “it would never happen again” or “it didn’t mean anything” and every time she believed him. But it was too late to leave now, they had already had 13 sons. Wyatt went quiet, his hands shifting in his pockets. “I won’t. If it happens again then I’ll be gone.” Wyatt deadpanned, looking at his Ma.
“That’s what I said the first time.”
Wyatt looked at his Ma, brows furrowed. Her life was hard no doubt, with his father cheating on her all the time. And he understands that she just wants to protect him, but this just went over the line. “Maysilee fought in the arena, almost died 3 times, faked to love someone else just to keep me safe. She did all of that to keep me safe from Snow’s grasp, she loves me, Ma. And if you don’t believe it, then don’t, but I know her. I know that she never liked Haymitch, I know that she hates every single second of pretending to love him. She wouldn’t be this drunk if she was happy with her life. She loves me, Ma, and I love her.” Wyatt finished his rant. Mrs. Callow stood there, frozen. She then chuckled slightly before crossing her arms, causing Wyatt to cock and eyebrow and squint his eyes. “Whats so funny?” Wyatt grimaced, ready to defend Maysilee again. He would do it again and again and again until his Ma believed that she truly loved him.
“You really have become a man.” Mrs. Callow smiled, putting a hand on her youngest son’s cheek. Wyatt’s expression softened from confused to somewhat understanding. Wyatt nodded slightly, looking his Ma in the eyes. “Bend down, you know you’re so much taller than me.” Mrs Callow laughed as her son bent his knees slightly at his Ma’s request. Mrs. Callow kissed her son’s forehead as she used to do when he was in elementary school before sending him off to his classes. Her little boy wasn’t so little anymore, he was all grown up. But to her, he was always and will always be her little baby boy. “Be home as soon as you can, you worry me when you’re out late—“
“Ma, I’ll be back when I get back.”
“I know. I just need to know you’re safe.”
“I’m not a kid anymore, Ma.”
“I know, but you’ll always be my baby, even when you’re all grown up and married.”
Wyatt nodded, not wanting to argue with his mother. He knew it was hard for her to see all 13 of her sons be so grown up now, especially since Wyatt just turned 19 and was about to move out to live in a house of his own. “I love you Ma, I’ll see you when I get back.” Wyatt said, picking up Maysilee off the porch floor. Mrs. Callow smiled at both of them, forcing the smile towards Maysilee, but smiling nonetheless. “Bye Bye Mrs. Callow!” Maysilee exclaimed drunkenly from the porch. “Bye, Maysilee.” Mrs. Callow said, waving at the two as they walked down the street to Victors Village, watching her little Oddsmaker slip through her fingers. He did it all the time, every-time she thought she knew what was going on his head, he kept on growing, her little Oddsmaker wasn’t so little anymore.
Wyatt and Maysilee had walked all the way to Victor’s Village, meaning their long night together was sadly over. Wyatt gently held Maysilee’s hand and looked her in the eye, his stormy gray eyes peaking into her soul. “Do you think you can make it to your house?” Wyatt asked her, squeezing her hand slightly. “Uhh, Methinks so.” Maysilee sighed, hobbling over to the house, and she was fairing quite well, but then she fell over 5 feet away from Wyatt. “Maysilee!!” Wyatt called out to her, rushing towards her. He bent down by her side, checking on her to see if she passed out or hurt herself. But Maysilee was all giggles, just laughing at her own fall like a madwoman. “I’m fines! Haha! That was funny!” Maysilee laughed loudly, her laughter filling the night sky. Wyatt sighed with a smile, then scooped her up off the ground, carrying her bridal style. Maysilee instinctively wrapped her arms around, just like they used to when they would go on walks in the forest around the fence. Maysilee’s head rested in the crook of Wyatt’s neck, her breath tickling his skin. “So…so very strongg.” She smiled, shutting her eyes tight, not wanting to think about how this nice night was about to end. Wyatt let out a small laugh as he carried her to her Victor’s Village house, holding her very tightly.
Wyatt walked up the steps of the porch, waiting for Maysilee to hop out of his arms and use her key, going inside, and leaving him like she did before. “‘S unlocked..” Maysilee mumbled against his neck, her golden bangs tickling his skin. “It is? Wait a second— hold on tight.” Maysilee did as she was told and wrapped her arms tighter around his neck. Wyatt dropped the arm that was supporting his candy girl’s back, now just holding her with one hand, warranting Maysilee to start cooing about how strong he was. She did that a lot. Even when she wasn’t drunk with copious amounts of alcohol, while they were dating, she would constantly compliment about his physique. Especially his biceps, Maysilee loved his biceps. She would always squeeze them when they were in view, whether it be he was wearing a tank top or just rolled up his sleeves, Maysilee would always find a way to get to them. Wyatt opened the door and it was unlocked, just like she had said. He carried through the threshold, putting his hand back on her back. Wyatt was overwhelmed by the pristine sight of the house, with white walls with brown trim, and mahogany floors. Wyatt walked through the house, Maysilee still in his arms, trying to find the stairs to the bedroom, where her and Haymitch probably slept.
Wyatt didn’t like thinking about those types of things. About how Haymitch and Maysilee probably slept in the same bed, how they probably ate breakfast together, how they would probably drink their sorrows together. Even when knowing the situation they were in, Wyatt couldn’t help but let his jealousy get the best of him at times. Seeing them on the T.V., kissing each other while talking about the victory tour they were about to go on. It took so much time and energy out of him, especially cause he had given up alcohol about a week ago. He thought about what Maysilee said, how she wasn’t going to sit back and let him ruin himself. And he sure wasn’t going to let Maysilee drink herself to death, like Haymitch was doing. He wanted to help her get back on her feet, back to who she was, not the Victor of the Quarter Quell. But Maysilee Donner, A spitfire, a woman who could not be held, a woman with a sharp tongue that could cut you to bits. He didn’t want the Capitol to change her in anyway, and he was going to make sure they didn’t. So the first step, is to get the alcohol bottles out of her hands. This was definitely going to take time, no doubt. Wyatt was still dealing with alcohol withdrawal himself. But if they were together in this, in trying to get better, maybe it could help them become better.
Wyatt found the stairs and was about to walk on them, until he heard Maysilee hum in disapproval. “Whats wrong?” He asked her, looking at her face that was coincidentally looking at him. “‘S my turn to sleeps on the couch.” Maysilee babbled, her dull blue eyes looking into his stormy gray ones. Wyatt looked at her confused, but complied, and began walking through this maze of a house to find the couch. Eventually, he finds the ivory white couch and lays her on it, Maysilee letting out a sigh as her body feels the cushion of the couch. “Let me go get you blanket.” Wyatt mumbled, not really knowing where to find one in a house so big. “Alright…” Maysilee mumbled, her mind slowly drifting to sleep as she saw Wyatt walk away from the living room. She reached out to him, and was about to call his name, for him to come back. But Wyatt was a fast walker, and by the time she reached her arm out, he had already turned the corner. Her hand flopped back down by her side as Maysilee sighed, and then started to laugh to herself, her laughter and giggling echoing throughout the house.
Wyatt walked through the large house, it was overwhelming, overbearing, it was too much. He couldn’t imagine living here, and he couldn’t imagine how Maysilee must feel living in this house. She must’ve felt so alone. Sure Haymitch was there, but half the time he was a drunken mess, so he didn’t count. Wyatt walked up the mahogany stairs, his mind staring to wander back to when he saw Haymitch and Maysilee first kiss in the arena, and how it broke his heart.
It had been an entire week since the start of the Quarter Quell, and thankfully, Maysilee Donner was still alive. The day she was reaped, he felt his heart drop into his knees, he could barely stand. His cousins, Aaron and Taylor had to keep him up from falling to knees. Wyatt felt his heart beat in his ears, the world was loud, too loud. He didn’t even hear the names of the boy tributes who had been reaped. His vision could only make the faces of Haymitch Abernathy and Woodbine Chance, standing up there on stage. The reaping ceremony ended and he ran up to stage, trying to follow his candy girl inside the Justice Building, only to be stopped by a man in a black suit with blonde hair. He asked him about which tribute he knew or something like that and if he could recreate his reaction for footage.
“Hello, my name is Plutarch Heavensbee, do you know any of the tributes?”
“Maysilee…”
“Oh? So you know Ms. Donner, well do think you able to recreate your reaction—“
“Maysilee!!”
Wyatt pushed past him into the justice building, and quickly ran to a nearby peacekeeper asking him where his candy girl was. “Room 2.” The peacekeeper said, pointing to the room on the left. He could hear the sobs of the Mccoy family next door as he practically barged into Maysilee’s room, her parents and sister were outside, getting their reactions recorded. It was sick, so sick, but he had no time to think about how twisted it was now, he needed to get at-least one last goodbye with his girlfriend, his everything, his moon, his stars, his sun, his universe. “Wyatt!!” Maysilee shouted out, and ran straight into his arms, hugging him tightly. Wyatt returned the hug just as tightly, never wanting to let go of each other. Maysilee looked up at her boyfriend, tears rolling down his face, and she kisses him, because it was most likely the last time she was ever going to.
“What— What am I going to do Maysilee—“
“You stay strong. Do you hear me?”
Another kiss was planted on his lips, this one was more deep than the last.
“H-How can I, You’re my strength, my everything, Maysilee.”
“You’ll have to try, Wyatt. Stay strong. Promise me that you’ll stay strong even if I die.”
“But—“
“Promise me.”
“A-alright, I will.”
Maysilee looked at her wreck of a boyfriend. Tears streaming down his face, his stubble soaked in salty tears, his eyes already becoming red. She took one of her hands to the back of her neck and took off one of her favorite necklaces. It was brown and purple, she had made it the day her and Wyatt started dating, combining their favorite colors to make one beautiful necklace. “Here. It’s something to remember me by.” Maysilee said, her voice breaking. She went behind him and put the necklace on him, tears starting to fall down her cheeks as she did so. She walked around to the front of him as he clutched the necklace tightly to his chest. “My family’s coming in soon.” Maysilee sighed, trying to hide her tears. “I know.” Wyatt choked out, his tears making it impossible to speak. “I love you so so so so much Wyatt.” Maysilee looked him the eye, her icy blue eyes peaking into his soul. For a moment, just a moment, it was just them. For a moment, Maysilee wasn’t about to shipped to her doom, it was just them in that small world they created where time seemed to stay still. Wyatt cupped her cheeks and kissed her lips. A kiss full of warmth, passion, love, and sorrow. “I love you too, Candy Girl.” Wyatt said, unwillingly breaking away from her. He reached for the handle of the door, then paused. Wyatt looked back at her with a crooked smile, then left the room.
He saw Maysilee’s family rush in, hearing her twin sister’s cries and her mother’s wails of sorrow. Wyatt went to the train station, looking at the silver bullet train that Louella, Maysilee, Haymitch and Woodbine were about board to their deaths. He stood there, because there was nothing else he could do. His girlfriend, the person he loved more than anything else in the world was being sent to the slaughterhouse. Wyatt could feel his stomach churn in horror as he thought about it. Maysilee Donner being killed on screen. Oh, oh he couldn’t stomach it even if he tried. Then he looked to his right and saw the four District 12 tributes being boarded onto the bullet train of death.
“WYATT!!!”
Wyatt saw Maysilee struggle to try and reach him, but the peace keepers hooked their arms around her, keeping her from running to him. Maysilee groaned out pain as one of the peacekeepers hit her in the back with a baton. Wyatt felt a surge of anger run through his spine, and he, without thinking, started to run towards them.
“MAYSILEE!!”
Maysilee is then pushed onto the train and door shuts. Then the bullet train starts to take off. He couldn’t let her go, not like this, so despite all logic, he ran after than train screaming her name. “MAYSILEE!!” He cried out as he ran as fast as he possibly could. He then saw a shadowy figure standing in the back blackedout window of the train, he could tell it was Maysilee. She was banging on the glass, and though it was inaudible, Wyatt could imagine her screaming his name as the train zoomed off. Wyatt kept running until two peacekeepers held him back from running any farther.
“MAYSILEE!!”
…
Wyatt sat on the couch in his home, his family watching with him. His older brothers were surrounding the couch, while the oldest, Ben and James sitting on his right and left. Their father was out and about collecting bets from people willing to gamble their money away, and his mother was in the kitchen making supper. There were only 4 people left in the arena, Maysilee being one of them. On the screen it was his beautiful Maysilee and Haymitch, sitting next to each other, watching the sun go down over the arena. They were sitting close to each other, probably due to the arena’s weather settings being unforgiving. Wyatt was a complete mess ever since Maysilee’s name had been called from that bowl. He had been tuning in from the start of the tribute training to the start of the games. Wyatt was making sure Maysilee was getting along alright, even if he couldn’t be there in person. Then he saw something on the T.V., and image that he thought couldn’t be real.
Maysilee looked at Haymitch, the way she used to stare at him.
No…
Haymitch smiled at her, cupping her cheek, Maysilee smiled back at him.
No, please…
They leaned into each other.
No!
They kissed. Haymitch and Maysilee kissed.
“NO!” Wyatt shouted out and shot up, instantly covering his mouth and sitting back down. Wyatt’s brothers were screaming insults at the T.V. As they had just witnessed what had happened to their baby brother. He had just been cheated on, on live television. Wyatt felt the room spin, his head spinning in multiple directions, he felt incredibly light headed. There’s no way this could be real. He could only hear the muffled and distorted voices of his family, shouting and screaming at Maysilee through the screen.
“I love you Maysilee.”
“I love you too, Haymitch.”
Wyatt’s vision blurred, everything was becoming too difficult to do. Even breathing was becoming too much of a hassle right now. His older brother, Ben, rubbed his back as Wyatt sat there, barely even registering what was going on. “I’m so sorry Wy Wy..” Ben said, squeezing him into a big brother bear hug. “I-I…” Wyatt couldn’t get any words out. There were no words to say. Maysilee had cheated on him. Just like that.
Wyatt’s brain started flashing with images of her and all the times they had kissed, hung out, said I love you to each other. Did that even mean anything to her? Was he just her Seam boy toy that she toted around to her friends? Did it mean anything at all, their relationship? Two years, they were together, “loving” each other. Did she feel trapped in this relationship? What could’ve happened to make her do this. Wyatt focused in on Maysilee through the T.V. Screen, a smile plastered across her face as Haymitch whispered something into her ear.
Oh.
So it did it mean nothing.
Wyatt got up from the couch, not caring nor hearing what his brothers had to say to him. He quickly walked to his room and slammed the door shut. Wyatt started to break down in tears, leaning against the door. Oh why oh why would she lead him on like this? He was so vulnerable with her. He had shown the parts of him no one cared to see, and she didn’t even care either. Wyatt felt his breath shortening, it was becoming harder to breathe. Was he dying of heart break? It sure felt like it. He felt his heart breaking by the second, his chest pounding with emotions. Wyatt ripped the necklace she had given off and threw it so hard it one of the pictures on his wall, causing it to wobble slightly. “W-w-why Maysilee.. Why..” Wyatt whispered to himself, tears flowing down onto his chest. He then saw it, the opened window, his way of getting out of here, a way of getting away from the T.V. Screens that his ex girlfriend and her new… boyfriend plastered all over them. He quickly hopped out of the window and ran to the hole in the fence and quickly ran to meadow to be alone.
Wyatt’s mind went blank, his legs giving out as soon as was in the beautiful meadow just outside of twelve. He wasn’t outside of Twelve often, only when he was with his— With Maysilee Donner. Wyatt stood there in the middle of the meadow, letting the tears flow down to the ground. He was more than devastated to see Maysilee Donner, kissing another boy. Wyatt let out all the sobs and wails he had been holding in since he saw them kiss on live television. He closed his eyes, letting the warm wind hit him, the grass graze his legs, and let nature sway him. That was the only thing he felt he could do right now. Just cry and let nature sway around him. Then Wyatt felt someone run into him, knocking him off his feet, causing him to hit ground with a thud. “S-sorry— I didn’t see w-where I was g-going…” A familiar voice said, her voice breaking with tears. He looked to see Haymitch’s former girl, Lenore Dove, lying on the ground across from him. “It’s fine…” Wyatt choked out, wiping his tears on his sleeve. He didn’t want to be mean to her, because she just went through what he had gone through. Both of their lovers, reaped into the games, then they cheated on them.
Wyatt didn’t know Lenore Dove personally, but he had seen her around, performing at the Hob and such. She had a nice singing voice, but she rarely sang for the Covey. And Lenore Dove had heard of Wyatt and seen him around, with her performances at the Hob aligning with his Booker Boy schedule. They had talked maybe once or twice, small talk about the weather or something like that, but nothing major. But now here they were, sitting next to each other, watching the sun go down over district 12. “Do you think they meant that? That they loved each other?” Lenore Dove asked, her knees pulled up to her chest. Wyatt sighed, wiping more of his tears with his sleeve. “Yeah. They always do.” Wyatt mumbled out. Lenore Dove looked at him, her expression softened. “Did she do this to you this before?” Lenore Dove asked, her green eyes filled with concern. “No. But my dad cheated on my mom, multiple times. They always mean it.” Wyatt deadpanned, his eyes unmoving from the setting sun. “Oh.” Lenore Dove said, looking back at the setting sun.
…
Wyatt and Lenore Dove have been talking about how to go about what life will be like when they come back for hours, if Haymitch or Maysilee even make it back. It was odd really, being vulnerable with someone you have never talked to before. But who else could they really talk to? Wyatt and Lenore Dove were the only people in Twelve who just experienced what they had. Both of their lovers, pretending to love them for years, only to cheat on them when they got away. Then, in the distance, a fire work goes, then another and another. It startles both of the crying teens, making them jump out of their skin. That could only mean one thing. Clerk Carmine came out to the meadow to find Lenore Dove, but instead found both her and Wyatt sitting next to each other. Lenore Dove looked up at her uncle, pressing her lips together with a knowing look. Wyatt looked up at Clerk Carmine as he crossed his arms, watching the fireworks pop off in the distance.
“District 12 won.”
“Who?”
“Maysilee and Haymitch”
“Both of them?”
“Both of them.”
Wyatt found a rather large blanket in an empty closet and carried it down the stairs for his candy girl. When he came back down into the living room, he saw Maysilee curled up in a ball, knees to her chest, trying to keep herself warm. Wyatt slightly laughed at the sight, then brought the blanket over and gently laid the blanket on top of his girl. Maysilee’s eyes slightly opened at the feeling of the warm blanket covering her from the coldness of the Victor’s Village house. “C’mere..” Maysilee mumbled out to Wyatt, and he complied. He got on his knees right next to the couch and came as close he could, his face close to hers. “Im so sorry, Wyatt… Yous didn’t deserve any of that. I’m a horrible persons, and you shouldn’t waste your times helping me homes. You should be enjoyings your life.” Maysilee babbled, lazily putting a hand on his cheek. “Well, like you told me, I’m not going to sit back and watch you ruin yourself. You wanna know why im not letting you drink your life away?”
“Why?”
“It’s cause I love you, even with and without all logical reasoning, I still do. I’ve always loved you Maysilee, I’ve always been drawn towards you. You are pretending to love someone else in-front of millions, you’re going through a lot. But I’m here Maysilee, I’m here for you.”
“But I—“
“No buts. Understand me?”
Maysilee’s eyes widen slightly, her mouth fell into a soft smirk, then she shut her eyes, peacefully drifting off to sleep. “Goodnight Maysilee..” Wyatt whispered into her ear as she slipped from consciousness. Then, the door to victor’s village house opened with a loud noise. Wyatt snapped his head around to see Haymitch and Lenore Dove, his arm resting over her shoulders as she helped him walk upstairs to his room. Haymitch was lamenting about how much of a terrible person he was, with Lenore Dove denying his self allegations. Wyatt turned back his attention to his candy girl, and she was fast asleep, snoring loudly. Oh, how beautiful Maysilee was. Wyatt leaned forward, hovering over her forehead, about to kiss it, but then stopped himself. He needed to talk to her before he did anything with her, Wyatt needed to find a time and place to meet her. Then he remembered something, the miners had reached their quota, tomorrow was a day off. Wyatt frantically looked around for a paper and pen, checking underneath the couch and coffee table. He looked in the drawer underneath the T.V and found some white paper, with gold Capitol sigil at the bottom that said “Courtesy of the Capitol”. It was an ugly reminder of what the Capitol had tried to take from Wyatt, but failed. They could never take her away from him, even if they did the best they could. Wyatt looked at it for a moment, took a pen from the drawer and scribbled out the sigil.
He wrote a small, short, and concise note that said:
Dear Maysilee Donner,
Meet me at the Meadow at 5:00 pm, we need to talk about everything.
Sincerely
Wyatt A.C. Callow
He folded up the small white paper and placed it on top of Maysilee’s pure white blanket, hoping she would see it. Wyatt looked at the girl he loved. The girl he would do anything for, the girl that he would jump into a fire for. He wanted to volunteer for Haymitch, so that he could be with her, but they had made a promise to each other earlier that year. She told him:
“If I ever get reaped, don’t even dare to volunteer for the boy just so you can be with me. I want you to live a long and happy life, even if it’s without me.”
And he followed, and did he regret it? Yes. A thousands times yes. But she was back, and still loved him, just…in secret now. Wyatt watched as her chest rose and fell as she snored, snuggling deeper into the blanket. “I’ll see you at five..” Wyatt whispered to his sleeping candy girl, then walked out the door of the Victor’s Village house. He thought of Maysilee all the way home, thinking of the time they shared together. The amount of times they’d create their own little world together and hours would pass without them knowing. How they would kiss each other behind the Hob, or just talk about their feelings and their lives. The times they would spend trying things the other one would like, when he tried jewelry making and she tried black jack. The way they would hold each other on those cold winter days, whispering compliments and “I love you”’s into each others ears. Or how they would laugh together in the woods while they talked about the gossip in 12 that Maysilee had gotten from Asterid. The times they would star gaze into the sky on the nights they snuck out to see each other, Wyatt pointing out all the constellations to her. Wyatt had missed all of it, all the memories they had collected in the past two years. But Wyatt was determined, he was determined to get his candy girl, his Maysilee back.