Then it’s just Venia, whose skin is so pale her tattoos appear to be leaping off it. Almost rigid with determination, she does my hair and nails and makeup, fingers flying swiftly to compensate for her absent teammates. The whole time, she avoids my gaze. It’s only when Cinna shows up to approve me and dismiss her that she takes my hands, looks me straight in the eye, and says, “We would all like you to know what a…privilege it has been to make you look your best.” Then she hastens from the room.

It's weird, how much he's noticed me... And apparently, I have not been as oblivious to him as I imagined, either.

Somehow it always comes back to coal at school.

At the moment, the choice would be simple. I can survive just fine without either of them.

What about you?" "Not a clue. I keep wishing I could bake a cake or something.

Because...because...she came here with me.

A spark could be enough to set them ablaze.