You’re not leaving me here alone,” I say. Because if he dies, I’ll never go home, not really. I’ll spend the rest of my life in this arena, trying to think my way out.

I don't think it's going to work out. Winning...won't help in any case. Because...she came here with me. - Peeta Mellark

Impulsively, I lean forward and kiss him, stopping his word. This is probably overdue anyway since he’s right, we are supposed to be madly in love.

They're a little strange, but I'm pretty sure neither of them is going to try to make me uncomfortable by stripping naked.

The anguish I always feel when she's in pain wells up in my chest and threatens to register on my face.

Something inside me shuts down and I'm too numb to feel anything. It's like watching complete strangers in another Hunger Games. But I do notice they omit the part where I covered her in flowers. Right. Because even that smacks of rebellion.

I go back to my room and lie under the covers, trying not to think of Gale and thinking of nothing else.