Голодные игры

           ButhissmileisthesamewhetherinmudorintheCapitolandwhenIseeit,Itakeaboutthreestepsandflingmyselfintohisarms.Hestaggersback,almostlosinghisbalance,andthat’swhenIrealizetheslim,metalcontraptioninhishandissomekindofcane.Herightshimselfandwejustclingtoeachotherwhiletheaudiencegoesinsane.He’skissingmeandallthetimeI’mthinking,Doyouknow?Doyouknowhowmuchdangerwe’rein?Afterabouttenminutesofthis,CaesarFlickermantapsonhisshouldertocontinuetheshow,andPeetajustpusheshimasidewithoutevenglancingathim.Theaudiencegoesberserk.Whetherheknowsornot,Peetais,asusual,playingthecrowdexactlyright.

           Finally,Haymitchinterruptsusandgivesusagood-naturedshovetowardthevictor’schair.Usually,thisisasingle,ornatechairfromwhichthewinningtributewatchesafilmofthehighlightsoftheGames,butsincetherearetwoofus,theGamemakershaveprovidedaplushredvelvetcouch.Asmallone,mymotherwouldcallitaloveseat,Ithink.IsitsoclosetoPeetathatI’mpracticallyonhislap,butonelookfromHaymitchtellsmeitisn’tenough.Kickingoffmysandals,ItuckmyfeettothesideandleanmyheadagainstPeeta’sshoulder.Hisarmgoesaroundmeautomatically,andIfeellikeI’mbackinthecave,curledupagainsthim,tryingtokeepwarm.Hisshirtismadeofthesameyellowmaterialasmydress,butPortia’sputhiminlongblackpants.