Голодные игры

           Astheseasonswentby,wegrudginglybegantoshareourknowledge,ourweapons,oursecretplacesthatwerethickwithwildplumsorturkeys.Hetaughtmesnaresandfishing.Ishowedhimwhatplantstoeatandeventuallygavehimoneofourpreciousbows.Andthenoneday,withouteitherofussayingit,webecameateam.Dividingtheworkandthespoils.Makingsurethatbothourfamilieshadfood.

           GalegavemeasenseofsecurityI’dlackedsincemyfather’sdeath.Hiscompanionshipreplacedthelongsolitaryhoursinthewoods.IbecameamuchbetterhunterwhenIdidn’thavetolookovermyshoulderconstantly,whensomeonewaswatchingmyback.Butheturnedintosomuchmorethanahuntingpartner.Hebecamemyconfidante,someonewithwhomIcouldsharethoughtsIcouldnevervoiceinsidethefence.Inexchange,hetrustedmewithhis.BeingoutinthewoodswithGale.sometimesIwasactuallyhappy.

           Icallhimmyfriend,butinthelastyearit’sseemedtoocasualawordforwhatGaleistome.Apangoflongingshootsthroughmychest.Ifonlyhewaswithmenow!But,ofcourse,Idon’twantthat.Idon’twanthiminthearenawherehe’dbedeadinafewdays.Ijust.Ijustmisshim.AndIhatebeingsoalone.Doeshemissme?Hemust.

           Ithinkoftheelevenflashingundermynamelastnight.Iknowexactlywhathe’dsaytome."Well,there’ssomeroomforimprovementthere."Andthenhe’dgivemeasmileandI’dreturnitwithouthesitatingnow.

           Ican’thelpcomparingwhatIhavewithGaletowhatI’mpretendingtohavewithPeeta