Голодные игры

           "Yeah,aboutthat,"saysPeeta,entwininghisfingersinmine."Don’ttrysomethinglikethatagain."

           "Orwhat?"Iask.

           "Or.or."Hecan’tthinkofanythinggood."Justgivemeaminute."

           "What’stheproblem?"Isaywithagrin.

           "Theproblemiswe’rebothstillalive.Whichonlyreinforcestheideainyourmindthatyoudidtherightthing,"saysPeeta.

           "Ididdotherightthing,"Isay.

           "No!Justdon’t,Katniss!"Hisgriptightens,hurtingmyhand,andthere’srealangerinhisvoice."Don’tdieforme.Youwon’tbedoingmeanyfavors.Allright?"

           I’mstartledbyhisintensitybutrecognizeanexcellentopportunityforgettingfood,soItrytokeepup."MaybeIdiditformyself,Peeta,didyoueverthinkofthat?Maybeyouaren’ttheonlyonewho.whoworriesabout.whatitwouldbelikeif."

           Ifumble.I’mnotassmoothwithwordsasPeeta.AndwhileIwastalking,theideaofactuallylosingPeetahitmeagainandIrealizedhowmuchIdon’twanthimtodie.Andit’snotaboutthesponsors.Andit’snotaboutwhatwillhappenbackhome.Andit’snotjustthatIdon’twanttobealone.It’shim.Idonotwanttolosetheboywiththebread.

           "Ifwhat,Katniss?"hesayssoftly.

           IwishIcouldpulltheshuttersclosed,blockingoutthismomentfromthepryingeyesofPanem.Evenifitmeanslosingfood.WhateverI’mfeeling,it’snoone’sbusinessbutmine.

           "That’sexactlythekindoftopicHaymitchtoldmetosteerclearof,"Isayevasively,althoughHaymitchneversaidanythingofthekind.