Голодные игры

           I’mgladnowIhavePeetatoclutchforbalance,heissosteady,solidasarock.AsIgainconfidence,Iactuallyblowafewkissestothecrowd.ThepeopleoftheCapitolaregoingnuts,showeringuswithflowers,shoutingournames,ourfirstnames,whichtheyhavebotheredtofindontheprogram.

           Thepoundingmusic,thecheers,theadmirationworktheirwayintomyblood,andIcan’tsuppressmyexcitement.Cinnahasgivenmeagreatadvantage.Noonewillforgetme.Notmylook,notmyname.Katniss.Thegirlwhowasonfire.

           Forthefirsttime,Ifeelaflickerofhoperisingupinme.Surely,theremustbeonesponsorwillingtotakemeon!Andwithalittleextrahelp,somefood,therightweapon,whyshouldIcountmyselfoutoftheGames?

           Someonethrowsmearedrose.Icatchit,giveitadelicatesniff,andblowakissbackinthegeneraldirectionofthegiver.Ahundredhandsreachuptocatchmykiss,asifitwerearealandtangiblething.

           "Katniss!Katniss!"Icanhearmynamebeingcalledfromallsides.Everyonewantsmykisses.

           It’snotuntilweentertheCityCirclethatIrealizeImusthavecompletelystoppedthecirculationinPeeta’shand.That’showtightlyI’vebeenholdingit.IlookdownatourlinkedfingersasIloosenmygrasp,butheregainshisgriponme."No,don’tletgoofme,"hesays.Thefirelightflickersoffhisblueeyes."Please.Imightfalloutofthisthing."

           "Okay,"Isay.SoIkeepholdingon,butIcan’thelpfeelingstrangeaboutthewayCinnahaslinkedustogether.