d if the audience really thinks weˇre in love 。 。 。 I remember how strongly they responded to his confession。 Star…crossed lovers。 Haymitch is right； they eat that stuff up in the Capitol。 Suddenly Iˇm worried that I didnˇt react properly。
¨After he said he loved me； did you think I could be in love with him； too？〃 I ask。
¨I did；〃 says Portia。 ¨The way you avoided looking at the cameras； the blush。〃
They others chime in； agreeing。
¨Youˇre golden； sweetheart。 Youˇre going to have sponsors lined up around the block；〃 says Haymitch。
Iˇm embarrassed about my reaction。 I force myself to acknowledge Peeta。 ¨Iˇm sorry I shoved you。〃
¨Doesnˇt matter；〃 he shrugs。 ¨Although itˇs technically illegal。〃
¨Are your hands okay？〃 I ask。 ¨Theyˇll be all right；〃 he says。
In the silence that follows； delicious smells of our dinner waft in from the dining room。 ¨e on； letˇs eat；〃 says Haymitch。 We all follow him to the table and take our places。 But then Peeta is bleeding too heavily； and Portia leads him off for medical treatment。 We start the cream and rose…petal soup without them。 By the time weˇve finished； theyˇre back。 Peetaˇs hands are wrapped in bandages。 I canˇt help feeling guilty。 Tomorrow we will be in the arena。 He has done me a favor and I have answered with an injury。 Will I never stop owing him？
After dinner； we watch the replay in the sitting room。 I seem frilly and shallow； twirling and giggling in my dress； although the others assure me I am charming。 Peeta actually is charming and then utterly winning as the boy in love。 And there I am； blushing and confused； made beautiful by Cinnaˇs hands； desirable by Peetaˇs confession； tragic by circumstance； and by all accounts； unforgettable。
When the anthem fin