I couldnˇt do it。 I just canˇt be one of those people he wants me to be；〃 I say。
Cinna thinks about this a moment。 ¨Why donˇt you just be yourself？〃
¨Myself？ Thatˇs no good； either。 Haymitch says Iˇm sullen and hostile；〃 I say。
¨Well； you are 。 。 。 around Haymitch；〃 says Cinna with a grin。 ¨I donˇt find you so。 The prep team adores you。 You even won over the Gamemakers。 And as for the citizens of the Capitol； well； they canˇt stop talking about you。 No one can help but admire your spirit。〃
My spirit。 This is a new thought。 Iˇm not sure exactly what it means； but it suggests Iˇm a fighter。 In a sort of brave way。 Itˇs not as if Iˇm never friendly。 Okay； maybe I donˇt go around loving everybody I meet； maybe my smiles are hard to e by； but I do care for some people。
Cinna takes my icy hands in his warm ones。 ¨Suppose； when you answer the questions； you think youˇre addressing a friend back home。 Who would your best friend be？〃 asks Cinna。
¨Gale；〃 I say instantly。 ¨Only it doesnˇt make sense； Cinna。 I would never be telling Gale those things about me。 He already knows them。〃
¨What about me？ Could you think of me as a friend？〃 asks Cinna。
Of all the people Iˇve met since I left home； Cinna is by far my favorite。 I liked him right off and he hasnˇt disappointed me yet。 ¨I think so； but �〃
¨Iˇll be sitting on the main platform with the other stylists。 Youˇll be able to look right at me。 e； and answer it as honestly as possible；〃 says Cinna。
¨Even if what I think is horrible？〃 I ask。 Because it might be； really。
¨Especially if what you think is horrible；〃 says Cinna。 ¨Youˇll try it？〃
I nod。 Itˇs a plan。 Or at least a straw to grasp at。
Too soon itˇs time to go。 The interviews take place