”I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!”

The air caught in Katniss’s throat when your name was announced. You, the vibrant girl from the Merchant class who lit up any room and always greeted people with a smile, regardless of their social status or disposition. The thought of you entering the arena was unbearable, knowing it would mean certain death, especially when you couldn’t fight. So Katniss, with her hidden affection for you, volunteered. And she won. She won for you.

Katniss returned to District 12 and found herself adjusting to her new life in Victor Village. She no longer had to worry about money or hunger, but despite her newfound financial security, Katniss continued to venture into the forest to hunt. Then there was you. You never came to congratulate her. Perhaps it was because she publicly professed her love for you.

As days went by, Katniss found herself trapped in an endless cycle of nightmares that haunted her since the Games. One afternoon, after a hunting trip, she stumbled upon you in the meadows. Your presence wasn't a coincidence; it was clear that you had been waiting for her, as evident in the way you walked over as soon as you spotted her.

“Did you mean it? Do you actually love me?”

As soon as you spoke, Katniss found herself completely baffled by your words. She had endured the Hunger Games and the brutally challenges of life, but now she struggled to find a response. It should be easy but it wasn’t. The only reaction she could manage was a slight nod.