Catching Fire

"I was completely unprepared. You would think that after all the hours I'd spent with Gale -watching talk and laugh and frown - that I would know all there was to know about his lips. but I hadn't imagined how warm they would feel pressed against my own. Or how those hands, which could set the most intricate of snares, could as easily entrap me. I think I made some sort of noise in the back of my throat , and I vaguely remember my fingers, curled tightly closed, resting on his chest. Then he let go and said, 'I had to do that. At least once.' And he was gone."



She was definitely unqualified to make the shot. Most people believed her to be, because of all the "hours of practice" she'd had, but I knew, she'd fail. I'd imagined that maybe, she'd feel motivated. Or maybe maybe even proud to be on such a great team. I think her face gave a sort of scared and anxious look, and I remember her messing with her braids out of fear. The referee blew the whistle and said, "game on." She kicked the ball straight for the goalie, and I knew that it was no good.