The Last Moments

Peeta's POV:

I stand outside waiting for my turn to have my interview with Caesar. I feel

nervous. Deathly, utterly, completely nervous. What if the audience didn't

believe it? What if I made myself look cowardly? What if she possibly did love

me? I sigh softly. No. That would be worse. Then either we would both be dead,

or one half of the star-crossed lovers from District 12. Hay itch has dubbed us

that... pretty surprising if you think about it. I look at the screen and see

her talking to Caesar. She's beautiful. No... she's as radiant as the sun. All I

can do is gaze at her in the gown Cinna made. Now I see her standing up. Then-

she twirls. Katniss Everdeen, the girl I love. The girl on fire.

She would never love me. There's obviously something with she and the Hawthorne

boy. Gale. The way he looks at her when she's not looking- he's definitely a

worth adversary for her heart. Well, all's fair in love and war. If she does

win, and I die... I just want her to know. I noticed all the other girls but she

was the one who left an impression. She's the fire burning in my heart. I wish

that I could scoop her in my arms and look straight into her stormy gray eyes,

saying those three words. That I love her.

All of a sudden, I hear my name being called. "Peeta Mellark!" Caesar shouts as

I walk onto the stage, heartily greeted by tremulous applause. I catch Portias'

eye and she nods. Here goes nothing. I, Peeta Mellark am going to confess to

all of Panem that I am deeply, crazily, madly in love with Katniss Everdeen. And

not a single word is a lie.

"Because... because she came here with me."