Throughout the trip from the City Circle to the Training Center Effie Trinket blabbers on about how absolutely everyone in the Capitol loved us, and how we shouldn't worry because coal turns to pearls or some such nonsense. I just smile and nod, because I'm not really paying attention. I rest my elbow on the car window, and then the elevator wall, and put my chin in my hand so that my fingers are touching the spot that Katniss kissed. I can't help but hope that her actions mean that she feels something for me in return. I find myself unable to pull my eyes from her until we go to our separate rooms. Luckily, she's too distracted by the luxuriant tributes quarters to notice.

And I can't blame her. Even the carpets and light fixtures are jaw dropping. In my room, there are so many buttons to press it's overwhelming. It's been a long day, and I'm tired. I took my first shower on the train ride here, and I'm thrilled to find that not only does my room have it's own shower, but a very fancy one with hundreds of settings. I take off my clothes, press a few buttons, and hop in. The endless hot water is addicting, and I feel like I could spend hours in here, but Effie will probably want me for dinner soon, so I step onto a mat, get dressed again, and head to the dining room.

Portia and Cinna are holding hands, staring out a window at the breathtaking view of the capitol when I come into the room. Not wanting to break the moment, I quickly take my seat at the long, shining table and hope I wasn't noticed. But I was.

"Ah Peeta!" Portia says, grinning.

"Hi" I say, jumping back up, and walking toward them.

"Portia and I were just saying how lucky it is that District 12 is assigned the top floor of the training center," Cinna says, "Isn't it beautiful?" he adds, gesturing out the window. He's right. The light from the moonlight is bouncing off the polished skyscrapers, and the sky is such a deep shade of blue it's almost black. If I pretend, for a moment, that this isn't a city full of people who can't wait to watch children kill each other on live television, then yes, I can see what Cinna is saying.

"Yes," I say, and examine the two smiling, tranquil faces. They don't fit in with the cookie cutter capitol people I usually imagine. Unfeeling, stupid, selfish. I wish I could do something for them. "Hey," I smile at them, "Thank you both, for helping us so much. You didn't have to do that. You really went out of your way to make us stand out, and you succeeded. From the way things went tonight, I'm positive Katniss and I will not be sponsorless, and it's all due to the two of you."

Portia is blushing. "Awe! Peeta honey!"

"Really Peeta," Cinna says, "It's our pleasure and our job to help you succeed. You're very kind to thank us." I nod. Not because I agree, but because I sense a cautious tone in his voice. I've said too much. With the walls in the Capitol all bugged, you never know what the President might pick up on. "Peeta," Cinna says as if a sudden idea has struck him, "Have you seen the roof yet? It's an even more impressive view, and I think the fresh air would be nice before dinner. Don't you?"

I'm a little taken aback, but I agree. Portia says she'll stay behind, "She's afraid of heights," Cinna informs me, as we walk back down the hall, and up a single flight of stairs.

I can't help gasping as I step onto the flat rooftop. It's not the added height that makes such a difference, but the absence of glass between me and the world. I want to capture each piece of silvery light; every dark blue cloud, and hold on to them forever, and look back at them when everything looks black.

Then suddenly, a wild idea flashes across my mind. The Capitol really are a bunch of idiots. If I get Katniss up here with me...and a bunch of blankets and clothes...you can get as many as you want here simply by pressing a button. We could escape. I run to the edge and look over the short wall to gauge the distance.

"Cinna?" I ask "Why would they let tributes up here, aren't they worried we'll just..."

"Jump off the edge?." Cinna's standing with his hands behind his back, looking at me with a pained expression on his face.

"What do you mean?"

He walks over to stand beside me. Then he stretches out his hand and quickly waves it through the air a few inches from the roof's edge. A snapping noise immediately follows, and Cinna pulls his hand back. "You can't." he says. There's a silence between us as I try not to let my disappointment show. "So I just want you to know, that if you ever need to talk to anyone...privately...this is the prime spot."

I furrow my brows. "No one's watching?"

Cinna looks out at the sky, thinking. "I suppose anything's possible, but I would assume this to be a safe spot. Especially the garden. The wind-chimes make such lovely music."

I half smile. "Well thank you again then."

"No problem at all. But let's hurry back for dinner. I'm starving."

'No you're not' I think. But he means well. I decide to trust Cinna.