"Glimmer." I said.
She was at the foot of my bed.
Crying.
She hadn't stopped.
Not since they told her that she had to be in a fake relationship with Cato.
"Glimmer." I said once more.
I crawled to the end of my bed.
"They're ruining us."
"They're protecting you."
"How?"
I wiped a tear off of her beautiful face.
"You're going to win. I promise you this."
I kissed her hand.
"Marvie."
"You'll be fine. I promise."
"How? How will I be fine without you?"
"I hid in the shadows while you dated other guys. I survived."
"But Marvie, you'd be dead. And I'd be alone."
I sighed.
She was right.
"I'll always be with you."
I felt myself tearing up.
I couldn't do it.
I had to be strong for Glimmer.
For my Glimmer.
She needed to understand this.
"I wish they did girls first, then you wouldn't have volunteered."
I shook my head no.
"Marvie!"
She gasped.
"I still would have volunteered. Just to protect you."
"And die trying?"
"If that means you win, then yes."
She put her head on my shoulder.
"I am so sorry." She whispered.
"For what?"
She looked into my eyes.
"For falling in love with you. If we were just best friends, this would have been different."
I shook my head once more.
"If we were best friends and you go into the Games, the same scenario would be happening."
She shook her head into my chest.
"You're way too overprotective. I'm a big girl, Marvie. I can protect myself."
I laughed.
"If you're a big girl, you'd call me Marvel, or Marv. Not Marvie."
She punched my chest.
I pretended it hurt.
"Glim?"
"What?"
"You'll do great in the Games. Okay? And if you can get into that fake relationship with Cato, and he finds a soft spot. BAM! You win."
She laughed.
"Oh Marvie."