"I don't blame you," Katniss says automatically, but they both know that's a huge lie that falls flat and fake even to her own ears. The truth is that she does blame Gale. The truth is that she might never stop blaming him. What her brain knows and what it thinks are two entirely different things, and try and they might to get back the easy friendship they had before, Katniss doesn't know if it's possible.

Who are they kidding, really?

She's hurting him. She never wanted to hurt him, no matter what it is he's done and Katniss hates being in this position, with someone else's well-being in her hands.

"Gale," her voice drops low, breaking at the end and Katniss wants to cry again but there is no way that she'll let herself. "I'm trying. I'm trying so hard."