Catching Fire Part Two

Continuing my venture through Catching Fire, I, once again, find myself utterly engrossed in another one of Suzanne Collins' magnificent works. With my last post, I left off just as Katniss received threats from President Snow. There is nothing she can do to protect herself besides confiding in her "mentor," Haymitch. As the Victory Tour is about to take off, they both know that nothing can be done except for obeying the president's orders. These orders include Katniss and Peeta pursuing their "star-crossed lovers" act. But their sweet kisses and tightly gripped hands seem more than an act. Ever since the games have come to a conclusion, both Peeta and Katniss experience vivid nightmares. On the train touring the country, Peeta crawls into bed with Katniss each night to provide her comfort, which also leads me to think there is obviously something strong between them regardless of what they say. Just as the tour is about to wrap up, Peeta proposes to Katniss as another act for the audience; President Snow isn't convinced which may lead to serious consequences that won't be in Katniss' favor.
As they return home, the final round of the tour is dinner at the mayor's house. Katniss finds herself in the mayor's office absorbed in what she finds on the television. Uprisings in District Eight. Just like the mayor said. She can't help but to blame herself for all of the negative reactions that have been taking place since the conclusion of the games. Later, she reunites with Gale, a close friend who has always been a little more than a friend. She leads him into the woods to confess to him everything. Here he lets an "I love you" slip out. Katniss can't respond in the same way, but it becomes clear to the reader that she probably feels the same way. In regards to the greater problem on hand (President Snow's threats) they conjure up the idea of running away, however this is almost immediately shut down after Gale is caught with game from the woods and receives several lashes. Katniss throws a fit as her mother attempts to ease his pain because she believes that he isn't given enough relief. As she apologizes to her mother for her outrageous actions, her mother responds, "I've heard worse. You've seen how people are, when someone they love is in pain." It finally hit her, "someone in love". She loves Gale. What is going to happen next? She is marrying Peeta. Katniss' confusion of her feelings for each of the boys only intensifies and the tension between the boys will continue to increase. With that aside, Katniss needs to make her decision whether to fight against the capitol fast before the country in its entirety destroys itself with uprisings.