[Under other circumstances, she might have attempted to defend herself. She might have told the girl that she had never laughed at her. Had actually sort of enjoyed their conversations after their one initial argument. She was someone Katniss probably could become easy friends with given a different time and place.

But defending herself required far, far too much work right now. Especially when Suki's last words hit home. Peeta would want nothing to do with her, either. They had only begun to rekindle their friendship back home before she wound up here. And the Peeta who had been here hadn't been hijacked, hadn't lived through everything she had.

Would that Peeta still want her, knowing all this? She had seen revulsion in his eyes before. Her fingers moved to her neck as if she could almost feel his hands choking her again.]

I don't deserve pity. [She took a deep breath.] Okay? No pity. Nothing remotely sympathetic or nice. I'm not worth that. I'm not worth anything.