Huh. I would’ve thought Peeta Mellark would be looking more smug about showing up here in this car just so everyone could see his wealth and power, but he looks actually annoyed by Effie’s reaction and all the attention we are getting. I want to turn my head again to take another look at him, but for reasons I can’t explain, I’m feeling shy and overwhelmed. A man steps up and opens the car door for us. “Thank you Jason. After you Ms. Trinket.” Peeta Mellark says politely. Effie gives him a doleful glance, while smiling like an idiot. She climbs in gracefully, and then I have to swallow my groan, because I know I won’t be nearly as nimble as her. I don’t want to give this Capitolites any humiliating fodder. “If you allow me to hold your hand, I promise you can slide in even faster than Ms. Trinket.” Peeta’s warm breath reaches my ear, as if reading my mind. I look back at him startled, and his impossibly blue eyes bore into mine, searching. How can somebody’s eyes be so vividly blue? He must have some kind of enhancers or something, because there’s no way those are his real irises. “Thank you.” I rasp out with a nod and let him take my hand.
