Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games. Suzanne Collins does.

Ch. 10 I Can't

Peeta's POV:

When I woke up the next morning, I called Katniss and told her to meet me at the bakery after I closed up so that we could talk in private. Katniss was glad that I called her because she, Gale, and Prim had to leave tomorrow. This was my last chance to talk with her in person before she left.

After the phone call, I went downstairs and made homemade French toast (Johanna's favorite) with eggs and bacon. Johanna came running down once she smelled the bacon sizzling. She sat at the island, almost drooling from the smells of the breakfast. After a few minutes, I put the breakfast on two plates and gave one to Johanna. She let out a moan after her first bite of French toast.

She told me it was delicious and kissed me before diving back into her food. We spent the day relaxing and watching House and Criminal Minds on Netflix before I had to leave for work.

"I'll see you after work Johanna."

"See you later Peeta."

I gave her a kiss before I left.

~Line Break~

It was pretty busy for a Monday night at the bakery. People had ordered either cupcakes or cakes for upcoming birthday parties, so I had been working on those orders while also working up at the counter. I was working by myself for the last two hours we were open because Delly had to take off early to get ready for her date with Thom.

It was 9:00. I closed up the bakery and worked on finishing the cakes while I was waiting for Katniss to show up. I heard a knock on the door a few minutes after I finished frosting the first cake. I looked up to see Katniss had arrived. My hands were sweaty. I was about make a decision that would cut ties from part of my life that I wasn't sure if I wanted to let go of yet.

I unlocked the door an stepped aside to let Katniss inside.

"Hi Katniss." I greeted her.

"Hey Peeta." She said. "I'm so glad that you called because we were leaving tomorrow and I didn't want to leave without hearing your answer and I was so worried that I wasn't and then you called me and I was happy that you wanted to talk and -"

"Katniss" I interrupted her. I remembered that she would always ramble when she was nervous.

"Thanks." She looked down, embarrassed.

We were in silence for a few minutes until she could look up at me again. Then she asked me the question she asked me last week.

"So can we be friends again?" Katniss asked me nervously

"I'm sorry, Katniss, but I can't." I told her. "You really hurt me that day Katniss. You had my heart and crushed it. I don't think that I can ever trust you again." Katniss looked on the verge of tears when I was done. I was almost tempted to grab her in my arms and let her cry. Almost.

"I understand, Peeta." She said. She put on her mask, but I could see in her eyes how hurt she felt. She had her arms crossed as if to block out the hurt she felt. "I should go."

"I think it would be best if you did." I responded.

She opened the door and waited as if she thought I tell her that I did want to be friends with her again. I just turned my head away from her. When, I heard the door close I felt lIke a huge weight had finally been removed from my shoulders.

Katniss's POV:

I ran out to the car where Prim was waiting for me. I opened the door and got into the passenger's side.

"How did it go?" Prim asked me.

That's when I let the tears flow. Prim hugged me and told me that at least I tried. That just made me cry harder. I wouldn't have had to try if I didn't screw up. I thought bitterly. I was able to stop crying after a few minutes, and Prim drove us back to the hotel. The ride back I couldn't stop imagining what if.

Peeta's POV:

I feltI opened the door to Johanna's house to find her still sitting on the couch watching The New Orange Is Black in Netflix. I lifted Johanna off the couch and gave her a kiss. She was shocked for a few seconds before kissing me back. We made out for a while before I pulled back.

"What's got you so happy, and why are you so late? It's almost 10:30 and the bakery closes at 9 today." Johanna asked me.

I sat down on the couch with Johanna in my lap, smiling.

"She's gone, out of my life." I told her. Johanna just looked at me confused.

"Who's this she that you're talking about?" She asked.

"Katniss." I said.

"What did the bitch want?" I could hear the hate in Jo's voice.

"I had a talk with her after the bakery closed. That's why I'm back so late." I told her, not really answering her question.

"What. Did. She. Want." Jo repeated.

"She wanted to be friends again." I said.

Jo jumped out of my lap. "What?! The nerve of that whore!" Then she looked straight at me. "You didn't say yes, did you?"

"No, Johanna, I told her no." I stood up and wrapped in my arms.

"Good."

"Now, how about I make us dinner to celebrate?" I asked.

"That sounds wonderful." She said.

Forty-five minutes later, we were eating salad, breadsticks, and Chicken Alfredo. We talked about how the rest of our days were. I went to bed with Johanna that night feeling happier than I had been in a while.

The End.

AN: Whooo! I finally finished my first story. I'm so happy. I'd like to thank everyone who has reviewed, followed, or favorited this story and sticking with it. I couldn't have done it without your support.