A/N: Alright, guys. *Sigh.* This is where our story comes to a close… An epilogue is a possibility, but for now, More is finished! Thanks again for all the WONDERFUL support, and remember to check back on my profile for more Hunger Games fics! You're all awesome! You'll be awesomer if you don't sue me for copyright… I don't own The Hunger Games franchise. I apologize if Katniss is a bit OOC.
It's something I never really thought about, but Katniss was still with Gale when I left her with Prim. I mean, she said they had a 'talk,' but, hey, a lot happened with me and Prim in a short time. And they were together for longer than us. It bothers me as I lie awake at night, trying to get to sleep. Like, really nettles me. It could have completely ruined my chances with her! So, against my better judgement, I find myself in front of her locker, waiting for her to arrive at school. When she does, I can tell she's exhausted. Her shoulders slump when she notices me, and I consider leaving, telling her that I mixed up my friend's locker with hers. But she's not that dumb, and I'm not that fast.
"What are you doing here, Peeta?," she sighs. I hear a defeated note in her voice, and my heart deflates a little bit. I try to stand tall.
"Can I ask you something, Katniss?" She shrugs in response as books cascade out of her locker. With her incredible reflexes, she catches them all, and huffs as she stuffs them in her bag. "Well, when I took Prim home for you… You were with Gale." Way to state the obvious, Peeta. "And, um, I was just wondering… since you seemed so, like, against me, yesterday at lunch, if anything happened between you two?" By now, my cheeks are flaring red, and other people around us are just a blur. Katniss closes her eyes, carefully planning her answer.
"He kissed me," she breathes. I inhale sharply, and she turns to look at me. "I haven't seen him since. He knows more than anyone how I feel about love. He told me he felt the same way, a long time ago. But now… I don't know."
"Well…," I start. "Do you love him?" She shrugs.
"I've lived so long with him being like a brother to me… I don't know if I could let that become something more. It wouldn't feel right. Just a little forced. Too cliche." I nod, hope sparking in my heart. Light shoots through my veins, and transfers itself into a huge grin. "Prim really likes you," she tells me randomly.
"I really like you," I reply. I want to shoot myself in the foot. Could I come up with a more childish answer? I highly doubt it. To my surprise, one corner of her mouth turns up a little bit.
"Maybe one day things will be different, Peeta."
"Maybe one day we'll make them different together." She looks at the ground. "All you need to do is let yourself be happy, Katniss. It doesn't matter what the Capitol will do! You don't even know where dating someone would lead… There's such a thing as breaking up," I beg. She looks me in the eyes.
"Don't you get it, Peeta? It does matter what the Capitol will do! Even if you break up with someone, or you're not meant to 'be with together forever,' and all that shit, they'll take it from you. I'm not going to risk that."
"If you were…," I manage. "Would you risk it with me?" She crumples at the question.
"Probably," she whispers. I move closer to her.
"Then I'll wait for you. Until we're out of the reaping, if you feel that strongly about it. We can be together Katniss. We'll make things right, together. I've loved you my whole life…" She closes her locker.
"You're wasting your time. It's silly. I won't make you happy. Don't make this dramatic. Just leave." I stay planted firmly on the ground, and watch her. On an impulse, I grab her hand.
"Please. Just give it a chance… We get along! Well, when you're not being psychotic, but…" She barks a laugh at that, and turns towards me. She smiles a bit sadly, and pulls her hand out of my grasp.
"You'd never have children. Or a family. Don't lie. I know you want those things." I squirm under her appraising stare, but try to remain strong.
"We could take it by ear. I mean, we're in eighth grade. I think we have some time to plan stuff like that out." She shrugs, and starts to retreat to class. I can hear my heart cracking in half, until she turns around quickly, and whispers just loud enough for me to hear,
"Maybe someday." And in that moment, I know that I have won Katniss Everdeen. It's not the romantic rescue I had planned, and I don't get the prize immediately. But she cares enough to give me hope, and that's not something Katniss just throws out. A smile forms on my face as I lean against the lockers, grinning stupidly at everyone who passes by. I can only hope that I'll have her friendship until we're both out of the Games. Because then, we can really be together. It's just a few years more….
A/N: Sorry for the sucky last chapter. Review with your reaction to the whole story, and remember that I might be editing this chapter and reposting it. I just had to get this out… :)! Thanks for reading, and reviewing, guys! Millions of invisible mockingjays are being sent to serenade you… Highflyer101