sorry for the late update. got stuck with school works :) please continue supporting this story. thank you!
-Chapter XII-
Katniss and Peeta stayed a little longer talking about their respective lives. Katniss can't believe how comfortable she feels with Peeta, even though this is the first time they spend their time together, officially that is.
They spent the next hour talking and laughing with each other that they didn't even seem to bother noticing how close they are with each other and how they let their hands holding the other also not bothering to let go. When Katniss noticed that it's slowly getting dark, she decided to call it a day.
"How about I drop you off?" Peeta asked as they make their way outside, hand in hand. He can't help but feel flushed by how soft Katniss' hand felt in his.
Katniss turn to look at Peeta who's smiling at her charmingly that also made her flushed, "I have a car."
"Oh- uh, okay." Peeta ruffled his hair with his other hand, "I'll walk you to your car then."
As they slowly approach Katniss' car, she can't help but glance at their hands. It made her smile to see and feel Peeta's hand in her. She can feel her face getting hot, she reach her chest as her she felt her heart beat accelerate.
"Katniss,"
She look up and see Peeta standing in front of her with a worried look, they're already in front of her car, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." She said and smiled at Peeta, "Just tired, I think."
"Sure you don't want me to take you home?"
Katniss just smiled again at him and shook her head. She reach for her keys in her pocket and unlock her car, before turning to Peeta who's still not letting go of her hand, "I, uh,- I had a great time."
She can't help but smile as the sight of a blushing Peeta is in front of her, "Oh my God, are you actually blushing?" she raised an eyebrow at him, teasing him.
Peeta gare at her, "Wha- No." he said and cleared his throat, "I'm just too hot."
Katniss let out a small laugh, "You already said that."
Peeta joined Katniss at her laughter, "Well, it's true."
Katniss stopped to smile and look at Peeta whose face is still flushed, "Proud, are we?"
"Yes," he responded with an equally attractive smile at Katniss, "Now, get on your car before I change my mind of you not letting me take you home."
"What about you?"
"I still have to do something." Peeta assisted her as she gets on her car, but before she close the door, he slightly squeezed her hand.
"I'd like to see you again Katniss."
Katniss grins at Peeta, "Of course." She gently tug his hand making him bow, as she gives him a kiss on his cheek.
Peeta felt instantly hot as her soft lips touches his skin. It made the hair of his body stand up, as he felt a spark rushed though him.
Katniss grins at Peeta as he turn to look at her, clearly surprised. She's also surprised by how bold she is with him, but she can't help to bring herself neglect about her feelings towards him, "Bye Peeta."
Peeta just nod and move as Katniss close the door and drove. He can't still believe just how things are going well with him and Katniss. Slowly, he felt his heart beat hasten. He reach for his cheat and grip his shirt as he smiles to himself. This is the first time he felt this breathless because of a woman.
He made his way to his motorcycle, which he parked at the other side and drove. He needs to go somewhere. A place that he wants peace. He needs to go to him.
As Katniss arrived at her apartment, she realized she's too tired to do anything or rather, because of a blissful feeling, she can't seem to manage to do anything. She let her body fall onto the couch, about to close her eyes when her phone ringed.
Annoyed, she reached for her bag and took out her phone, "What?!"
"Whoa there!" said Johanna on the other line, "Cranky, are we?"
Katniss sigh, "What do you want Jo?"
"Details!"
Katniss immediately sat down by the sound of Gale's voice, "Details of what Gale?"
"Come on Katniss! You're date."
Katniss reached to rub her forehead, "Jo! You told Gale."
"Well," said Johanna, "I told everybody."
"Hey Kat!" said Madge and Cinna.
Katniss instantly felt exasperated, "Hey Guys! Jo, you're such an ass."
"So, what happened?" asked Cinna, "Or, hold your thought."
"Why?" Katniss asked raising an eyebrow.
"Wait for us!" Madge said.
"What?! Guys!" Katniss squeal at her phone but the connection was already dead, "Oh, great!" she sighs and lean back to her couch.
Peeta is sitting on the grass, looking at the tomb in front of him. He can't explain why is it that whenever he feels restless, it immediately vanish when he goes to Cato's grave. For the past two years, this has been his routine.
"Sorry man." He said, "I don't actually know what to say, since this time it's about someone who's really important to you."
Peeta sighs as he continues to stare at the tombstone. Right now, he's puzzled. He don't know what to do. He knows that what he's feeling towards Katniss is really strong, so strong that he can't afford to oversight it.
"I can't help it," he started, "Whenever I see her or even just think about her, my heart just keeps beating faster and faster like it's about to go out my chest."
He reach for his chest, "Which is more unsettling, I never felt this kind of feeling towards anyone, until now. So, I wonder if it's me or you. But I know, in my mind that I really like Katniss."
Peeta reached to ruffle his hair, "It might be even more than like." He turn to look at the sky, "I guess… I love her."
He return his look at the tombstone directly to the name of Cato, "Please help me."
Katniss is laying on her couch when a ceaseless knock interrupted her peaceful mind. She stomp her way to open the door and got more annoyed to see her friend's grinning faces at her.
They made their way inside all staring at Katniss, she sighs, "Good things just keeps on coming don't they?!"
"Don't be snarky," Johanna said with a huge grin on her face, "Now spill!"
Katniss, surrendering to her friends make her way to sit between Cinna and Madge, "Okay, what do you want to know?"
"Who is he?" Gale asked.
"Where'd he take you?" Madge asked.
"What's he like?" Cinna asked.
"How'd it go?" Johanna asked.
"Okay," Katniss first looked at Gale, "Who's he? His name is Peeta, he's the one who received Cato's heart."
Then turn to Madge, "He took me at a coffee shop, it's a really nice place."
Then to Cinna, "What's he like? He's charming and sweet and a gentleman."
"And," she turn to raise an eyebrow at Johanna, "How'd it go? Pretty good, actually."
"So are you going to see him again?" Madge asking her friend.
"Of course she is! You are right?" said Johanna.
"Yes but, I don't know when."
"How about you take him lunch with us, so we can meet him?" Cinna suggested.
"That's a great idea, let's see how hot really he really is!" Johanna chuckled.
"Hey! I'm right here!" Gale nudge Johanna who just rolled her eyes at him.
Katniss let out a small laugh, "We'll see. I think he's a busy guy."
"Are you sure about this Catnip?" Gale asked. All of them looked at him. Gale is quite serious and Katniss don't like it one bit when Gale turns serious.
"Sure about what?"
"You, dating this guy. Considering that he has your husband's heart."
"What about it?" Johanna asked, "Peeta and Cato is two different person."
"I'm not actually saying that they're the same. It's just that, what if at some point, what this man feels for Katniss is not really his."
"Are you kidding?" Johanna slightly raising her voice at Gale, "There's no way what you're saying is possible."
Katniss, Cinna, and Madge just continue to look on the two. Katniss can't help but wonder about what Gale's saying.
"Why are you getting mad?" Gale asked Johanna.
"Because, you're ruining this. Katniss deserves to be happy!"
Gale stopped and look at Katniss who's continuing to look at them eagerly. And then turn again to Johanna who's clearly mad at him. He again turn to Katniss, "Catnip, I'm sorry. I'm just being illogical, I guess."
"Damn right, you are!" said Johnna.
"I said I'm sorry." Gale tried to reach and hug Johanna, but she just shove him off.
"Okay! Break it up!" Cinna and Madge are now heading for them trying to calm Johanna. She now ranting about some other girl that Gale's been flirting with.
Katniss is now at a deep thought. Is it really possible? Could Peeta and Cato become the same man?