I know, I'm a bitch for leaving such a huge cliffhanger in the last chapter. And I'm so very sorry for that. Things just got pretty busy for me lately and truthfully I was about to post the new chapter sooner but turns out I accidentally deleted the file while I was cleaning the laptop the other day and I don't remember much what I wrote so that was pretty much like a middle finger being flipped on your face.

And after watching Catching Fire I'm just an emotional wreck because I am disappointed. The reasons are 1. There is no picnic scene (WTF?) 2. Apparently the guys who were in charge with the film were fans of Gale because most kissing scenes of Katniss and Peeta were cut out, including the beach scene. So I lost the beautiful moments of Everlark and I want to let out all of frustrations out by continuing the story since it fuels my unsatisfied rage.

And thanks to all of that, I've rewritten the chapter into a probably better one compared to the original, so have fun reading guys!

Oh my God. Why the hell the guy who I detest the most is standing in front of me, smirking like a fucking clown? I am too shocked to see him that I fall silent for a moment until he reaches me close enough to touch my wet hair between his fingers.

"What's wrong, Kitty? Too surprised to see your boyfriend?" He asks with a wink.

I finally exhale after holding my breath for a while and harshly swat his hand away and snap at him, "What the hell are you doing here? How did you know I was here? Did you come here to look for me? And you're not my boyfriend anymore." Not after what happened to your dick.

He playfully rubs his hand that I hit and he gives me one of his cocky grins that I hate. "Relax. I'll answer your questions one by one. First, I'm here for a vacation. I deserve a break as well right? Second, I knew you were gone after I found out that your place was empty like a deserted island," he explains but then his tone changes seriously after that. "And third, yes and no. As I said, I came here for holiday but at the same time, I'd like to hunt you down and talk about what you did to me the night when we broke up."

Oh crap. I'm about to run back to Peeta but he catches me on time and grabs my wrist with force which yanks me back to him.

"Whoa, not so fast. No gal of mine escapes from me for the second time," he whispers dangerously as I helplessly try to free myself from him.

"What's going on here?" I hear Peeta's voice coming from behind me and I can't say how glad I am to see him right now.

Distracted by Peeta's presence, Cato's hold on me loosens and that's enough for me to escape. I immediately run to Peeta's side and grab his arm.

"Katniss?" He looks down to me and his face shows me that he's never as confused as he is right now.

"Beat it, buddy. This is private business between me and her," Cato says, pointing to himself then to me.

Peeta turns his attention back towards him and raises his hand towards him. "Whoa, look, pal. I haven't the slightest idea what hell is going on right now. But if you're bothering her, I'd suggest you to leave."

"For your information, pretty boy. I'm her boyfriend," he says proudly.

"What?" Peeta says, aghast.

I quickly pull his arm to grab his attention. "No you're not! By the way, Cato. I do have a boyfriend and it's not you."

He scoffs. "Oh yeah? What guy would go out with you?"

"That's none of your business, asshole."

Suddenly his eyes start to fill with dissatisfaction. "Tell me or else," he threatens.

But Peeta pushes him back so strong that he almost falls down on his ass. "Hey, I thought I said it clear: stop bothering her," he says angrily.

Cato starts to fume and pushes him back to taunt him. "Buzz of, blondie. This has nothing the shit with you. Now run along and play with some dolls."

"Not until you get your ass out of here," Peeta retorts and I'm surprised with his pissed off tone.

"Who the fuck are you anyway? Don't tell me you're her 'boyfriend'?" He jeers with the quotation in his hands.

I take a step between them and glare at Cato furiously. "Actually, Cato. You're right. He is my boyfriend and I'm gonna prove it to you." With that, I turn around and grab Peeta's face to pull his lips towards mine.

My eyes immediately close with the contact of his soft lips against mine. At first his body tenses with my sudden display of action. But not long after that, his muscular arms come to wrap my waist and he pulls me so that I'm against his hot and sweating body. His lips then move against mine perfectly, surprisingly. My fingers slither from his cheek towards the hair behind his neck and I'm surprised with how soft his golden curls are that I accidently let out a gasp. I would love to stay like that and continue kissing him until I'm out of breath but I reluctantly pull away to smile mischievously at Cato.

"So you see now? I think you should really leave before he kicks your ass," I mock him.

His pissed off face is so priceless I wish that I had my phone or camera with me, and then he strides away just like that, leaving nothing but his damaged ego and I smile with satisfaction.

"Well, that was…" Peeta starts to say.

"Amazing?" I continue with a grin.

"Odd, actually. What was that about anyway?"

I sigh. "That was my ex-boyfriend from New York. It looks he came here to bug me."

He starts to frown and suddenly I feel panic rushing into me. "So that kiss just now was… an act?"

The thought and action of using him as a pretend boyfriend just now sounds so terrible and I realize that I've started to want to kiss him since the first time I saw him. So I touch his cheek gently and look at him sternly in the eyes. Grey to blue.

"No, Peeta," I say softly. "A part of it maybe just an act. But most of it is because I really wanted to kiss you."

His face then brightens. "Really? Since when?"

I giggle. "As cliché as how it sounds, but it's since the first time we met."

He chuckles. "Don't worry because I felt the same way, too," he admits. "Did you like it?" He asks, stroking my cheek.

I stare at him with disbelief. "Are you kidding me? That was the best kiss I've ever had."

"I'm glad. That was the best kiss I've had too," he says.

"No way," I gasp. "I appreciate the compliment but there's no way that's true."

"It is," he assures me. "What makes you think that it's not?"

"Well… it's just that you're so…" I stammer, "Attractive. I'm sure you've kissed lots of girls before me." And suddenly I am filled with jealousy and I can't stand with the thought and image of him kissing some other girls.

"Believe it or not, Katniss. I've only kissed two girls in my life."

"Really? And who is she?" I quirk an eyebrow curiously.

"When I was just a boy, I kissed Delly in a dare. And it was just so awkward and I felt guilty for stealing her first kiss. I still do, by the way."

Another question comes into my mind then. "So you've never had a girlfriend before?"

"Never," he confirms.

"Why?"

"I guess I'm just waiting for the right girl and I was about to ask you something." He rubs the back of his neck nervously. "Katniss, will you be my girlfriend? Like real girlfriend, and not just to act in front of your ex-boyfriend."

"Peeta, I-" I start but he cuts me off.

"I know that we just met and all but I like you, Katniss. I really, really do."

"Look, Peeta. I like you too. But…"

"But what?"

I look down towards the sand, unable to look at him. "It's just that the last time I had a boyfriend, it didn't go well. So I'm just afraid that…"

"You don't have to afraid of anything. I promise that I'll look after you," he says.

"I know you will. But can we slow down just a bit and we'll see how things go, okay?"

He can't hide the disappointment in his eyes and I feel really bad. As much as how I want to be his girlfriend, it's just a scary thought to be in a relationship to be separated again. I mean, I know that Peeta's a great guy and all but I think I need some time to reconsider that. I reassuringly put another hand on his other cheek.

"Hey, don't frown on me. C'mon, I still have lots of learning to do, right?" I pull his hand, hoping that the idea of spending time with him would change my mind.

He flashes an encouraging smile and tags along with me. "Alright, race you to the beach."

And so we do.

Well, there you go. They kissed. Honestly, it wasn't an easy decision whether to make them kiss and be a couple or let them have some drama first. It's because of the bet Katniss made with Prim and I was wondering if doing that would make it too fast. So I've decided to make them kiss yet not a couple. Sorry for disappointing, guys. I just think that Katniss still needs more time to accept him as a boyfriend. Anyway, next chapter will be up tomorrow, I promise.

By the way, Happy New Year, guys! I purposely posted the new chapter as a gift and to say how grateful I am since you haven't given up on me. Thank you so much for the supporting reviews/follow/favourites. So as usual, reviews make me smile.