Ch. 25

Don't hate me for this chapter! But I had nothing else to do unless you want Katniss in a fatal car accident… didn't think so. And the wedding will be a little later, so again, don't hate me. Oh and we revisit Peeta! Yay! Ok, and I know he isn't where he is suppose to be in the chapter.. But bare with me! Thanks for all the reviews lovelies! Oh.. and sorry for the shortness!

Mandy

"I want ice cream," I groaned and put my head back on the couch. Cato chuckled and turned the TV volume down.

"I don't have ice cream," he reminds me. I groan again and start rubbing my temples due to the headache I was receiving.

"If I don't get ice cream I might just explode," I whine. Cato just laughs again. It's been two weeks since we've been engaged, two weeks since I graduated, two weeks since we did anything. I was going mad.

"Calm down babe." Cato teases. I glare at him and he sinks down in his seat. I shoot up out of my seat and grab my favorite leather jacket, and I grab Cato's car keys. "Uh, where do you think you're going?" Cato asked.

"To get some flipping ice cream." I give him what-does-it-look-like tone. Cato stands up and crosses his arms.

"With my truck? I don't think so." he says.

"Shut it." I growl. "I'm your fiancé. I'm just going out to ice cream." I tell him. He grabs a jacket and is about to follow me out the door before I put my hand to his chest.

"I'll be back in 15 minutes." I tell him. I walk out of the door and shove the key in the ignition, and drive away.

Ok, so you may be wondering why I was so cold to him. Well, ever since we got engaged, I felt claustrophobic. I never had any me time. And being a girl, I need me time. Everywhere I go, he's been following me like a lost puppy. At first it was sweet and cute, now it's just annoying. I need to get away for a little while. I need to breathe.

My phone pinged in my lap. I stopped at the stop sign and picked it up. It was Madge.

Holy crap! I feel smothered… need some girl time. Let's go get wasted tonight.

I laughed at the message and typed back quickly.

For sure. Pick me up at 7.

Someone honked behind me and I jumped. I flipped them the bird out the window and drove to the ice cream shop. Also know, as Coldstones. I locked the truck and walked inside. Working the counter was someone I definitely missed.

"Peeta!" I squealed. His head shot up and he smiled at me .I ran aroung the counter and gave him a big hug.

"Hey Katniss." he smiled and pulled away. I walked over to the ice cream case. "Vanilla please." I said, and he smiled and scooped some into a cup.

"So where's your fiancé?" Peeta asked. I rolled my eyes.

"Back at home. He's been following me like a lost puppy!" I complain. Peeta just laughs and hands me my cup of ice cream. "How much?" I asked, pulling out my wallet form my back pocket.

"On the house," he smiled.

"Peeta I cant." he put his hands up.

"Nope." he smiled and I rolled my eyes.

"So how are you and Delly?" I asked. He shrugged his shoulders, and his eyes became cold. "What happened?"

"She thought it was better if we went our separate ways since we both would be going to college soon."

"Well that's a load of crap. School doesn't start until the fall." Peeta shrugs. "I'm sorry Peeta." he smiled.

"It's ok. I just wish she would have given me a real reason." I nod my head, and checked my phone.

"Well Peeta," I stand up. "I'd love to stay and chat, but Cato might go crazy if I'm not back soon. See you later." I smiled. "Oh and Peeta!" I called out.

"Yea Katniss?"

"You're a baker boy. Get back to the bakery." I pushed out of the door and Peeta's thundering laugh carried out. I got in the car and started half driving- half eating my ice cream. Ok, so maybe I can see why Cato didn't trust me with his truck. Screw it, I wanted ice cream.

I pulled into the driveway with my ice cream. I strutted into the living room, and threw the keys down on the coffee table. Cato was still sitting in the same spot watching the muted TV.

"Um… hello?" I asked. Cato gave me a measly glance. "Ok," I said sitting down and eating my ice cream. After two minutes if awkward silence, he broke it.

"What's your problem?" he said harshly.

"What?" I said with a mouthful of ice cream. I quickly swallowed. "What are you talking about?" "You've been avoiding me. You changed." he said.

"No I haven't." I lied. "I don't know where you got that load of crap from."

"Don't lie to me Katniss. I've seen it. You push me away, we barely talk, this house is always silent, and we don't even sleep in the same bed anymore! You always 'fall asleep' on the couch!" he bursts, and I wince. "I don't know what happened since graduation, but it's got to stop!"

"I don't know what you want me to stop Cato!" I yell back, standing up.

"I want you to stop ignoring me!" he says.

"I'm not though! It's not my fault I fall asleep on the couch! And I don't understand what you mean that I'm ignoring you because I'm not!"

"Katniss I just want to feel like you love me again! You haven't been the same since Prim died. Or since you cut yourself! You need to get over it!" he yelled. I instantly saw regret in his eyes as he said it. Tears start to well up in my eyes, and I decide I've had enough. He knows that I'm sensitive to death, especially after everyone I've lost in these past months. Now it feels as if I've lost him too.

"Katniss wait. I didn't mean that I-" I put my hand up, and try not to cry.

"Save it." I whisper.

"Katniss I didn't mean it!" I rolled my eyes, and stormed into our room. I grab my duffel bag, and start shoving random clothes into it. "What are you doing?" he asked, suddenly appearing next to me. I wipe away the tears that are streaming down my face.

"I need to get away," I tell him simply. I walk into the bathroom and grab my things. Catp grabs my wrist and spins me around.

"Katniss I didn't mean it. I'm so sorry, please don't leave. Please," I shake my head and rip my wrist from his grasp.

"I cant believe you said that," I whispered. "You knew that would hurt me. You knew it!" I yelled.

"Katniss I didn't mean to! It slipped out! Please don't leave." I shook my head, and continued packing.

"I cant- I cant be here right now." I zipped up my duffel bag.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Anywhere but here." I told him.

"Katniss wait." he grabbed my wrist again. My bad one. I yelped and pulled it back. "Dammit I cant do anything right!" he sat down on the bed. "You deserve better then me. I deserve to be left."

"Don't you dare guilt me into staying." I whispered. I started crying again.

"I'm not trying anything. I just don't want you to leave." he whispers. "Please don't leave." I took a deep breath. I sat down next to him.

"Look, Cato. I'm going out with Madge tonight, and I'll be staying the night. I just need a night away. I'll be back tomorrow morning. That way, we will have calmed down, and we can talk like normal people." he looked up at me, his eyes were already red. "I'm not leaving you." I told him. "I'm just going out for a night. Ok?" I asked. He nodded his head.

"Ok," he whispered. I caressed his cheek for a moment, before I got up and grabbed my duffel bag and walked towards the door. Cato followed me, then sat down in the living room. "See you tomorrow," he said. I gave him a weak smile, then I walked out the door. I walked down the driveway, then realized I had no ride. I texted Madge to come pick me.

Got in a fight… can you pick me up early?

Instantly she replied.

Aw! Course babe.. Be there in 5.

I slipped my phone in my pocket, and thought about everything that just happened. I felt bad for leaving and throwing a tantrum, but Cato's words rubbed me the wrong way. He brought up both touchy subjects for me in a matter of seconds.

I should go back and apologize…

But then Madge's car horn frightened me and I jumped up, and smiled at Madge. I climbed into the passenger seat, and looked back at the house. Cato was standing by the window looking out. He gave me a weak smile, and I returned one.

One night…