This story is getting close to the end - we've passed the halfway point! I can't wait for you guys to read the next chapters, they're gonna be fun. Who do you think will win the bet, the obvious choice, Peeta or the surprise twist, Katniss? Let me know in your review:)

Katniss POV

When I woke up, my first thought was that I should make the potion today. It can sit for a few days before you use it so waiting for the right time would be fine. I got on my computer and started researching.

I found that you can actually substitute Toe of Frog (buttercups) for diamonds with nearly identical results. Thankfully, the only downside to the substitution would be that it wears off faster, which is perfect for me. I don't need Peeta to stay in love with me... I have plenty of buttercups downstairs, and since that was the last ingredient that I hadn't found yet, I could mix everything together and concoct a delicious love potion.

I ignored the four texts Peeta had sent me saying good morning, electing instead to go downstairs and pour all my ingredients into my cauldron. It made a huge mess, steam and smoke everywhere, tiny pieces of dried flowers and leaves, liquids splashed out of the massive pot. But it would all be worth it when Peeta loses the bet, we part and go our separate ways and move on with our lives.

Peeta is a lot more likable than I thought he would be, and I'm almost regretting the bet. I can still win this, though, and I intend to do so.

"Is that a love potion I smell?" Buttercup jumped up on my desk to peer into my brew.

"What if it is?"

"Didn't he say that's cheating?"

"He doesn't need to know. He'll admit he fell in love, I tell him that I don't feel that way about him, we break up, he moves away and finds a new girl, I stay here and things go back to how they used to be before I got myself into this mess." My voice sounds overly calm to my own ears, and I know how ridiculous I sound. I sigh, sitting down next to Buttercup.

"The problem is, you like him."

"What? No I don't! He's... the worst..." I ramble, trying to remember why I didn't like Peeta. "He has bad breath," a lie, "He's an asshole," another lie, "And he hit on Prim, which is unforgivable." I finish. Buttercup cackles.

"Okay, I was wrong. You're in love with him."

I squeak in indignance, standing up to look at my stupid cat.

"I am not! He's too nice, his hair is dumb and he's an asshole!" I sputter, knowing full well that I'm fighting a losing battle.

Buttercup is still laughing at me, and I scowl at him. I huff, sitting back down on my desk.

"If I admit it, it makes it more real." I tell him quietly when he finally stops laughing.

"Why don't you want it to be real? If it's not real, you go back to your boring, lonesome life. If it is real, you lose a little pride but gain a great guy. You know that he's a good man, you'd have to be an idiot not to see that."

There comes a point in life when you're at an all time low. When your dumb cat starts making more sense than you, you know you've hit that low.

I turn off the flame under my cauldron and go up to my room. It's time to grab the bull by its horns.

xXx

Peeta POV

My music interrupts to play my text chime, and I look up at it on instinct. I shake my head, looking back down at the cake I'm frosting and focus on that. My phone dings again, and I put down the frosting tube to check it. My heart skips a beat when I see it's from Katniss, so I unlock my phone and lean against the counter.

Peeta: good morning:)

Peeta: I don't have a cute nickname for u

Peeta: i'm gonna be working in the bakery today, but Im done around 2

Peeta: lmk if you wanna do something tonight

Katniss: that would be fun

I grin. I've sort of come to terms with the fact that I'll probably be the one to lose this bet. Now, I just want to spend as much time as I can with Katniss before this whole thing is over. I'm not going to tell her that I love her for as long as possible so we continue to spend time together.

Peeta: sweet, any ideas of what to do?

Katniss: nope

Katniss: that's ur job, ur the romantic one

Peeta: ok, i'll surprise you then

I started to get giddy about the idea of surprising Katniss with an amazing date. There's a carnival in the next town, or we could go to a fancy restaurant, or maybe somewhere out in the middle of nowhere... no, she could kill me and nobody would ever find my body...

Katniss: okay, any hints?

Peeta: wear something comfortable

Katniss: k

K?

I put my phone down again and continue working on my cake. If I can get done early enough, I can pick her up and we can drive somewhere nice. I want to take her to a place she'd like that isn't in our hometown, make it a little bit more special. I decide on somewhere outdoors where we can walk around and look at something cool.

As I continue working, my mind wanders through our area to come up with a date idea that will wow Katniss. I've read that if you take a date to a place where they'll get adrenaline, they'll associate it with being with you and attraction or something. It's worth a shot.

By the time I'm done with everything, I take off with a plan.

I start by texting Katniss, telling her I'll be there to pick her up in 45 minutes and to wear walking shoes.

On the drive, I make a couple of calls to set up some reservations, relieved when each place confirms they can fit us in.

I go home, changing into some nice clothes that aren't too dressy. I head out to Katniss's castle, stopping on the way to buy a dozen roses for her, two wine glasses and a bottle of wine. I put all of it into a basket, sticking that in the trunk of my car.

My plan is perfect.

I arrive at her castle, puting the flowers behind my back and going up to her door, which opens.

Katniss is already downstairs, looking adorable in sneakers and a ponytail. I've never seen her this casual, and it's my new favorite thing. She looks nervous and I smile at her.

"You look beautiful." I tell her, and she rolls her eyes.

"I'm wearing shorts and you're in a button down shirt. Let me go change."

"No no no, what you have on is perfect. I love it."

"We don't look like we're going to the same place, I'm gonna go put on long pants. I'll be right back." She tells me, heading back upstairs to her room. I shuffle around the downstairs waiting for her to come back, and I find the necklace I gave her on a table. I frown.

"She loved it."

I jump, dropping the necklace and spinning around in the direction of the voice. Buttercup. I still can't get used to the talking cat.

"What?"

"She loved it. The necklace." He repeats. "She was twirling around in the mirror with it on after she opened it. It was ridiculous."

I smile, rejoicing on the inside. I wasn't sure what one generally buys for one's goth witch girlfriend early in the relationship, and took a chance with the necklace. I'm glad she likes it. I hear footsteps and I turn in the direction of the stairs, moving the roses back behind my back as Katniss comes back down, her hair down and her shorts swapped for black jeans.

"Perfect." I tell her, grinning.

"Thanks." She blushes slightly, and I take her hand as she walks down the last few steps. She stops on the lowest step, looking into my eyes, still holding my hand.

"Can I kiss you?" I ask in a whisper. She nods slightly.

Our lips meet gently, and my thumb rubs absent circles on her hand. Her free hand goes to the back of my head, and I lean in closer to her.

She pulls away first, and I immediately missed the kiss. She clears her throat and gestures at my arm behind my back.

"What do you have there?"

I show her the roses, holding them in front of my face and looking at her over the top. She laughs and rolls her eyes.

"Roses for my lady."

"They're beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you," I say as she takes them. She goes into the kitchen to get a vase, and I follow her, watching as she pulled off the leaves and cut their stems.

"Where are we going?" She asks while she works.

"That's a surprise. It's not too far from here, though. I hope you'll like it."

"I'm sure I will. You said something about walking?"

"Yeah, I just didn't want you to wear those really tall shoes so your feet don't hurt by the end. It's nothing crazy, though."

"Okay, that gives me exactly no information." She put the last rose into the vase and dried her hands off. "Ready to go?"

"After you," I motion towards the door, following her out again. My hand ghosts over the small of her back, wondering if she'd let me touch her.

I open the door for her as well as the car door, walking around the front to get in my side. As I get in, I get nervous all over again.

Katniss likes me, I assure myself. It's just a nice date with little to no pressure.

I pull out of her driveway and we get on the road towards Kentucky.

This chapter is somewhat longer than previous ones, and the rest of the chapters in this story will probably be around this length. What do you think of these new developments? Leave me a review and let me know!