Chapter Three

My family left for camping the next day. I loved camping and I loved it even more this week. I really just wanted to get away to my favorite place. The curve in the Kananaskis River always gave me peace and calm. Right now I could use a bit of that comfort.

It was more or less a great week. We texted and it was all good and friendly. Even a hint of flirting. The only down side to the week was that Cato and his family had joined the group of families that went on this trip every year. And he spent the whole week planting doubts in my head.

"He's this flirty with everyone."

"I doubt this will last. Soon you'll come back to me."

At least I knew one thing for sure. I would never go back to him.

…::::…

We remained best friends, always with that underlying hint of more.

It was in January when everything changed. While at his house on Sunday afternoon when he looked at me and said, "I'm ready Katniss. I'd like the ask you a question."

"Before you do. Peeta, you need to ask my dad."

"I'll ask him next Sunday then." He said with a sigh.

"He won't be here. He leaves tomorrow morning for a two week trip to the Dominican."

"I'll call him tonight." Peeta said earnestly.

"Alright." I said with a smile and then made my way towards the door. "I have to go."

I put on my shoes and grabbed my bag. Ready to head out to babysit like I did every Sunday. I turned back to Peeta who wrapped his arms around me.

"Come by on your way home?" He whispered in my ear and with one last squeeze released me.

"I will."

…::::…

I was extremely giddy when I pulled up to Peeta's house that night.

My sister Prime had already called me to gush about the call she'd overheard. Her piercing giggle forced me to pull the phone far away from my ear.

I walked in the door to find Peeta waiting for me with a smile.

"How was your night?"

"Oh you know, the usual." I shrugged. "I can't stay long. It's almost my curfew."

"Katniss. I need to ask you a very important question." He pauses dramatically. "What is your favorite color?"

I laughed quietly, hoping not to wake his mother. "You're an idiot."

"Yeah. Would you date this idiot?" He smirks and gathers me into his arms.

"Yes." I nod my affirmation and settle myself into his arms.

"I'll see you tomorrow." He says quietly and I make my way out the door.

…::::…

I took him as my date to graduation. The summer flew by and soon we were going off to college three hours south of our hometown.

Two years later Peeta was preparing for an overseas internship in Jamaica and I was staying back at school. We had talked about marriage a bit but I had firmly told him I would not marry him until after we had graduated, no matter when he asked.

It was the day before Valentine's Day, a holiday I could barely tolerate and which I forbid Peeta from proposing on. I told him he'd better not propose then because I would say no on principal. However being a bit of a smart ass Peeta planned a big romantic gesture on the 13th. It started out when his friend and roommate Finnick found me in the residence basement and handed me a sticky note with my first clue. Actually on the sticky note was a reason he loves me. He told me to follow them. So I did, being a bit cranky I ran back to Finnick to give him a piece of my mind when I found reason three instead of reason two. He laughed and told me to calm down. I passed right by it according to Finnick. So I stomped back down the hall to find reason number two and then continue on my scavenger hunt.

Reason number nine is stuck on a closed door. I open the door and find Peeta standing in the center of the room holding roses. With a bit of snark I say, "This had better not take long, I was in the middle of something."

He chuckles and says, "For one night could you just let me be romantic?"

I roll my eyes but walk up and give him a kiss.

"I got you something." He says and steps back to reach into his bag on the floor. He pulls out a small package and hands it to me. "Open it." He smiles.

I open it to find a vintage copy of the Paper Bag Princess, my favorite book growing up.

"Oh Peeta." I move the book to look at him only to find him kneeling on the floor in front of me.

"Katniss. I love you more than anything else in the world. My world is a thousand times better with you in it. I know it's still two years till graduation but I couldn't wait another day to ask you this question. Katniss, will you marry me?"

I nod and smile and force out the word yes past the happiness and laughter. He wraps his arms around me and lifts me off my feet.

…::::…

He left for Jamaica at the beginning of May and I cried the whole three-hour drive from the airport back to the residence. Eight more months and he'd be back. I worked the summer away and missed Peeta the whole time. The difference in our schedules made it nearly impossible to talk to each other except for the occasional messages over Facebook. It was a hard summer. That is until the end of July when Peeta's father along with my parents surprised me saying that they were going to pay to send me to Jamaica for a week to visit Peeta.

So at the end of August that is where I was headed. I got on the plane and was so excited I could barely contain myself.

The week I spent in Jamaica was a blast. Seeing Peeta after I got off the plane was such a happy moment. We spent most of it doing stuff around Kingston but we took a bus trip to Ocho Rios for one night. We spent the two days at the beach and perusing the markets. I hated the day I had to leave. Getting on that plane knowing I wouldn't see him again till Christmas was a horrible feeling, but at least I knew that this torture was nearly over.

…::::…

When exams were over and I was done yet another semester of university. I drove home for break so excited; Peeta would be home in two days.

Those two days seemed like the longest I'd ever been through. And waiting in the airport for him to come through the arrivals doors felt like forever. But eventually he did come through and with a smile on his face he came straight for me and gave me a hug.

We went on from there to begin planning our wedding as well as finishing the last year and a half of university. At the beginning of May we walked across the stages and received our diplomas.

…::::…

The rest of the summer was spent attending what felt like a million weddings, all of these couples ironically started dating after Peeta and I were engaged. I guess that two and a half year window of time was really productive in our friends love lives.

Finally September came around and it was our turn.

I woke up that day feeling unbelievable nervous, Annie who was one of my bridesmaids had to force me to eat breakfast. The day practically flew by. Everything was beautiful and as I walked down the aisle towards a waiting Peeta I felt completely happy.

Prim cried as we read our vows and the fall leaves fluttered around us. Everything was right. He said I do and I did too. And that was the beginning of the rest of our lives.

A/N: Thanks everyone for reading this little blurb of mine. I'll be starting a new story soon as well as getting a new chapter up for Invisible To The Touch soon.