So my last update was not technically a "day later" in the story, but I couldn't leave Peeta with the blonde girl and not tell you what went down. And I'm not into Peeta being with Glimmer-type girls, so here we will catch up to the correct number of days. Sorry for any confusion!

December 20th

After leaving the bar and driving home more slowly than he normally would, due to the small amount of liquor left flowing through his veins, Peeta had held a very long phone conversation with Jo, in which she had told him to lay low for a day or two, until Katniss had put some distance between herself and what happened that day.

He had shared with her his misconceptions and slight jealousy regarding Katniss' 'friend', who he now knew was named Gale, and she had told him to pull his $%&# together before coming back for round two. Jo was less sure how Katniss would react to him now that he had seemingly rejected her. Peeta tried to explain and beg, but Jo told him it was useless because she wasn't Katniss.

"I'd forgive your hot #^$, but I'm not her. I actually feel sorry for you, Peet. You thought it was hard in the beginning. Well, lover boy, you're in for a huuuuuge climb outta that hell hole." The way Jo accentuated the word 'huge' left Peeta feeling utterly hopeless. If he was ever lucky enough to earn Katniss' forgiveness, it would be nothing short of a miracle if it were before his parent's Christmas party.

"What should I do?" he asked her desperately.

"Well, Kat's not one for big, romantic gestures, and I'm not one for anything other than one-nighter's, so I'm kind of at a loss for what to tell ya, Blondie." Peeta was becoming good at ignoring the little nicknames Jo had come up with for him. He barely heard them anymore. It seemed so trivial a thing to fixate on, now that he was having to lie in the rumpled bed he had made.

"Maybe I should just tell her the truth. From what I felt when I first saw her, to seeing Gale, to why I acted like a jerk-"

" $$," Jo corrected Peeta quickly.

"Fine," Peeta sighed.

"You know, that might not be a bad idea," Jo agreed with Peeta's half-thought out plan.

"Really?" Peeta drawled out, convinced she was mocking him.

"No, really," Jo began to sound more sure of this idea, which in turn gave Peeta a glimmer of promise. "Kat doesn't do sappy and charming, but what she does like is the truth," Jo stopped to revise her words. "Well, okay, she doesn't really like the truth, but... still it's a better plan than groveling, which she would despise."

"Oh!" she blurted loudly, as though she had the most important piece of advice, causing Peeta to remove the phone from his ear. "And whatever you do, don't cause a scene. She'll drop you like you're hotter than wasabi in a toaster oven."

Peeta wrinkled his nose at Jo's analogy, not really understanding it at all. He shook his head to clear the thought of trying to figure it out. "You really think it's a good idea?" he questioned.

"Well, I've heard of worse. But right now I think it's the only idea." Jo's words weren't the music to his ears that he wanted, but he agreed he would have to give this a try. He found himself becoming anxious, especially when he thought about Katniss' dark-haired, incredibly annoying and good-looking friend. Would he try again?

"Will you share her number with me?"

"Well, that'll get me fired from friendship for sure. Kat doesn't like me giving out her number to random guys." Peeta wondered at her statement just how many times that had happened for there to be an expression of displeasure on Katniss' part.

"I'm not a random guy, Jo. We've met frequently this week. Katniss knows who I am and you said yourself that she came in to see me," Peeta argued.

"You've got a point, Lover."

"I'm not your lover, Jo. Pick something else," Peeta entreated her sternly.

"Hey, if this thing with Katniss doesn't work out, I'd take you in." Peeta could practically hear the wicked thoughts that ran through her mind. She let out a loud cackle. "I'm just teasin', Blondie. Don't get your serious panties in a bunch or I'll have to come dig'em out of your tight little-"

Peeta left Jo to converse with herself as he hung the phone up with a heavy sigh. Hopefully he had made his point about just how tired he was of her inappropriate comments.

Moments later he received a text from Jo with a shared contact - Katniss's. Following the folder icon was one last comment from Jo -

That will be the only time you hang up on me, douche bag. Next time I will $ &% you up.

Noted, he thought with a grin. Peeta couldn't stop the corner's of his mouth from lifting as high as the skin on his face would allow, as he contemplated what he held in his hand - a direct line to Katniss.

There were only four more days until his parent's party and he still hadn't called or texted her, though he had pretty much given up on taking a date, he still wanted to see Katniss more than one day during the Holidays. He let out a long breath and steeled his nerves as he lit up his phone. It was time to take some action.

Another update! Gosh, and I'm still two days behind! Any thoughts on this one? Oh, and for the anon review asking for a New Year's update, that is extremely flattering. I will consider it, since I do nothing on NYE, ever. Ain't nobody got time to watch a lighted ball fall a few feet extremely slowly and then go dark. It was better when I was little and I thought they dropped it from hundreds of stories and let it crash to the street. Now THAT would be something I might stay awake for. As it is, I'm tired, by like, 9pm and I lay in my bed watching NFL rerun games and snuggling with my hubby's warm, solid bod. Mark my words, the 'Boys will win the 'Bowl this year. And if they don't, please don't rub it in my face. :)

-Yours, truly,

Pbg