-Chapter XIII -

"Hey!"

Katniss shook her head and look up to see Johanna peeking at her cubicle with a questioning look, "Did I miss something?"

"Only 30 minutes of my life, you're not even listening to me." Johanna said.

Katniss sighs and reach to rub her forehead, "Sorry. I guess I'm still sleepy."

Johanna move out from her cubicle and sat at Katniss' table, "What are you on about?"

Katniss let out a harsh breath and lean back at her chair, "Nothing."

"Is it about Peeta?" asked Johanna.

Katniss look at Johanna and raise an eyebrow at her, "Why do you assume that it's about Peeta?"

Her friend scoffed at her, "I don't assume. So, what about him?"

Katniss shook her head, "I don't know. I can't shake the thought of what Gale said last night."

Johanna grunt, "You shouldn't be listening to that idiot. That lying son of a bitch!"

"Hey! Don't call my aunt that!" Katniss said smacking Johanna's leg softly.

Her friend sighs, "Sorry. I'm really angry at that bastard! That sneaky bastard!"

Katniss looked at her friend with concern, the only time she saw Johanna this angry is when she got dumped by her last boyfriend, "What happened?"

"What happened is that your cousin is a complete ass! Did he really think that he can fool me?! I'm not stupid! Do I look like a simpleton?!"

Katniss let out a small laugh, "Look… Yes but no. What did he do exactly?"

Johanna steadied herself and move slightly closer to Katniss, "Okay get this, yesterday we were supposed to eat dinner together. I got off work a little early and decided to surprise him so, I decided to go to the university. And when I got there I saw that jerk all over at some other bitch."

"Then what?" Katniss asked. She's not entirely sure if she wants to meddle with Johanna's relationships, the only time she tried to butt in with Johanna's business is when her friend is literally at her knees crying her eyes out because of a jerk who totally screwed her up. Even though Gale is her cousin, she can admit that Gale can be a real ass.

"What'd you think I did?" her friend said smirking at her.

Katniss gape at Johanna, "Oh God. Please don't tell me you made a scene?"

"Hell no! I'm too classy for that skank."

Katniss rolled her eyes at her friend, "So what did you do?"

"Well, even though my ears are flaring up and my urge to break their faces really sinking through my skin I'll gladly let you know that I successfully kept my cool."

"Good for you. And then what?"

"I casually walk to them, and then really surprised Gale. So I guess my intention for going there is clearly met. He started to explain some nonsense and I told him to shove his pathetic explanation right up his ass."

Katniss laughed, "Huh. You're together when you went to my apartment."

Johanna reached to scratch her forehead, "Yeah. I came to Cinna and Madge after and he followed me. Then, I actually forgot about it when Madge asked where you are."

"Glad to know that I'm of some help with you forgetting and remembering."

Johanna sighs, "Anyway, your jerk of a cousin is never getting close of this fortress again. And back to what we are actually supposed to talk about. You should not think about what that ass said last night. It's completely implausible."

"Is it? Even if it's implausible, you've got to admit it's possible."

"Yeah. In soap operas." Johanna scoffed.

Katniss exhaled harshly, "So what you're saying is I have nothing to worry about?"

"Yes and don't let anyone get into your head. You're the only one who knows yourself best and what or who can make you happy." Said Johanna who's pointing on her with every word she says.

"Is this right though? Me getting involve with someone again?"

"Do you want to get involve with Peeta?"

Katniss nod, "I do."

"And would that make you happy?"

She shrug at her friend, "I- I guess so."

"Then it might be right." Said Johanna who keep her arms crossed in front of her chest.

"I hope it is right. Because I would do feel guilty that I might compare Peeta and Cato."

Katniss sees Johanna looking at her seriously. "Hmm."

"What?" she asked her friend.

Johanna lean close again to Katniss, "I just realized that you stopped referring to Cato as 'your husband'."

"So?" Katniss said raising an eyebrow at her friend.

Johanna shook her head and smirked, "Nothing. I think you're off to a good start. Invite him for lunch so we can meet him."

"I don't know, he may be busy."

"Try. Anyway," Johanna stood up and fix herself before getting out at Katniss' cubicle, "I'll see you at the meeting. I have to go deliver something."

When her friend is already out of sight, Katniss picked up her phone and decided to call Peeta. With only one ring, Peeta is on the other line.

"Hey! What's up?"

Katniss' heart started to beat faster with just the sound of Peeta's voice. She can't help but smile, it is still lively as ever, "Well, my friends are wondering if you'd want to go eat lunch with us."

"Yes sure! I'd love to."

"Great, I'll just text you the time and place then."

"Great!"

"I'll see you later."

"Okay! I can't wait to see you Katniss!"

Peeta is full of excitement he's going to see Katniss later. He's been meaning to call her and invite her for dinner but he's quite nervous. He can't bring himself to stop thinking about her.

His thoughts were interrupted when he heard the door open. He immediately fix himself before greeting the customer. He works at their family bakeshop. It has been their family business for as long as he can remember.

Peeta works with his father and two older brothers. But today, he's in charge of the store. Mr. Everlark have been busy arranging the settlement with his divorce. Peeta and his brothers were never fond of their mother. They rarely see her that's why he can never bring himself to feel sorry for his mother when she came to his father one night begging to take her back. As his brother would put it, she was never a mother to them.

Peeta is quite happy with how the way things are turning out with his life. Ever since the day he received as heart from a donor that gave him a second chance of life, he tried his best not wasting another second. And it became more meaningful now when he finally met what could be the most wonderful woman he have ever laid eyes on.

Katniss is as perfect as he had pictured her. Peeta has always felt the anticipation of meeting her from the first time his father told him about her. Although, it was a one-time meeting, his father talks about Katniss enthusiastically. From that instant, it is not only gratitude, he felt that he need not only to thank her for saving his life but he felt like it would be his responsibility to make her happy.

And now that that chance is already handed to him, he won't waste any of it. All he is waiting for now is for Katniss to officially let him in.