Edward makes the decision to leave Katnis after he almost lost control of himself.
Katnis is hurt, heart broken even, by his departure but she understands why he left. He wanted to protect her from himself.
One month after The Cullen's leave Forks...
The movie was over and everyone was quickly exiting the theater. Mike quickly rushed to the mens room to throw up.
"Wow. You might want to go with someone with stronger stomach, Katnis," Jacob said. "A man who laughs at gore when weaker men vomit."
Katnis looked at him. "You mean someone like you?"
He nods. "Yeah. Someone like me."
"I'll keep an eye out." She said.
"Hey, Katnis?" Damon said.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you for inviting me out with you guys." He said.
Katnia smiled at him. "You're welcome." She said as they walked toward the stiarcase to wait for Mike.
"It really meant a lot to me," he said and reached for her hand but ahe pulled away. "In sorry. I shouldnt have did that." He said.
Katnis took a big breath. "No, you can, but - it means something different to me than it does to you." She said as they sat on the stairs.
"What if it does?" He asked. "Tell me something."
Katnis grimaced. She didn't want to do this. Not just not now, but not ever. But he seemed determined to ruin everything.
"What?" She muttered sourly.
"You like me, right?"
"You know I do." Katnis said.
"But that's all," he said, and it wasn't a question.
It was hard to answer, to say the word. Would he get hurt and avoid her? How would she stand that? Other than Jacob and her family, Peeta was all that was left in her life that was important.
Katnis shook her head. "Peeta, please...don't. Don't do this, not now."
"Why?"
"Because you're my friend, my best friend, and I need you," she turned her head to look at him. "And you're about to ruin everything."
"It's still the other one, isn't it?"
She sighed. Funny how he seemed to know not to say the name-just like before in the car with the music.
He picked up on so much about her that she never said.
"You don't have to talk about it," he told her.
She nodded, grateful.
"But don't get mad at me for hanging around, okay?" Peeta patted the back of her hand. "Because I'll wait. I've got loads of time. I won't give up so easily." He said.
Katnis sighed. "I know, and I dont want you to, but mainly because I don't want to go anywhere." She said as she hugged his arm and lowered her head to his shoulder.
"Katnis...I would never, ever, hurt you. I won't ever hurt you. You can count on me, I promise," He kissed her hair. "I'll never let you down."
This time when he reached for her hand, she didnt pull away. She just locked her fingers with his.
"Maybe, when you're ready, we can go see a movie together, just the two of us." He said.
"Don't hold your breath. I just don't want you to get your hopes up high about something that may never happen."
He gently squeezed her hand.
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Suddenly, they hear Bella yelling at Jake
"What are you doing?"
"Feeling sick? Maybe you need to go to the hospital. Do you want me to put you in the hospital?" Jake snapped at Mike.
Bella grabs his arm to stop him. "Jake the movie's over. What - Jake, you're really hot."
"I feel fine," he shrugged. "Fit as a fiddle."
Bella frowned and touched his head again. His skin blazed under her fingers.
"Your hands are like ice," he complained.
"Maybe it's me," she allowed.
***
After dropping Peeta off at home, Jacob took the girls home.
"I would invite myself in, since we're early," he said as they pulled up next to Bella's truck. "But I think you might be right about the fever. I'm starting to feel a little... strange."
"Oh no, not you, too! Do you want me to drive you home?" Katnis questioned before Bella could.
"No." He shook his head, his eyebrows pulling together. "I don't feel sick yet. Just... wrong. If I have to, I'll pull over."
"Will you call me as soon as you get in?" Both Bella and Katnis asked anxiously.
"Sure, sure." He frowned, staring ahead into the darkness and biting his lip.
Bella opened her door to get out, after Katnis but he grabbed her wrist lightly and held her there. She noticed again how hot his skin felt on hers.
"What is it, Jake?" She asked.
"There's something I want to tell you, Bella... but I think it's going to sound kind of corny."
"Go ahead."
"It's just that - I wanted you to know that I'm always here. I won't ever let you down-I promise that you can always count on me," he said. "Wow, that does sound corny. But you know that, right? That I would never, ever hurt you?"
"Yeah, Jake. I know that. And I already do count on you, probably more than you know."
He smiled.
Bella, without thinking, leans over and kissed his lips quickly, her cheeks turning red in the process, before pulling away.
"Promise to call me when you make it home?"
He smiled widely. "Promise."
She climbed out of the car ans waved to him before he pulled off. She watched him go, and he seemed to be in control of the car, at least.
"Is that the first kiss?" Katnis asked from behind her with her arms crossed.
Bella tired to her with red cheeks. "Yeah."
"It was quick but how was it?"
"Nice. His lips are soft." She said.
Katnis chuckled and moved to wrap her arm around her shoulder. "Well, I'm happy for you. I wish the two of you a long and prosperous life."
Bella laughed. "We're dating, not getting married, Katnis."
