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...
"So, is it true?" Bella asked Katnis with a wide smile.
"Is what true?" She asked her sister as she walked to her locker.
"Did Damon, Peeta, really ask you out and you said yes?"
Katnis shook her head. "Damn. Everything around here spreads like wild fire, doesn't it?"
"Yes or no?" Bella asked excitingly.
Katnis sighed. "Yes. He asked me about five weeks ago, when you, Jake and I all went to the movies," she said. "I'd told him not to hold his breath or get his hopes up high about something that may never happen."
"When did he ask you again?"
"Three weeks ago. I was going to say no but something told me to say yes, so I did." Katnis said. "This will be our fifth time going out together, with it being just the two of us, in the last three weeks."
Bella nearly screamed. "Ohmigod! I'm so happy for you."
She smiled. "Thanks but we're just hanging out "
"You really like him, don't you?" Bella asked, ignoring what she said.
Katnis sighed but nodded.
"Yes, I do. A lot. These past couple of weeks with him have been amazing," she said with a smile. "I never thought I would be able to like someone, even a little bit, after everything that happened with Cullen."
Bella nodded before pulling her sister into an embrace. "I'm so happy for you. I'm so glad you're moving on."
Katnis forced a smile and returned the hug. "So am I."
Katnis honestly didn't know how true her words were. Did she still want Cullen?
No.
Did she still love Cullen?
Of course she did.
She would always love him. He was the first guy she's ever loved and has ever been in love with. That didn't just disappear the way he and his family did.
"So, when is the date and where are you going?" Bella questioned.
"This weekend and we're going to see a movie then to dinner." Katnis said.
"Do you know what you're going to wear?" Bella asked.
Katnis shook her head and chuckled. "I'm not getting all dressed up, Bella just to go see a movie."
"Why not? It's a date, right?"
"Yes, but that doesn't mean I need to get all dressed up in a dress or anything." Katnis said.
Bella smiled. "True but that doesn't mean you can't make yourself even more beautiful for him." She said.
Katnis rolled her eyes. "Peeta will be fine if I wear my regular clothes," Katnis said softly. "Besides, I don't want to pretend to be someone or look like someone I am not."
*****
~~~~~~~Katnis stood in front of her full body mirror staring at herself in the dress Bella convinced her to wear. Saturday had come quicker than she expected.
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