Gummy Bear Kisses

Chapter Six

"Katniss, why?" Gale asks me, pacing back and forth. "Because I'm interested in him-"

"But not me? He's almost a stalker-"

"Almost?"

"Have you been in his bedroom?" No, but I hope he takes me there one day... I bite my bottom lip at the thought. "CATNIP!" I blink a couple of times. "What?"

"You want him to take you to his room?!"

"Uh...I said that aloud?" He sighs and plops himself down beside me. "Why are you so interested in him all of the sudden?"

"It's not all of the sudden...it started when I first moved away." He sighs. "Katniss, you're not interested in him, you're just guilty. You feel as though you owe him for doing what he did, so going out with him will pay for it-"

"No! If you think that you have me twisted," I retort. "Katniss, I know you-"

"Apparently, you don't if you think I'd do that." I cross my arms over my chest and wait for him to reply, which he doesn't. "Well...I guess I don't then. I thought I knew you enough that you'd go out with me."

"I don't like you like that, Gale. You're my best friend, and always will be," I say. Half of what I said is a lie. If Peeta and I get married, he'll be my best friend. I want him to be my best friend, but I don't want Gale to think I'd be replacing him. He looks at me. "Katniss, I just want you to be happy-"

"I am, Gale. Peeta's amazing, and considerate-"

"And I'm not?"

"You are, but I don't see you as a partner, Gale. You're more of the friend that I can run to for advice-"

"I'm not gay, Katniss-"

"Of course you're not, you don't want me to go out with Peeta. You want me to go out with you instead. I'm saying you're the one that I'll run to if Peeta and I are having complications-"

"Like that'll ever happen," he says sarcastically, rolling his eyes. I put my hand on his shoulder and rock him a little. "Gale, stop being so sarcastic. I thought you said that you only want me to be happy-"

"I do-"

"Then be happy for me. Be happy that I've actually found someone that cares for me and not my money."

"Okay, I will-"

"You're not happy right now-"

"Well not everyone can be happy when you command them to be," he snaps. I sigh. "Fine...okay, Gale. If you want to be difficult, two can play at that game. I'm still going to be with Peeta whether you accept it or not." I stand up. "Face it, we're going to get married eventually and have a soccer team for kids," I smirk. His face is hilarious. He's gawking at me as if I have two heads. "You don't even want children-"

"Well maybe I've changed my mind," I say, crossing my arms over my chest. He sighs, frustrated. "Fine, do whatever you want. I don't care anymore," he says, running his fingers through his hair and standing up. "You don't care about me anymore?" I ask. "Of course I care about you, Catnip, you're my best friend," he smiles sadly, playfully punching my arm. I hold my fist out and he touches his fist to it, making a fist pump. "Buddies?"

"Best," he replies. I hug him. "Thanks, Gale."

"No problem, Catnip." I escort him to the door and open it. He goes out. "I'll see you tomorrow at your mom's, right?"

"Yeah...you're okay with me bringing Peeta, right?"

"Of course, he makes you happy, right?"

"Yeah."