Peeta-

Three days later I still haven't heard from Katniss. I text occasionally. Just a 'Hi' or 'Are you okay?', but she hasn't responded. Part of me wishes I hadn't told her. Honestly, I had more to tell her, but I couldn't after she freaked out about the first confession. I guess I thought she'd say the past is in the past and it doesn't effect us or our future together. I see how stupid it was to hope for her to just, forget it ever happened.

"Bruh, what's up with your girl? You talk to her, about Delly yet?" Thresh asks me, while we're back to school shopping.

I texted him everything that's been going on with Katniss and I. He thought we should go out and talk so the spies at his house, meaning Prim and Rue, couldn't get any intel. So I asked him to help me get last minute stuff I'll need for class, and football, since I plan on going out for the team.

"T, I effed up. It's like I can't breathe without her. But she doesn't text me back. Won't pick up when I call. Even Prim can't get her to cooperate. And really, she has every right to never talk to me again. If I tell her about Delly, she's just gonna hate me even more."

I might've truly lost her this time.

"She doesn't hate you, she's just pissed. And if she finds out some other way? Dude. Kiss your cajones goodbye. Couple years back Everdeen hit a guy with a hockey stick, scratch that. His own hockey stick, for saying her ass was juicy. They still don't know if dude'll be able reproduce. Katniss is my girl, but she can be eight kinds of crazy, if she wants to be. She's like Khaleesi. Beautiful and dangerous." Thresh relates.

"Don't you think I know? Remember, I taught her to box. That's why I didn't tell her right away about Delly. I would really like to keep my balls. You think she'd realize I was innocent in all that?" I ask my friend.

"I don't know. Break it down for me again, everything that happened. Just so I can wrap my head around it. You know, try to see how I'd feel from Kat's point of view." Thresh suggests.

"Okay." I agree.

Flashback...

"I'll leave you to it." Haymitch says walking out.

"Delly, hi. What are you doing here?" I ask, surprise apparent in my tone.

"I found out where you lived from Joanna's phone. Please don't be mad." She says walking closer to me.

"I'm not mad. Just confused. And truthfully, I have a girlfriend now-" I start but she cuts me off by running a hand through my hair.

"I just love your curls." She says sweetly.

I back up a step. Then she takes a step closer, running a hand down my arm.

"Thank you. I'm actually on-" I start but she cut me off again.

"Could I... Maybe we could hang out. I don't have any friends. And it's totes hard to be at that house with my dad, who's sort of a stranger. And Jo, basically hates my guts. Just because my mom was prettier than her mom and daddy couldn't resist double dipping. I don't know if I can stay here. Can you help me? Tell me how you stay so strong?" Delly has tears in her eyes by the end.

I'm somewhere between offended from her jab at Jo's mom and feeling completely sorry for this girl. She's rubbing on my bicep muscles when she asks me to help her, and telling me how strong I am. I can tell she's trying to manipulate me. But I can also tell how good she is at it. Damn if she doesn't smell good. Or have on a mega tight skirt, and have on the lowest cut shirt in history. But she's no Katniss Everdeen.

"Delly, I'm not really that strong. And I'm with Katniss now so, I can be your friend. But I can't-"

While I'm talking, I pull both her roaming hands away from me, and hold them down in front of her. Unfortunately, that left my face unguarded. Before I can finish my statement, Delly kisses me. It only takes a second for me to turn my face away and let her go.

"Hmm, you are the man." She giggles.

"Delly, I'm sorry but this isn't gonna happen. I'm with Katniss." I say sternly putting more space between us.

"Katniss? That, beyond basic, girl from the wedding? Peeta you could have all of this. If you want it." Delly tries to entice me.

"I don't want any part of it. And yes Katniss. She's everything I could want and then some."

"Yeah well, I heard she's a bitchy, virgin, dyke." Delly scoffs.

That pisses me off.

"Look, I don't appreciate you bad-mouthing Joanna's mom. And I really don't like girls who try too hard. But when you talk about my girlfriend, you're crossing a line you don't want to cross with me. So, you need to leave and I've reconsidered. I don't want to be your friend anymore." I inform her, pointing towards the door.

"I just wanted to offer you a chance to be with a real woman. But you'll regret turning me down." Delly threatens before walking out the door.

Present...

"So you gave the hooker the bye Felicia. Katniss can't be mad at that. Right?" Thresh offers smiling.

If you believe in miracles.

"I don't know man, if you saw the way she was about Jen? And that wasn't even somebody she knows and despises. I want to tell her, but how do I even start?"

"Yo, I've seen you convince the grumpiest wrestling coach on earth, not only to let you stay in a meet, with a black eye, that should've benched you. But also, he put you in a higher weight class, that you barely fit in, to take on the former heavyweight champ, two grades above you. And you won! I think you can tell your main chick, some side piece trick, came at you, uninvited."

"Maybe. But first I gotta get her to talk to me."

"You leave that to Big Daddy T. Just get your knee pads out and make sure you bring your A game." Thresh counsels.

Later that night there's a knock at my door. I open it in shock. Katniss is standing there beautifully donning her signature scowl.

"H-hi. C-come in, please." I fumble.

She doesn't come in that far. I can tell she doesn't plan to stay long.

God, I wish I could touch her.

"I know I should've called first. But Thresh insisted on dropping me off. He said something about you needing me? That you were a wreck and that I was stubborn and wouldn't talk to you because I was scared that I need you too. He dared me to have a five minutes conversation with you. And that if I did, he would leave me alone about it. So I'm here." Kat says crossing her arms defiantly.

"I'm glad you're here. Baby, I've missed you."

"Don't Baby me right now, Peeta."

Damn.

"Sorry. I know you said you needed time to process. But I have missed you. So much." I try.

She bites her bottom lip.

Give me strength.

"But… I have another, uh, confession. And I don't want any of this to ruin us. I just have to be honest so we can't have things between us any more."

"There's more? Peeta. I don't know how much more I can hear. I've thought about what you already told me. And yes. Jen was a mistake that's in your past. I wasn't apart of the equation, but I just feel that if you couldn't get yourself out of that situation, how do I know you can handle yourself now?" She asks justifiably.

"Okay, I see your concerns. But what I have to tell you may convince you that I do know how to think with my head, instead of my hormones. I mean against anyone but you, that is." I say hoping she gets my meaning.

After all, I was dreaming of her when Jen tried to wake me. I thought I was kissing Katniss. It wasn't until Jen and I ripped off our clothes. We had touched each other in embarrassing ways, and wasn't until after having felt her dripping folds, and was about two millimeters from entering her, that I heard Jen moan my brothers name. I instantly froze, realizing just how close I came to doing something terrible. I held her back and told Jen her love was gone. Jen plunged out of the fog she was in and started hysterically crying naked in my arms. I cried. We held each other for a while. I explained I wasn't fully awake, she apologized, then we dressed and never spoke of it again.

"This isn't the time to joke. Your five minutes is running out. What else do you have to say?" Katniss's snaps pulling me out of my memory.

"One; I didn't have sex with Jen. We almost did. I know that might not make up for it. But we recognized our mistake, apologized, and moved on. I don't like her and she doesn't like me, romantically. Two; I'm not joking when I say, I can resist any woman but you. Katniss, you're the kryptonite to my Clark Kent. And three; the other confession I have to make, I've only kept from you for fear that you would do exactly what you did when I told you about Jen. But I'm willing to risk your wrath because, I want this so bad. I will always be honest with you from now on. No matter how many people try to come between us."

"Peeta, if your second confession is about Delly Cartwright, I already know."

Oh shit.

Katniss-

I left Peeta alone for three days. No calls, no texts, no interaction what so ever. But as soon as Prim got out of Thresh's car and he and Rue came waltzing up my walkway. I knew he was trying to reconcile Peeta and I. Little did Thresh know that, Delly had texted me two days ago.

She told me, that the morning after our first date, she went to Peeta's at his request. She said they kissed and that she figured it was only right, to tell me woman to woman. She said Peeta called me boring and not as sexually experienced as he likes his women. She said he asked if they could keep it a secret, until he could let me down easy.

I didn't respond to her text. I knew there was a chance she could be lying. But my fears bubbled up to the surface like a gaseous, dead, body. I'm boring: he practically said that himself at the mall. I'm not sexually experienced: his tryst with Jen proved he had been with more sexually mature women. Asking her to keep it secret: I keep finding out secrets about Peeta.

He knew Gale and Madge were together. He used to secretly sketch me. He used to like me. He wrote me a note telling me, but didn't fess up to it. He sort of slept with an older girl. And now he is somehow involved with Delly freaking Cartwright! Even if I could get over the whole Jen thing. Not telling me for almost two weeks, that my self proclaimed arch rival was near him, let alone, lip-to-lip with him, is possibly, unforgivable. Or maybe I'm being another immature, irrational, teen movie stereotype. Either way it sucks.

"Hey Kat." Rue greets me.

I give her a hug and she runs in the house, behind Prim.

"Everdeen, you know your boy is miserable without you." Thresh starts.

"What of it? He made his own bed." I spit.

I don't want to talk about it. I may embarrass myself and cry.

"Yeah well, he's human, right? Like you and I, right? And he cares about you a whole hell of a lot or he would've never even tried. So, you gonna sit here and pretend, with me? Your official, keep it one hundred grand man? And say, you don't miss him too?"

"I should really get in the house. But-"

"You are the most stubbornest chic I ever met. Look, I love you and Prim like sisters. I'd never let anyone hurt you. Peeta is like my brother from another mother. My dude is a moaning, drowning, tortured soul without you. He needs you. You should talk to him." He insists.

"T, I love you like a brother too. But you don't even know the half of it. Delly Cart-"

"Kat, don't you listen to that thirsty, two dollar, thot. That she-demon, popped up at his spot unannounced, with all her, she needed a friend noise. Meanwhile, trying to rub up on ya boy. P told her he was dating you, and she flipped on him. Tried to kiss him, she straight out dissed you, and offered up all her goodies. For free. Then, threatened to get back at him, cause he wouldn't take the bait. She is jell-lous. That's all that is. For real." Thresh intercedes.

Thankfully I understood that from my pop-culture speech lesson from Rue.

"How do you know he didn't just snack, on her goodies? I mean I know she's awful and probably trying to get a rise out of me. But he could actually prefer an overly willing, busty, blond to what I am. A plain, boring, poor-"

"Let me stop you right there. Katniss Everdeen is not boring. What did Gramps nickname you after you climbed that apple tree to save baby Peanut when you were only 13 years old? Come on. I know you know." Thresh challenges.

"The girl on fire." I say smiling at the memory of their Gramps before he died.

"Girl on fire. That's right. You punched anybody but him, who called you that. Hell, you've punched a few people who just called you Kat over the years. Now I don't know which dirty, old, cracked mirror you been lookin' in lately, but not one thing about you is plain. And, Peeta Mellark comes from nothing. Just like you and me. One of the most genuine, hardworking, humble guys I've ever met. He has every reason to have turned out to be a cocky, hateful, jerk. But he's not. You don't owe him anything. But he's hurtin' bad, and all he wants after having so much taken away, is a five minute conversation with you. Does that sound like someone who thinks you're a plain, boring, poor girl?"

Dammit, I believe Thresh.

I don't think Peeta wants Delly. He could've had her the night of the wedding. Or any day after. But am I really ready talk to Peeta?

"I know you're terrified that you might need him too. So, I'mma put it this way. I dare you!" Thresh provokes smirking like the Cheshire Cat.

"T. I'm not a little kid anymore. I don't take dares." I protest.

"Okay okay... I double-dog dare you."

So here I am. Listening to Peeta explain that he didn't sleep with Jen and that I'm his kryptonite. Which is actually very flattering somehow. Maybe because I have always thought of him as so strong. Like my own personal Superman. He's about to confess something else to me.

"Peeta, if your second confession is about Delly Cartwright, I already know."

He looks like he saw someone get run over with a Mack truck. I selfishly like watching him squirm. But then, he looks at my hand, which is playing with the pearl necklace around my neck. I freeze at being caught.

"You know... What exactly?" He hedges, cautiously coming closer to where I'm standing.

"That she came here... and tried to throw herself at you."

"She did, and I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I was distracted that whole morning, cause I wanted to tell you. But I was so worried you wouldn't believe me. I mean, why would you? I've kept secrets from you about how I feel. I know you're worried you can't trust me but, Katniss. You can. Please let me show you." He begs actually getting on his knees.

"Peeta get up, you don't have to beg." I scold him and pull him up.

I can tell he sees my expression go from ice, to something less cold.

"I'll do whatever it takes. Ok, just keep talking to me. Don't give up on us." He says, pushing a stubborn piece of hair, that's come out of my braid, behind my ear.

I'm so starved of his touch. I lean into his hand involuntarily. He takes that as a sign to pull me into a hug. I find myself hugging him back.

"Kat, forgive me. I'm sorry." He says next to my ear.

"Me too." I blurt without thinking.

"Wait, what?" He asks pulling back to look at me.

"I shouldn't have gotten so upset about Jen. I do trust you. I just forgot to, for a few days. I know why it was hard for you to tell me... anything. I'm stubborn, like T said and I don't know what you see in me. So it's hard to believe you'd pick me over... anyone."

"I already told you. Baby, you're perfect. Stop doubting that. Okay?"

"Okay."