It causes an uncomfortable twist of guilt when he says it, if only because she knows the underlying sentiment behind it is not just friendship, and Katniss just can't oblige even that. How much easier would it have been if Gale had never fallen in love with her (and she doesn't like to think it, either)? It's childish for her to wish her problems away like this, but after facing hell and more, Katniss has come to expect nothing good from life anyways.

Maybe their friendship was unraveling from the start.

"I don't know if I can," she gasps, shaking her head emphatically as she does so, moving her entire body and wincing slightly. Sometimes the skin that was burned becomes especially dry until it cracks, but now that the winter is over Katniss thinks she's borne the brunt of it. She won't complain, though. She's too stubborn (or strong, depending on your point of view) for that.