HURRY!
I can believe I got up late! What is wrong with me? I guess I'm going to have to skip breakfast. Where's Nikki? There he is, I grab him and I am out running with Nikki to school.
See, my mother died when Nikki and I were younger, so I have to do all the work. Yes you might be thinking where is your dad through all of this? Well I will give you one word to describe my father, and that is... drunk. Ever since my mom died all he does is drink. All the money we get goes straight to the liquor store. So I had to learn how to set traps, hunt, and gather. And I have to take Nikki to or else bad things will happen to him. But most of the time I just drop him off at me friend Rowans house or my other friend Masons. Well I shouldn't say house it is more of a shack. Rowan doesn't have any parents. Both her parents just left her here and she has been fending for herself for almost all her life. When we started school she and I were the only people who didn't fit in right away (and we still don't.) So we started to talk and we have been friends ever since.
When Nikki and I got to school we made it to our classes just at the bell. This is good because I can't get another tardy. I take my seat next Rowan and I start to read my book. The book is really nothing I am interested in but I will do anything to try to avoid the question that Rowan is about to ask me. And there she does it, "Alex, what happened, why where you late?" she asks. I sign.
"Nothing' I just forgot to get up" I say kind of annoyed. Rowan is the only one beside Mason that knows about my dad I mean she is my 'sister'. But every time I am late she expects something has happened with his drunkenness. "Ok, just wanted to make sure, I'm here for you sis." She gives a small smile. I just sign and change the subject. "Ok, thanks, um, do you want to go hunting after school? I need to get some food just in case I get picked tomorrow" I mumble.
Tomorrow was reaping day, a day when one boy and one girl have to be taken agents there will to fight in the horrible Hunger Games. I find the whole thing a waste of time. I mean this has been going on for 77 years, but this time you expect the Capitol to realize that we get it. I don't think that we are going to be rebelling anytime soon. I would not care so much if Nikki was not around. I would never forgive myself if something happened to him. Rowan seems to notice this because she says "That is never going to happen, and you know it, so calm down."
I sigh and tell her. "You don't know that so just stop trying to calm me down, cause you know if it could happen or not and I want to be prepared I have almost 60 slips in there and if anything ever happens than I want to be on top of things, speaking getting on top of things I really need to talk to Mason about keeping Nikki if something does happens." I say this sternly even though she is only about a year younger than me.
"Ok whatever I well just trying to help you calm down. You always get all upset over these things, nothing is going to happen no matter how many slips you have I will not let that happen I promise." she mumbles. I want to say more but when I open my mouth she puts her hand up and smiles. And so I guessed that was end of our conversation. As the bell rings Rowan grabs her stuff and I go out to my locker. Then we break part into our individual classes.
As day rolls bye the more scared I get. I million questions are going through my head. What happens if I do get picked? Nikki can't stay with my father, what if Mason can't keep him? I just keep getting myself more and more scared! As I look around I spot Mason with his friends; Gale, Scott, and Peter. I am friends with Gale, I am not as close as Rowan and he are but we are pretty close. I only really like him because he is from the Seam along with me Rowan and Mason, and also because he is a hunter. He doesn't hunt with Rowan and me; he hunts with his girlfriend Katniss. Mason was telling that it took him almost a year to convince her to be his girlfriend, because she is not one for all this mushy stuff. I am with her on that. I and she aren't close friends but we get along when we get together. As I get closer to him, Scott seems me and winks at Mason and leaves, and soon Peter follows.
Everyone thinks that I and Mason have a thing but we are both like brother and sister. We watch out for one another, and plus he likes one of the girls named Paisley Conner, who is also from the Seam. She is really nice and sweet, and she is one of the only people that I know that is from the Seam that is always happy.
When I get to Mason, Gale is still there and it looks like he is waiting for me. I guess I was right. "Hey, Al! How is it going? I haven't talked to you in a while. Rowan, you, Mason, me and maybe Katniss. But that is only if she doesn't mind... Well we should all get together some time! Rory really wants together with Nikki, he loves him! Ha-Ha well I got to go and find Rowan, so see you." Gale says to me. I nod and say, "Yeah we really need to do that. See you." I wave as he walks away, Then I turn to Mason. "Hey, I was thinking and we really need to talk tomorrow." I hush tone.
"Okay, here follow me over here," He directs me other to the corner. I can tell that he is already aware of what I am going to say but he starts up a conversation anyway. "Ok so what is up, Al?" He asks me, when we make it to the corner, putting an arm over my shoulder.
"Ok so you know that tomorrow is reaping, and well if I get picked, I was wondering if just like last year you could keep Nikki. I know that it is a lot to ask but I can't risk him with my dad, and I know this is sort of dramatic but I just risk his life..." I say choking up.
"I know, I know calm down I am here for you like you would be here for Me." he says pulling me into a bear hug. "Hey let me grab my books and I will walk you to your locker." He tells me. I nod and wait for him at his locker so that he can get his books. When he is done I start to head towards the tenth grade wing where my locker is. We walk in silence but I can stand that, I am not one for talking. When we get there, Mason stiffens up and I look around to see Paisley standing with her friends laughing. "Go on, I will talk to you later. Oh and do you want to go hunting with me and Rowan tomorrow morning before the reaping?" I ask him. "Oh no I can't I promised that I would go hunting with Gale. Sorry." He says. I nod give him a hug and push him to Paisley. He smiles sheepishly. I laugh as I open my locker. I feel someone's eyes on me, when I look up I am met with somewhat handsome blue ones. Before I can realize who they belong to they turn around and start to talk to Percy Jackson. 'Ok then.
After I am done getting my books I walk over to Rowan. "Hiya Rowan what is taking you so long?" I joke. She just shakes her head and smiles. "Nothin just thinking about what homework I have." He responds slamming her locker door shut. We hook arms and begin to walk over to the seventh grade wing to get Nikki. On the way there Rowan starts up a conversation. "So did you talk to Mason?" Rowan starts. "Yup, everything is set and ready to go." I say with a little pip in my voice.
"That is good..." Rowan says then she stops and looks up. "What..." Then I look up and I see why she stops
"Hey cuties, Ricky needs to talk to Ms. Rowan" Ricky Mitch the bully of the school says. His red hair is somewhat tussled and a repulsive cocky smile on his face. I can't stand him! He makes me sick , he thinks he is so cool and to be honest he makes almost everyone in school sick. So I think of a quick idea that will send him over the edge.
"Umm, no that is okay, now can you excuse us please. Your bolder of a body is in the way." I say with a sweet smile while Rowan and I start to walk around his big body. We almost make it a cross when Ricky grabs Rowan and before you know his lips are crushing into hers. Rowans eyes are wide, and she is trying with all her strength to get him off of her. His little stunt sends me over the edge. I don't make the best choses most of the time, and this is one of those times. In a second I have a fist full of Ricky's hair, pull it back and punched him square in the jaw. He is then on the ground. He tries to grab at me but I quickly kick him and walked away. I then quickly leave a whimpering Ricky and start on my way to hey Nikki.
I almost forget about Rowan when she runs up to me. When she does catch up with me she is mad. "What in the world was that? You are going to get yourself expelled! You can't do that!" Rowan screamed at me. I let out a calm sigh and answer.
"What happens happens. He can't get away with stuff like that just because his dad is the owner of the bank, it does not mean anything." I say causally.
Rowan is in disbelieved. She looks at me with big eyes and I just laugh. She doesn't say anything the rest of the way to Nikki's locker. When we get to Nikki's locker he is standing there with his arms crossed and a disappointed look on his face. "Were where you?" He demands with his cute little thirteen face on. I laugh. "We ran into some bumps along the way, I'm here now so let's go before I miss my hunting time." I say and grab his arm playfully.
As we walk down the hallway I trip over a pair of feet and drop my books. I sigh, "Guys just go, I will meet you outside by the oak tree." I tell Rowan and Nikki. They start to walk away when Rowan turns around and smirks. The next thing I know a guy with ash blond hair, maybe a shade litter than mine, comes over and starts helping me. When I look up to see the boys eyes I recognize the eyes as the ones I caught staring at me early this afternoon. I then realize that those eyes belong to none other than Mr. Peeta Mellark. He is the captain of the wrestling team, and every girls dream. But not to me. I mean he is nice but I don't trust him like some people may.
He swallows and starts to talk. "Umm, here you go, um I'm Peeta, Alex right?"He says kindly with a huge smile on his face, which is almost always there. To me that is just creepy, I mean who smiles that much? But the one thing that I notice is that through the smile I can tell he looks nervous.
"Ah yeah, umm thanks." I say grabbing the books he holds out for me and start walking away. I don't mean to be rude I mean it was nice of him to help me but what am I going to say to him? I mean I don't like to talk to people cause well I don't know how to.
"So what are doing this afternoon?" He says keeping pace with my running. I don't want to talk to him, why didn't he get that? I slow my running into a slower walk and answer. Umm, nothing I might hang out with Rowan, and Mason." I say looking at him out of the corner of my eye. I see him tense at Masons name. I shrug and I realize that I forgot to ask what he was doing. As we turn the corner to get the front door I say "So what you doing?" I ask as kindly as I can. I spot Rowan and Nikki at the door. Rowan sees me and smirks I want to punch her. "Oh I am probably just going to be working at the bakery, you know same old same old." He says laughing lightly. I let out a small laugh and give a small smile. I open my mouth to say something but I look up and close my mouth.
Because in front of me, is Ricky with a purple jaw. His face looks as if he is ready to kill me. I try to hold in my laugh. His face anyone would pay to see. I glance behind him to see that his two of his friends are there; Carter and Colt. Carter winks at me. He is almost as bad as Ricky is with Rowan. Colt on the other hand just looks bored. I look at Ricky again and he sneers at me. I smile and think of something that will send him over the edge.
"You look nice; the purple really complements your eye." I said in a sweet voice. He looks outraged. He steps closer, Peeta puts a hand in front of me and pushes me back. I look at his and give him a glare. I look back at Ricky to see that he is speaking. "...and if you think you are not going to pay for this, well think about that again. If you think you that you don't have a good reputation now. Then just wait tell I am done with you. You and your pretty face are going to pay!" he threatens. By this time Rowan is next to me.
I am getting annoyed with him. "Ok can't wait, and you think I am pretty! Oh that is just so sweet! And because of that nice little complement I am going to warn you that you better calm down or your jaw is just going to get worst." I smirk.
"That is it..." Ricky bellows he begins to charge when Peeta steps in the middle of us. "Okay let's take this down a... " Peeta starts to say before Ricky smacks him in the face. Why oh why? Doesn't he understand that he is just going to get hurt? Peeta is taken back for a minute then his face turns red and he looks like is about ready to kill. Ricky is getting me mad.
" Not in the mood Lover Boy." Ricky sneers. I then see red and punch him right in the same place where I punched before. His friends go to grab at me, but something kicks in me and I go hard wire. I feel Rowan move next to me and I see her run to get Colt who is about ready to tackle me. I look over and see that Peeta has Ricky pined and punching him. Violent aren't we.
Then Carter comes over to me. He runs his figures throw his hair and puts on his best seductive face. "Come on honey, we can do this some other way! You know that you want me as bad as I want you! I can take care of you. Or are you with Bread Boy? I mean really? He makes bread for a living! Ha I could do so much more for you!" Carter says as starts to grab at me. I laugh, take his hand and pull him into a head lock. "Yeah you really wish that wouldn't you? Well I would take Peeta over you any day." I say and kick him in his back. He goes flying forward. I look over and see that Rowan finishing off Colt. I look to see that Ricky is about ready to punch Peeta. I quickly run over there and kick Ricky in his head. I then grab Peeta's hand, and we sprint out the door as I make a motion for Rowan to follow.
When I make it out of the court yard, Nikki are there waiting for us. "What in the world?" Nikki says looking at our hands. I realize that I am still holding Peeta's hand I quickly let go and look at his face. His face is flushed and he still has a small smile on his face. His eyes stare down at mine and I feel my cheeks get warm. Then I look at his face and see that there is a bruise forming on this jaw line and his bleeding from a busted lip. Without thinking I run my hand over it his bruise and say. "We need to get him back to my house so I can take care of this. Well you can take care of this Rowan." I say setting down my hand. I look over to see that Rowan is looking okay. She doesn't have any bruises or marks from what it looks like. I turn to see Nikki. He has a small smile on his face. I look at Rowan again and see she has the same smile in her face. What is with this? "Umm, okay how about we get going." I say while grabbing Nikki's hand. I look at Rowan and she motions for Peeta to follow us. When Peeta is in front of us a little Nikki and Rowan both turn around at the same time and wiggle their eyebrows. What are they talking about... Wait. I give them both glares. Rowan just smiles and continues on her way to my house. Nikki then pulls me down to whisper in my ear, "I like him." then he runs off to start to talk Peeta. I sign and continue to walk to my house. On the way I was not even thinking what this might lead to.