My eyes fluttered open, and the smell of eggs and sausage met my nose. My eyes slowly adjusted to the light that shone in through the window. I and my family were considered poor, but according to my parents, being poor now was nothing like being poor before the rebellion. And we aren't the poorest people around. That title would go to my friends from the orphanage. My family could afford to have sausage and eggs for breakfast, while the orphanage kids had to eat oatmeal every day for breakfast.
Ugh, oatmeal. I hate oatmeal, my nose crinkled at the mere thought, I'm glad mom and dad took me away before I could remember that horrid place.
I sat up in bed and stretched.
Time to get ready for school...
"Ari,"Mom called from downstairs,"Breakfast is ready!"
"Coming,"I called back down to her.
After half-way making up my bed, I ran down the stairs and greeted my mother.
"Morning sweetie," she smiled at me and paused her work to come over and place a kiss on my forehead.
"Morning, mom,"I replied, taking a seat at the table,"Dad already out working?"
"Yes. He left just a few minutes before you came down."
I nodded. He had been trying to get to work earlier so that he could get one of the better pick-axes. Last time he got to work late, he came home with blistered hands because he ended up with an old, rough handled ax. Even wearing gloves, it was hard work.
After I finished breakfast, I grabbed my backpack and headed for the door.
"I'm going to head for school now," I called over my shoulder before walking out the door, "Love you mom."
"Love you too!"Mom replied with a smile as she started the dishes.
Yup, everything was perfect. I would never have guessed that it was all about to change.
When I walked through the doors I saw my friends, Daytona, Keely, and Estacia talking.
"Ari Zona Shean,you're late," Daytona huffed, trying her best to act cross. She even used my full name like my mother did when she was mad at me. I looked at my watch. I was a little later than usual. No matter.
"I'm always on time, you are all just early."
They all smiled, but bubbly Keely suddenly burst out laughing, making us all cackle like idiots with her.
That's when Elexia and her shadows, Deriana and Saphine, walked by. Elexia was from District 2, but her and her family were considered poor and inferior there. So they moved here where they consider themselves exceptionally wealthy and superior to all the "commoners", or rather, the people who don't suck up to them. Elexia especially hates me. I have absolutely no idea why. What have I ever done to her?
"Lame as always, I see," Elexia commented as she breezed by.
"Glad to see you've come to terms with your lot in life,"I quickly spoke up before she could get out of earshot. Yes! Been waiting to use that one for weeks!
The pace of the passing trio only slowed long enough for Elexia to glance back, roll her eyes, turn back ahead and keep walking.
There was a brief silence.
"Your parents would be horrified, you know," Daytona smirked.
"Hush, Dayt," I scowl, to her delight. She wasn't wrong, though. My parents were always telling me to "rise above", blah blah, so on and so forth. I never really saw what letting someone walk all over me would help. While I loved my parents with all my heart, their blood was not the same as mine. But maybe one day I grow to understand them.
The bell began to ring, and we all split up to go our separate ways, except for Daytona, who is in History class with me. Which was really good, so that I didn't have to tolerate Elexia, the wicked witch of District 2, alone. But despite Elexia being in it, History was my favorite class. It was mostly about Panem's past, the rebellion, and the Hunger Games. Before the rebellion, only a select few knew much about the outside world. But Panem had been sending out researchers to find out about the world again. They discovered that we are 1 of 7 "continents". Shinum was the latest country that was discovered, a larger nation in the south-west corner of what used to be called Asia. They were still studying Shinum, and not much information had been given to schools yet. So for now, we were studying about the "pilgrims", and how they came to North-America seeking freedom.
I loved every minute of History.
At the cafeteria, while walking with Daytona towards the table where we usually sat, I heard someone whistle behind me. I turned around to see a bronze, handsome face winking at me, boldly and without shame. Finnick Odair Jr. Daytona nudged me, but I was skilled in ignoring her. Finnick was always such a flirt, it almost seemed like he was mocking me. He probably was, actually.
"Guess who was hitting on Ari again!"Daytona was using her gossip tone when we sat down with the rest of our crew.
"Oh, Ari! Why do you always get the cute older guys!"Estacia lamented, her dreamy gaze immediately going to Finnick's table,"I'm only a year younger than him and he never even notices me!"
"Please,"I huffed,"He's just being a jerk. Making fun of me because I don't have a boyfriend." He wouldn't have been the first to do such a thing. Elexia, particularly, seemed to enjoy pointing out my "undatability".
"Or,"Keely drawled the word out longer than necessary," He's crazy in love with you who wants to be your boyfriend."
"And why would one of the most popular fifteen-year-old boys in school want to date me?"I ask, raising my eyebrow and tilting my head slightly. Odair and I were different people, from different lives. Not to mention he was three years older than me!
"Pretty - " Daytona raised a finger," - Tall - "another finger raised," - Nice -"
I scowled and turned away. "I don't fit in with his kind." These conversations always made me feel weird... Uncomfortable.
"And it's not like you're unpopular," Keely reasoned,"You're just not...popular..."
"Okay, this is ridiculous,"I finally raise my hand to stop them," This conversation is done. It's time to eat."
They pouted, and I heard Estacia grumble something, but I started examining what was on my plate. Looked like were having food in honor of the newly discovered Shinum.
We all start picks up the pair of sticks that have been put on her plate. Not a fork was in sight.
"What am I supposed to do with this?"Estacia furrowed her brows as she held up the sticks.
I picked up one of my sticks and stabbed what I assumed is chicken with it, then pop it into my mouth.
"Are you sure that's how they do it?"Daytona asked, unconvinced.
I shrugged."How else would you do it?"
"It just seems so... crude..."
We continued to eat that way, and I, being a fast eater, scarfed it all down in only a few minutes. It wasn't too long afterward that the head chef walked up to the middle of the cafeteria, near our table, and cleared her throat loudly.
"Good morning. I have just been informed that many of you do not properly know how to use these chopsticks," she glanced over at us, somewhat pointedly,"So I will walk you through it."
For about six minutes she instructed us on how to manage these "chopping sticks". No Idea why you called them that since you don't really chop anything with them. Estacia sent a glare in my direction.
"You mislead us," she whispered crossly.
I was about to respond but had my train of thought interrupted by stifled giggles from Daytona and Keely.
I looked at them curiously. "What?"
"Oh... nothing," Daytona and Keely exchanged smug looks.
"Huh?" Estacia looked at them, just as confused as I was. The secretive pair gave her an odd look, raising their eyebrows in a "you know" sort of way. "Oh!" It seemed to click for her suddenly. Now all three of them were giggling.
"What?" I hated to give in to their... whatever it was... but I also hated having things kept from me. Especially when they were doing it right in front of me!
"Don't worry,"Estacia told me, reading my face,"We'll tell you later."
I scowled, annoyed. "Whatever."
Later that day, while I was returning my books to my locker, one of my other friends ran up to me.
"Ari,"She called,"Are you going to sign up for the musical?"
I smacked my head with the palm of my hand. I loved acting. And I loved singing. I wasn't particular about watching Musicals, but being part of one was always a great joy to me.
"I totally forgot! I'll go do that real quick."
"Okay, see you tomorrow?" she asked.
"See you tomorrow,"I gave a nod of confirmation, before heading off.
It's hard to believe that I started writing this story over 5 years ago! I was 12, guys XD. Anyhow, I have some time now and have started revising and editing what I have already written. I hope to continue with this story, but first I am going to *try* to change it from present tense to past tense. It's been driving me crazy! Anyway, I don't have a beta or anything, so expect some mistakes.
Hope yall enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games.
Not to sound pathetic and cliche, but please review! They make me so happy.