Chapter 1: Sextual Tension Starfish

Katniss and Peeta pulled into the parking lot of Humboldt High School. The school was situated in the middle of the small town called Panforks. It was nestled among the redwood trees in beautiful Humboldt County California. Peeta turned to Katniss and said sternly, « Don't screw this up for me. » Katniss rolled her eyes. She unbuckled her seatbelt and rearranged her green softball jersey.

« Like I'm going to announce to the world that my boyfriend is gay! Come on! » Katniss looked at Peeta like he was the biggest numbskull she'd ever seen. Talk about a dumb blonde. Nevertheless she gave him a reassuring pat on the back and exited his plum colored VW Jetta and pulled her backpack out of the backseat. There was glitter all over the back of the car. She didn't want to know. Peeta walked around and awkwardly placed his hand in hers and together, they walked to the main campus.

When they reached Peeta's locker, a petite girl with jet black hair and clothed in the same jersey as Katniss stalked over, the crimson highlights in her hair reflecting the morning sunlight. « What's up, brainless? » Johanna's comment was directed toward Katniss.

« Nice wig, Johanna, what's it made out of? » Peeta asked.

« Your mom's chest hair, » retorted Johanna with a wink. Katniss put her hands on each of their shoulders.

Annoyed by her friends' banter, Katniss said, « Simmer down, you two! It's not even first period yet and I've barely woken up. » The three friends laughed and waited for the main event: when Edward and Bella would arrive at school.

Johanna scanned the halls for some fresh meat, when her eyes rested upon Edward Cullen and Bella Swan. « There's the fairy prince and his evil queen, » Johanna said, pointing to the couple. Peeta shot her a look of death.

« He's not a fairy! He's a beautiful human being! » Peeta quickly collected himself after his outburst. Maybe he shouldn't have been worrying so much about Katniss outing him after all. He was doing a pretty good job of it himself.

« Go paint a rock, bread boy. Isn't that your lame-ass hobby? » Just then Johanna decided that Edward, skin as pasty as the walls, yet still so painfully handsome that he looked as if he was made from chiseled marble, should be her first victim of the day. He was with his sickly stick of a girlfriend, Bella. Bella and Edward were staring lovingly into each other's eyes, filling Johanna with disgust. Johanna stormed off, ready to ruin someone's day. Sometimes, her rage boiled up inside of her like gummy bears on a redneck's dashboard in the middle of the Arizona desert. Johanna walked through the hallway, leaving a torrent of terrified freshmen in her wake. She walked right in between the two lovebirds and with one flip of her arms, their books went flying into the air. « Sorry, not sorry, » she called as she walked off toward her Physics class.

Bella pouted as she stared at her books strewn all over the floor. « Do… something! » She whined at her boyfriend who was busy picking up their belongings. « She's… mean. » Bella always drew out her words like this. It was almost as if her brain worked at a slower speed than others. Edward peered up at her from the floor with a hurt expression.

« You know I can't do anything about it, Bella. I can't expose myself to the school, » Edward replied.

« Well, that bitch doesn't seem to have any problem exposing herself! Remember that one time when she stripped down in the elevator at the mall!? Come on! She can't…. keep doing this…to me, » Bella sputtered out with a pained expression.

« Why do you always bring that up? It's like it's always on your mind! I'll find some way to get back at her. Don't worry… » The two walked to class in silence. Each lost in their angsty teenage thoughts.

ENDNOTE: "chest hair" quote is from Mean Girls.