It was my first day of my senior . I can't wait to be done in this hell hole. I've never really fit in at school, so this will be sweet relief to four years or torture. I have one friend, Gale, and one sort-of-friend, Madge. Madge is rich but doesn't fit in with the other popular kids, so she sits next to me at assemblies and lunch. Gale is my counterpart, always in synch with me. We're attached at the hips, and connected by heart. He's two years older than me, so I haven't gone to school with him since sophomore year.

Gale fit in with the popular kids. He was a basketball hot shot, and forced me to attend his basketball games, much to my dread and loathing. He coaxed me to, though. "Please, Catnip," he'd plead. "All the other players have their girl there."

"I'm not your girlfriend," I would remind him.

"No, but you mean the world to me."

"Fine," I'd sigh. Madge would always come with me, much to her distaste. We groaned while watching girls throw themselves on the basketball players, and cheered when Gale would nail yet another three-pointer. No, we may not have been dating, but he was something special to me.

I sigh, longing for Gale's presence. He made sure I never got picked on; made sure I was welcomed in this school. When he graduated, the cool kids were quick to ignore my presence. It was mutual.

I'm snapped back to reality by the bell signaling I had five minutes till first hour. I glance at my schedule, to see I had English first hour; Coin was my teacher. She was cold and calculating, but the BEST English teacher we have.

I make my way to her class, when I see Madge across the way. She sees me, and stops. I walk to her, and she tilts her head to the side, silently asking my class.

"Coin," I say.

"Me too. Thank God, I don't have to do this alone."

We get to class, and sit down in the middle. Way in the back is full with people I don't care to associate with, and the way front is full is deserted. We find two empty desks in a next to the other, and settle down. I had one headphone in, but the bell told me that it was time to turn my iPod off.

I do my best to ignore the class gossiping behind me, and I roll my eyes at Madge. She rolls her eyes, too.

Coin comes in, and promptly begins to call role. I don't pay attention until my name is called. "Here," I say clearly. A few more names are called.

"Peeta Mellark?"

"Here."

I stiffen at the voice behind me. Peeta Mellark was Gale's friend for awhile, but then there was this huge fight between all the basketball players, and lines were drawn. Unfortunately, Peeta was on the wrong side of that line. I hadn't talked to him since that fight. Peeta is now the basketball star, and everyone whispers that his future is bright, and fully paid for. I, however, know what an ass he is, and do not care for him, nor his 'bright' future. If you ask me, his future is full of whores and booze.

Halfway through the hour, I shift to face Madge next to me.

Peeta notices, and offers a friendly hello. I mutter hi, and shift back to stare at my homework that I have no plans of doing. No, it's not senioritis. It's taking-care-of-my-family-itis. My mother works, but it's not enough. I have to work, too. We live in the middle of nowhere, in the middle of the woods. I hunt in the morning before dawn, attend school during the day, and work in the evening. I collapse at night, only sometimes getting sleep. I have terrible nightmares; visions of my father dying before my eyes dance at night.

The rest of the day passes by uneventfully. When I get home, I finally look at my phone. Three texts from Gale. I read them.

Hey, Catnip. I hope your first day goes well.

I'm free around four. Let's hang out.

Catnip? I'm worried.

I smile at him. Always worried for me.

Gale, I'm fine. Phone was on silent all day. I'd love to hang out. I'll be over soon.

I change, and grab my keys. My first day was a success, and I'm ready to celebrate with my best friend.