The buzzing of the alarm clock barely wakes me up. I spent my night awake in front of my laptop, reviewing the case materials for today. I love my job, but having to present testimony and being a witness in court is the only downfall. The idea that if I make one mistake in how I present a situation could ruin a child's life is horrifying.
When I made the decision to become a clinical social worker, I did it because I desperately wanted to help children, but certain responsibilities come with this job. It's sickening how many children are treated with such cruelty from their parents. When I first started, the stories would keep me up at night, but eventually I was able to disassociate. I have to be strong for the kids. They need someone to count on.
Talking in front of large groups of people has never been a strength of mine, but I push aside my fear for the kids. They need a voice and I'm happy to be there for them.
I slowly climb out of bed and make my way to the bathroom. When I catch my reflection in the mirror, I can't help but groan. The dark circles under my eyes seem more prominent than usual.
"Get it together, Everdeen," I say to myself before splashing cold water on my face.
It was going to be a busy day, and I need to be fully functional.
The fresh, amazing smell of coffee fills my nose and I smile.
Thank God for Gale.
After a quick shower I head down to the kitchen and grab a fresh cup of coffee.
Gale turns away from the sink to face me. "You're welcome."
"Oh come on Gale, you know that I love you and that I'm forever in your debt!" I tell him before taking another sip.
Gale rolls his eyes but I see him trying to hide a smile.
We've been best friends for years. Gale and I always had a wonderful, unique friendship, and I can't imagine my life without him. Many people wonder how we have remained just friends with no romantic bullshit, but Gale and I ignore it.
We are just friends and nothing more. It could never be anything more.
"What's on the agenda for today?" He takes the seat across from me.
I sigh loudly, running a hand through my long, dark hair. "I have court all goddamn day. It's not going to be a good."
Gale frowns. He knows what these court appearances do to me. They are emotionally draining. I usually come home at the end of the day exhausted and ready for a large glass of wine.
"Just remember it's your job, Catnip," Gale reminds me. "Don't become so invested."
I can't hide my scowl. Gale never understands what it's like for me. Every day I see innocent children hurting and afraid. There's not a damn thing I can do about it.
"Shit! Is that the time?" I look at my phone and realize I'm running late. "I have to get going! Can we order pizza tonight?"
"Sounds good. Have a good day, Catnip."
It wasn't terrible, but I still feel like I was sweating through my blouse. Giving the facts is easy, but when an asshole lawyer asks the same question three different ways, it makes my brain feel as if it's about to explode.
Lucky for me, court was finished much earlier than expected so I'm able to head back to the office for some alone time.
They have me on call at the hospital. Sometimes, when really bad cases come in they call me and I head over to try and assess the situation. Young kids are hard enough to get through to, but add trauma and they close up pretty good.
I'm there to make sure that the police don't push them too hard in their questioning.
I've seen shit that I didn't even know could be real. Children bloodied and bruised, crying in their soiled clothes from years of neglect. It makes me sick to my stomach.
The office is quiet when I finally sit down at my desk. Honestly, all I want to do is take a really long nap. Maybe, I can sneak in just a couple of minutes before I start going through my paperwork.
I lay my head on the cool surface of the wood desk when my cell phone starts ringing.
"Ughhhh!" I groan dramatically. There won't be any napping for me. "Hello?"
"Dr. Everdeen? It's Officer Odair. We need you down here at Panem Memorial." Officer Odair and I have known each other for a very long time. Before I have a chance to answer he speaks again, this time his voice barely above a whisper. "It's pretty bad Katniss."
This one will be tough. I can feel it, but then again aren't they all?
My heels click on the floor of the emergency room. I see Officer Odair standing outside an exam room with another young police officer. I don't recognize him so he must be new. He runs a hand through his blonde curls and I see that he's visibly frustrated.
"Katniss!" Odair greets me with a handshake and smile. "This is my partner, Officer Peeta Mellark. He was the one who found him."
I turn my attention to Peeta whose blue eyes appear saddened by what they've witnessed, but also not completely unfamiliar.
"What happened?"
Peeta huffs while wiping the sweat from his brow. "I got the call about a domestic disturbance. When I arrived it was what I suspected. Some drunk husband beating up his wife. It's when I opened the closet and saw this little boy hiding in there, that I realized how bad the situation was. He hasn't said a word. I don't know how long he had been in the closet or what he went through, but I noticed some bruising on his arms."
I listen to Peeta carefully and I can't help but notice the pure disdain dripping from his voice. No one likes seeing a child hurt, but Peeta is different. He's furious and deeply troubled by what he witnessed.
"The kid is super attached to Peeta." Finnick tells me while looking at Peeta. "The nurses had to physically pull him off because the kid just wouldn't let go."
Shit.
I hate when this happens and sometimes it does. This young boy is looking to Peeta as his protector, which I guess you can say he is.
"What's going to happen now?" Peeta asks me softly. He's concerned.
I sigh. "It depends but I need to evaluate the situation and see if he has any relatives that can care for him -"
"What if he doesn't? Are you just going to put him in foster care and hope for the best? "Peeta argues back with a raised voice.
"I'll do what is necessary for his safety!" I'm surprised that I'm yelling. No one ever gets this type of reaction from me.
Peeta steps closer to me and I don't back down. "You think because you went to school and studied psychology that you have any idea what this kid's life is going to be like?"
"Officer Mellark, I think you need to get some fresh air." Finnick steps between the two of us. Peeta says nothing, but stalks off.
I turn to Finnick and he shrugs. "He's new and I think this is his first case where he's seen something this bad, but he's usually never like that. I'm not sure what his deal is."
"Well, I don't want to deal with him anymore." I don't know what Peeta Mellark's problem is, but I'm not letting him get under my skin.
Still, I can't shake the look on his face when he mentioned foster care. He was absolutely terrified for this young boy.
"Hey Katniss?" Finnick's voice breaks me out of my thoughts.
I turn to face him.
He reassures me. "Don't let Mellark get to you. I know you always have the child's best interest in mind and that he's in good hands."
Finnick is always so undeniably sweet and always willing to help a person in need.
His vote of confidence puts me in a better mood. "I'll take care of him. I promise."
