This is my first story written. I am new to this fan-fiction. Pardon me if there is any mistake made throughout the whole process. Also, I am not familiar with the US education system (but I am trying really hard to google on the basic knowledge of the system). Nonetheless, I welcome feedbacks from all the readers (hopefully there is no harsh review).
R&R!
Chapter one
2001
Katniss POV
My name is Katniss Everdeen. I'm 7 years old. I have always dreaded the moment where I need to walk home after school ends. All I ever wanted from the first day of school was to keep myself from trouble and hang around with a small group of friends. But all the hopes vanished when I crossed path with the blonde boy who has a pair of vicious icy blue eyes in the school hallway one year ago. Since our short encounter, he started to pick on me when I am walking back to my house. Sometimes, he would ask his two friends to join in the "fun" to see me in pain.
*Smacks*
I felt a big blow behind my head and I found myself fell into a puddle of mud.
*Stomps*
I felt a kick on my stomach and another stomp on my left arm. Not long after, I heard laughter from none other than the blonde boy and his two "comrades".
"You are an ugly piece of filthy rat! Ugly wretch!"uttered one of his comrades who have brown hair.
"You are a piece of dirt, and that puddle of mud suits you well since you are such a low life and you don't deserve to be in a school"
Yes, he was right. I am a burden to my family. My family is very poor. My father works as a construction worker and he could barely feed us, let alone school me? I always tell my father that I can find a job to wash dishes instead of going to school which burdens my family. But my father ignores me when I bring that subject. He always reminds me that education is important and promises a bright future. He has always been the supportive father who always tries his very best to provide for the family. I love him so much for that.
*Stomps stomps stomps*
The two boys laughing hysterically and continue to kick the small girl. The girl with the braids covered her ears with her palms and curled herself. She began to sob quietly, hoping that this torment would end soon. They had hit her too much already.
"Let's stop it, boys," the blonde boy smirked after saying that. "Seems like she has gotten enough of beatings for the day, let's save our energy for next time." The two of the comrades nodded and followed him from behind.
As the boys left or so she thought, she pulls herself up and prepares to go home, the blonde came back and gave her another kick, forcing her to fall on the ground again.
"Everdeen, this is not the end, this is STILL the beginning!"
True enough, the boys have never failed to make my life a living hell. Every day, they would be waiting for me to continue the abusive cycle. Every time when I get home, I would quickly run to the shower and tries to clean myself to make sure my family does not notice anything. I would wear long sleeve shirt and pants to cover any bruises. I know this is stupid, I should have just report this to my teachers, principal, parents and what not but I can't because the blonde boy is Cato Ludwig, whose father is my father's employer. Ratting him out means my father would be out of job. So my act was just to protect my father, that's the very least I could contribute to my family. I thank God that Cato seems not to know that my father is working for his dad because the construction company has a lot of workers. If he ever knows that, he would not hesitate to use that as a threat.
Days go by where the boys would have something different up to their sleeves. Sometimes they would throw stones at me; sometimes they would circle me and try to push me around and tripped me intentionally. There was once Cato went overboard where he took a sharp stick to whack me on my back which left me a permanent scar. I had to lie to everyone and said that I was being clumsy and fell backwards to a piece of sharp wood.
Other than school, I sometimes helped my mother to collect clothes for washing to earn extra income. The income earned was very nominal, but it is always better than nothing. The Mellark has always been very generous. They owned the one and only bakery in the town and their cheese buns are to die for. Every time I dropped by to return the clothes to them, Mr. Mellark would always give me extra money and cheese buns for Prim and I. I refused at first but he has his way of words and managed to convince me to accept his kindness. He has three sons (one who is same age as me). He has a pair of friendly blue eyes which I adore so much. I did not interact a lot with him because he is a very shy person. He would always peek at the corner whenever I dropped by to collect or return clothes to the Mellark.
At school, I managed to keep my distance from Cato. He would not do anything funny at school because there are just too many people around. Sometimes I caught Cato glancing towards my direction. He has the death stare, and if looks can kill, that is definitely a winner. Sometimes I wonder why I am being targeted by him. There was no interaction between both of us other than the first encounter. And that first encounter was something so subtle, I just bumped into him and our eyes met. But ever since that encounter where I begin to acknowledge his existence, he started with his nonsense.
As time goes by, I managed to befriend with Madge Undersee. She is the mayor's daughter. At first I did not take notice because she is very down-to-earth and did not show her wealth to anyone until one day she decided to confess to me about her profile as we grew closer. I was glad that she is my friend. She also knew about Cato and I. She felt sorry for me and even offer to stand by me if I ever want to rat them out. But I nicely declined her offer as I did not want her to get involve. Who knows what Cato would do to her if she gets into the line? But she has been so much help to me; she would bandage me and try to cover up for me whenever she can.
It was fun having Madge around. She is the only one who keeps me sane from all the abuse by the cold-hearted Cato.
2 years later…
It was a fine Monday morning when I was preparing myself for first third grade at school. I saw my father sitting at the counter giggling with my mother while she was preparing breakfast before my school starts. It was a beautiful sight. My father stopped when he saw me at the kitchen door.
"Katniss, you look so beautiful in that red dress. Give me a twirl,"he said as he was smiling widely and holding my hand up high.
I held his hand and begin to twirl. "But dad, I am not beautiful in other people's eyes".
"Katniss Love, you are always beautiful in my eyes and EVERYONE's eyes. Promise me love, no matter what happens, please stay happy and don't let anything to bring you down. A smile a day keeps the heartache away!" as he kissed me on my forehead and whispers further "I love you, Katniss." a mild wind gush my face.
"Okay dad, I promise," I sighed and planted a kiss on his cheek.
"Okay Katniss, are you ready for your first day in third grade?"
At school.
Katniss!
I heard someone yelling my name, and the voice was very familiar. I turned around and saw Madge who was running towards me. I let out a big smile on my face and ran to her, meeting her halfway.
"Katniss, oh my god. I miss you so much! How are you? I can't wait to start third grade with you, are we having the same class? Wait let me take my schedule from my bag. Wait, are you okay? Did you enjoy yourself?" Madge was in a frantic mood.
"Madge, calm down! First, I need you to relax. 1 2… 3 breathe in, breathe out. Second, I want to tell you that I miss you so much too. Third, I am fine here, thank you. Next, I am equally excited as you that I can't wait to start school with you again. And, here is my schedule so that you can compare them. I think I have mentioned that I am fine, if that is considered as okay to you and I did enjoy myself being away from the abusive Cato," I finished my sentence with a loud laugh which made Madge laughed too. She knew she was in her frantic mood and glad that I calmed her down every time.
"Whee, we are in the same class for every lesson!" Madge squealed.
"C'mon, let's go," I held her hand and we were practically jumping to our first class.
As I walked into my first class, my jaw dropped. I was shocked to see the familiar pair of blue icy eyes was staring at me.
Cato! He is in my class. Oh god, what a day to start my first day at school. Madge saw the incident and she quickly held my hand and pulled me to the empty seats. Although I am seated at my place, I could feel the glare darting to my back. Everyone was still in the chattering mood until Mr. Beetee came into the class. He introduced himself and started the lesson. As I slowly shifted my attention to the lesson, Madge nudged me.
"What?" I whispered to her.
"That cute blonde has eyes on you," Madge let a small smile and signaling her left eye brow to the boy's direction.
I looked to the direction where she signaled me to, and I was surprised that the boy is one of Mr. Mellark's son. The shy one.
I quickly turned away and I felt my face was heating up a little.
"Are you blushing, Katniss?" Madge whispered.
"What?! No, I am not!" I was a bit too loud until Mr. Beetee stopped his lesson.
"Is there any problem there?" Mr Beetee asked in a stern voice.
"No…" I murmured.
"Madge, you are crazy, he is obviously not eyeing on me. Or is there anything funny on my face? Or my dress?"
"Nah, the only thing that is funny is you don't realize how beautiful you are" Madge winked at me after completing the sentence.
As I was about pull Madge's hair band for making fun of me, I noticed Cato was still looking at me as if I am his prey. God, would this boy leave me alone.
It was dreadful that the second and third class was the same as Cato. I think he must be dying to torture me now since he did not do so during the holidays.
When I was taking down the notes in my fourth lesson, there was an announcement made.
"Katniss Everdeen, please come to the principal's office at once"
The announcement was broadcast to the school. Second after the announcement, everyone turned to me. Madge gave me a hug before I leave. A lot of things ran into my mind,
Was it my outbreak during Mr. Beetee's class that I might get detention? Was it my financial problem which hinders me from attending school anymore?
Without hesitation, I excused myself from the class and dashed to the principal's room. Before I closed the door, I felt two pairs of blue eyes were looking at me, and to my realization it was Cato's and the Mellark's.
As I was walking to the principal's office, I somehow had a hunch that something was not right already. When I reached the principal's office, Principal Trinkett came to hug me.
"Katniss, please follow me to the car." That's all she said to me.
I was shocked to see Principal Trinkett drove me to the hospital. As I walked into the hospital, my step was frozen when I saw my mother hauling like a mad woman. I did not know what to do till Principal Trinkett ushered me to my mother.
"Mom, what's happening?" I asked her while holding her shoulder. But she does not respond to my question. So, I started to ask her more intent. "Mom, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" But she still ignored me. I looked at Principal Trinkett, giving her the look that I want to know the answer.
"Katniss dear" she sighs. "It's about your father. He had a fatal accident while he was working at the construction site."
I instantly burst into tears. I feel my heart shattered into pieces. I have lost the man of my life.
This can't be happening.
I just saw my father this morning and remember clearly what he told me before he left for work.
"Katniss Love, you are always beautiful in my eyes and EVERYONE's eyes. Promise me love, no matter what happens, please stay happy and don't let anything to bring you down. A smile a day keeps the heartache away!" as he kissed me on my forehead and whispers further "I love you, Katniss."
More tears running to my cheek when I remembered the scene. It was still raw in my mind. And I started to question God why He was being so unfair to my life.
Things have changed; my mother has shut down on my sister, Primrose and me since my father's death. She was in her own world and could not bring herself to provide for us. From that day onwards, I vowed that I would never fall in love as I witnessed how love could break someone apart.
After my father's sudden death, my family received settlement sum from the construction company which is enough to cover the cost of the funeral. I did not shed a tear during the funeral. Prim was too young to understand the pain and my mother, she was hauling as usual. Before I threw the earth from my hand to the coffin, I felt a mild air gush my face. It was just like that morning before his death when he told me he loves me. It felt like he was reminding me of his words to me on that faithful morning. I couldn't help it but let a small smile on my face.
My uncle, Uncle Haymitch came to the rescue to offer to take care of both Prim and I as my mother is not fit to take care of the minor.
As soon as the funeral ends, Prim and I left our home in Texas to New York to stay with Uncle Haymitch. Before we left, I bid my goodbye to Madge and we promised to keep contact with each other. I hugged her as if this would be my last hug to her. She was bawling when I let go of her but I did not shed a tear. Somehow, I felt numbness in my heart after my father's passing.
I was sad that I have to leave the house which was filled with the memories of my once a happy family. I was also sad that I am leaving Madge behind. And an inch of my sadness was also due to leaving Mellark's boy. I would never be able to know his name. However, deep down I was relief…
… relief that I would be able to close my chapter in Texas to start anew in New York
… relief that I would be having a brighter future in New York
and most important…
… relief that I do not need to deal with Cato and his comrades any more
But one thing I would never forget is the permanent scar given by him which will haunt me for a very long time.