Katniss pov
Rubbing my eyes i slowly sit up and look around. Rays of sunlight are shinning through the dusty windows as i try to remember what happened. My eyes sting slightly from crying so much and my arm feels numb because i fell asleep on it.
I then remember everything, the house, the fire, the Primrose...
Shaking my head i look out the window, whilst using my hand to put pressure of my numb arm as I try to get the blood flowing properly, and judging by the sunrise it looks about 7am. Groaning i push myself off the floor, stumbling slightly before leaning my head on the wooden door trying to figure out what i'm going to do next with my life. Work? No, I don't have a proper education and even if I do get a job its illegal, and if caught I could face punishments like public whippings. If the humiliation doesn't traumatize you than the excruciating pain sure will. Eat? Maybe but I have to keep rations, I barely have any money to buy food let alone eat it. Beg? No. Unless...
With the spark of an idea in my head I push off the door and go into Prim's room, in search for her diary. Well it was more of a journal at least in her view but I never cared enough to take a look. Pulling open the brown closet doors I look inside but find no journal. Slamming the doors shut, I spin around and crouch down to look under the bed but I can't see anything then again neither could Prim. Jumping up I follow my memory and walk over to the bed and put my hand under the white pillow, my hands finding purchase on the book. Grabbing it, I remove it from its place and open it to one of her last entries thankful that her possession doesn't have a password or fingerprint scanner to allow entry. I didn't ever look in her journal because it was personal and part of me feels guilty for doing so given the circumstances but i want to do something for her. Flicking through the pages i find what i'm looking for, scribbled down in her neat handwriting. A phone number.
Taking a moment to memorize the numbers i return her journal to its original place and look for the old house phone. Jogging downstairs i go in the cupboard under the staircase and use the land-line. I would prefer a cellphone but i don't have the time or money to spend time on that right now but i'll get one, eventually.
Dialing the numbers i bite my lip and tap my foot nervously until i hear the shrill voice sound through the phone. "Hello?", she says and i instantly remember her, Miss Trinket.
"Hi", i say nervously as I stifle a yawn, "It's Everdeen. I would like a placement at Panem forever high school". That's something we have to do because they find first names pointless and call you by your surname some weird respect thing that I never understood.
"Everdeen, Everdeen", she mummers as i hear the click of what must be a computer mouse, so she must be searching my records. "Well it seems you've already came to the school and dropped out, so we can't except you".
"What?" I reply my voice growing stronger as my body goes more tense. "No, i didn't drop out", i complain as I coil the phone wire around my finger.
I hear her sigh through the phone before addressing me scornfully, "Yes you did it's on our records and before you question me, no they are not wrong. You left willingly and we don't want any bad records at our school, we have enough as it is. Therefore we are aiming to improve the quality of the school so we can compete with others without having the Capitol down-grade us to an academy".
"Your such a liar", i complain knowing i'm making the situation worse, "Please? I'll be really good, full attendance, you know i never did anything wrong", i insist. I listen as she scoffs on the other end.
"Look", she states, "At Panem forever we are all about manners so don't raise your voice at me. We have a lot of people who want spaces and we are very busy with our current students. So no, you gave up you place so we can't offer you another placement until further notice, thank you and have a good evening Miss Everdeen", she says abruptly hanging up. She just put the phone down on me and I have no manners! With my blood boiling, I slam the phone down in a fit of rage. Who does she think she is?
Cursing inwardly, i slap my hand against the wall beside the phone and scream trying to rid myself of my anger and tension. The noise echo's off the empty walls feeling me with dread. "We can't offer you another placement Miss Everdeen", i say mocking her accent. Closing my eyes I take a few calming breathes as I try to remember what Prim said I should never do, I mean they were always my best ideas.
This is what she would have wanted. Jogging upstairs I locate my backpack and satchel before emptying them. Once that's done i search through my discarded clothes on the floor and look for something to wear. Picking up my outfit I judge how long i have to get there and go to the bathroom to get changed.
Opening the door, i'm changed and ready yet my unfortunately my appearance hasn't changed much so its likely that I'll be easily recognised. Tossing my dirty clothes into an empty corner of the room, I grab my empty satchel - which i left empty for a reason - before jogging downstairs, opening the door then leaving.
I still can't believe it though, i was rejected a placement.
But that don't mean I'm gonna listen.
Turning my head, i walk down the concrete pathway listening to the crunch of the stones under my hunting boots as I travel through the forest for District 12. I easily walk through the forest without getting lost or tripping on a fallen tree, not that I'd make that mistake again. Glancing around i hear the quiet chirps of the birds and i feel at peace with the memories of my loved ones. Once i'm in the heart of the forest, i glance to the right and see what looks to be a roof. What else is here? Letting my curiosity get the best of me, i change direction and head towards the building. Using my hunter's instinct i quietly approach the house but stop as soon as i see the door open.
Ducking behind a tree, i carefully watch the two-story house waiting to see who leaves the house. The house is pretty nice, it's painted white while certain parts of the building are cobblestone.
The building is lit up by the porch light as i hear someone calling to a boy, a brother maybe? Squinting i take in the details of this person as he emergeces from the house and steps onto the stairs illuminated by the porch lights. He has what looks like bronze hair, like an ashy colour and looks built, with pale skin. I watch as the person rubs the back of their neck while explaining to a blonde girl that she has to leave? I assume that's what he's saying as he's pointing away from the house whilst looking at her. Suddenly i'm hit with the harsh reality of what's happening right now. There is only one person i know who does that.
No...
No please, anyone but him.
I stumble backwards and gasp as i cover my mouth with my hand willing back the tears as i'm fiercely hit with flashbacks.
"Katniss", he screamed. "Katniss, wake up, Katniss please". I gasp looking back as my vision goes blurry from lack of oxygen and my tears. My last sight is him smashing the window and screams. so many screams.
Tripping over a branch I flinch as it snaps; the sharp crack startiling the boy as he looks over in my direction.
Swiftly greedily Taking deep breathes i turn and head back in the correct direction of school. I shake my head and start running as i notice he's heading the same way as me. I sprint the whole way to Panem forever high school before whipping off my jumper and placing it in my satchel. I'm wearing my hair in its usual braid and a white t-shirt that sleeves go to the elbows. I'm also wearing light brown jeans with my brown hunting boots. Over the top i have a necklace and scarf.
Taking a final deep breath, i casually walk across the grass outside the school and see a few students laughing next to their cars with their friends and i can't help but feel slightly envious. I want a life like that, i have freedom, but i'm not carefree, I'm not happy. I walk into the school and keep my head down as i pass the office. I still can't believe i was rejected a placement but that doesn't mean I'm gonna listen. why should i! Wow! This school has no security at all. I smirk to myself as i walk around the halls and see no camera's or teachers, just the occasional students by their lockers. I catch the eye of a girl chatting to her friends and she gives me a look as though she could instantly tell i'm new, like i don't blend in at all. I totally disagree well except that everyone here is with their friends, in couples or reading. Sighing i realize this is most likely going to be a school where the students are in groups.
Turning away i go down a hallway and walk up the stairs. Thinking about all that's happening. I know where i'm going and what i'm going to have to do but i have no choice. I'm saving my money for a real emergency - not like a "those shoes are gorgeous, i have to have them. they were made for me" kind of girl - but if i can't get a job.
Once i'm in the second storey of the school i pretend to glance at the work before slipping into a dark and empty classroom. I shut the door and search through the cabinets before grabbing whatever i can find and stuffing it in my satchel including: pencils, pens, a pencil case, paper and some notebooks as well as slipping a phone that was left behind by a student into my pocket. What?! i need this more than they do. It's a good thing i left my satchel empty. I continue looking through the draws until i decide i have enough as i repeat in my head - this isn't stealing and you didn't sneak into school, education is free. It doesn't matter. I don't want to be here but i know i need an education to do anything in life and Prim would have wanted it.
Turning around to flee. I mean leave, i'm not running from anything. My whole body freezes as I come face to face with a girl...
Who is smirking and i know she's caught me stealing.
Damn.
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