C H A P T E R T W O

"The last time I freaked out,
I just kept looking down,
I st-st-stuttered when you asked me what I'm thinking about.
The next time we hang out, I will redeem myself,
My heart can rest till then."
- See You Again, Miley Cyrus

Surprisingly, I was very lonely when Haymitch left for the Capitol a week later. In the past, I had tried telling myself that Haymitch was just my key to survival, nothing more. But I had grown accustomed to seeing him everyday and I actually enjoyed his company. I would even go as far as saying I... Cared about him? It was weird. He had become a sort of strange uncle to me.

I spent his week away moping around by myself. I hadn't been back to the Hob since my incident with Gale and that was really the only good place to hang out. I walked over the bakery a few times but I got the impression I was annoying them a bit and slowing down work, so I returned back home.

I did visit Madge one day. I had to admit that for a merchant, she was alright. A little quiet, but I was slowly cracking her shell. She seemed quite happy for the company, as did her father who was elated for his lonely daughter. Madge begged my to come to school but I declined. I hated that hell hole.

The day before Haymitch came home, I decided to bake cakes. I could have easily brought something ten times as nice from the bakery, but this gave me something to do. Madge had decided to visit, well I kind of forced her really. I wasn't a great cook.

"And you think I'll be able to bake?" she asked as she awkwardly sieved the flour. "I have a staff of twenty. I've never even touched an over before."

"Ohhh, check out Princess Madge. 'I have a staff of twenty'," I mimicked airily. She nudged me in my ribs and flicked flour on my face. I glared at her before dipping my hand in the bowl and throwing a fistful over her hair.

She gasped. "Oh it's on!" We began to throw flour wildly at each other. Once it had ran out, I scrapped my finger in the dirty mixing bowl and smeared the mix on her face. Madge grabbed a pan from the sink and thew the water over my head. I screamed from the cold and picked up a bag of flour.

"I thought your job here was to clean, not make a mess," a familiar voice slurred from behind us. I dropped the bag in shock and then spun around.

"Haymitch!" I said, gleefully. It was like I was not in control of my body. My feet carried me forward as I launched myself at him, my arms squeezing around his waist.

He froze for a moment before awkwardly patting me on the head. "Erm... Are you ok?" he asked.
I quickly pulled back and regained myself. "Yeah, I'm fine," I said trying to sound indifferent. "Why are you back early?"

"Had to get away from those fu-"
My eyes widened as I shook my head, nodding towards my friend behind me. Haymitch looked into the kitchen and smiled. "Oh hello, Maysilee," he said, his gaze softening.

Madge's eyes widened. "H-Hello Mr Abernathy." she looked over to me, her face pale. "I'm sorry Em, but I have to get back. My dad will be worried."

"Ok?" I looked at her questionably but she shook her head. She smiled at Haymitch and walked out the door, leaving me to clean up the mess. Thanks Madge!
I took the mop and bucket out the utility room and began to clean the floor. Haymitch sat down at the kitchen table and watched me clean, a drink already in his hands.

"So how was the Capitol?" I asked.
He groaned. "How'd ya think? Watching a young girl talking about murdering kids. It's the same shit every year." I looked down as I mopped the floor, kind of wishing that I hadn't asked.

"Got to see my buddy Chaff though, so it wasn't a complete waste of a trip," he added. You had to give it to him; he was barely conscious, but he was still able to sense that I was uncomfortable. I was desperate to ask him about the Madge thing. But the tension and awkwardness was bad enough. Besides, I knew I would never get an honest answer off him.

"So, did you get me a present?" I asked trying to lighten the mood.

"Here," he said, handing me his bottle of half consumed wine. "Happy Hunger Games."

I stated at it in my hands. I had never tried alcohol before. We had never been able to afford it. I debated in my mind, a sip couldn't hurt right.
"Go on," Haymitch slurred. He somehow already had another bottle in his hands. "Chug, Chug, Chug."

I took a deep breath before taking a gulp. The harsh liquid burned my throat as I swallowed. I coughed and spluttered as Haymitch laughed.

"Not funny," I muttered, wiping my mouth with my sleeve.

"Oh, you love me really. I think you missed me." he leaned back smugly in his chair.
"No I didn't," I said. It didn't sound too convincing. I smiled at him shyly. "Did you miss me?" I asked.

Haymitch dramatically stroked his chin in deep though. "Nope!" he grinned wickedly and laughed, his glass toppling over to the floor.

Ugh, he could be such an ass at times. My eyes widened and I gave my best pout. "Oh, Ok," I said in a small voice. Haymitch stopped laughing and looked at me curiously. "I-I just thought that since we were kind of..." I trailed off and turned so he faced my back.

"Look, I'm sorry kid it was just a joke," he said in a guilty voice.
I spun around to face him with a triumphant smile. "And so was that," I said smugly.

Haymitch pointed his finger at me angrily. "Wow, that was cruel. Although I have to admit your acting skills are superb. Bravo." I curtsied while he clapped.
"Shame there's no theatre around here. I would own this town."

"Yes, you could charm them with your kindness and modesty."
I stuck my tongue out at him. "So," I said sitting beside him. "I'm a great actress, but you are not. Care to share what happened with Madge. Or shall I say Maysilee?"

His eyes stayed fixed on the table in front. "I don't know what you're talking about," he muttered.

"Don't worry I'm not going to pry it from you." I held up my hands in defence. "But it's obvious there's a story there, and if you apply too much pressure when you bottle things up, there's more of a chance of an explosion."

He looked across at me, the corners of his eyes wrinkling into a smile. "Since when did you get so wise?"
"Me? I've always been smart," I grinned.

"Too smart for school?" he asked cockily.
I huffed and slammed my drink on the table. This conversation was happening too frequently. "Let me say this one last time; Mockingjay's will sprout feet and cancan around the district before I step through those doors. There is no way in hell I will go to school."

:-:

I glared at my reflection in the mirror. I could see Haymitch trying not to laugh behind me. I just ignored his existence, just like I had for the past week. The day after he returned from the Capitol, he marched straight over the the school and enrolled his 'darling daughter who was lonely at home'.

"Why the hell did you enrol me?" I shouted when he told me.
"Because you need an education," he said innocently. It was a load of bullshit. There was an alternative motive to why he was sending me to teenage hell, but like everything else is Haymitch's mysterious life, he would never tell me.

"Why do hate school do much?" he asked me after one of my many tantrums. Like everything else in my mysterious life, I would not tell him. Well, not yet anyway.

I rid my naturally straight hair of knots and let it lay loose over my shoulders. After deeming myself respectable, I left the house without another word or look at Haymitch. I knew I was being childish, but he was too; sending me school just for his own amusement. It was cruel!

The walk to District Twelve's school house wasn't very far. I never understood why it was called a house, it was at least double the size of the justice building. It had to big enough to fit the two hundred plus children of twelve. As I rounded the corner I suddenly felt nervous. The dreary building held so many memories, did I really want to go back? No, I didn't but I had to. I couldn't hide forever. I held my head high and strolled over to entrance.

Kids of all ages were running around, pushing their way through the doors, calling to friends, hugging like they hadn't seen each other in years. They looked like a bunch of saps, but I knew after a few weeks here I would be one of them.

I drifted my way through the busy halls until I found the door marked 'main office'. I gave it a sharp knock.

"Come in," a voice called. I stepped through the door and found myself in a very small and poky room containing only a desk and another door. A plump woman sat squished behind the desk, she had a very kind smile.

"Hello dear, how can I help you?" she asked. Her grin was infectious and I couldn't help but smile along, my fears about the day lifting away.

"Hello, I'm Emery. Emery... Abernathy," I said, unsure what name to use. Haymitch's was probably best since he had enrolled me. "Today's my first day."

The woman shot up out of her chair and began bustling around the room gathering papers. "Ah yes, it's so great to have you here. I think you'll love it here, it's the best school in the district." It's the only school in the district, I added silently. Normally, I would have voiced my words but I couldn't bare to upset this kind woman.

"Now, here is your timetable," she handed me a piece of paper. "Let me find someone to show you to your first class." she moved to the door but then stopped sharply. She smoothed out my t-shirt and told me to pull my jeans up to rid the crinkles. "We don't want to make a bad impression on our first day," she said. She reminded me of a mother hen with all her caring and kindness. It was nice to meet a genuine person, there were very few around and it was nice to know that there was one right here in my definition of hell.

The secretary walked out into the hallway and bobbed her head over crowds of students.

"Ivy," she called, waving her arms wildly. "Please come here." A very pretty blonde girl untangled herself from her group of friends and skipped forward. She wore a baby blue dress and had a daisy pinned to get chest. I hated her already.

"Could you please show our new student to math room fourteen please?"
"Sure Mrs Genie," the girl smiled sweetly. I gave my thanks to the secretary and walked out the door with the girl, vowing to be on my best behaviour.

"Hello, I'm Ivy Greengrass," the girl said, her teeth were dazzling. They had to be fake.
"Hi, I'm Emery Abernathy," I said, giving her a small smile. I could see her trying to register my name in her eyes.

"Abernathy?" she asked curiously.

"Yes," I said stiffly, knowing very well what was coming. She sensed my tone and didn't press further, smart girl.
"Have you every been to school before?" I had to give it to her, she was a good small talker.

"Yes, I came her a few years ago but left when I was ten," I told her.

"Oh," she said, her face triumphant. "You're the girl who had rabies!"
"No," I said, staring at her blankly. Her face fell.

As we turned the corner, a group of merchant boys came into view. Ivy giggled and shot them a winning smile. They all nudged each other and hollered at my tour guide.
"Now, if you want a boyfriend, those are the only acceptable ones to date," she whispered, once we were out of hearing range. "Baton, Mellark and Raymond are the ones you want," she added with a giggle. "However, Hawthorne's the beef of this school, but you don't go near him."

"Why?" I asked dully. I frankly didn't care, but if her gossiping meant I didn't have to talk about myself, than it was all grand.

Ivy giggled again. "Because he's from the seem," she said, as though it was the most scandalous thing in the world. I had no idea who this Hawthorne kid was, but I felt bad that he was being ridiculed just because of his postcode.

I glared at Ivy. "So?"
"So what?" she asked, absentmindedly. I stopped and gestured wildly at my olive skin and dark hair. I didn't have the traditional seem eyes, mine were oddly brown, a rarity in twelve, but she seemed to get the message. Her little mouth formed a perfect 'O'. Thankfully, we had arrived room fourteen. I shot her a glare before storming into the room.

Was she really that stupid? Was she do absorbed in her own perfect little world not to realise the color of my hair? It was people like her that caused those stupid rivalries and hatred. I stood in the corner of the classroom reeling in my thoughts until everyone had entered. I sat down in the last available seat, at the very front. Great, this day just keeps getting better and better.

The teacher handed me a quiz to assess my ability. I gulped, I hadn't been to school in years, surely I would be sent to work with the nine year olds. I hastily looked at the paper.

"Q1. There are x number of coals, y is the number of bags. If the number of coals in a bag is the square root of 5x+3y=144. How many coals per bag?"

I stared at it in horror. What was it talking about? That was impossible to solve, however a distant memory formed in my brain. It was years ago, my older brother Rhys was doing his math homework. I always enjoyed math so I went to see what he was doing.

The method suddenly clicked in my mind. I scribbled down the answer and continued with the rest of the paper. It wasn't that bad. Quite easy really. After ten minutes I had finished, I awkwardly raised my hand.

"Yes Miss Abernathy, is there a problem?" the teacher asked patronisingly.

"Erm... I'm finished," I said shyly.

His eyes widened. "Finished? But that quiz is timed at one hour. You've barely had ten minutes." He looked quite angry. I shrugged and handed him my work. Ignoring the rest of the class, he took out his pen and marked it. The other students found this hilarious for some reason and giggled constantly.

The further he got down my test, the more red his face got. Was it all wrong? After five minutes he slammed it back down on my desk.

100%. I stared at it in shock. How had I gotten full marks. The teacher seemed to be wondering the same thing.

"Well it seems that you are too advanced for this class." I shrunk down in my seat as the students around me giggled and made fun of me. I may have been good at math, but I was a complete disaster at everything else. The teacher took my schedule off me and scribbled out the room number.

"Stay here for today, but tomorrow you shall be in room five with the fifteen to sixteen year olds." I groaned. "Is there a problem?" he asked tartly.
"No sir," I mumbled. Could this day get any worse?

I thought not. English went by easily. I sat in the corner by myself and wrote a five hundred word description of my favourite place in district twelve. No one spoke to me; I did not speak to anyone else. All was going fine until the last period before lunch: Gym.

"I don't have a kit," I said smugly to the coach. If there was one thing I hated it was running around a track on a path to nowhere.
The coach pointed me to a cupboard in the changing room. "Extras in there," he grunted before slouching away.

I pushed my way through rows of half naked teenagers until I got to the cupboard. It was tiny, and just two uniforms lay crumpled on the floor. One, two sizes to big, the other too small. Should I look like a man or a slut? A man wins every time in my opinion.

I took of my shirt and pants and slotted into the shorts and tshirt. I took two steps but the shorts fell down below my ankles. I kicked them away and put on the slut shorts. The tshirt was thankfully long enough to hide my protruding butt.

I had taken so long getting ready, that when I arrived in the gym, everyone else had already paired off. Oh well, it's not like I knew anyone anyway.
I went and stood awkwardly next to the coach while he scanned the room for a partner. There was a lone greasy boy who seemed to have a hobby of staring at girls asses, but I daren't point him out.

A loud laugh broke the coach from his hunt. We turned around and saw a few of the merchant boys pushing each other and dumbly messing about. I recognised them from the crowd Ivy pointed out earlier. The only ones deemed respectable enough to date. Wow, she had appalling taste.

"No, I'm not going to have another lesson of riots. Baton go with Potter. Mellark with new girl," the coach shouted. There was a lot of grumbling before they separated.

The stockiest one gave one last laugh and joke to his friends before coming to join me at the side lines. As he got nearer I noticed him to be the bakers youngest son. I had never spoken to him before, but I had seen him many times icing the cakes behind the counter.

"Hello," he said, giving me a dazzling smile, adjusting the ball in his hands. "So your new girl?"
"I prefer just to go by girl," I said, quite peeved at the coaches comment. "Or Emery, whatever floats your boat."

He let out a pleasant laugh. "Nice to meet you girl, I'm Peeta." He threw the ball to me. I just managed to catch it in my finger tips. He had to jump for it when I threw it back. I had terrible coordination.

"Is this all we're doing?" I asked dully. I absolutely hated physical activity. I was more than happy to lie on the sofa all day eating cakes. It was a miracle how I wasn't paralysed with obesity.

Peeta motioned over to the hoops were a few boys were taking turns to shoot. "We can go over there if you want?"
"No, no," I said, shaking my head wildly. "This is already way past my limit."

"No very sporty?" he asked.
"My idea of physical activity is walking to the fridge for more food."

He laughed again. Peeta was by far my favourite person I had met today. He was not stuck up like the other kids, he was just a generally nice person. We stayed by the side lines lazily throwing the ball for the rest of the period. It was actually quite fun. He taught me some children's playground games that I had missed out on when I was younger. He was very hansom and charming. It was easy to see why so many of the girls were after him.

As we played, I could see Ivy and her group of friends glaring at me. I scoffed.

"What?" Peeta asked.
"Nothing," I squeaked. He turned around and laughed.

"What did you do to them? I heard Ivy having one of her little moans earlier," Peeta said with a grin.
"Nothing, she was just being a brat about seem kids," I mumbled. I don't know why I was telling him this. He was probably joining in with them.

"Just ignore them, they're just silly girls," he said with a smile. I was so surprised at his answer that I smiled too.

The bell rang signalling lunch time. Peeta put our ball back and invited me to sit next to him and his friends in the cafeteria.

"Thanks but I'm ok," I said, looking over to where Ivy was whispering and laughing, her eyes fixed on Peeta and I. Could she make it more obvious that she was talking about us?
"I think I'm sitting with my friend Madge," I continued.

Peeta nodded. "Oh yeah, she normally sits by the far wall with Katniss Everdeen."
"Thanks," I said. He knew where she sat, maybe Madge and Peeta were friends too. That would be so convenient.

I said goodbye to Peeta before going into the changing rooms. I threw off my kit and put my own clothes back on. They felt so much more comfortable and homely. I was desperate to get to lunch to see Madge.

I practically ran to the cafeteria. But as I rounded the hallway, I went crashing into someone. His books dropped to floor and his papers scattered around the hall.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry," I said, dropping to the floor to pick them up. I gathered up their books and looked up, my breath hitching in my throat. It was Gale, the boy I had hit at the Hob. His stoney expression told me that he had remembered me.

"I'm sorry," I squeaked again.
"Is that all you can say," he said harshly, towering over me. "Why we're you running anyway?"

He was very tall. I only came up to his shoulder. He was very intimidating. "I-I..." began, but no words came out. I, Emery Matilda Hope had been rendered speechless. I just stood there like a potato while he glared down at me.

"What's wrong with you?" a smug smile began to tug at the corners of his mouth. What type of person takes pleasure terrorising a fourteen year old?

Finally regaining my composure, I returned his stupid smile. "Nothing. It's just your ass-bag stench is melting my mind," I said childishly. Really Em, is that the best you can do. He gave me a sceptically confused look, one I was sure I was mirroring. I gave him one last glare before darting off the cafeteria before I could embarress myself further.

Why was I such an idiot? I was usually fine when dealing with people I didn't like. But what was it about Gale that made me look so weird. I vowed that next time I would remain calm and redeem myself somehow.

When I finally got to my destination, lunch was already in full swing. I brought a very questionable sandwich and sat down at Madge's table, right where Peeta said. We talked about my day, but said little more. Katniss wasn't much of a talker but seemed nice enough.

I couldn't get out of the building quick enough when the bell rang after History. I gave a little wave to Madge and Peeta before speed walking home.

Haymitch was already sat at the kitchen table when I arrived back home. I don't think he had moved all day. He gave me a toothy grin.

"How was school?" he practically sang. He was enjoying this way too much.
"Shit," I answered simply, not really wanting to sugarcoat it. He cackled.

"What happened?" he asked, unusually sympathetic. I sat down next to him and told him all about my horrific day. He laughed at my misfortune, especially the part about me running into Gale. By the end of our talk, I actually felt quite relieved and was laughing along with him. Only an extremely unlucky person like me could bump into their worst enemy in building the size of the school.

When I woke up the next morning, I felt a little better about the whole school thing. Sure, I would have rather stayed at home, but at least I had Peeta and Madge in my classes.

The only thing that was worrying me was Math. Today would be when I started with the fifteen to sixteen year olds. Yay. I didn't know what sounded more appealing this or a gossip session with Ivy.

When I arrived at school, I went straight to the room that the teacher had wrote on my schedule yesterday. I was upset to see that the seating was in pairs. That meant I would have to make conversation. On the upside though, the teacher seemed a lot nicer than the one I had the day before.

"My names Miss Coil," she said kindly patting me on the back. "If you would take a seat next to Hawthorne at the back then we'll begin." Hawthorne! The 'beefcake' Ivy was talking about yesterday. I looked to back and saw Gale sitting at the desk with the only spare seat. He was Hawthorne? I would have to sit next to him for the entire year and partner him in projects. The fates hated me.

Remembering my vow to appear calm and cool, I slowly walked down the isle of sniggering students to my seat. I was almost there when my foot tangled in the strap of my bag. I trip over and hit my head of the side of the table.

I sat up quickly hoping that no one had noticed, but if cause they all had. Even the teacher was trying to repress her laugh. I blushed and sat down, slamming my bag on to the floor.

"Smooth," Gale whispered in my ear, his breath tickling my neck. I hated him even more.

Hi, sorry the endings a little rushed. I really wanted to get this up today. Hopefully the next chapter will be up thursday. That one will probably be the last happy/bonding one before all the drama starts.

Thanks so much for all the reviews: Prettylittleliar, stayingalive223, queenmary, gottalovetigger (you guessed a part of this chapter haha : ) SilensFlos, God1801 and lolamellark123.

Thanks so much for reading let me know what you think.

E L E C T R I C B L U E M O N K E Y