Disclaimer: I do not own Hunger Games or any of its characters

Chapter One

September

The music blares throughout the whole house. The smell of smoke sticks to every sweaty crevice. Numerous people are tangled together in the corners of rooms. I take a sip of my now warm beer and then throw my head back as I dance in time with the beat. My friend Johanna dances behind me, her hands gripping my waist as we dance with reckless abandon. I know some of our guys friends are probably sitting back and enjoying the show but with the amount of alcohol I have in my system I don't care.

I like alcohol. I like how it makes me feel; happy and free. I feel like a bird flying through the trees. Anything is possible once I have had a few drinks. I can forget about the sucky aspects of my life and just live for the moment

This is a average night of the week for us. Every night we get a text through from one of our friends detailing the next party venue. We turn up with beer and pills and everyone dances, gets drunk and hooks up until the early hours of the morning. The perfect escape from our regular lives.

A loud scuffle breaks my attention away from the music and to the door. It is my friends Gale and Beetee and they seem to have found some sort of air rifle.

"Catnip!" Gale shouts. I scowl at his use of the nickname I detest. "We're setting up a shooting range out back. Ready for me to whip your ass?"

I pull myself away from Johanna and hurry over to meet the two boys. I take the air rifle off Gale and hold it in a sexy pose.

"Ready to be beaten by a girl?" I challenge looking up at Gale. He is a good foot taller than me with a steely gaze but we've been best friends for the last 3 years. He doesn't intimidate me.

Gale smirks at me and goes to tug the end of my braid.

"Not a chance Everdeen," he replies with a grin.

Beetee elbows him slightly in the ribs and gestures for him to help set up outside. Gale tries to take the rifle off me but I clutch it to my chest protectively and wag a finger in his face.

"This is mine Hawthorne," I say with a grin.

Gale shakes his head at me before throwing an arm around my shoulder and leading me out back.

Beetee has already begun to set up the empty beer cans on a few logs in the small back yard when we arrive. With the weather still warm there are quite a few people milling about drinking beer and passing joints. A few of our other friends come up to join us while the boys set up the targets. Johanna sidles up beside me and hands me a joint she has just lit up. I happily take it and take a long drag, puffing out the excess smoke. It instantly relaxes me. I spy Johanna's eyes following Gale's behind as he bends down to pick up a beer can.

I peer at her from the corner of my eye.

"You are so obvious. Just bite the bullet and hook up with him," I say to her.

She's had an eye on Gale for a while now. He has to be one to the hottest guys in our group but Johanna has been too much of a pussy to do anything about it.

"So you'd recommend him then. I heard it's like a 12 year old boy down there," she replies.

I elbow her in the ribs.

"That was a long time ago," I state.

"Yeah until your next break up with Thom," Johanna says with a smirk.

I narrow my eyes at her and finish the last of the joint to annoy her. Johanna just laughs before Gale comes back over and plants himself in front of me.

"All yours Catnip," he says raising his eyebrows in a challenging way.

I down the rest of my beer, chuck the cup away and move to line up my target. I pick a can and position myself for the shot. Quite a crowd has gathered and I know I can't miss. I put my finger on the trigger and gently squeeze it down. There is a loud bang and seconds later the beer can topples off the log.

I spin back round with a satisfied smirk on my face. Gale shakes his head at me before making his way over and taking the gun off me.

"Lucky shot," he whispers in my ear. I raise my eyebrows and watch him as he takes his own shot.

However he can only rattle the can. He swears before lining up to take another shot which this time successfully manages to knock the can off its perch. I walk up behind him and give him a sympathetic pat on the back.

"Too bad Hawthorne. I keep offering you lessons," I say smugly.

He turns round and scowls at me.

"It's only round one," he replies leaning down so his face his close to mine. I raise my eyebrows.

"You're a fucking fool," I reply.

Gale replies with a big grin.

We take turns with a few of our other friends to shoot at the targets. My dad used to set up targets in our back yard, so even under the influence of alcohol I hit all of my targets. Gale manages to hit most of his too, but there is no doubt who the best shooter is.

I sit in Gale's arms as we wait for our next shot and watch our friend Darius miss the can by a good foot. We laugh at our friend's lack of talent as he curses under his breath.

Gale and I have been best friends for over 3 years now. After my dad and sister died at the start of freshman year I needed someone to take my mind off things and make me forget. Gale was that person. He had always lived across the street from me but with him being two years older our paths didn't cross much. However he had lost his own father the year previously and took me under his wing, introducing me to his friends and the constant parties. I learnt the bad memories could be forgotten with the help of cheap beer and a joint. He became my salvation.

We are both remarkable similar even down to the way we look. We both have dark hair and grey eyes and enjoy spending time outdoors hitting targets and getting high. We've hooked up a couple of times when both of us were completely off our faces on drink and pills but we both know it means nothing. Our friendship is strong enough that a random hook up doesn't affect it.

"Care to give me my girl back Hawthorne?" a deep male voice announces form behind us.

I turn round with a smile, pick myself off Gale and greet the voice with a sultry kiss. Thom's arms immediately wrap around me in a possessive embrace.

"She's all yours dude," Gale says standing up and slapping Thom on the shoulder.

Thom turns me around so my back is facing his front and puts his arms possessively across my chest.

"I intend to have her all to myself tonight," Thom says.

I twist around to nuzzle the base of his neck to tell him that he has no need to be jealous. He knows Gale and I are not an issue at the moment. This seems to appease him slightly and he arms loosen slightly around me. I lean back into him, happy that a confrontation has been avoided.

Thom and I have what you could call a volatile relationship. We first met when Gale introduced us in my freshman year. He is Gale's best friend and I was instantly taken by his dark hair and stocky build. I gave him my virginity a few weeks after I met him when we were both completely smashed at some party. Ever since we have had a relationship where we are constantly pushing and pulling each other. Thom is quite possessive over me and we have got into many blazing rows where each of us accuses the other of cheating. This often results in a break up and we both screw around until one of us comes crawling back to the other and we hook up again.

It's a vicious circle. After each break up I tell myself that I am not going back there again but after a couple of weeks I end up missing him and can't help but fall into his arms again.

I love him.

Aside from Gale, he has been the constant in my life since Dad and Prim died. He helps me keep the nightmares away. I need him. There's just too much history between us for me to ever let him go.

Thom has now gestured for Beetee to come over.

"Hey dude, what have you got for us tonight?" he asks.

Beetee fumbles about his pockets to pull out a small bag of purple pills.

"I call them nightlock," Beetee says gesturing to the packet of pills.

Beetee is the chemist in the group. He is the smallest one of my guy friends with short dark hair and spindly glasses but he spends his day in his parent's basement cooking up various concoctions that will keep us happy and high at these get togethers.

"Sweet," Thom says taking 2 pills from Beetee. He tips my head back and I stick my tongue out so he can give me the pill. He pops it on my tongue and I greedily swallow the little pill of happiness. He pops his own pill in his mouth before bending down to capture my lips in a hot kiss.

I twist round in his arms and press my body eagerly into his chest. I can feel the effects of the pill already, making me instantly giddy and horny. I push my hips into Thom's and I can feel him swell through his dark wash jeans. I break my lips away from his own and begin planting small kisses along his neck and collarbone.

"Let's go somewhere more private," he whispers huskily in my ear.

I just nod my head in agreement as I continue to nip and suck his flesh. He turns me around so I can hide his obvious erection and drags me to a room on the first floor.

As soon as he has slammed the door shut I attack him, ravishing his lips with my own. I back him against the wall and let my hands wander, slipping them under his black t-shirt and scrapping my nails down his strong chest. He growls in appreciation.

This noise is all it takes for me to dip my hands down and cup him over his jeans.

"I want you in my mouth," I state seductively as I stroke him over his jeans.

Thom grins at me as I kneel down and unbuckle his belt. His erection strains against the fabric of his boxers and I run a hand leisurely over it before yanking them down and exposing him to me completely. I look up at him wickedly before descending my lips to wrap around his cock.

I have been doing this for him for years now and know exactly what to do to get him off. He leans his head back against the door and grips my head in his hands to urge me on. I love doing this for him. It turns me on instantly and I can feel the familiar wetness gather in my panties.

Suddenly he releases my head and pushes me away. I look up at him and pout, disappointed he didn't let me finish him off.

"Turn around and get on your hands and knees," he demands.

I do as he says and wait for him to do whatever he has planned for me. I hear him kneel down behind me and tear down my denim shorts and panties in one go before pulling my ass closer to him. I feel him push at my entrance.

"Wait!" I shout. "Do you have anything?"

I can hear Thom groan at the delay.

"It's fine. You were on your period last week. You can't get pregnant," he says.

I try to rack my brain to see if they ever said that in health class but I am interrupted in my thoughts by the feel the head of his cock grazing at my opening. I roll my head forward as the first ripple of pleasure rakes through my body. My hips jerk backwards involuntary and I no longer care if he is right. I need him inside of me now.

He takes this as his cue to enter me roughly and set a frantic pace. We both moan and groan as he slams into me. However I know at this pace he won't last long. I rarely climax this way. All too soon he has released himself inside of me with me still searching for my own release.

He pulls out of me and yanks his jeans on as he gets up. Still searching for my own release I flip myself over and spread my legs wide for him before dipping my hand down to finish what he had started. Thom watches me, his eyes black with lust, as I bring myself to completion. I come with a shout and a shudder and hang my head back, panting a little after our executions.

Once I have found my breath, I bring my head back up to see his erect penis straining against his jeans.

"God you're so damn hot," Thom says his voice thick with lust.

I give him a sexy smile, before re-dressing myself and walking over to him. I cup him through his jeans and stand up on my tiptoes to whisper in his ear.

"Think about that while you take care of this," I whisper, running a finger up his length and then walking past him and out of the door.

I stumble into my small one storey house at 7 in the morning having crashed at a friend's house after last night. It had been a good night. Thom and I didn't get into any arguments. I'm still buzzing from my earlier highs.

I crash into the coffee table as I return home and the noise is enough to bring my mom out of the kitchen. She works night shifts at a care home and would have only just got back herself. She stares at my unkempt appearance and scrunches her nose at the stench of alcohol and weed but doesn't bother asking me where I have been. At least this time I wasn't brought home by the police.

Ever since my dad and little sister, Prim, died in a car accident 3 years ago my mom has been missing emotionally. The shock of losing the love of her life and daughter in one go was too much for her to handle and she checked out on me soon after. She spent much of those early months sitting staring out of her bedroom window. She has now got to a place where she at least can function but anything that involves emotions she ignores. I have been going out and partying for years now and she has never said anything. She doesn't bat an eyelid whenever the cops pick me up for underage drinking or breaking and entering. No matter what I do, she will continue to ignore me.

"Don't worry Mom. I'll make it to school," I mumble as I make my way past her and enter my bedroom.

School is the last place I want to be. I'm not going to college so why should I bother? At least I am in my senior year and only have to endure one more year of the shit hole and all its phonies. I envy Thom and Gale for getting out 2 years ago.

I meet Johanna in the quad and we head in to endure the torture that is high school. Johanna is the only other one of our crew still in high school and the only person I can tolerate here.

We make our way to the coffee machine to find the caffeine that will help us get over this hangover. Johanna looks about as rough as I feel and we both support a large pair of sunglasses to hide the bags under our eyes.

"So fucking jealous of those assholes that get to sleep in all day. I am done with this hell hole!" Johanna exclaims as she picks up her coffee and blows on the top of it.

I nod my head in agreement as I rub the spot of my pounding headache.

"Less than a year Jo. Then you and I can live it up and party all day," I say claiming my own drink.

Johanna grins and raises her cup to me.

"I'll drink to that!" she declares. "Damn. I wish this had a bit of whiskey in it."

I give her a tired smile and a nod of the head as we begin to make our way to class.

Unfortunately on the way down we pass a bunch of high pitched shrieks and laughter. As we walk past the cheerleaders they all stop to sneer at us. They take one look at our bedraggled appearance and sunglasses and instantly judge us for what we did last night.

"God if you are going to act like a pathetic stoner loser, you could have at least had the decency to shower afterwards," Glimmer, the ringleader, sneers.

Both Johanna and I stop and angrily stare at the group. These girls have been giving us shit for years. Just because they have got everything handed to them on a plate makes them think they are better than the rest. They judge anyone who doesn't live their lives like they do.

Glimmer is the worst. Tall, blonde and slim, she comes from one of the richest families in Panem and is the most popular girl in school. But that also means she is the biggest bitch. Seeing her standing in front of us now with a wicked smile and a hand on her hip makes me want to rip out those fucking blonde hair extensions. She laughs once she sees our reactions. It amuses her to see us lose our control.

"I don't know how you get any guy to sleep with you. Most would be scared that they would catch something off you," Glimmer adds looking me up and down.

Her copy cat minions all giggle at her comment. I have to bite back a smile.

"Your boyfriend didn't seem to mind when he took my under the bleachers. It's an interesting mole he's got on his buttocks," I reply with a smug grin.

The smile on Glimmer's face immediately disappears as she realises what I am implying. I had slept with her boyfriend, Cato, during my last break up with Thom. Jocks like Cato say that they don't want girls like me, grungy and mysterious, but find us a lot more interesting than the boring bimbo's they date publicly.

Cato propositioned me one day after math class and I was so pissed off with Thom, I did it. Not much to write home about, but it proved a point.

"You bitch!" Glimmer screeches as she makes a move towards me. However she is stopped by Johanna, who steps in front of me and pushes her away. This only angers Glimmer more and soon the pair of us are tugging and pulling at each other's hair. God, I have wanted to hit her for so long.

A stern voice causes us to break apart.

"That's enough girls," The stern tone of Mr Cinna declares. "Glimmer, go and see Miss Trinket, Katniss you come with me."

I let out a big huff and roll my eyes at Johanna as I pass. She gives me a sympathetic smile in return. I follow Mr Cinna into his office and he gestures for me to take the seat opposite him.

Mr Cinna is the guidance counsellor at school and has been trying to get me to talk to him ever since I got here. For some reason he has a soft spot for me, which I don't understand since every time I have seen him I have told him to fuck off.

I slump in the chair opposite him and look out the window.

"Katniss I have had my concerns about you for a while now. I girl with your potential should not be turning up to school drunk and getting into fights with other girls," he states softly.

"I'm not drunk," I say defensively.

Mr Cinna just gives me a knowing look and I look away ashamed that he is right.

"You had such good reports when you came from middle school. Intelligent, hard working, well behaved. I know you have been through a lot since you have been here, but I'm here to help," he says before taking a pause. "How's your mom doing?"

I don't like his question. He has no business knowing about my family.

"That's none of your business. I don't need you nosing around my family," I snap.

"I just want to help you succeed. You have the intelligence to do really well in college," he says.

"I'm not going to college," I laugh.

"I want you to know it is a real possibility for you."

I am angry now. How dare he try and push something on me I don't want. He doesn't know me. How can he know what is best for me?

"No offence Mr Cinna, but you know nothing about me. You can't possible understand my life, so I would appreciate it if you would stop trying to "fix" me. I'm doing just fine," I state before pushing back the chair and leaving his office without another word.

The next month passes in a blur of parties, drinking sessions and days getting high. Mr Cinna keeps trying to reach out to me but I ignore every attempt.

Near the end of the month Thom and I get into a massive fight. Thom's biggest love in his life is his truck. He bought it a year back and now spends all his free time and money pimping it out. I hate the thing. It's big and shiny and ugly to look at. I have never understood his fascination with the thing but he talks about it like it is his baby. I have spent many hours of my life listening to him go on about engine size, leather seats and sound systems. Frankly I couldn't give a fuck.

It all comes to head after he had been spending a particularly large amount of time on the truck. I had barely seen him in 2 weeks and then he just turned up one night unannounced. I got angry at him for ignoring me but as always this just led to us fucking. The next morning I found him gone and $50 dollars missing from my purse. Unsurprisingly when I confronted him his truck had a new speaker set in the back.

There was a lot of screaming and the usual accusations of stealing and cheating before I scratched his car with my keys and stormed off.

We haven't spoken since.

However tonight we are both at Darius's small get together and he has spent the entire evening glaring at me as he listens to Gale and Beetee discuss the latest pills Beetee has made.

I have drunk a lot of alcohol and smoked a lot of weed to try and forget him and have a good time. I don't want him to bring down my vibe. However I do want to get under his skin a little bit and cause him to feel some of the annoyance he is causing me.

I am currently dancing with both Johanna and Wiress. I am in the middle of the two of them and we have pressed our bodies together as we bounce and sway in time to the beat. Johanna gives me a sexy smile and I know exactly how to get Thom seething. I turn round to grab the joint Wiress is holding and take a big drag. I beckon Johanna to come closer and she readily steps forwards and lifts her lips to mine so I can share the smoke with her. She greedily sucks it in before I put my arms round her neck and kiss her deeply.

This is not the first time we have done this. Johanna will go with anyone, anywhere and we've experimented some when we have both got a little drunk. Thom hates it when I flirt with other people. In his eyes I am his and no one else has the right to touch me. However I know the sight of Johanna and I together turns him on. He's watched on a few occasions before and I know it will piss him off that I won't allow him anywhere near me tonight.

Out of the corner of my eye I see him storm out the room, clearly pissed at what he has just witnessed. I break away from Johanna, satisfied I have achieved my goal and let out a delighted laugh as we continue to dance and grind up against each other.

"Be the most action I will get tonight. On my period. Already had to turn down Darius. God how I could do with some cock tonight!" Johanna exclaims.

I give her a sympathetic smile. I know how annoying it can be when your body clock gets in the way of your sex life. Thom moans incessantly about it whenever it is my time of the month.

There is something about Johanna's comment though that niggles in the back of my mind. I feel like I should be remembering something important but I can't quite figure out what it is. I peel myself away to use the bathroom and as I am washing my hands it hits me.

My own period.

Johanna and I are normally on at the same time. We are always sharing tampons and painkillers. I haven't had one in weeks.

I rack my brain trying to work out when I was last on and with a sinking feeling realise it was over 5 weeks ago.

I'm late.

I remember the last time I was on and how after Thom hadn't used a condom because he said I couldn't get pregnant.

A wave of nausea overcomes me as I think of what this might mean. I retch and throw up in the toilet as the fear overtakes me. This can't be happening.

I wipe the vomit from around my mouth and look at myself in the mirror. I look pale and shaky. My pupils large and dilated. I need to get out of here.

I rush out the house barely saying goodbye to Johanna and Gale. I rush out into the blackness terrified what I might discover.

I find a late night drug store and frantically scan the shelves for a home pregnancy test. I quickly find them and grab the first 2 kits I can find. I can see the cashier girl give me a judgmental look as I hand over my purchase. I am too anxious to care and jiggle about on the spot, impatient to get out of here. I snatch the change out of the cashier's hands and bolt out the door.

20 minutes later I sit on the toilet seat in my own bathroom, the pregnancy test in my hand. I tap my foot nervously on the floor as I wait for the 3 minutes to be up. I try not to think about what it would mean if it is positive. I try to think about other things such as shooting with Gale in the woods or that mangy cat we had when I was a kid. It doesn't work. All I can picture is me holding a screaming baby and having no clue what to do with it.

The alarm on my cell phone goes off signalling that the 3 minutes are up. I stop tapping my foot and take a deep breath before turning the test over to see the result.

A positive blue plus sign stares straight back up at me.

A/N: I finally found time to write something new and this is it. I already have the first few chapters written and hope to update regularly every Monday.

The inspiration of this basically came from watching too many episodes of Teen Mom. Any similarities in this story and the people on that show is just coincidence.

I know there is no Peeta in this chapter and unfortunately he won't appear until chapter 3. However this is very much a Everlark story so please be patient as I set the premise up. I hope you are intrigued enough to read more.