KATNISS'S POV
I wake up in a dark place, and I panic.
Peeta came and picked me up, right? Last I remember, I passed out in the car. The doors were unlocked, too. I'm in my bra and underwear and the bed I'm in is wet. I turn on the lamp next to me and sigh in relief when my bedroom becomes recognizable. I can hear heavy rain pounding on the windows.
Why am I soaked? Where are my clothes?" I get up and pull on fresh clothing, basically more bra and underwear and then sweats and a tee shirt. I walk out into the living room, still exhausted. I see everyone is still here but now Effie is too. I drop down on Peeta's lap and rest my head on his shoulder.
"Why was I wet?" I whisper.
"Because it was raining when I carried you upstairs." He replies.
"I think we deserve an explanation." Finn says. I lift my head off Peeta's shoulder reluctantly.
"I haven't got one. What you heard is all I got. I basically got there, Olive forced me to come inside with her. Some cop questioned me and refused to let me leave, which pissed me off because I didn't do anything wrong, and then I had to stand there for over twelve hours and listen to Olive tell her parents everything. All the details of her sex life, about the father, everything. They didn't let me leave until I nearly passed out."
"That's so messed up." Johanna shakes her head.
"Katniss darling, how did this child find where you live?" Effie asks.
"I have no clue." I sigh loudly.
But as I get to thinking, I know exactly how. I lift my head to look Peeta in the eye.
"May I see your phone?" I ask Peeta.
"Do you want your phone?" He asks me. I search his eyes for a moment to see if he seriously does have my phone.
"Why do you have my phone?" I ask.
"Because you were unconscious, Katniss." He says.
"Well can I have it then?" I ask.
"Your sitting in it." He laughs a little. I pat his pocket and feel my phone in there.
I shift on his lap and dig into his pocket, digging out my phone and then just staring at it.
I can literally see water in the screen.
"Katniss, I am so sorry, I tried not to get it wet-"
"It's not your fault Peeta, it's not a big deal, I've got warranty." I wave him off. I look at the clock and see it's only seven. Verizon should be open still...it's not raining that bad. I rise off Peeta's lap and go into my room. I pull on my light colored denim skintight jeans, a white tank top and then a coral colored sweatshirt and then white Nikes. I grab my purse backpack and head into the living room.
"Where do you think your going?" Effie demands.
"Sprint," I say.
"Uh no your not." Peeta says. I raise my eyebrows.
"I'm not?" I ask.
"No. We have tropical storm warning and it's raining." Peeta says.
I know my truck will be perfectly fine because it's a mountain type of truck. I just roll my eyes and dig my keys out of Peeta's pocket.
"I'll be back in an hour." I announce.
"Kitty, it's a really bad idea-" Finn begins.
"Kitty?" I laugh.
"Yes, that's your nickname. It's a really bad idea for you to go-"
"I'll be fine." I wave him off.
"Katniss, please just-" I kiss Peeta to shut him up.
"I'll be fine, I'll be back in an hour, I promise." I whisper. He looks reluctant.
...8...
I really should start listening to Peeta and Finnick. I got my phone fixed but I don't have any service because the rain is so bad. I can literally feel the wind pulling my truck and it's raining so bad I can hardly see. There is puddles up to halfway of my tires. At least I stopped at the store and got more food for the house.
School has been cancelled for the rest of the week. I'm literally the only person driving right now. I start going downhill and it's like driving in a river. I pull into the parking lot and it's at least eight now and I know I've worried everyone beyond belief.
I park the car and grab everything and calmly head upstairs. I'm not going to tell them that I was terrified because I swerved off the road at least seven times.
I calmly walk in the front door and into the kitchen, shedding my sweatshirt, leaving me in a see-through, soaked white tank top.
"What that Katniss?" Peeta's voice is laced with worry.
"I don't know, why don't you get up off your ass and go check?" Johanna snarls. I begin unpacking groceries when arms wind around my waist and Peeta nuzzles his face in my neck, making goosebumps rise, causing me to shiver against his chest.
"Are you cold?" He whispers, kissing my cheek from behind. I shake my head. "Then why did you just shiver?" He asks challengingly.
"Because..." Doesn't he know what he does to me?
"Because...?" He clearly want an answer.
"Because...I did." I say.
"No, your soaking wet and your cold." He says.
"No I'm not Peeta, I'm not cold." I whisper.
"Then why did you shiver?" He questions. I just sigh and start putting away groceries. "Katniss?" He asks softly.
"Because...you." I say.
"Me? What do I have anything to do with you shivering?" He whispers. I just shake my head and put the rest of the groceries away. Then I walk to my bedroom and strip down to my bra and underwear. I dig around for clothes and Peeta walks into my room and shuts the door behind himself. I pull on another pair of sweats and a long sleeve shirt.
Everyone is sleeping over because they can't exactly get out. Peeta is sleeping on the couch across from Finn and Effie is on the blow up mattress. Blight is on the floor. Peeta said that since Effie is here, he doesn't want to stay in the same room because he wants to make a good impression. After tossing and turning for a while, I fall asleep.
…..s…
I'm being held back by men in white outfits with guns pointed to my head. I watch in horror as they pour gas all over Peeta and then drop a match on him.
Flames ignite him and the ground around him. He screams the most terrifying scream, begging me to help him. "Please Katniss!" he screams. I start thrashing around.
I begin screaming, bloodcurdling, horrified, desperate screams. I don't shout him name, I just scream desperately.
"Katniss, please!" he screams.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" I scream, trying to get out of the guards grip, thrashing around desperately.
…..s….
I'm completely drenched and there's some ice on my legs. Effie, Finn, Peeta, Blight, Johanna, Annie, Prim and Alex are standing in my room with the light on. Johanna has a bucket that she bought when I began having the nightmares. Effie is used to them, and so are the girls and Alex, but Blight, Finnick and Peeta have never been here for the ones that make me scream. Tears are blurring my vision and I'm gasping for air.
"OkayBrainless?" Johanna asks, reaching forward and pluck an ice cube out of my hair. I scrub at my eyes.
"Fine, I…I'm fine." I mumble.
"Are you sure?" Peeta asks. I nod.
Everyone heads out, back to bed. Peeta begins to leave, but I can't help it. "Peeta?" I blurt. He turns around. "Stay with me?" I ask. He looks over his shoulder, into the living room where everyone else is already going back to bed. He steps all the way back into my bedroom and shuts the door, walking over to my bed. I pull off my soaked clothes and force myself up, pulling on pajama pants and a tank top. I climb back into my bed and he crawls in next to me.
"Always Katniss, I'll always stay with you." he whispers.
…..s…
I wake up, alone. I don't panic, because my bedroom door is wide open and I can clearly see everyone in the living room. I rise from my bed and grab my cell phone off charge, walking through the living room to the kitchen. I have a way to help sore throats and Effie, Prim, Jo, Ann and Alex know what I'm doing, because I used to do it every damn day. I have a teaspoon of honey and then get water and mix salt in it. I swish it around and then gargle it in my mouth and spit it in the sink.
"What is she doing?" I hear Finn laugh from the living room.
"She's helping her throat." Annie says. I put everything away and wipe down the counter and then walk back through the living room to the bathroom.
"No showers honey, it's lightening!" Effie calls. She never lets anyone shower during storms if it's lightening. I don't answer her because I know better. She said that when she was a child, the lake by her house. I think it's completely bullshit but she insists, so I listen and I'm not going to let anyone shower during lightening, even though I don't think it's real. I don't want to find out if it is. I brush my teeth and hair and then join everyone in the living room.
"Okay?" Peeta asks me.
"Fine," I reply, sitting down. I have internet, thank god. I boot up my laptop and go to my email. I groan loudly when I see one from Mrs. Pother.
Hey Ms. Everdeen, it's Julie Pother again.
Are you still willing to tutor Olive? We're going to get her homeschooled when this school year ends, but I think she'll love it have your help.
I exhale loudly and run my hands over my face.
"Unbelievable," I shut my laptop and push it onto the coffee table.
"You have internet?" Johanna demands as she eyes my hotspot sitting on the coffee table.
"Yes…" I say. She grabs her laptop and shoves it into my lap. I sign into the internet and she snatches it back. Everyone begin shoving iPads and cell phones and iPod's and laptops at me. I sign all of them in and pass them back, grabbing my laptop again. I know I can't ignore her. I did agree to tutor her, too. I can't back out because Olive cried out for help and I got dragged into it. I bite my lip and email her back.
Of course I can still tutor Olive! Should we start next week? In this weather, we won't be able to get anything done.
"Katniss, you really are a life saver." Annie says. My email shows I have one message and I click on it.
Excellent!
That was Mrs. Pother.
I go to YouTube and begin to search songs.
…s….
Monday comes way too fast for my liking. I'm dreading today, I'm dreading tomorrow. The school year has been extended three days because of the three days we had to take off. It's the twentieth and we get out of school on Wednesday, June 12th, instead of Friday, June 7th. I'm not going to see Peeta until Wednesday because I'm going to be tutoring Olive from right after school to seven both days and I have papers to grade. I'm going to be till midnight tonight, I bet, and then I'll wake screaming, get a bucket of water thrown on my and then lay awake till my alarm pulls me out of my daydreams.
I didn't get to see Peeta on Sunday, either, because he was called into work the second the rain reduced to a drizzle.
And then I remember I have to tutor this kid during summer and a while after that, because she doesn't understand the things I've gone over with the class a million times.
I get into my classroom in a white flowing skirt that goes to six inches above the knee with light pink roses on it. It sounds like a curtain, but it's actually really cute and I got it from Hollister. And then I have on a button up white long sleeve shirt tucked into the skirt. The buttons on the shirt are black, and so is the waistband on the skirt. I also have on white flats with black bows on them. The staff and students are used to be dressing like a teenager or one of those girls on tumblr, because I'm only twenty three years old and I can't stand dressing like an old lady to teach a class full of teenagers that make fun of you outside of class. I have my hair down today, and it's straightens to its not wavy.
I begin writing down the homework as my first period begins to file into the classroom.
"We missed you last week Ms. Everdeen! We had a jerk for the substitute on Monday! She didn't even let us ask questions and she made us just sit there and stare at the blank board! She didn't tell us the homework, either. She was really mean." A boy named Marshal says. I finish writing down the homework and turn to face the class.
"Seriously?" I ask.
"Yeah, It was so weird!" Marshal's friend says. His name is Brett.
"She was treating you guys like you were in detention." I say.
"I know, it was so rude," A girl that I honestly can't stand says. She's the bitch of the school and she bullies anyone that compliments her. Her name is Sara. She knows I don't like her because I constantly compliment her, because she can't bully me, because I'm a teacher and if she pisses me off, I give her detention. I still treat her like I treat everyone. My compliments are sincere though, because even though this girl is a sob, she's got great style and perfect grades. I don't like her because of her attitude. There was this bitch that was just like her and only targeted me in high school and she bullied me, but Johanna beat the fuck out of her one day and she backed off. Her name was Glimmer.
"So, is our test today?" a girl named Megan asks.
"No," I say. Everyone starts cheering and whooping. I laugh a little. "Because I actually forgot about the test and I haven't even made it yet. I'm going to be really busy until Tuesday and I'm going out with my bo- my friend on Wednesday, so your test is on Thursday, again."
"Boy? Were you going to say Boyfriend?" Megan demands.
Yes, I was, but they don't need to know that. Peeta and I are going to the mall on Wednesday.
"No, I was going to say brother, but he's my best friend, like my brother." I say. It's technically true, because Peeta is my best friend, too.
"Oh…" Megan trails off.
I honestly don't know what I'm going to have them do today, because I didn't plan a thing.
Real responsible, Katniss.
"How about you guys just talk for a few minutes while I figure something out?" I ask. Everyone begins to ramble at once. I go to my desk and run a hand through my hair, stressed. I find two worksheets and print out a hundred and ten copies of each because I have a hundred and five students on any day. I pass them all out to the students.
"Can we have a partner?" Sara asks.
Hell no. I know in high school and middle school, my teachers pissed me off when I had a partner, but I don't feel like babysitting because I'm in a bitter mood today. "No, you guys are working on your own today."
"Aw! Come on Ms. Everdeen!" Rachel whines.
"I said no." I say. I can't help but sound bitter, and I'm normally only in a bad mood when I'm at work once a year, if that. Everyone looks surprised to see me snippy. Everyone ducks her heads and gets to work.
"Someone's bitchy today." I hear Sara mutter when I sit down at my desk. I look up and raise my eyebrows, looking directly at her. Everyone sees me looking at her, and she plays it off as if Megan, who is one of my favorite students said it. "Megan, that's really mean of you to say about Ms. Everdeen." Sara says.
"I didn't say it!" Megan looks panicked, like she's going to get detention.
I've never, not once written a detention, and I have a whole stack of them in my desk, and I'm honestly contemplating writing one.
"Sara, I know Megan didn't say that." I say. She just stares at me. "And-" my phone vibrates on my desk.
Mr. Underwear Model: hey beautiful
I almost smile, but I know I need to focus on Sara.
"And I'm going to let it slide." I say, "But say it again, and I will write you a detention." I warn. She puts her hand over her chest and takes a deep breath.
"Thank you, I'm sorry, for you know…what I said." She says. I just nod, because I honestly don't care.
Everyone goes back to their work, and I sit back in my chair with my legs crossed and pick up my phone.
Me: I love you so much. I'm dying right now. You just saved me from writing my first detention.
Peeta never fails to make me feel better.
Mr. Underwear Model: I love you too ;) What's wrong? Are you okay?
Me: I'm just stressed and I'm in a bad mood and this girl just called me a bitch because I said that they can't have a partner on their worksheets, and I got pissed and almost wrote her a detention. She's the school bully and she blamed one of my favorite students for calling me a bitch. And I may miss a certain blond haired, blue eyed boyfriend of mine…
I go onto the site I got those worksheets from and get the answers and write them all down on a piece of paper.
Mr. Underwear Model: You're not a bitch, she's the bitch for calling you a bitch and bullying people. And I sure hope that the blond haired blue eyed boyfriend of yours is me
I look up to see Megan with her hand raised high. I get up, locking my phone and flipping it over before walking over to Megan. I help her through the problem and start to head back to my desk when someone raps impatiently on my door and then just walks right in. I turn around to see Prim standing there. Everyone looks up at her and she doesn't seem to care. She just walks over to me and hugs me.
"I need your help." She whispers in my ear before releasing me.
I give her a confused look but she just shakes her head.
"Guy, this is my little sister, Primrose." I say.
"But you can call me Prim." Prim says. Something's up with her.
Everyone starts to talk about how they didn't know I had a sister. I move the extra chair I keep in my room for when Johanna randomly walks into my room. Everyone knows Johanna and loves her, and always ask me when she's coming back. She always manages to disrupt my class and it really irritates me. Johanna comes here so often that she knows all my students by name.
"Ms. Everdeen, when is Johanna Mason going to come in? Are we going to see her again?" Sara asks. Even she loves her.
"I know know..." I sigh. Just as I finish speaking, Johanna walks in my classroom.
"Brainless, I need the keys the apartment."
"Why?" I ask.
"Because I accidently dropped mine in the garbage disposal and Annie said that the last time I let her use her key, I lost it, so she won't give me the key and the guy in the office won't give me another."
"What makes you think I'm going to give you the keys?" I demand.
"Because if you don't I'll tell them the real reason you weren't at work last Monday." She says.
I know she wouldn't do that. Johanna can be an ass, but she wouldn't do that because no matter how much she says she hates me, I know she loves me. I narrow my eyes.
'Or I'll tell them who Peeta really is."
That, she will do.
"Peeta? That guy that came in your class during sixth and seventh period? I met him! I walked him to your classroom!" Caitlin exclaims. "He's so nice Katniss-I mean Ms. Everdeen." Her faces goes slightly red from embarrassment. "He's cute too! You two would be a perfect couple!"
"Katniss, I'll just talk to you when you get home." Prim's frustrated.
"Prim, wait, I'll be there in a second, just hold on." I'm stressed. I hate when Johanna visits me.
"Brainless and Peeta are a couple! And she wasn't at work on Monday because-"
"Fine! I'll give you the keys, gosh Johanna." I walk to my bag and get my house keys. "If I don't get those back by the time I get home at eight tonight, I'm going to freak out." I say.
"Thanks Brainless." She says. The whole class is freaking out because now they know that Peeta and I are dating.
"Guys! Listen!" they go silent. "You guys can't tell anyone and you can't let people find out! We all know why Mrs. Kate lost her job."
Because she had sex with her boyfriend on her desk and a student saw them.
"But you wouldn't do that. Ms. Everdeen, can you get in trouble from Johanna now?" Sara sounds upset.
"Yes," I run a hand through my hair. "Don't worry about me though," I say. Everyone laughs a bit. "Now get back to work. These are due at the end of class and they're for a grade." I tap the papers on Marshal's desk and walk to the back of my classroom.
"Katniss," Prim begins, speaking way too loudly. I put a finger to my lips and sit down in my chair, swiveling to face her. "I think Alex is cheating on Me." she whispers.
I sit up, crossing my legs.
"Why?" I ask loudly, outraged. Everyone looks curiously back at us and Prim sighs loudly.
"I'm just going to talk to you about this later-" she starts to get up, but I stand up and grab her hand.
"I can't, Prim. I won't be home till late tonight and tomorrow and Wednesday I'm going out with Peeta." I whisper.
"What about Thursday?" she asks.
"Test day, which means I'll be grading all night." I whisper.
"Fine, what about Friday?" she demands.
"I'm going to be exhausted on Friday, and you can't tell me something like that and expect me to last till Friday to find out. Prim, just tell me." I whisper. She looks around the room. The bell rings and the students drop their papers on my desk and leave.
"Can I stay here today and be your assistant? I'll tell you on your planning period." She says.
"So next?" I ask. "My planning is third period." I say.
"Okay," she sits down in her chair. Everyone files in and they all stare at Prim. I grab the stack of the worksheets.
"Ms. Everdeen! You're here! The substitute on Monday was so mean!" Christi exclaims.
"I heard! She treated you guys like you were in detention!" I exclaim.
"Yeah, I hated her!" Harold says.
"She sounds terrible." I say.
"So what are we doing today? Don't we have a test?" Garret demands.
"Well…to be completely honest with you guys…I forgot about the test…I don't even have it made yet, so no, the test is Thursday." I admit. Everyone starts cheering.
"My friend Caitlin said Johanna was here! Is that true?" Lauren asks.
"Yes, Johanna was here." I sigh. "Oh, and this is my sister, Primrose Everdeen. Don't call her Primrose though, call her Prim." I say. Prim waves from my desk, and I see she's on my phone. I don't bother her.
"You two don't even look alike." Christi says.
"That's because I'm a female version of my father and Prim is a younger version of my mother." I say.
"She's right. It's like the spitting image, literally." Prim agrees as I start passing out the worksheets.
"Can we see a picture of you as a little kid, Ms. Everdeen?" Olivia asks sweetly. I think for a moment.
"I guess so…" I power up the overhead as I take my phone from Prim and go to my camera roll. "My Mama took this photo on her phone when I was…I think I was six…she got it transferred each time she got a new phone…she sent it to me and said that this was my photo I.D. on her phone." I say. I put my phone under the screen. It's a picture of me in a yellow sundress, running through a meadow with purple flowers. The sun is setting; illuminating my body and making me look golden. I look like a model. They can only see the back of me. My hair is blowing out behind me.
"Oh my goodness! That picture is amazing! Were you a model?" Christi asks. I raise my eyebrows.
"No…" I admit.
"Wow! Do you have one of the front of you?" Garret asks.
"Um…let me check…" I say. I pick up my phone and search my pictures. "No…do you want me to get one?" I ask. Everyone nods. I have a very bad tendency to get off topic. I don't really care, I just won't put the worksheet as a grade. "But you guys have to be quiet." I say. They all nod. I dial Mama.
"Katniss, aren't you at work sweetheart?" she asks.
"Yes-"
"Then why are you on the phone?" she cuts me off.
"Mama, I just need a picture of me as a kid." I say.
"Okay…I'll send you the one of the meadow and-"
"I showed them that one already." I cut her off.
"Oh…okay…" she says. "I'll text you one." She says.
"Okay, and Mama, can you please not send me the one where I'm in the tub with the soap in my hair?" I ask. My class starts laughing, along with Prim. Mama laughs, too.
"I won't, Katniss, I promise." She says.
"Okay, I love you."
"I love you too honey." She hangs up. My phone beeps and I groan at the photo.
Of course she sent the one of me and Peeta. I'm on the carpet in the living room on my stomach, my head being held up by my hands, staring at him. He's in the exact same position as me and we're both smiling, gazing into one anothers eyes.
They're going to recognize Peeta, because he doesn't change much…and I know that everyone gave a very detailed description. Prim comes up behind me and peers over my shoulder. She snickers and I roll my eyes and text my mother.
Me: I need another one without Peeta in it.
My phone beeps with a picture of my, my Mama, Daddy, Prim and Johanna. I set this under the overhead.
"Is that Prim and Johanna?" Christi asks.
"Yes, and my parents." I say.
"What do Johanna's parents look like?" Garret asks. I go to my camera roll and get a picture of Haymitch and Aunt Kari.
"Okay, enough of that, you guys need to do those worksheets." I say.
Everyone sighs and gets to work. I'm in a better mood now.
I remember that the last thing that Peeta said was that he hoped the blod haired blue eyed boyfriend was him, and now it seems like I just ignored him because I don't want to admit I'm cheating when I'm not.
PEETA'S POV
I keep shuffling files nervously, walking arouond my office and ocasinally looking out the window, trying to keep myself busy.
She's at work. She isn't cheating on you.
I've worried myself sick.
When ten rolls eleven rolls around and I know she's in third period, I start to feel sick to my stomach. Third period is her planning. Surely she has time to call or text me?
I give in and call Finnick.
"Her bro, what's up?"
"I think Katniss is cheating on me or something." I blurt.
I know I'm overreacting.
"Wait…what?" Finnick asks.
"I think Kat is cheating. We were joking around and she was upset and one of the reasons is she said she missed her blond haired blue eyed boyfriend of hers, and I joked and asked her if it was me and she's not answering." I sigh.
"I don't know anything about women bro, I only know about my Annie, but…I think…I don't fucking know bro, you're gonna have to confront her on Wednesday. Don't bug her until she talks to you, that's what I would do."
"Fine…" I hang up ad carelessly toss my phone on my desk and run my hands over my face.
Katniss isn't cheating on me. She loves me.
Right?
Katniss loves me, right?
…s…..
I've been busy since I second I remembered to message Peeta back and never even got to it. Prim said she thinks Alex is cheating because he said "I love you" when someone called. She confronted him and he said he was on the phone with his Mom and that he'd never cheat. I spent the rest of the day helping kids, and now I'm sitting at the fucking park, my mood went from pissed to good and back to pissed.
Olive is two hours late and it's getting dark.
Two more hours pass and then my phone starts ringing.
Two more hours, Six hours. Mrs. Pother messaged me and said she'd be here but this is fucking ridiculous.
It's fucking midnight. What the hell am I doing? I'm pissed off as I grab my things and go home. Finnick is here with Annie and Johanna. I slam the front door and toss my shit on the floor.
"What's up with you?" Johanna demands.
"The fucking kid didn't show! Her mother messaged me four times and told me she was coming. I'm not going to sit there until ten in the morning for the fucking kid again!" I shout. "Now I have papers and shit to grade, which means I'm not going to get to sleep at all tonight!" I shout.
….s….
I didn't get to sleep because I had to grade those fucking papers. I stop at the store on the way to work and buy a ton of 5-hour energy's and down all of them. Work drags and Olive isn't at school in sixth period. I still haven't had a chance to talk to Peeta and tell him I'm not cheating on him, and the fact that he isn't messaging me like he does every day just confirms the thought that he's pissed at me.
I wait three hours for Olive the later that day and the fucking kid doesn't show up. I grab my things and storm home. I haven't slept anything but an hour, and when I do manage to sleep, I wake up at six thirty, drenched in sweat and crying.
I can't go on a few hours. I'm thirteen hours behind on sleep but I can't call off work and I have to make those fucking tests. I give the little shits worksheets again and make the tests at work. I grade the worksheets in three hours, don't get home till eight, when I was supposed to meet with Peeta a hour and a half ago. Not to mention I got called to my bosses office and informed that I'm more than likely going to lose my job for announcing that I was in a relationship with Peeta.
I'm just about to call him when I pass out from sleep deprivation.
…..s…..
I wake up at six and I feel like such a terrible person. I know Johanna and Annie worked together to carry me to bed last night. I know I'm worrying them.
I give the kids the test today, and after work, I'm there till eight, grading papers.
I get home and start to fall asleep when I force myself to wake, take a shower and drag my ass to Peeta and Finnick's. I don't knock because I know Peeta'll make Finnick get the door and then Finnick will start shouting at me for being a cheating bastard and won't let me in. And I know Peeta better than he knows himself, and I know he won't stop Finnick because he is convinced himself that I'm cheating and he's pissed at me.
So yeah, I just walk right in.
Finnick is in the living room and I know that Peeta closed himself in his bedroom.
"Get out." he snarls.
"No," I reply.
"Get the fuck out right now Katniss or so help me god-"
"Finnick, I swear to god, I'm having a terrible week and I'm not in the mood to be yelled by my best friend at for cheating on my boyfriend when I didn't even cheat on him in the first place." I snap. I know Peeta's listening.
"Why in god's name should I believe that you didn't cheat on him?" he demands.
"Because…after he texted me Prim showed up at my work and told me she thinks Alex is cheating. Then Johanna came and stole my house keys after telling my first period that me and Peeta, are dating, and now I'm in trouble ith the school board which means I'm probably going to lose my job. Then I had to help the stupid shit kids because the thing I taught a billion fucking times, they can't do. I remembered I forgot to answer him when the end of second came, and during my break, Prim went into full detail. Fourth came and I had to help the kids again, then lunch came and Johanna came back and forced me to take her to Home Depot to get the fucking key copied, and then sixth and seventh came and I had to help the kids again. Then I sat at the fucking park for six hours waiting for Olive to show up. I got home at midnight, as you know, and then I graded those fucking worksheets until six, and didn't get an hour of sleep. I went to work lasting on five hour energy's and had to teach a lesson, so I was busy all that day, and Haymitch wouldn't let me off the phone during break and lunch because he needed someone to rant to about his job because I'm apparently 'the bitchiest person he knows' so I'm 'fun to rant to' and then I waited for three hours at the fucking park for that kid, and then I got home and fell asleep. I woke up later soaked in sweat and crying from a fucking nightmare, and gave the little shits worksheets again as I made up their fucking tests. I graded the fucking worksheets till eight and got home. It was already an hour and a half past the time I was supposed to go and meet Peeta, and then I passed out right when I went to call him. Then today I was at work till eight again grading those fucking tests that everyone failed, even though we've been working on it for almost an entire six weeks. Now I'm exhausted and I'm stressed and my back hurts so bad because I'm on my fucking period and I'm so annoyed with everything! I didn't cheat on Peeta, I swear to god." I'm out of breath. Finnick's mouth is half open.
"Jesus Christ Kitty." He shakes his head. "I believe you. That really sucks. So you're going to lose your job?"
"My boss said that I am more than likely going to lose my job." I say. "Now I'm going home to drink a whole fucking bottle of Nyquil. Hopefully I'll die, and then I don't have to worry about anything."
"Wait, Katniss." Peeta's voice stops me. "Don't go." He begs.
"I have to. I have to go and make up another worksheet for the kids." I say.
I do, and I'm ready to cry. I have knots all over my back and I have a headache and I just don't feel good because of my period and I really just want to die.
"Well then I'm coming with you." he says. He grabs a few things and takes my car keys from my hand and pulls me out of the apartment.
….s…
It's three in the morning and I'm working up some worksheets. He won't go to bed and I honestly feel bad. I've broken seven mechanical pencils from frustration. I break a pen this time and drop my head on my desk and just sob.
"Katniss," he whispers, coming up behind me. He starts to rub my shoulders and sighs. "You're so tense. You need a break." He begins to massage my shoulders after that.
"I c-can't take a break!" I choke out.
"Well you keep working while I help your back out." he digs his thumb in the right spot and rubs in small circles, and it feels so good that I manage to stop crying and finish the work.
…..s….
Now it's Friday and I can't wait for the weekend. Johanna is my assistant today. My back feels so much better, and I honestly feel better.
I'm in the middle of a lesson in fourth period, which is my favorite period. Johanna is at my desk. A man in a suit walks into my room, and I know he's from the school board. He hands me a manila folder and gives me a rude look and leaves.
"Ohhh, Brainless got a present." Johanna smirks and rises. All my students stare at me.
I recognize that man as the man in charge of all the schools and everything. I sigh and pull open the folder. Johanna reads over my shoulder.
Dear Katniss Everdeen,
We are very sorry to inform you that you have lost your job and you do not qualify for unemployment.
You are to gather your things and leave right after you finish reading this.
That's all it says. The stress comes crashing down again, and my back suddenly feels so much worse than it did earlier this week, and I grab onto Johanna's arm to stay upright. She's angry. She's livid. And nothing good ever comes out of a livid Johanna Mason.
I told everyone I was going to get fired, family wise, and my closest friends. My student's don't know.
"What happened, Ms. Everdeen?" Talia asks. I look up at my students and see all of them look panicked.
"Are you fucking kidding me?" Johanna hisses under her breath.
"Johanna-" she storms out of the classroom. I can hear her shouting down the hallway, and then the man that gave me the manila folder is dragged back into the room by Johanna.
"Are you fucking kidding me, you cunt rag? You fired her? She didn't even do anything! You fired her, you fucking asshole, what the hell is wrong with you?" she shouts. The kids go frantic.
"Fired? Your fired Ms. Everdeen?"
My class starts complaining.
Now I'm fired without unemployment which means no money which means I'm screwed over.
"Bye, guys." I say. A lot of the girls start crying as they hug me. All of them hug me.