Disclaimer: I don't own Hunger Games, and if you see similarities on it well, let's just say it's a figment of my imagination :D
fata transverse
by: lookingthrualice
Chapter 2: Half a Star
Peeta's POV
Scar and I met the headmaster of the Academy. He's an old man; in his mid-sixties white all his white hair glory and beard. He welcomed us too enthusiastically for my taste. Maybe he's just that eccentric. He told us that even though there is only one dorm wing, the girls and the boys are separated. The girls are on the third floor, while the boys are on the second floor. Even the staircases are different, so Scar and I can only meet at meal times. Cell phones are allowed though, so that's a plus. And if we really want to talk, we are allowed to meet at the common room, the place where the girls and the boys socialize.
"I'll be sending the dorm heads to brief you with the rules and regulations of the dormitories and to give you your class schedules." Snow, our new headmaster said
"Thank you sir." I heard Scar say
A few minutes of waiting, we heard a knock, and a 'come in' from Snow. Two professors or what I assume them to be entered. They must be the dorm head. One was a woman with an overly pale complexion, partnered with what must be the most ridiculous make-up and clothes I have. She's wearing a pink suit, partnered up with a pink skirt. They are so bright I think I will have to wear sunglasses whenever I meet her, if that's how she always looks like. The other was a man, who looks like a bum in a monkey suit. When I took a deep breath, I smell alcohol, and deduced that the man was the one smelling like that. What does he do with alcohol? Use it as a perfume?
'Goodie, a clown and a drunkard.' I thought
Scarlette looked at me, her face is neutral but I can see on her eyes that she's reprimanding me.
"Kids, this is Ms. Effie Trinket, the dorm head for the ladies." Snow introduced "And Mr. Haymitch Abernathy, the dorm head for the gentlemen."
"Hello!" Effie greeted us enthusiastically
Seriously, is this really the most prestigious, hard to enter Academy in all of Panem?
"Let's go brats." Haymitch suddenly said "Headmaster"
Haymitch just nodded to Snow before leaving the Headmaster's office. Snow seems to be used to it, as well as Effie.
"Headmaster." the blonde woman nodded before ushering us to follow Mr. Abernathy.
I pulled the handle of Scar's luggage as well as mine and followed our Dorm heads. My twin gave a short bow to our Headmaster before following us. From the right wing, I wheeled our luggage as we made our way to the staircase that will lead us to our dormitories. The hallways looked as if we're in Buckingham palace, or that's what I thought it to be. The tapestries and the paintings are cool. Even the candelabras looks like it was specially made for the Academy.
At the end of the hallway is a large double door. She pushed it open and we entered a sitting room with a large plasma TV and couches and bean bags. There is a fridge at the side and a candy bar machine. Haymitch was already there waiting for us on the middle of the room. Behind him are two staircases, one on the left, the other on the right. Looking around, I noticed that the room was in oval shape.
"Right side is the ladies' dormitory, left side is the male's." he started "Now before your go to your rooms, we would like to introduce ourselves and give you some ground rules. The name is Haymitch Abernathy, I rule the male dormitories. She's Effie trinket, and she's the head of the ladies' dorm."
He pointed at Effie, who gave a courtesy on us.
"Breakfast starts at 7.30 in the morning, classes starts at 8,30 sharp. You will find your schedule along with your map on your rooms. Dinner starts at 8 in the evening, after that you can do anything you want to. Curfew is by 11 pm, check in by 10.30 with me or Ms. Trinket." He continues "There are masses on Sundays but it's not compulsory. You can leave at Saturdays if you wish to but before you leave, you must tell either of us. Saturday curfews are until midnight."
"Now if you have any questions, you can ask us anytime. Our rooms are on the left wing. You can find it on the map that is provided." Effie addressed us more sweetly that Haymitch "The others are in their rooms already, that's why you haven't seen any other students at the moment. And now, can you introduce yourselves for us please?
I looked at Scarlette who looked back at me,
'You first!' I screamed on our mental bond
Scarlette gave a mental sigh before smiling at our dorm heads.
"My name is Scarlette Patrice Elle Mellark, it's nice to meet you monsieur, mademoiselle."
Effie cooed at how Scarlette introduced herself. I snorted mentally, leave it to Scar to charm the knickers off of Ms. Trinket.
"And you sir?"
'I am the guy who is now afraid of you clown.' I mentally said
'Stop it Tata! Don't be rude!' Scar screamed at our mental bond
"Don't fucking read my mind Pixie!'
Scarlette lightly patted me on the arm that sent jolts of electricity on my body... literally.
'You will fucking pay for that!' I mentally screamed before cutting off our mental bond
I approached Effie. I got one of her hand and kissed the back of it like some gentleman from the 16th century,
"I am Peeta Alexander James Mellark."
I saw Ms. Trinket blush, making her face more pink aside from the tons of make-up she placed on her face.
"Stop making Trinket wet Casanova, let's gp." Haymitch crudely commented before making his way to the left staircase
I gave Scarlette a kiss before following the bastard. I will now officially call Mr. Abernathy a bastard, well at least on mind. He might give me a red card or something if I say it on his face and piss him off. On the corner of my eyes, I saw Effiie help my twin. Well at the very least she got help while here I am stuck here for three years with a bastard of a dorm head.
"Pick up the phase Casanova! We don't have all day!" Haymitch yelled at me
'Fucking Drunkard' I though
\
After I half drag and half carry my bag, and after a few minutes of wrestling with my suitcase I finally arrived at the second floor. The bastard, as I doubt him, was there already when I arrived, beside him was a tall dark skinned, buff guy, who looks like he can snap my head with his arms. Note to self, don't piss him off.
I looked around me and noticed that the room looks like the one from the floor down, hmm, another oval lounge. This time, there fewer stuffs unlike the one before. Scattered bean bags, two love seats and another plasma TV. There was a hallway adjacent to the end of the staircase.
"Welcome to the boy's dormitory lover boy. This is the boy's lounge where we conduct head counts, meeting, and where you can socialize or bum off." Haymitch said "This is Tresh, he is a senior here and he will escort you to your room. Any question you have, you ask him, capiche?"
I just nodded, too afraid that if I talk to the giant beside him.
"Good." that's all Haymich said before leaving us, descending on the stairs behind him
"Oh and by the way." he stopped before facing me "Good luck with your neighbours."
And with that he was already gone, leaving me with the guy named Thresh who is now currently on my "not to piss off, ever" list, second to Letti and above Mrs. Schmits. That woman seriously freaks me out, even though she's already 90 years old.
Anyway, Thresh approached me and held out his hand.
"Hi, I'm Thresh, sorry about H, he's just pissed off because Trinkie hid his bottle of Jack"
I mentally gulped before reaching out and shaking his hand.
"Peeta, nice to meet you."
He gave me a smile before picking up my suitcase as if it weighs nothing.
"Come one newbie, your room is on 208."
Thresh led me to the corridors, turning right on a fork once, entering a new corridor, this time it's buzzing. I can see some of the boys coming out of their rooms and making their way to the lounge, some knocking on other's doors. One boy waved at us, or maybe just at Thresh, and it was followed by some others.
"What's up T-bone?!"
"T!"
"Hiya Thresh!"
Thresh waved back at them, even fist bumping on him. The corridor becomes a bit crowded now, and all I want to ask is that if we're at my room already. I want to text Letti, I want to know how she is fairing upstairs.
"Move dukies! Fresh meat coming thru!"
Oh fuck you Thresh! Now you've done it. My plan is to be as invisible as I can for the first few weeks of the semester, and now with that announcement from him, I'm assured that everybody knew who I am, well not my name but as 'fresh meat' according to Thresh. At the end of the hallway, Thresh stopped, and got a key on his pocket, opening the door in front of us.
"Room 208 sir!" he mimicked the butlers of the hotels, even giving a small bow.
I gave a small laugh; I refuse to call it a giggle, before entering my new home. My jaw dropped at the interior of it. The room is painted with maroon all over, with golden colour curtains. On the left side is a study table, with a lamp, opposite to it is a queen sized four-poster bed covered in red silk. How in the seven hells did they know that I love this colour?! Beside my bed is a table with a lampshade and an Iphone/Ipod dock. Its official, I don't want to leave my room.
"Thanks for the help Thresh." I said, facing the senior
"No problem dude. I'm in 212, third door to the right, knock if you need anything, and I mean anything." he replied "Your neighbour on your left, 206 is Marvel. On 210 to your right is Cato. You'll meet them soon, be careful around those two, if you still want to be a virgin."
I looked at him incredulously and he looks so serious. My room is between two perverts? He was waiting for some kind of reply, and I just nodded, not wanting to voice out what's in my head when I talked. He seems to be satisfied before going back to his happy-go-lucky aura.
"Map and schedule is on the drawer. We'll have a 7.30 pm orientation later, so don't be late."
"Okay."
"Right, I leave it to you then. And if I were you, I'll snooze off first; first night's a long one."
With that, he left, silently shutting the door on his way out. I looked up on the ceiling and found that there are no cameras. Exploring my room, I found a door leading to the bathroom, inside it was the closet. There was a separate bath tub and a shower room. Cool! I waved my, making my luggage float. With a flick of my wrist, it opened itself and one by one my clothes organized and hanged themselves. With that done, I went back to my bedroom, and jumped on the soft bed. Snuggling on the fluffy pillows, I pulled my IPhone out on my back pocket. I'll get to my backpack later.
A few months ago, on our 18th birthday, Letti and I received our inheritance. And the first thing we did was to hold a party, inviting all the people that helped us since our parents died, after that, we each both our own laptops and phones. Even though Letti and I have telepathic connection, it's so strenuous to use. Sometimes it gives us headaches that last for a whole day.
Unlocking the phone, I quickly typed a short text to her.
'Pix, u alrighty there? Done unpacking. This place is awesome!
I patiently waited for a reply. A few seconds later, my phone pinged.
'ikr! Lovin' my room! Done as well. Log in l8r ok?'
I quickly typed a reply before plugging my phone to the dock, setting the alarm to 7pm, before I fall asleep. This day has been taxing, and it's only 3pm!
\
My alarm rang, belting Bon Jovi's living on a prayer, making me jump. 7pm, right on the dot. I waved my hand, making the alarm stop before removing my phone on the docking system and slipping it into my back pocket; I padded my way to the bathroom and washed my face. I saw my reflection on the mirror and frowned. One of my favourite turtle-neck shirts is now crumpled, good think my pants are skinny, it still looked ironed out. I started taking off my shirt, fuck! It's now stuck on my head.
I tried pulling it up, shit it hurts! My head is being pulled off with it. Did I just grow in a span of four hours? I mentally cursed myself. I will be late and I just know it. Way to start my stay here in the academy. After a few more tugs, I groaned, I'm so frustrated, and then I felt a hand on mine, and I stiffened. I haven't heard the door open.
"Let me help you" I heard a smooth velvety voice said, making my muscles relax
I felt that cloth eased its way off of my way. When the shirt was finally off, I blinked; my eyes are kinna blurry from all the strands of the cloth that I saw. When my visions become clear, my jaw almost dropped. Standing in front of me is a Ken doll personified; only this one is not all that gay-ish. He was a couple of inch taller than me, with blond-brownish hair. He was wearing a green button up shirt that compliments his eyes, and black skinny jeans. He was giving me that boyish smile that I am tempted to return. God, he's so handsome, I just want to... hold up! I am not going to think like that, first of, I am not gay. Secondly, I am not GAY!
"Er... thanks."
'Pft! Pathetic Mellark' I thought
He gave a short laugh before handing me my shirt.
"No problem." he replied
I heard my door opened this time. Another blond enters a total opposite of the one I am looking at right now. He was buff; I can see the muscles under his shirt. He was wearing normal jeans, but by lord he's hot as well. He came near to us, and I can see his blue eyes, he is obviously taller as he was towering the two of us. I feel like a midget right now. He looked at me, and I think my face just become as red as a tomato. And then I remembered that I'm half naked on my bathroom. I feel so embarrassed; I just want to bolt out.
Then, the buff blond smirked, as if he read my mind.
"Nice tat." he said "An incomplete star"
"It's not a tattoo, it's a birthmark. And it's half a star asshole." I immediately retorted, when I realized what I said, I mentally slapped myself. Where is Letti when you need her?
He gave a chuckle, and unlike the shorter one, it was a bit gruff but sexy at the same time. Jeez! What is going on in my brain?
"Anyway, I'm here to pick him." he pointed at saviour blond "And you sexy, for the yearly orientation. So stop eye-fucking each other and you kitten should wear a shirt."
My jaw dropped on his crude comment and looked at the other person in my bathroom, and he just full blown laugh while the other's smirk grew wider.
"Don't mind what that pute said, let's go." Ken (that is what I will call him since I have yet to know his name) said, randomly grabbing a short on my closet before turning it away "Let's go chéri."
The two blonds left, leaving me partially stunned. My phone buzzed, pulling me out of my revere. I looked at the text from an unknown number.
'U got 2 mins. to come hir Casanova or I will kick you in your skinny ass!' –HA
'Shit!' it's from Haymitch.
I immediately bolted out of my room, disregarding the fact that I'm barefooted and half-naked. Within a minute, I made it to the lounge, where all the boys from the dormitory are seated on the different bean bags and the sofas. Haymitch was standing in the middle, one hand on his phone, the other is holding a clipboard.
"Nice for you to join us Casanova." he said, before slipping his phone to his pocket "And as much as ever gay, bi or appreciative person here enjoys your exhibition tendencies, making them hard on their pants, I don't condone nakedness on my dorm, so please, put a goddamn shirt on."
I heard catcalls and whistles, most loudly from the back. When I looked, I saw the same blue eyes piercing into me, like the time on the bathroom, he gave me a wink. He smiles predatorily at me, and I shivered. I looked at the other sitting beside him, he was smiling and I want to smile back, but stopped as I noticed how he just licked his lips. The look on their face, they just want to devour me. I hastily put my shirt on.
"Good, now come here, front and centre."
I complied, not wanting anymore trouble. I faced the crowd of boys that I would be my dorm mates for the rest of my stay here.
"Listen up! This is Peeta Mellark, he is our new student from District 12, and although, he was supposed to be starting from first year, his IQ supersedes most so he's here in advance placement. That's why he and his sister are here earlier than the first years." Haymitch said "They'll be sophomores this year, and I expect that you help lover boy here to settle down, know the rules and the shits around."
Several 'yes' were heard.
"Oh and before I dismiss you lot." Haymitch turned to the two blond that I met earlier "Cato (he pointed at the buff one) and Marvel (Ken-blond), no sexually harassing of Peeta here please"
'be careful around those two, if you still want to be a virgin.' I suddenly remembered what Thresh said earlier
"Don't worry Chief, we already saw everything!" Cato's yell boomed at the whole lounge and Marvel sniggered
So these two would be my neighbours for the next three years?
'I'm fucked'
/
AN: I won't be updating for a while since it would be my midterms. I'll also be editing my chapter 1 since I have some grammatical errors on it, no biggie. Anyway, see you soon!