Authors Note: Thanks to everyone reading! Please review! Enjoy. :)

It is unbearably hot today. I walked out of the house no more than 5 minutes ago and I can already feel my shirt sticking to my skin. Not that our house is much cooler than out here but it is protection from the sun and the humidity in the air. Even with me wearing shorts which were cut from some old pants by Hazelle, it does almost nothing to cool me off.

I can see that I'm not the only one burning up. As I walk in the back, I can see Rory, Vick, and Prim making their way much slower and sluggish than their usual energenic ways in front of me. Every morning, we meet up with each other and the walk to school together. Its usually a very relaxing walk but the heat today makes it impossible.

About half way there, we begin to walk through the worse parts of the seam. Starvation is higher here but not by much. I always dread walking through here. Its not unheard of thing in district 12 people getting mugged, beat, or raped but it is rare. And whenever it does happen, this is the place where its most likely. That's why my father taught me self-defense when I was about 12. He said that I should be prepared just in case anything ever happens. I remember accidentally kicking him so hard in the knee while we we doing a sort of simulation that he couldn't go to work for a few days.

I sudeenly sense someone behind me and I immediately tense up. At first I think i'm just being parinoid but the next thing I know, I'm being grabbed from behind and lifted up in the air. My heart rate speads up and I can hear it beating in my ears. I rear up my leg and I'm about to bring it down directly onto my attacker's crotch when I hear a deep laugh.

"Wow Katniss. I don't even get an hello?" I recognize the voice and instantly my heart rate slows down. But it doesn't stop the anger that courses through me.

"What the hell Leo?!" I shout. He puts me down still laughing like it's the funniest thing in the world. I reagust the strap of my school bag on my shoulder and glare at him. He stops but only a little while.

"Its not funny! I thought you were a rapist or something!" I exclaim waving my arms around in the air.

"Well I wasn't so keep walking or you'll lose the kids." Hey says pointing to Rory, Vick and Prim.

"You annoy me. And its too hot for you to be stressing me out!" I say and he just laughs and walks along side me.

Leo is one of the few friends I have. He is a grade above me but acts like a 13 year old. He lives in the seam with just him and his mother. His father died in the mines when he was only 6 years old so they struggle for food like everybody. Since my family has an income of food by means of hunting, I make sure to help them out when I can. He isn't stubborn about it so he accepts it gratefully.

Eventually, we make it to the schools gates. There are 2 school buildings, an old playground in the back, and worn wooden picnic benches in between the schools all surrounded by a rusted metal fence and a large gate in the front. One of the buildings is for grades 1-7 and the other is for 8-12. The one for the older kids is also the only one with a gym.

There aren't any people standing around outside like usual probably because of the scorching heat. I say bye to the kids and watch them go into their building while Leo and I walk to the one right beside it.

When I enter, i'm instantly relieved of the harsh rays of the sun. I say a quick goodbye to Leo, since I don't have any classes with him yet, and walk down to my first class.

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I never really saw a point to Algebra class. I mean, I know the basics of math so in my opinion, its useless. Especially in a place like District 12. I tried to pay attention and do the work, but it is one of the most difficult work i've ever done and I just don't get it. Plus, it doesn't help that I hate my teacher as much as he hates me. So I gave up trying a while ago. So now I'll just sit there and let all information given to me come in through one ear and straight out the other. Only problem is, my parents are pretty strict about grades. I have gotten A's and B's all of my life but this class is the first one I'm failing in. I'm just glad report cards haven't come out yet.

I make my way to the back of the class where I usually sit and start taking my things out. A few seconds before the tardy bell rings, my friend Ada walks in the class and waves at me. I smile and wave back as she take a seat right next to mine.

Ada is the same age as me but shorter and with chocolate brown hair and seam grey eyes. Besides Madge, she is my only other 'girlfriend'. I met her when my father introduced me to her father (a fellow miner) about six years ago. She has adorable twin little brothers who just look like mini versions of her and I don't know much about her mother besides has a job selling fabrics at the hob.

I look over at her and see a giant smile on her face. I raise my eyebrows in question and she shakes her head and mouths 'after class'.

So I sit there the whole time looking out of the dingy unkept window looking at the large tree that stands at the back of the school. My mind wonders off thinking about the woods for most of the class period. I'm still daydreaming until I feel someone hit my arm.

"Ow." I rub my arm where I was hit and turn my head and see Ada looking at me with wide eyes and her head bobbing towards the front of the class signaling me to look. I turn my head to meet the eyes of Mr. West's upset face.

"The answer Everdeen." He says in an overly calm but still irritating voice.

"What?" I ask, completely oblivious to whatever we were talking about.

"Not paying attention are we? Please see me after class." He pushes his greasy blond hair away from his wrinkled face and continues with the lesson. I groan and put my head down on these desk.

Finally, the bell rings and everybody gathers their things. I try and sneak out behind the other students to avoid talking to Mr. West but he sees me and calls me to his desk. I tell Ada I'll see her in the hall. She smiles and says she'll be waiting for me.

I approach him waringly and wait for him to speak. "You know, I don't think I've ever had worse student. Do you even care at all?"

I am shocked by his bluntness but that doesn't stop my sacastic response. "Gee thanks! Your not the best teacher either buddy. And as for your question of if I care, the answer is truly, without a doubt, one hundred percent a no. I absolutely do not care."

I smirk triumphantly at the irritated glare he shoots at me. "Well then, here." He says passing me a small piece of paper. I take it from him and my mouth drops open when I read it. "I want you to get that signed by both of your parents so they can come in for a conference discussing your behavior in my class. Turn it back in to me tomorrow." He says and turns back to whatever papers he's grading. I open my mouth to protest and he interrupts me before I can even get a syllable out. "Have a nice day."

I can't give this to my parents! They're gonna kill me! I just hope I'm too old for a spanking like the last time I got in this much trouble. I was 12 and I called my teacher stupid for reasons I couldn't remember and then ran out of the classroom. To say the least, I couldn't sit comfortably for days after. But at least there is a bright side to this. Hopefully, this will distract them from trying to give me 'the talk' that they keep trying to force on me.

I make my way into the hall and see Ada's worried face. "What happened?"

I sigh. "Mr. West gave me this." I say handing her the slip of paper. I see her read it over and her face screws up into a grimace. "I'm sorry Katniss. Maybe your parents won't be too harsh." I scoff at the likeliness of that happening. She just smiles sadly as we begin walking to my class.

"Well, what is was going to tell you earlier, was that me, Leo, and Madge all got you a gift for your birthday! We're going to give it to a you at lunch." I frown at her. "You guys didn't have to-" "Yeah yeah whatever ever so humble Katniss."

I laugh and we approach my class. "I'll see you later!" She says and heads off to her class as I enter mine.

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"Happy Belated Birthday!" Madge, Leo, and Ada say in unison with matching smiles on their faces. We are sitting outside on the old picnic benches having the cold mystery food slop for lunch as always. That's only because the Capitol doesn't want to seem as cruel as they usually are.

"Guys, you really didn't have to-" "Uhgg Katniss! Just accept the gift! Or do you not care enough about us to let us get you something?" Madge says sticking out her bottom lip. I sigh and look back down to the pin in my hand. It's a worn kind of gold in the shape of a mockingjay with an arrow in its beak. It truly is beautiful and it must have cost a lot.

I look back up to my friends awaiting faces and I can't help but smile at their enthusiasm. "I love it. Thanks guys. It means a lot to me."

"Awww! Group hug!" Madge squeals and I just roll my eyes and smile when she engulfs us all in her arms. I fasten the pin to the front of my shirt and we continue eat and talk.

Ada is in the middle of telling us the story of when she came home one day to find her brothers wearing her clothes when I see a figure with blond hair and blue eyes heading this way. I can already tell that it's Rye Mellark from the handful of times I've seen him at the bakery. I notice how similar he looks compared to Peeta as he plops down next to me.

"Well hello there Katniss." He says resting his elbow on the table and his fist on his cheek. "So what's this I heard about Peeta bringing you a cake to your house last night?" He asks with an amused smirk.

I almost choke on the food I just attempted to swallow. I clear my throat before answering. "He said your dad sent that cake with him when he went to deliver the bread." I purposely leave out the part about it being an apology because of his mother's behavior.

For some reason, his smile gets wider after I sat that. "Oh no, I know about the bread. But my father didn't send you a cake. In fact, I was sitting right in the other room the entire time listening to him giving Peeta instructions to drop off the bread at your house and nothing about a cake came up." I sat there and stared at him confused. He just laughs and stands up. "I just thought you should know. But I gotta go now. See you later clueless!" And with that, he walks away.

I look back over to my friends and see them giving me questioning looks. I ignore them and continue to eat until lunch is over. We get up and head to our next classes. Before I walk too far away, Madge grabs my arm and gives me a stern look. "Since when did Peeta Mellark was start making deliveries to your house?" She wiggles her eyebrows suggestively at me and I snort. "You heard me when I told Rye. He only dropped off the food. Why are you-" "Shhhhhhh..." She says putting a finger to my lips. "We'll talk later. See you." And she walks away. I shake my head and make my way to my next class.

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I sit through 2 more classes and finally it's my last and favorite class of the day. Gym. I guess its because the physical activity reminds me of hunting in the woods.

This is the only class all of my friends are in and all we do is get dressed, stretch, run around, and then play a sport collectively as a class.

I make my way to the girls locker room and change into my gym clothes (whick is just an old faded green T-shirt and some black shorts).

I make my way out to the gym and start walking laps. This gym has a sort of rotting smell. The floors are squeaky and cracked, there is mold lingering on the lower parts and corners of the walls, and the windows are either broken or so covered in coal dust and grime that you can't see through it.

"Katniss!" I turn my head and see Madge coming towards me. Her perfect blond hair is in a bun and she is dressed in too short shorts a too tight shirt. But that's normal attire for most merchant girls.

"Hey." I say simply, still walking. "Slow down! So what are you doing after school?" She asks walking beside me, struggling to keep up.

"Probably studying until my eyeballs fall out in math when I show my parents the discipline slip Mr. West gave me."

She rolls her eyes at me. "I don't see why you have such a problem with that man."

I shrug. I hear the coach blow the whistle signaling us to start running. I pick up my pace leaving Madge and passing most of the other students. I see Ada and Leo in front of me, lazily half jogging half walking. I slow down to talk to them.

"What's wrong with you guys? I ask with an amused smile. They both glare at me and I laugh. "Don't act like this is new! You know we hate anything having to do with exercise. And here you go running circles around us just to rub it in our faces!"

I just laugh again. We continue making our way around the track when Leo speaks up. "Hey, that Mellark kid is staring at you Katniss." I look across the gym and see Peeta jogging with his eyes focused on me. As soon as my eyes meets his, he looks away from me. I frown. It shouldn't surprise me that he doesn't want to act any different just because of last night. Wouldn't want to ruin his reputation if people knew what he did. But it doesn't stop the pang of hurt I feel for some reason. This is the second class we have together this year. But in the other class, science, I sit in the very back while he sits in the front so we never interact with each other.

As I'm running, I start thinking about what Rye told me. If Mr. Mellark didn't tell him to bring the cake, why did he do it? I sure as hell know his mother didn't tell him to so why would he go out of his way to bring a cake to a bunch of people from the seam?

Before I can figure anything out, I hear another whistle blow from the coach signaling to start our next exercise.

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I'm sitting at my kitchen table waiting for my father to come home from work while my mother cooks dinner. After gym, I changed and went straight to find the kids and walked with them back home. Now I'm just trying to figure out a way to tell my parents about the paper from Mr. West.

"How was school?" Mother asks me. I panic but manage to reply with a hopefully convincing response.

"Um... It was fine." She looks at me with questioning eyes. I try and keep up a guarded look but she can see right through it.

"What is it? I can tell something's bothering you." Damn. How does she do that?

"I have to talk to you and dad." I nervously play with my hands in my lap as she looks at me for a while, probably trying to figure out what's wrong, but she eventually nods.

Later after my father is home and we've all ate, my mother tells Prim to go to her room while the rest of us sit down in the living room.

My father speaks up first. "What did you want to talk to us about?"

I take a deep breath and hand him the paper that I had in my hand. I wait nervously for his reaction.

"Katniss..." He sighs rubbing his eyes and passing the paper to mother. I see her read over it and disappointment and anger show in her eyes.

"What happened Katniss? And you're failing his class too? Why didn't you tell us before?" My father asks running his hand through his hair.

"Behavior problems? What have we always taught you? Respect your teachers Katniss! Its as simple as that!" My mother shouts.

I begin to defend myself. "I'm sorry but it wasn't my fault! He was-" "I don't want to hear your excuses. You will apologize to him first thing tomorrow, respectfully, and start paying attention in class." She interrupts with a glare.

"But-" "I'm not done. You come straight home everyday after school and study until you bring up your grade to a B or an A. No hunting, no visiting your friends, nothing! Do you understand?" She says looking at me with raised eyebrows.

I nod my head silently and look over to my father. He still looks shocked but soon opens his mouth.

"Do as your mother says. I can't-" He stops, shaking his head. "Just... go to bed. We'll finish talking in the morning."

I get up and head to my room without looking back. Prim is already asleep so I quietly change into my nightgown and slip into the bed beside her. I feel so guilty having to put my parents through this mess that I got myself into and even guiltier how disappointed they were. It takes me almost 2 hours of tossing and turning but I finally find sleep.

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Thanks for reading! Please, please review! It helps me know how you guys are liking it! :)