Chapter 2
That evening, the Everdeen household was a very uneasy place. After Dad's outburst earlier that evening, I wouldn't look him in the eye, and the awkward silence was clearly getting to Prim.
Prim was sat, sprawled across the carpet, texting on her phone. Every so often, she would look up, bite her lip, then go back to her phone. I look up into Dad's blue,shiny eyes. Glazed with worry. I can't see the Dad I used to know. Happy and carefree. In love. But he deserves it. He deserves all of this. HE was the one who went and forgot about Mom. HE was the one who forced me and Prim to play happy families. He brought this all on himself. Sighing, Prim finally shuts off her phone, and looks up at Dad. "So...is this school..nice?". She offers. Dad opens his mouth to say something, but I interrupt him. "Of course it's not. Why would he send me there if it was nice?". I tell her. Dad sighs. "Katniss, Panem is a very nice school!". He replies. I laugh. "Of course! You plan to send me away from my family, my friends, my life, to a strange new school in the middle of bloody England, and you expect it to be everything I've ever dreamed off?". I ask him. "I didn't say that!" he yells. I stand up. "You didn't have too!". I scream. Prim stand up. "Stop it!". She screams. " Just stop it!".
We all go silent.
The only sound is Prim,panting. I glare at Dad, making my grey eyes narrow. "Well,look what you did now!". I say, sighs. "Well, if you need me,". I say to Prim. "I'll be in my room".
And with that, I flee.
I lie back in my bed, staring up at the ceiling. Everything is so calm here. So peaceful. When I was a little girl, my mother would come in, after putting Prim to sleep, and sing me a lullaby. She had a beautiful voice. Soft, like velvet, and enchanting. She only had to sing for a few minutes before I was fast asleep.
Until she was gone, no one realised she was the one that held up this family. With her homemade cooking, her singing , with her... Everything. When she died, it was like our family died. I changed. I know I did. I became a clothes obsessed, snooty little rich girl, going in with the crowd my mother didn't want me in. And it broke my heart. But, I decided what my new life was going to be way back then, and I can't change. It's too late. Besides, I've gotten so used to life here, It's going to be a major pain to just leave. But I wasn't the only one that changed. Dad quit his job as a sculptor, and became a very fancy lawyer. He loved too sculpt. Mermaids, butterflies, anything you wanted. He gave up so he could earn money for us. I sigh.
I miss my Mom so much.
When I open my eyes again, I see my door open just a crack, and a slither of orange light seep through. I groan, and see a dark figure move towards me.
"Katniss...". Prim's voice breaks through the darkness. "Prim?". I look up, and see her blue eyes, looking down at me. She climbs into my bed beside me, and I sigh, wrapping my arms around her. "Hey, Little Duck,". I whisper. She smiles. I stroke her blonde hair, which is so soft, and silky. "Kitty Kat...". I chuckle at my nickname. "Yeah?". She takes a deep breath. "Are you really gonna leave?". She whispers. I give a small sigh, and close my eyes. "I think I am, this time Little Duck. Dad's really..." I think about my words. "Eat some crap in his cornflakes". She giggles, then snuggles into me. "I'm really gonna miss you, Kitty Kat. Your like my second Mom". I smile. "I'll miss you to, Ducky,".
And with that,she falls asleep.
"Panem? Where the hell is that?". Cashmere says. Today, she 'invited' herself over, to help me pack. "I dunno know,". I wonder,dropping a shoe in my suitcase. "Look it up". She grabs my laptop, and types it in. In two seconds, a website pops up. I study it hungrily.
In huge, white letters, 'Panem Boarding School For Young Ladies', is broadcasted at the top of the page. The building is a huge, brown, old fashioned, crumbly building, that looks like its from the 1800's. Cashmere scans the page. "England? It's in England?". She splutters . I sigh. "Oh My God!" I shriek. Here in Miami, England is the place for 'skanks', as they call it. Where no one is tanned and no one is fashionable. There's no sun, everywhere is a dirty, mucky, wet hell.
Cashmere turns to me and pouts. "I feel so sorry for you babe!". She squeals, pulling me into a hug. "Thanks!". I see Prim roll her eyes. She insisted on helping me pack. I don't mind,but Cashmere wasn't happy. "This is meant to be older girl time!". She hissed in my ear. I just shrugged.
Cashmere stands up, and picks up a pear of expensive, Jimmy Choo shows that she's always loved. "It's sucha shame these will be wasted!". She exclaims. I smile. "Just take then,". I tell her. She raises her eyebrows. "Really?". I nod. She squeals, and hugs me. "I'm really gonna miss you!". I grin. "I'll miss you too,Cash! ". Suddenly, get phone rings. Pulling it out, she gasps. " Sorry babes, gotta go!". She explains. My face falls. "Oh,". She pulls me into a quick hug. "See you..whenever!". She pipes up. Grabbing the shoes, she flounces out the room, not looking back for one quick wave.
I stare out of the window as we drive along a narrow, country road. All I've seen so far is grass, cows, dirt, rain, and more grass. And, let me tell you, when you drive past some fields, they have such a horrible STINK! It makes you want to kill yourself.
The ride there is pretty awkward, and silent. My dad occasionally glances back at me, to check I've not jumped out the car, or something. I sigh, slinking back in my seat. When ate we gonna get there? We've been driving for hours, and I'm so tired! I pull out my mobile, and check if there's any messages from Cash. Nothing. I frown. She promised she text... I suppose she's just busy. Slipping it back in my pocket, I look back out the window, expecting to see more grass, and cows. But instead, I'm met with a large, old fashioned building, slowly creeping into view. There's a flag, waving about at the top of the roof, and people with burgundy coloured clothing on, and old fashioned skirts. The sky is a cloudy grey, and the gardens are well cut, and trimmed, with neatly swept paths along the sides. There is only one place on earth this could be.
This is Panem Boarding School.