Disclaimer: Remember, I just write this for fun. I don't own any rights what so ever; the hunger games and all its characters are property of Suzanne Collins. Also, the idea of an exclusive high school with a gang of four boys ruling it, is from the manga Boys over Flowers, or Hana Yori Dango.

'So Peeta told me your name is Katniss, right? I'm Annie. Annie Crest.' The red-haired girl smiled genially at Katniss, showing her a gimps of her flawless white teeth in the process. And although Katniss tried to return the kind gesture, she couldn't produce more than a weak imitation of it. She felt very uncomfortable, sitting on the hard bench besides the gorgeous looking girl in the old section of the school as they waited for Peeta to arrive with ms. Sharer, their schools physician. And not only because of the cold she was experiencing from her still dampy clothes. She was glad there wasn't a mirror nearby, convinced that she would seriously freak out by her appearance. Her clothes and face were all covered in dirt and there was nothing left of the neat braid she made this morning; instead her hair had turned into one giant frizz ball. She sneezed, shivering from the nasty draft that lingered in the old hallway. She longed to go home, to take a long warm bath, to forget everything that happened today.

'Oh look, he's back.' Annie said suddenly, looking up from were they were sitting as Peeta joined them again, taking deep breaths as he slowed his pace. 'Ms. Sharer said she will be here in a minute. Is there anything I can bring you while we're waiting? A glass of water maybe?'

Katniss, when she realised he was talking to her, simply shook her head. 'No thank you.'

Observing her face in silence, he took the seat at her other side. He was tempted to take her hand in comfort, but decided against it, a bit shy of how she could reacted. So instead, he just asked the question that had been bothering him for quite a while now. 'Don't mind me asking, but do you have any idea why those people were after you?'

Again, Katniss shook her head. 'No.'

'Did you recognise any of those people?'

'Well, I know some of my class-mates took part…why?' She asked, eying him with growing suspicion.

The question surprised him somewhat. 'Why? Because you have to report this to the principal of course. You better have some names ready when-'

He now had her full attention.

'Report? There is nothing to report. Don't you see? If I file on them, it will only make things worse. Besides, nothing serious happened, right? I've just sprained my ankle, that's all.'

He looked at her in disbelief. 'You've just sprained your ankle?'

'Katniss, I now it's none of my business, but I agree with Peeta on this. Surely you cannot allow those people bulling you; who knows what they will do next?'

'No. I know you two mean well, but reporting them to the principal is just not an option. I-'

Katniss wanted to say more, but then noticed the small, blond woman coming their way, and closed her mouth once again, not wanting to make a scene. When the woman noticed her back, Ms. Shares stopped in her tracks for just a split second, but Katniss could see that she was startled by what she saw. Was she really looking that horrible?

'Ms. Everdeen?' The woman informed a bit tentative, offering her a delicate, pedicured hand. Katniss nodded, hoisting herself from the bench to shake it. 'Katniss.'

The woman hurried to regain her posture. 'Right. Well Katniss, would you come into my office please? I'm sorry I could not come sooner, but I was just in the middle of something when mr. Mellark came by.'

She unlocked the door so she and Katniss could enter, switching on the lights as she stepped in first.

'Just take a seat. So tell me, what exactly happened?'

'I don't know. I must have taken a wrong step on the stairs...I lost my balance somehow. I fell, and when I tried to get up again, I felt a jolt of pain going though my ankle. I think I've sprained it in the process.'

Ms. Sharer nodded, listening to every word. 'So nothing appears broken? Would you let me have a look at it?'

Katniss nodded. Careful not to hurt her, ms. Sharer took her shoe off and began to examine her foot. 'Right. You've got a nasty swelling there; it's badly bruised too. But there are no factures for as far I can tell. You're lucky. That must have been quite the fall you've made. Does it hurt much?'

'Yes. But mostly when I try to put weight on it.'

'Good. I will swathe it; it will give you some support.'

As ms. Sharer began to collect the stuff she needed, Katniss looked up at Peeta, who was standing quietly at the doorframe, observing the scene. Annie on the other hand was nowhere to be seen.

It didn't take long before ms. Sharer was finished.

'Well, this all I can do for now. I suggest you keep from any activity the next couple of days. That means no gym or anything. And put some ice on it every hour or two; it will stop the swelling. If there isn't any improvement by Thursday, just contact me, ok?'

'Thank you.' Katniss carefully avoided her eyes; she felt quite embarrassed with the whole situation. Ms. Sharer was a clever woman; surely she didn't buy any of the crap she had been dishing up to explain her battered appearance.

Peeta stepped forward and nodded in compliance. 'No problem. I will see to it that she does.'

'Well, I'm glad someone is looking after her,' Ms. Sharer answered. 'Now, off you go than. And Katniss, if the pain gets worse, just take another Advil.'

Katniss nodded, glad that she could go. 'I will.'

After they said goodbye to Ms. Sharer, they walked out of the office.

'Where is Annie?' Katniss asked Peeta, limping behind him, careful not to put pressure on her wounded ankle. He made sure he stayed close at her side.

'She had to get back to class. But she made me promise to take care of you. Are you sure you don't want my help?' he asked a bit worried when she hissed in pain.

She couldn't hide her faint smile. 'Thanks for the offer, but no. Being carried once is quite enough for today, thank you.'

He smiled too, digging his hands deep into his jeans pockets. For a moment he just sighed, thinking of what to say next. 'Ok. But at least let me give you a ride home.'

She wanted to object, but realised just in time that it would be stupid to think she could drive all the way home with her ankle like this.

'Thanks. But don't you have class to attend to?'

He shrugged. 'It can wait. Getting you back home safely is my first priority now.'

'Hey Peeta. Where have you been? We've missed you at lunch.'

They both looked up in surprise by the sudden intrusion, seeing Marvel striding towards them. Katniss tensed when she also noticed Cato, following silently in his wake. Damn. He was the last person on earth she wanted to see at the moment. She was about to retreat, but Peeta stopped her before she could. He gave her a puzzled look. 'He, what's wrong?'

'O, hi Katniss.' Marvel smile disappeared immediately, looking shocked when he examined her closely. 'Shit girl, what happened to you?'

'I fell from the stairs,' she said promptly, her eyes meeting those of Cato. He didn't even had the courtesy to look away; instead he only grinned. 'Must have been quite the fall then.'

'Yes, you can say that again. Anyhow, I'm taking her home,' Peeta said, holding Katniss hand in his, unaware of the dark snarl she gave Cato in respond to his remark.

Cato flashed his eyes towards Peeta, frowning. 'But we have class in about twelve minutes.'

'I know. Just tell the teacher I will not be coming today, ok. I see you guys later.'

'Wait a minute.' Cato laid a strong hand on his shoulder, holding his friend in place. 'Why all this trouble over her? Just let her go home by herself if she wants to.'

'She can't. She got her ankle hurt.' He looked back at Katniss, grinning warmly. 'Besides, I do it happily.' She shyly smiled back , though aware of the dark look Cato send her for it. He wasn't at all pleased to hear this. 'Peeta, I forbid you to do so.'

'What?' Chortling as if Cato just made a funny joke, Peeta raised his head to face him again. It was absolutely clear he was not taking his words serious.

'I mean it Peeta. I want you to leave the girl alone.'

'Cato,' Marvel tried to hush him, knowing this would end in a fight if the other boy would continue, but Cato ignored him completely, his attention all focused on Peeta.

'I've heard enough. It's alright. I'm going already,' Katniss announced, pulling her hand from Peeta's; she didn't want to get him into trouble over her.

But he didn't slip her away that easily. Gently grabbing her wrist to stop her, Peeta faced Cato with a frown of his own. 'Look, I don't know what your problem is, but you can not tell me what to do. I'm going to take her home, and that's final. Now, if you will excuse us…'

This time, Cato didn't bother himself to block his way again. But the dangerous flicker in his eyes as they passed told Katniss this would certainly not be the end of it.

When they were out of sight, Cato let go of the curse that he was holding, now spilling all his anger onto Marvel. 'That bloody idiot. What possesses him to act like prince charming for her? He has ruined everything.'

He wanted to kick something, anything. This was definitely not how it was supposed to go. It seemed like such an easy task. Getting that message on the secured page of the intranet was the hardest part, but he knew it would stir up the other students; she wasn't exactly popular. And combined with the help from some of her class-mates, it didn't take long to bomb her as a Pariah.

He had seen the mob attacking her through the hallways; he knew they were hunting her down like a pack of hounds do a fox. He had come to the cafeteria, just to relish on the idea of seeing her crawling on the floor, about to give up her fight. But then, Peeta and Annie decided to show their faces, ordering the worked up crowd to leave. Damn them. She should be crying by now, pleading for mercy, if it wasn't for them.

Marvel only shook his head in dismay. 'Cato, what have you done this time?'

'That's none of your business. But I'm not done with her yet. Mark my words Marvel, she will be gone by the end of the week.' He turned towards his friend, grabbing the collar of his shirt. 'And you are going to help me.'

Marvel couldn't help but shiver, seeing the menacing glare in the other boys eyes. 'Why me? I don't have any quarrel with her. She's a nice girl. I don't-'

'Excuse me?'

Surprised by the sudden interruption, they both turned their heads towards the tiny voice, Cato quickly letting go of Marvel. Before them stood a blond girl; Cato remembered her as Katniss friend, the one she stood up for yesterday in the cafeteria. What was she doing here?

You can do this. Talking some courage into herself, Madge sighed nervously, thinking about the task that lay ahead of her. She knew she somehow had to convince him to leave Katniss alone; after all, it was her fault what had happened. She just couldn't let this continue; better take the blame herself than watching her friend suffer like this. But it was not easy; she was holding on tightly to her book, pressing it to her chest as if to shield herself with it. Her lashes were shyly lowered so she didn't had to face them directly. 'Can…can I talk to you for a minute?'

'It depends…' Cato straitened his shoulders, looking down on her tender frame with his usual arrogant stare. 'If you're here to plea for your friend, I suggest you'd better-'

She forced herself to look up at him. 'Please. It is my fault she got into this mess. Give me a change to get her out of it again.'

He chuckled, shaking his head in feigned disbelief. It was clear he wasn't going to listen. 'Ok, I don't have time for this. Come on Marve, let's go.'

He was about to leave her, when she shouted in one last desperate attempt to gain his attention: 'Please. Don't you see that she likes you?'

What? For a moment he did not know how to react. This couldn't not be true, right? Very slowly, he turned to face her again. It was obvious he wasn't going to believe her. 'You've got to be kidding me.'

'No, I'm not!' she continued, shocked how easily the lie slipped between her lips. How could she say such a thing? Katniss would kill her if she would find out. But she got his attention, right? And what harm would it do if she could convince him she was telling the truth? 'I don't. She likes you. Have you never noticed the way she looks at you?'

'Oh, I have. And I wouldn't exactly call a frown or dirty look a token of someone's affection,' Cato mocked, though his tone was cold, dangerous. He stepped closer, fully aware of the way he's height was intimidating the girl.

Madge swallowed, taking a step back in respond, feeling very uneasy. Shit. She hadn't thought about that. How could she ever talk herself out of this one?

'Oh, I get it. That's just a game she's playing, right?' Marvel jumped in, eager in lending Madge a helping hand. Although he knew it was all total crap, it could not hurt to let Cato think the girl liked him. Maybe this would stop him heressing her. He punched him on the shoulder. 'Well, maybe she's right. You know how girls are, they like to play hard to get. And you obviously have her attention.'

'I suppose so…' Cato still wasn't entirely convinced by their arguments. But the idea that it could actually be true gave a boost to his ego. After all, she was a pretty girl. Not dumb too. So she liked him huh? A cunning grin crept over his features. Well, this could become interesting.

a/n; I'm sorry I didn't update sooner. I tried to write, realy, but somehow I just couldn't get the right words. I'm not that good in English, and it takes me a lot of energie to focus on my grammer and spelling, that still sucks by the way, I know. Anyhow, I hope you liked this chapter and that you will continue reading. R&R please!

BTW; 21 favorites and 31 allerts! Wow, thank you!