Panem High

Chapter Two - Shake It Off

%Katniss%

She tapped her pencil impatiently against her math textbook. Fractions had always been the bane of her existence. And it didn't help that she was sitting next to the certain "really hot, tall" new guy. His brow was furrowed as he cast a brooding look at the chalkboard. His large hands fumbled with themselves out of boredom, and he sighed, looking down. Katniss blinked, mouth dry. Was it possible for someone to be so hot when they haven't done...anything? He glanced to his left, and caught Katniss' gaze.

He smiled, raising his eyebrows. Katniss' eyes widened, and she looked away, blushing furiously. Dammit, me! she scolded. You weren't supposed to get caught staring. Way to make tall, dark, and handsome think you're a creep on the first day. Katniss leaned away from the boy as subtly as she could. She wouldn't gawk at him anymore- it would make her seem creepier than she already did. She would just have to suffer through math with his presence beside her.

Katniss silently thanked God when the bell finally rang. In an instant, she was on her feet, packing up her stuff. She was just about to run out the door like a maniac when new guy touched her arm gently. He smiled, looking up at her from his spot on the floor as he grabbed his stuff. "I didn't catch your name?" he said, standing up. He was easily 6'2, way taller than she was. Katniss, for a moment, couldn't find the words to respond. When she did, she was 100% sure she sounding like blubbering idiot.

"I'm, uh, Katniss Everdeen," she said quietly. His brow furrowed as he smiled again. "Catnip?" he asked. She laughed lightly and shook her head. "Katniss," she corrected, louder this time. New guy nodded, 'oh'ing. "My mistake," he said. "I'm Gale Hawthorne," he introduced. He stuck his hand out for her to shake. And when she did, she shook it quickly and tried not to grip too hard. Gale smirked, "Hope to see you around," he said, taking his things and exiting the room.

Katniss, for a while, stood there, staring at a spot on her desk, speechless. Wait until I tell Annie- she'll never get out of girls' night, Katniss thought, grinning. "Ms. Everdeen? Are you alright?" the math teacher, Wiress, asked. "It's time to get to your next class, or you'll be late," she added, standing up from her chair. Her words snapped Katniss back to reality, and she picked up her things and rushed out of the room. Katniss visualized her school schedule, and remembered she had History next.

She walked to her locker in a hurry, realizing she has wasted five minutes standing like an idiot in Wiress' classroom. She stuffed her math books next to her science books and grabbed her history textbook and notebook. She slammed her locker shut and hurried to the next classroom. Alma Coin, the history teacher, was just closing the door when Katniss sped into view. Ms. Coin jumped back, eyes narrowed. "You're barely on time, Ms. Everdeen. Don't be late again. Have a seat next to Mr. Hadley," she said, scolding her.

Katniss flushed bright pink and tried for a smile. Ms. Coin shook her head and pointed to the empty seat next to Cato Hadley. "Sit. Then pay attention," she instructed. Katniss did as she was told and slid into the next to Cato. He waved slightly at her, smiling. She smiled back and organized her things. "Page 117, we were just talking about the Hunger Games," he whispered, opening her book for her. Katniss frowned. "Why were we talking about that? I thought the government wanted to forget it ever happened?" she asked.

Cato shrugged. "Best way to get over something is to talk about it, shake it off," he said. Katniss raised an eyebrow. "Okay Taylor Swift, but talking to get over something is referring to a personal issue, like your mom and dad splitting up," she joked, a smile finding it's way to her lips. Cato rolled his eyes. "Whatever. I don't know why, then. Just, well, just pay attention," he said. Katniss was taken aback. "You actually want to listen?" she asked. She hoped that didn't sound too rude.

Cato looked over at her, nodding. "Yes, actually. I find the Hunger Games an interesting topic. I think I would have volunteered, too. If I had been old enough when it was going on, of course."

Katniss frowned again, but she didn't ask anymore questions. Volunteering for the Games had practically been the same as accepting your oncoming death. She stared straight ahead, occasionally asking questions about the Games that encircled a certain area. The Gamemaking.

"Now, the Games weren't at all natural. Nature played hardly a part in them. They were cruel. And only such cruelty could be produced by mankind. During the Games, the Gamemakers all gathered to unleash new terrors among the tributes..The Gamemakers sat in a circular room, accepting orders from the Head Gamemakers; such as starting fires that pushed tributes closer together, a tree falling in a tribute's path, changing the sky from dawn to dusk. Keep in mind that most of these Gamemakers did their jobs on their own free will. They enjoyed the Games thoroughly. It was like participating in the Games, only they didn't have the threat of death," Ms. Coin said, a hint of bitterness in her voice.

Delly Cartwright, a friendly blonde girl, raised her hand. "Ms. Coin, if you don't mind me asking, how do you know so much about Gamemaking? Were you a Gamemaker?" she asked. Ms. Coin smiled sadly. "No, but my husband was. He was one of the very few who was forced to be there, or they would be killed," she said. "Unfortunately, his desire for freedom was apparently much stronger than his desire to live. He tried to rebel, he was executed," she added. Delly frowned. "I'm sorry for your husband. I wouldn't have asked if I'd known," she said sympathetically.

Ms. Coin waved her hand dismissively. "It's alright, Ms. Cartwright. Best way to get over it is to talk about it."

Katniss smiled slightly and nudged Cato. "See? Personal issue. Shake it off," she whispered. The corners of Cato's mouth tugged into a smile. "Ssh," he whispered, nudging her back.

15 minutes later, the bell finally rang. Cato and Katniss both stood up, grabbing their books. "What do you have next?" he asked. Katniss' brow furrowed in thought. "Um, gym, I think," she said. Cato frowned. "I've got science with Beetee," he said. "But you'll have Clove and Johanna, I think," he added. Katniss nodded, "Alright, sounds okay. Good luck with Beetee, seniors last year said his class was a b*tch," she said. Cato laughed, exiting the room after Katniss. "I'll just have Foxface do my work, then," he joked.

Katniss smiled and waved as they turned their separate ways down the hall. Katniss stuffed her books in and went on her way to the locker room.

A/N: Aaaand, second chapter re-done! If the story seems ordinary at the moment, don't worry, it'll get more intense. The other characters will be introduced soon.

For anyone wondering, the group of friends as of now is: Katniss, Annie, Cato, Clove, Johanna, Marvel, Thresh, Madge, and Foxface (her real name will be Amy).

So, how do you guys like the story so far? It's a bit different then the original, and that's what I'm going for. You'll hardly be able to remember what it once was when I'm finished with it.

Happy Holidays!
-everywhereandnowhere

P.S. I think I'm going to make each chapter a song title, thought it would be cool.