After her rebirth by Cici

Chapter 10

In the dead of night, the phone's ring cut through the silence like a knife. Katniss was out cold, and without a second thought, she hung up. But the damn phone kept ringing, messing with her sleep and pissing her off. Eyes still shut, she hit the answer button.

Desmond's voice came through, pissed as hell. "Katniss, what the hell? You hang up on me?"

Katniss scowled, snapping back, "Desmond, seriously? It's the middle of the night! What do you want?"

Desmond, breathing heavily, shot back, "You gotta go back to school tomorrow and cede your exam spot to Clara! Or else, you're gonna regret it!"

Hearing this, Katniss's eyes flashed cold. No way she was letting them win. "Desmond, you lost your mind? The exam spot? Not happening. I'm not backing down."

Desmond, sounding all smug, said, "This is from the Manners family too." Katniss could hear dishes clinking in the background, like they were having dinner.

Then Oliver's voice chimed in, "Just give your spot to Clara. You owe her for putting her in the hospital. She shouldn't suffer, and you can always apply next year." Katniss shot back, "No way! Keep dreaming!"

Oliver, now fuming, barked, "Katniss, what's with the attitude? Got no manners?"

"What's up, Katniss? Throwing a fit again? You're so spoiled, you shouldn't talk to your parents like this. Without the Manners family, you're nothing." Elodie tried to calm things down, "Everyone, chill. Katniss,

wasn't having it. "No way! Over my dead body." She

was left staring at each other,

still had that historic vibe, with a golden plaque above the gate reading "Nexus Nova College." Katniss got to school earlier than usual. Only a few students were around, some girls with earphones

chilling in the classroom for a bit, Juniper Davis walked over. Katniss put down her book

I wanted to visit, but my family was moving, so I got held up. Don't be mad," Juniper said, holding Katniss's hand, looking both happy and guilty. Juniper had sharp features and a tall frame,

Come on, let's hit

transfer the spot before Desmond could pull any moves, or it'd be too

all about public speaking, had always wanted to apply but missed the

Juniper said,

book, waiting for them to spill. Katniss looked at Caleb and said, "Caleb, I wanna give my English speech spot to Juniper." Caleb looked at her, eyebrows raised. "You sure? Once you change it, there's no going back." Juniper was just as puzzled. Katniss hadn't mentioned this before, and it

hand, then quickly turned to Caleb, "Caleb, she's just recovered from being sick. She's not thinking straight. Don't change it." But Katniss knew exactly what she

You fought for this spot. Why the sudden change?" Juniper asked, eyes full of

and said, "Juniper, I know you've always dreamed

tears in her eyes. "Katniss, you're

my mind. I want Juniper to have