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, just apologize to Dad and Nathan, and this will be

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

family was left staring at each other, stunned. They didn't expect

building 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

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

up. Don't be mad," Juniper said,

on, let's hit up Caleb's office," Katniss

spot before Desmond could pull

Juniper, who was all about public speaking, had always wanted to apply but missed the boat, and it bummed her out for

said, tagging along with Katniss to the advisor's office and giving

my English speech spot to Juniper." Caleb looked at her, eyebrows raised. "You sure? Once you change it, there's no going back." Juniper

then quickly turned to Caleb, "Caleb, she's just recovered from being sick. She's not thinking straight.

for this spot. Why the sudden change?" Juniper

said, "Juniper, I know you've always dreamed of this.

touched, holding Katniss's hand with tears in her eyes. "Katniss, you're

my mind. I want Juniper to have the spot," Katniss told