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?"

spoiled, you shouldn't talk to your parents like this. Without the Manners family, you're

having it. "No way! Over my dead body."

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 in, looking all

bit, Juniper Davis walked over. Katniss put down her book and stood up to

so I got held up. Don't be mad,"

let's hit up

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

speaking, had always wanted to apply but missed the boat, and it bummed

hey to Caleb," Juniper said, tagging

voice from inside. Caleb put down his 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

Juniper said, holding Katniss's 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 was doing. She was done being Clara's pawn. This time, she was handing the opportunity to her friend

what's up with you? You fought for this spot. Why

and said, "Juniper, I know you've always dreamed of this. I just wanna help you

both shocked and touched, holding Katniss's hand with tears in her eyes. "Katniss, you're amazing! I'll make the most

my mind. I want Juniper