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?"

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

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

staring at each other, stunned. They didn't expect Katniss to be so

school 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

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

I got held up. Don't be mad," Juniper said, holding Katniss's hand, looking both

good. Come on, let's hit up Caleb's office," Katniss

Desmond could pull any moves, or it'd be

Juniper, who was all about public speaking, had always wanted to apply but missed the boat, and

say hey to Caleb," Juniper said, tagging along with Katniss to the advisor's office and giving the

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

sick. She's not thinking straight. Don't change it." But Katniss knew exactly what

you? You fought for this spot.

know you've always dreamed of this.

both shocked and touched, holding Katniss's hand with tears in her

want Juniper to have the spot,"