After her rebirth by Cici

Chapter 45

Katniss was totally blindsided when Ruby yanked her wrist like she was trying to rip it off. Instinct kicked in, and she shoved Ruby away hard, making her stumble and almost eat dirt.

Their little scuffle caught everyone's eye.

"What is going on?" Clara asked, looking all confused.

Juniper, seeing Ruby's sketchy reaction, got suspicious too. "Ruby, Clara, did you two mess with my water?"

She'd only had beef with these two before the competition.

Clara's eyes went wide, and she shook her head like crazy. "Juniper, what are you even talking about?"

Ruby's eyes flashed with guilt, but she shot back loudly, "Juniper, what kind of crap are you spewing? You're just trying to mess with Clara's head before the competition!" Ruby's voice was so loud it got everyone whispering, and even some teachers started looking over. Juniper was fuming, ready to throw hands, but Katniss held her back. "Juniper, don't fall for her BS. Let's go find a teacher and check the surveillance footage. The truth will come out," Katniss said.

Without solid proof, they couldn't just accuse Ruby of tampering.

Checking the surveillance footage was their best bet.

Taking advantage of Ruby's distraction, Katniss dragged Juniper towards the surveillance room.

"Stop right there!" Ruby yelled, throwing caution to the wind and chasing after them.

Clara wanted to follow but got held back by someone.

She turned around, surprised to

you focus on the

but now she was spreading nasty rumors to mess with Clara's head right before her competition. He must've been blind to think Katniss was honest just because she

to find Katniss and Juniper, his

was gonna settle

the small clearing behind the bleachers, he saw Ruby had already caught

running! Why'd you stop?"

in when, to his shock, Katniss stepped up and

slap echoed,

a full five seconds to react. She clutched

wouldn't I dare hit you?" Katniss's voice was icy, her gaze even colder. She'd just noticed traces of laxative around Ruby's fingernails, almost confirming Ruby was the culprit. "Stop falsely accusing me! You dare hit me? That's assault, and I'm calling the cops!" Ruby screamed. "Go ahead, call them. I'd love that,"

more guilt. Drugging someone was serious business. If it got out, she'd definitely

standoff dragged on, Simon couldn't take it anymore. He lunged forward, grabbing Katniss by the collar and yelling, "Katniss, you psycho, come with me to see the teacher!" Katniss fought back, but Simon's strength was too much. She managed to scratch his face, leaving some nasty marks. Juniper jumped

lost your mind? Katniss

he kept pulling, Katniss's clothes would

vicious!" Simon yelled, his face stinging

but it

a chaotic fight, no one gaining the upper hand, when suddenly a furious shout rang out. "What are you students doing!" They turned to see several school leaders glaring

to my office!" Vice Principal Eli barked. With outside investors present, he couldn't scold them on the spot, so he had

the fighting students was his daughter.

what happened

to stand up

beaten face, the school