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.

around,

"Clara, you focus on the competition. I'll

out of jealousy! Not only did she get him into the police station before, but now she was spreading nasty rumors to mess with Clara's head right before her competition. He must've been blind

off to find Katniss and Juniper, his

he was gonna settle all scores, old and

behind the bleachers, he saw Ruby had already caught up

keep running! Why'd you stop?" Ruby panted, cornering

to step in when, to his shock, Katniss stepped

slap echoed, leaving

five seconds to react. She clutched her burning cheek, screaming, "Katniss, how dare you

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," Katniss mocked.

guilt. Drugging someone was serious business. If it got out, she'd definitely be expelled! Damn it,

me to see the teacher!" Katniss fought back, but Simon's strength was too much. She managed to scratch his face, leaving

mind? Katniss is your

kept pulling, Katniss's

vicious!" Simon yelled, his face stinging

yanked at Katniss's collar, but it just

one gaining the upper hand, when suddenly a furious shout rang out. "What are you students doing!" They turned to see

present, he couldn't scold them on the spot, so he had to take them to his office first. Unexpectedly, Ruby ran excitedly to someone nearby, her eyes lighting

his daughter. When Ruby got closer, he saw her face

happened to

you have to stand up for me!" Ruby

face, the