Chapter 2

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   "Khara!" My mom rushed into the room and gave me a bone cracking hug that made me gasp. She let go of me, teary eyed. "Do us proud darling." Dad said, giving me an encouraging smile. I nodded, forcing on a convincing smile and hugged them both.

   "Love you two." I whispered, my arms around my parents as I buried my head into dad's shirt. He patted my head and mom gave me a peck on the cheek. We stayed like that for a long time and I was glad that they did not mention anything about Kaitlin or the quarrel we had earlier.

   Not long later, the peacekeepers came in to lead them out. Mom looked like she was going to scream, don't you dare take me away from my precious little girl! But dad whispered something to her that seemed to calm her down. She let herself be led out without making a fuss, not before mouthing, love you. The peacekeepers shut the door behind them.

   I slumped down on the chair, suddenly feeling a little sorry that I didn't apologise to them for yelling before the reaping.

   Nah, it's fine. They were being mean and unreasonable to you. You had all right to lash out at them.  Immorality dismissed the guilt I had.

   But they are your parents!  Conscience argued. You should have at least a speck of respect for them!

   "Shut up," I groaned at their bickering and covered my ears though the voices were in my head. Amazingly it worked and those voices in my head quietened down. My body soon started to relax in its seat and I fell asleep.

   No one else came to visit.

   I was never one to make friends, so it was no surprise. I kept to myself and my body language told others: You mind your own business and I mind mine. It worked a little too well though.

   I only knew that I had no more visitors after my parents as the only time I was awoken or disturbed was when we had to leave for the Capitol. I was left in peace until the woman from the stage who was to be our escort, came to collect me.

   She was more annoying than I thought anyone could ever be. She chattered nonstop about the luxuries of the Capitol and how we should appreciate the kindness of the Capitol, blah blah blah. Not like I didn't know of the 'kindness' of the Capitol that had been shown to us.

   "I'm Pandora, if you didn't know." She told me as we boarded the train and I did a mental eye roll. As if I cared for her name. She seemed to sense my rude indifference and mumbled to herself, "Egotistical bitch." She must have realized that she had accidentally said it aloud as her panicked eyes flew up to meet mine.

   I decided to be an egotistical bitch right then. "What did you say?" I asked her sweetly, venom dripping from my words. "I – " I cut her off by bitch slapping her. Wow. That felt good.

   She gasped, gripping her cheek, her face scrunched up in pain.

   "Ouch." I covered my mouth with one hand, feigning shock and started playing a little sweet girl persona. "Oooh. I'm so sorry!"

   She glared at me from behind tears. I changed to a mean girl. I caressed her cheek roughly, digging my cat-like nails into her swollen cheek in the process. She gave a strangled shriek and pulled away. I gave a low chuckle. She had such low pain tolerance.

   "Bye sucker!" I called to her, flouncing to the exit of that cabin, before she could slap me back. Not like I wouldn't mind her throwing a tantrum and trying to beat me up. I would love to see her chase me in those heels and try to hit me with her purse. Even an idiot can guess what would happen next. Heels and running on a ground full of potholes, don't exactly go together, while trying to slap a career would be the least wise of all choices.

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