The Nem Panem

Chapter 3

*Fay

"Bye Dad," Joshua and I call after him as he enters the bakery.

"Bye kids, have a good day at school," he answers back smiling.

Joshua and I walk to school, silent for the most part. Here in Panem people don't really use cars or anything. There is a bunch of technology. There are planes, cars, trucks, buses, boats etc. for transportation. We're just not the upper class places to get them. I read in history class that just like now there have always been districts. I guess some things really don't change.

We don't have a Capitol anymore, but we do still have districts, and there are upper class and lower class districts. The upper class districts usually have all the technology, and thats district 2,4, and 8. The rest are middle class, and then the lower class is 6,7, and 12.

Joshua and I don't really have a lot to say on our walks to school. We always usually have plenty to say after school though; that's when we have all the exciting stuff to say. We go to Hawthorne's Academy of Disciplinary Schooling or as we just say H.A.D.S. It was opened by Madge Hawthorne. My mom mentioned once knowing her husband Gale, but she never brings him up. Everytime I've asked about him she gives this awful look and looks like she's about to cry so I don't bring it up much.

We finally arrive at school, and we leave each other. Joshua goes and sits with his friends. He's very popular. I guess in his grade everyone loves him. I've always had trouble making friends, but I made them. I go and sit with my friends Dimitri, Tara, and Alexander.

"Hi," I say.

"Hi," they all answer back.

Most of my friends have very distinguishing qualities. Dimitri has bright red hair. Most people with red hair also have curls, but her hair is completely straight. I've tried to curl it and it is hard! She also has dark brown eyes. Tara has blonde hair. It is so blonde it almost looks white, and is very pale. She also has blue eyes like mine. Alexander has black hair which matches his black eyes and is dark as well. I've always thought him to be handsome.

Alexander is the tallest of all of us ranging around 6 feet. Tara is a few inches shorter. I'm the shortest ,but Dimitri and I are very close to being the same height. She is not even an inch taller than me.

They were talking about the latest news where my arch nemesis, who some how half the school either hates or loves, got her hair stuck in gum, and couldn't figure out how to get the gum out. She cut her hair.

Haha, I'd like to see the look on her face. Her name is Wendy Grant. I've never figured out why she hated me so much but she does. She used to have long blonde hair. Not near as blonde as Tara's but still blonde. She's mean. Her hair short looks pretty bad too. She must've been pretty stupid to cut her hair when there are other ways.

As she walked by Alexander yelled sarcastically,"Love the new hair Wendy!" We all laughed as she turned and threw us a dirty look.

The bell rang, and I started to head to class but I saw Haymitch Abernathy standing. He didn't seem to be in the right place so I walked over to him.

"Hi Mr. Abernathy," I say, "everything okay?"

"Oh yes, hi Fay. Yes everything's fine I'm just waiting for Mrs. Hawthorne."

"Well let me take you inside it's still chilly from the morning air."

He insisted that it wasn't that cold and that his alcohol would warm him up but I also insisted. So then I set him down in her office so he could wait in a proper place.

"Thank you Fay," he said ," I just finished speaking to your mother a few minutes ago. I just want to let you know to be careful. Don't talk to strangers, and stay away from people acting strange."

"Okay," I nodded, "I will.

And with that I left. Not many people visit my mom that often and almost never just to talk. Which is weird. What did he mean be careful? Is there something more to this? I push it to the back of my mind and hurry to make it to class on time.