The experience - Everlark

Chapter 1: The decision

 Katniss Pov

Sprinting threw the front doors i run to the hall and curse the bus for leaving at 7:25am rather than 7:30am. I'm late for assembly like always or at least on days when i'm needed to come in early. Bursting threw the final set of doors, I jump into the closest seat trying to ignore the stray glances my way but no-one could take their eyes off the colorful teacher - and that was a first - Miss Effie "-now we have collected your applications although some are lacking in detail" she tuts in disapproval looking at a few girls in the front row "but we selected the appropriate work choices for you, so make sure your on time and follow all the rules becuase manners are key. Thank-you". I watch as she walks of the stage, the click of her heels tapping on the floor. Shoot, she collected the applications at the start of assembly, i'm screwed. After a moment of silence we're told we can go home if we like but as some students still have work they need to catch up on, with obligatory classes. Well that was a waste of time.

I stand up and follow the students in my year as they return to classes, when i feel a tap on my shoulder.

Turning around, whilst dodging a few students who glare at me for stopping in the middle of a crowded hallway, I see a smirking Johanna, "Hey brainless where were you? Annie was freaking out" she says adding more enthusiasm at the end.

"Missed the bus", I reply simply shrugging my shoulders.

"Wish i'd been with you" she states as we begin walking down the hallway leading back out of the school. "I mean I got up early for that? That was some pointless sh-".

"Katniss!", a voice shrieks before a body knocks into the side of mine.

I cough as if i'd been punched in the stomach and i hear Johanna chuckle as if noticing the situation i'm in, which doesn't help. For a small girl she sure is tough and has a tight grip, maybe that's why were friends? Wrapping her arms around me like a child, she secures me in a tight hug, so hard i can barely breath. "I missed you so much. I'm sorry, my mom wouldn't let me hang out with you over Christmas. Anyway-" she says pulling away, once she notices my discomfort at public displays of affection and she lowers her voice near a whisper as she returns to her timid personality, "I can't believe we're all going to coach at the Capital, and the flight is going to be amazing, i bet we'll be able to see right over District 4 and the ocean, it'll be so beautiful, oh and you can sit next to Jo..." she says rambling.

"Annie, i can't go" i say interrupting her fantasies "i came late".

"So? The plane hasn't even gone yet you-".

"I can't Annie" i repeat as i readjust my satchel on my shoulder.

"What? No! You have to, where else are you going to go?", she complains.

"Better go find out, see you later Annie", i say waving as i walk away.

"Don't leave me with Jo, Katniss" she calls after me.

"I'll try!" i shout and give Jo a mock salute over my shoulder. Sighing i walk through the corridor and go up two flights of stairs before making a make a left to her room. I glance up and scowl at the familiar bright name-tag on the rustic door. Then i knock three times and wait impatiently.

"Yes", she says opening the door. I clear my throat to avoid laughing at her bright pink hair. She's about 30 but she still highlights her hair like a 16 year old. Then again its better than when she wears wigs, we don't want her scaring off the new kids.

"Hi, Miss Effie, i was in the first aid office, so i didn't get to give in my application for the Capital's girl coaching programme", i lie.

"Oh", she says pausing and i swear she can read it on my face - I've never been a good liar - "i'm sorry dear, but their are no more spaces available".

"Sure there is, just type it on your computer thingy" i say waving my hand dismissively as i gesture to the computer inside her room.

"I've already checked dear" she says tiredly as if i'm ruing her day.

"What?! Well check again", i say raising my voice, "Where am i supposed to go for two weeks?".

"Ah, well i heard you were thinking about becoming a teacher and there is a space available for an all boy school", she replies as if she's proud of her idea. "Take this" she says thrusting a yellow form towards me, "It will tell you everything you need for the next two weeks, don't be late for lessons. Timing is key. Goodbye" she says closing the door, ignoring my protests.

I sigh and inwardly curse the obnoxious teacher. I mean I've just adjusted to an all girl school - half expecting it to be like mean girls - but now I've got to go to a school full of stupid hormonal teenage boys. I gag at the thought and shove the form in my bag and jog down the stairs so i can leave. The sooner i go the better.

As i near the bottom of the stairs i see Johanna waiting for me. "Don't think your leaving that easy" she says as she drags me over to her car and shoves me in the passenger seat. Walking around the vehicle she gets in the drivers side and starts the car to take me home. "So what happened?".

I shrug in response hoping she'll drop the topic but she doesn't and relentlessly continues, "did you fail? Is it cause she hates you? Did you fight? That would have been awesome i could have recorded it. Are you coming? What?! You deserve it though, maybe next time you won't be late", she says smirking.

Rolling my eyes i explain everything that happened with Miss Trinket to Johanna, "so now i'm gonna be stuck in some random area with a group of stranger hormonal teenage boys or men. I hate my life" i say finishing the story.

She stays silent as if mulling over a response and after a few minutes of silence i decide she's given up, its only when I'm shutting the passenger door does she offer me any response.

"At least you can get laid".

Opening the door to our cabin i throw my satchel down and begin to prepare some left over pheasant from yesterday for Prim. Wrapping up the extra food which she can have at school for lunch i hear the front door unlock. "Hey" i call out as i hear the door shut.

"Hi" Prim says strolling into the room as i pick at the food and begin to nibble at it.

"Manners Katniss" she teases "why don't you use a fork".

"Cause then i'd have to clean it" i retort. Smiling she walks over and hugs me from behind before grabbing a piece of meat for her own.

"So anything new? I did the same as yesterday but the school said we can bring buttercup home tomorrow" she says gleefully as she chews.

"Great" i say sarcastically as i think of the evil cat. It hates me - i know it. Sighing I repeat for the second time what happened going over every detail for her benefit.

"Katniss" she gushes, "at an all boy school, i bet you'll love it, it will be so romantic all the boys fawning over you", she says giggling.

"Prim!" i shriek "it's not funny, just go to bed", i say slightly blushing. I watch her as she runs up the stairs laughing and shouts a 'goodbye'. Scowling i start to clean the dishes and get changed into some green pajamas - my favorite color - in the hope that they'll help me sleep. Laying down on the bed i cover myself with the thin blankets and close my eyes as thousands of thoughts fill my mind over what tomorrow will bring before drifting off to sleep. A group of hormonal boys and me - the anti-social, PDA hating newbie. Well, challenge accepted.

Hey what do you think. Should i continue? :)