After her rebirth

Katniss was fuming, running into a total moron first thing in the morning!

She balled up her fists, her eyes going icy as she fought the urge to deck him. She yelled, "Why? I already said, I could do whatever I want with the spot. Even my family can't influence my decision, so who the hell do you think you are?" All that sweet and obedient act? Total BS. Thinking about it, Desmond's anger just skyrocketed.

Katniss laughed, "Wow, you're really pulling out all the stops for Clara, huh?"

She used to be all about Desmond, just wanting him to be happy. No matter how crazy his demands were, as long as he was happy, she was down.

But now? Katniss didn't have any love left; she was ready to fight back whenever.

Desmond's face turned beet red with anger, but he couldn't say a word, just stood there like a deer in headlights.

Katniss yanked her hand away from Desmond, pointing with her swollen hand, and snapped, "Don't mess with me, or next time I won't be so nice."

"Fine, you chose this path, don't come crying later!" Desmond spat out, furious.

Katniss sneered, she had walked the path he'd chosen for her, but it had led to a dead end.

She had been good to them, and they repaid her by letting her die in the hospital.

Her mom only cared about whether her organs could be used for Clara after she was gone.

The weakling she was in her past life? Not happening again.

She tossed the bread away and bought two more, feeling way better.

As soon as she got to the classroom, Juniper came over, saying, "Hey, Katniss."

"Juniper, morning!" Katniss replied, her words muffled by a mouthful of bread.

"Bread alone isn't enough, here, drink this." Juniper said, handing Katniss a bottle of milk.

Katniss took it, chugging several gulps.

"I heard Desmond was giving you trouble. He didn't get physical, did he? Is it about Clara fainting, and he's taking it out on you?" Juniper asked. She hadn't seen Desmond bullying Katniss, or she wouldn't have just stood by. Katniss finished the milk, tossed the carton, and sat down.

"It's about the speech spot." Katniss raised an eyebrow and smirked, "What can he do? He's just trying to stand up for Clara."

But there were plenty of people she couldn't stand, and Desmond was just another one on the list.

Juniper looked worried, saying, "Katniss, I should give the spot back to you, or it might get bad for you."

"If you give it back to me, they would take it away from me and give it to Clara. So no!" Katniss exclaimed, annoyed, not wanting to see that happen, so she had to act first.

Katniss knew Desmond would do it; if the spot was in her hands, he'd switch it to Clara's the first chance he got.

In her past life, she tried to please the Manners family; in this life, she wasn't making the same mistake.

Juniper said, "I'll keep the spot. If you change your mind, just let me know. Clara can keep dreaming!" Katniss felt a bit touched.

Juniper treated her way better than the Manners family ever did; it would be a lie to say she wasn't moved.

After school at noon, the cafeteria was packed.

Katniss and Juniper got their food, heading to the back.

Just as they walked, a tall figure suddenly bumped into them, knocking Katniss's tray out of her hands without any explanation. Food splattered all over the floor, the tray making a loud clatter. "Damn it!" Katniss cursed, glaring furiously at the person who had knocked over her tray.

Everyone in the cafeteria looked over, eager to see the drama.

Katniss looked at Simon standing there, feeling annoyed and giving him a cold stare.

Because of this idiot, she had to spend an extra three bucks.

Didn't he know better than to waste food? He even knocked over a whole plate! Just thinking about it made her blood boil!