After her rebirth

Ellen's jaw practically hit the floor. Was she being punked?

That guy was on TV. How could he be Katniss's teacher?

Ellen quickly looked away, mumbling, "I don't need some famous doctor. I can't afford it."

"Cut the act. I don't have time for this. I just checked you out, you're fine," Katniss said, rolling her eyes. "What do you want? Spill it, or when Wesley gets back, I might change my mind." Ellen wanted to say something but remembered Kieran's warning to keep quiet about this.

So, she clammed up, shot Katniss a look, and stayed silent.

Just a kid, what could she do anyway?

"Waiting for Kieran? Fine, he'll be here soon," Katniss said, not caring. She'd seen Ellen sneak a text when they walked in.

Obviously, she was tipping off Kieran.

Ellen felt awkward.

Soon enough, Kieran rushed in, a bit out of breath, and smiled at Katniss, "Katniss, what are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be in school?"

Ellen shot Kieran a look, trying to signal that Katniss knew she was faking it.

But Kieran just glanced at Ellen and focused on Katniss, "Saskia told you, huh? I told her not to say anything to keep you from worrying."

Katniss wasn't buying it. "It wasn't Saskia. I was here volunteering with my teacher, ran into Wesley, and figured I'd drop by."

Kieran looked surprised, then smiled, "Saskia didn't mention you were studying medicine."

"I switched majors," Katniss said, her eyes cold. Just looking at Kieran made her feel gross. "Let's talk outside so we don't bother Ellen." Her tone was dripping with sarcasm.

Ellen's eyelid twitched. How was she supposed to know Katniss was studying medicine?

"Alright, let's go outside." Katniss turned and headed to the stairwell's safety exit.

"Katniss, what do you want to say?" Kieran asked, still playing the nice guy.

Katniss suddenly looked up, her eyes icy. "Kieran, Saskia busts her butt at your house, doing whatever your mom says. What the heck did she do to deserve you cheating on her? Are you even human?" Kieran stiffened at the word "cheat," then smiled, "Katniss, you can't just throw accusations around."

"I work my tail off every day to support the family. Ask your relatives; they all envy Saskia for not having to work after graduation, just cleaning and cooking at home. Saskia's easy life is because of my hard work." "I cheated? Got any proof?" Kieran said, acting all high and mighty. It was disgusting!

Saskia was slaving away for his mom, while Kieran had just come from another woman's bed!

"Your hard work? You mean in Brenda's bed, right?" Katniss said, pulling out some photos and tossing them in his face. "Tell that shameless Brenda to change her perfume. It's cheaper than a hooker's!"