1• HATING HIM

KATNISS 

  

"Gosh, I hate him!" Cussing for the umpteenth time, I slammed my bag on the table, slumping into the chair. 

  

Eva joined me in the booth, but her eyes were looking around and she seemed like she would rather be anywhere but here. 

  

"Hate who?" She asked absentmindedly, nervously taking off her bag and placing it on the table. 

  

"No one." I replied instead, refusing to feed her a long, monologue of how pissed and disappointed I was at him. I hate that I was feeling this hurt by him. 

  

"What are we really doing here, Kat?" She turned to me with eyes that held a dose of fear and tears.  

  

Eva might be a grown-ass and pretty mature at some stuff, but she was prim as hell. A goody-two-shoes. The one who colors within the line. The "good" friend every parent would want their daughter to have. 

  

Right now, she was feeling like shit that I dragged her down here. But I had no choice. I would never come here alone.  

  

I might be daring, but not stupid. And coming here alone would be plain stupid. 

  

"We're here to party, Eva. What else?" I shrugged, signaling a passing waitress. She came over and took our orders. I didn't miss Eva's disgusted face. 

  

The waitress flashed her a smile and made sure to bounce her fat ass on her way out. Eva let out a retch, covering her eyes. 

  

I laughed out loud at her childish reaction. "Come on, Eva. You should stop being so judgemental. Not everyone wants to dress up the way you do." 

  

"What's wrong with the way I dress?" She pouted, glancing down at her outfit. 

  

"Nothing, if this is a circus and you're the main character here. But if not, you look pretty weird."  

  

"Not fair!" She yelled, folding her arms and pouting heavily. 

  

I laughed even more. "I'm sorry, dear. C'mon, I'm just messing with you." 

  

"Still not fair." She mumbled, rubbing her arms and taking a peek around. 

  

"I know. I'm sorry I teased you. I'm just trying to forget." Saying the words made my heart ache as I recalled why the hell I came here in the first place. 

  

"But did we have to come here for you to do what?" Eva asked, with that motherly tone of hers. We could be agemates, but she acts like she's three years older or something. 

  

"What's wrong with here?" The question was out before I could take it back. It was a lame question, especially since the answer was glaring at me. 

  

"Did you seriously ask me that?!" Eva retorted with a slightly, pissed tone. "Look around us, Kat. We're surrounded by the most erotic and disgusting sights. And we're not even legal to be here. You lied to the bouncer about your age. And you dare to ask what's wrong with here?! Everything!" 

  

"Fine, I know. Would you stop preaching?" I scoffed, running a hand through my chestnut, curly hair. "What other choice do I have? I can't be at home. Mum is gonna realize that I'm still hurting." 

  

"You can't be here either. It isn't right. You're too young to be here. Let's just leave." 

  

Her words struck a nerve, stirring up the hurricane of anger I was trying goddamn hard to suppress. 

  

"I'm sick and tired of everyone thinking that I'm too young to do what I want!" I yelled, completely losing my cool." 

  

"Jesus, calm down, Kat…" 

  

"Mum thinks I'm too young to start a relationship. You think I'm too young to come to a nightclub. And Rex thinks that I'm too young to be taken seriously. Everyone I love has stumbled on my feelings with the claims that I'm too fucking young!"  

  

I slammed my hand on the table, attracting a few curious gazes in our direction. Eva looked shocked and taken aback by my reaction but I couldn't care less. 

  

"Fuck this. I'm going to the bar." With that, I left her behind and headed to the bar. I ordered for whiskey and the bartender gave me a shot of it. 

  

I took a sip first, going slowly so I don't hurt myself. It's my first time having it and I don't wanna make it my last. So I might as well do it nicely. 

  

Seconds later, I gulped down the whole thing, and I could feel it streaming down into my system, creating a heated frenzy. 

  

"Another shot!" I yelled, and the bartender delivered in seconds. Within a few sips, I was done with the glass and it was safe to say I was already feeling fucking excited. 

  

"Woo-hoo!" I yelled, feeling the thrill of the beat from the D.J. I swung my hips, letting myself get lost in the music. "Happy birthday to me!" I shrieked again, joining the crowd on the dance floor with the glass in my hand. 

  

Yeah, it was my 17th birthday, and goddess knows how much I looked forward to this day. I always thought it would be the highlight of my life. I had it all planned out in my head, and I thought it would go as planned. 

Nothing prepared me for how shitty I was feeling right now. 

  

All my life, I've had a huge crush on Rex Luciano, the Alpha's son. I've known him since I've been crawling on all fours, and I've always pictured him as my mate or boyfriend.   

  

But then, he never took me seriously, because he was eight years older. According to him, what he felt for me was platonic, the kind of love he would feel for his sister. 

  

It hurts to hear him brush me off like that but I was determined to make him change his view of me today — my 17th birthday. 

  

Mum had sent him a special invitation, alongside my heartfelt letter but he didn't come. Then, I heard Arianna also threw a party today. My gut feeling told me he might have gone to hers instead. 

  

I felt so heartbroken and bittered. Losing my crush to the girl I hated the most was one bitter pill to swallow. I hope they both rot in hell! 

  

Staggering away from the dance floor, I went to the bar and had more drinks. Enough to forget my misery, enough to forget Rex's handsome face. Enough to forget his mesmerizing smile but it wasn't working. That guy was imprinted in my head. Forgetting him would need more than just drinks. 

  

"Kat!" A hand grabbed me from behind, and I instantly recognized Eva's voice. 

  

"What do you want? Go away!" I slurred, grabbing another glass from the counter. She tried to take the glass from me and I was quick to swallow the content. 

  

"Snap out of it, girl. Rex is here. He came here!" 

  

"What?!"