Faking It

New Faking It Chapter: 15

Hours after Travis and I had our conversation in the strawberry field, the numbness I'm holding onto doesn't fade away. It sticks with me throughout the rest of the day and even when the sunsets after dinner. Travis comes up to me and tries for a smile again during campfire.

"Hey, Katie-Kat," He winks and takes my hand.

I let our fingers intertwine and return the smile as other campers are around us. "Hi," I say.

"Are you feeling better?" He asks, "Earlier today—"

"I'm fine, Travis."

"You're not," he drops his cheerfulness. "What's going on?"

"Nothings going on, I told you I'm just tired." I rest a hand on his chest and put my head on his shoulder.

He gives me a look and I force smile that I hope is convincing enough.

He rests his head on mine and whispers so only I can hear, "We'll talk later."

I sigh. Around us campers sing songs and laugh with one another. Travis rubs slow circles on the back of my hand.

When the campfire ends, Travis walks me to my cabin before curfew. It's silent for a while as we make our way, but when we're far enough from the other campers he speaks up.

"Be honest with me," Travis sighs. "Come on."

"There's nothing good talk about," I dismiss.

"We both know that's not true, you're distancing from me."

I look up at him. "I'm not trying to hurt you," I say.

"Then don't be like this," he exasperates and stops walking.

"How else do you expect me to act, Travis?" I cross my arms and step away from him. "You're going to be with Myra, my cabin isn't going to get excessively pranked, kitchen duty punishment ends—that's how this works!"

He clamps his mouth shut and frowns in frustration. He only speaks again when we arrive at my cabin. "I was serious when I asked about not getting back with Myra, you know."

"Stop stressing," I make a face. "You said so yourself—soon she'll be yours."

"But what if she isn't."

"You're going to get you're happily ever after," I raise my hand up to cup his cheek. "We're going to have to break up."

"You don't have to pull away. We can't at least be friends?" He asks.

I don't think I'm ready for it, but I know I don't have a choice. It'll hurt too much to see him with her, but at least he'll be happy. Myra is who he wants.

What else am I supposed to do? This isn't me! Katie Gardner doesn't get into fake relationships. Fake relationships are stupid! But I did get into one, and now I have to make sure I won't earn a broken heart because of it—even if it's the last thing I do. The sooner this crush ends, the sooner I can feel like myself again.

Emotions locked down, I shake my head.  Turning away, I start up the steps of the cabin. "I don't think so. We'll just go back to being ourselves; pre-relationship."

I open the door to my cabin and sighs. With a quick good night, we part ways.

The following day, the air between us two is cold. I wake up with an even bigger pit in my chest as I remember Travis' hurt and confused face. I cant feel like this.

We follow through with our normal routine. We flirt when we're supposed to. We kiss when campers are around. But slowly and surly, I withdraw from him and all the emotions he brings me.