Faking It

Edited: 16

Don't hate me, my dudes

Stepping out of my cabin, Miranda follows behind me and Railynn stands on the steps, waiting for us. All three of us are already in our bikinis, with a swim suit wrap covering us. Railynn flashes a smile, "Hey!"

"Hey! You ready to go?" Miranda loops her arm through the daughter of Athena's.

"The boys are meeting us, remember?"

"Oh, right, I forgot—there they are!" Miranda points and sure enough our boyfriends are closely approaching. "Connor, follow me, I have something for you!"

Connor smiles and the two step into the cabin.

Travis and Jake come up to Railynn and I. I watch as Railynn and Jake intertwine their hands and share a quick kiss in greeting. Travis tries to give me a small kiss, but I turn my face. His lips meet my cheek.

"Brrr," Railyn raises her eyebrows. "You two don't seem to be...warming up well."

"You okay?" Jake asks.

"What? Yeah," Travis brushes off. "Katie and I are just—uh—"

"We're alright, just a small...tiff."

"Tiff?" Travis raises his eyebrows at me.

"It's nothing," I urge.

Railynn and Jake look between us, but Travis and I lock eyes.

"We're just going to...meet you guys at the lake, then." Jake says slowly, and the other couple walks away.

"How much longer are you going to push me away?" Travis sighs once they're out of earshot.

"I don't want to do this right now," I shake my head.

"Why not? Can't you see it's upsetting both of us?"

"I know it is, but what else is there to do? This party is going to be—"

"I don't care what this party is going to be! Can't things go back to how they were between us?" He pleads.

"How can you not care all of a sudden?" I exclaim, "How, after this whole agreement, this relationship of trying to get back with Myra—How can you not care!"

"Woah—why are you guys yelling?" Miranda stands shocked, exiting the cabin.

"Are you guys okay?"Connor asks. He wears a necklace that Miranda has been excited about giving him.

Travis and I still have our eyes locked in a strong glare.

"Are we okay?" Travis back down. "Can we please, please be okay?" He asks.

My heart cracks at his pain but I know it will completely break if I allow my crush on him to roam free.

Slowly I nod. He takes my hand. The four of us make our way to the lake.

We hear the blasting music long before the beach is even visible and I can just imagine how many other people all already there. When we really get an answer. From satyrs to demigods, to Mr. D. Everyone is here. Well, everyone but Chiron. He's out on business still.

"I don't like arguing with you," Travis sighs, running a hand through his hair.

"I don't like arguing either," I admit.

He gives me his famous smirk and pulls me into an embrace. He presses our foreheads together and in a much quieter tone so only I can hear him, says, "Please, will you stop withdrawing from me?"

I hate withdrawing from him as much as he hates it. It only hurts both of us. Maybe I can try to figure out a way to get over him that doesn't hurt so much. Or maybe it will only backfire.