Tratie

Katie

I danced with Lee for the first couple of dances, then excused myself to get some punch. I couldn't see Travis anywhere. But Miranda was dancing with Connor, how cute!

I know! But not as cute as you and Travis!

I needed answers, and they would come from Aphrodite. So I could handle her for a bit.

I asked her "Where is Travis?"

Oh, he's about to do something he is going to regret. I tried to help him, but he refused! Can you imagine that? Nemesis must really have her claws in him.

Aphrodite was blabbing on about how great she was, but I only had eyes for Travis as he entered. He had a grin on his face that scared me. What was he going to do.....

***

Travis

This was going to be sweet. I had it all setup, and Katie just needed to step onto the stage like she was supposed to at midnight. But then she saw me. I knew I had my usual grin on, but hanging on my arm was Drew, from the Aphrodite cabin. She and I used to date, and she wanted revenge on an ex, so we got together temporarily. I saw the grin on Katie's face that she had when she saw me disappear as she noticed Drew. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea....

Don't chicken out now! Do you want revenge or not! Now leave before she tries to talk to you.

Nemesis was right. Revenge was fair. I took a deep breath and steered Drew away from the punch table. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lee approach Katie. This was why I had gone to all this trouble.

"Bro, are you sure you want to go through with this?" Connor asked me.

"Yeah."

Connor raised one eyebrow as he walked back to Miranda. "Don't say I didn't warn you."

***

12:00

Katie stood up on stage, ready to announce the party "over".  Any kid under the age of 12 was supposed to have left by now. But most kids our age and older would stay until they were too tired. Personally, I was ready for the midnight announcement when I could get my revenge on Katie. I had spent the whole night watching her dance with Lee Fletcher. He looked at her like she was the only thing that mattered at this dance, or as if she was the sun. That was supposed to be my job. And there was no way that Lee was going to replace me.

Ugh. You children and your "love". When are you all going to realize that love is simply a tool others use to bend you to their will?

Katie walked up to the microphone and started to speak. When the first bit of sound came from her mouth, a bucket I had rigged right above fell on her. She was completely and utterly covered in mud. And totally embarrassed. I could only see her eyes and her cheekbones, enough to tell her face was the color of a flaming tomato.

Then everyone started laughing. Except Connor, Katie, Miranda, Lee, and me. Katie made eye contact with me and I could see the hope in her eyes that I hadn't pulled this.

When she saw my guilt, her contorted into a mask of rage, and she ran out the door, Lee on her heels.

Over the ruckus I heard Miranda shouting at Connor, "You knew he would do this to my blood sister!! And you just watched! Do I mean nothing to you!?!?!"

"Miranda, wait-"

"Don't tell me to wait! If  you know what's good for you, you'll leave me alone for good!!!!!!"

Miranda then ran out the door, with Silena, Lacy, and Lou Ellen following.

Lou Ellen stopped right before she left, and knowing she was the center of attention, flipped everyone off.

It was at this point that I realized I should apologize.

I followed Miranda to the Demeter Cabin, then stopped out of pure awe.

The cabin looked like the castle from Sleeping Beauty. It was covered in roses, with a thorn wall separating it from the rest of camp.  All around the camp and Demeter cabin, except for the forest, the plants were wilting and dying.

Lee was pounding on the door, begging Katie to let him in. He had apparently gotten there before the wall formed.

Miranda made an opening in the thorn wall and let herself and the other girls through. I squeezed in before the opening shut. Miranda shoved Lee out of the way and began to quietly talk to Katie/the cabin.

"You."

"Yes Lee?" I said in my most patient voice.

"You did this." He said, gesturing to the camp.

"Do you honestly think I thought this would happen?!"

"No, but you clearly didn't think this through!"

Lou Ellen sighed. "I don't get paid enough for this."

And then I was flying through the air, and into the lake. Maybe I should stop underestimating the Hecate Cabin.

I felt hands guide me up towards the surface, and when one purposely slipped under my shirt I glared at the naiad. She gave me a pouty frown and removed her hand.

I stood in the dock, soaking wet and glistening in the moonlight. I wanted to curse Nemesis, but I didn't want to be turned into a guinea pig, so I controlled myself. 

Why was I such an idiot?

***

Katie

I felt like I was still covered in mud, even after taking a shower. I finally let the girls in, and was squished into a huge hug.

Miranda took me by the shoulders and looked in my eyes. "Are you ok?"

Whenever she did this, I knew it was better to be honest, she could tell when I was lying.

"Physically, yes. Emotionally, no."

Lacy sighed. "Well, Travis seemed really sorry. He came searching for you almost immediately."

Silena looked at me with this sad expression on her face as if she knew how badly I wanted to forgive him.

Lou Ellen rolled her eyes. "So did Lee, and he didn't need to apologize. Don't forgive Travis."

Lacy said "You should forgive him. I'm the daughter of Aphrodite, I know what I'm talking about"

"Don't be ridiculous. He was a jerk."

"Forgive him."

"Don't" said Lou

"Do"

"Don't"

"Do"

"Don't!"

"Do!"

"Don't!"

"DO!"

"DON'T"

"GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!" I shouted. "I can make up my own mind!"

Lacy and Lou Ellen stopped their shouting match and looked at me in surprise.

"I was just looking out for you-" Lou began, but I cut her off before she could finish.

"And you have gotten your point across. Now I just need some alone time with Miranda. Can you give me that?"

They both nodded and left. Silena gave me one last look like she was planning my funeral, then left me alone with the only person who knew me better than I did.

My blood sister.