Tratie

Katie - Crazy Don't Lie

Christmas was five days away and I had yet to find a present for Miranda.

I was trying to come up with an idea while training, which usually worked.

Unfortunately, I was sparring with Percy Jackson, so it required all my attention.

The only reason I was still in the game was because Annabeth insisted Percy use a practice sword.

Their conversation went like this:

Annabeth: Percy, use a practice sword. You're going to hurt Katie.

Percy:  (grabs practice sword) Annnnneeeebeeeth the sword's too heaaavy

Annabeth: Do I look like I care? Use it. It's good for you too, in case you ever lose Riptide.

Percy: But I can't lose Riptide. It always comes back. Like a boomeraang! (A/N Anyone get that reference?)

Annabeth: We live in a world with gods Percy. Anything can happen. Now use a practice sword.

Percy (muttering)  I'm gonna make you  use a practice sword.

Annabeth: What was that?

Percy: Nothing.

Annabeth: That's what I thought.

"Annnnd the winner is... Percy!" he cries as he disarms me for the twelfth time.

"Go easy on her Percy." Ever since I told Annabeth about my dream she's been helping me practice.

"Nah, it's ok. It's nice not to win all the time.'

And then I lunge at Percy, and he trips as he scrambles backwards.

"Better work on your reflexes," I warn him, examining my nails.

Annabeth and I hive five, and I get back to training.

Unfortunately, embarrassing Percy made him more vicious.

I definitely got some "accidental" bruises.

"Better work on your reflexes Katie"

He's got a fair point

----------

"Come on, Katie, get in the Christmas spirit!" Miranda yells, throwing red glitter at me.

I slump a little lower in my chair.

We're visiting our grandpa this year, and since Miranda's dating Connor, he came along.

And when there's one Stoll, there's the other.

"I got something that will put you in the Christmas spirit," Travis says, wiggling his eyebrows.

I groan, and get up from the old dusty chair to go into the kitchen.

Thankfully, I'm alone in here. I start making hot coco when I hear footsteps behind me.

I turn around and prepare to yell at them for not leaving me alone, but the wrods die in my throat when I realize it's grandpa.

He looks at the mug in my hands, and nods approvingly. "Hot coco is the best cure for a frozen heart."

I roll my eyes. "Or for a frozen body."

Grandpa clasps my hands within his, and looks at me in my eyes. It feels as if he's examing my soul.

"Hot coco cures all that is ice. You might need two mugs though. Hopefully we can warm up your heart in time."

"Grandpa, I'm fine. Besides, Artemis doesn't need a man, and she's fine."

"Artemis and her hunters are immortal. You, you are not. And your weak mortal heart remembers what it was like. Why do you hesitate to return?"

I move my gaze to the floor. "I don't need anyone."

"Then why not join Artemis? You need nobody, right?"

"I-I dont know." and then I break from his grasp, runing up to my room with a cup of hot coco.

------

When I wake up in the morning, all my clothes are gone, with only a santa dress hanging in the closet. I groan.

"MIRANDA!!!"

She runs in, looking surprised. "What's wrong?"

"This." I say gersturing to the gorgeous dress.

Her eyes are wide open, looking very innocent. "I didn't do that. The same thing happened to me. And Connor. I think Travis has some extra clothes....." she trails off.

She skips out of her room, knowing that being given a choice between wearing a ridiculous outfit and talking to Travis, let alone borrowing his clothes, I will always choose the outfit.

The second I put on the dress, my hair magically did itself. (hiya2810 this one's for you)

I cursed Aphrodite in my head. She juust loves to meddle.

I thought it was waaay overboard, but who am I to second guess a goddess?

When I headed downstairs, I heard a collective gasp.

I rolled my eyes.

Connor and Travis were dressed like Santa, making me suspect Miranda was lying.

Miranda, however, looked very different than me.

I thought she had gone way to far, but Christmas was always her favorite holiday.

"Hello Mrs. Claus, care to join me?" Travis asks.

I ignore him and sit in my favorite chair, prepared for a long day of Christmas carols.