Perfect Timing: a tratie story

November // Chapter 4

1374 words
Travis Stoll

I sigh with relief as Connor and I finally step out of the van at camp and cross the border. Connor is my brother and all, but after any long car ride I'm seconds from murdering him. Now you may be wondering why I'm back at camp so early in the year (or maybe you're not, I don't know your life), well you'll be pleased to know I got kicked out a little early this year. I may or may not have stole the trophies from my school's display and put live snakes in their place, but that's not important. What matters is that my mom has agreed to give Connor and I a break from public school/ give public school a break from us until the end of the month. That means we have to get as much done as we can before we go back to the city in December, wouldn't want the campers to get too comfortable without us, would we?

"what are you smiling at?" Connor nudges me as we're walking to the big house to announce our arrival to Chiron.

"just all the ideas i have for this place," I laugh "not to mention the fact that I don't have to spend my birthday at some stupid school."

"are you hoping a certain someone will remember your birthday?" my brother asks, raising his eyebrows.

I pause for a second to think but draw a blank as to who he could be talking about. I stare at him for a little while longer then shrug as if to say I give up.

He sighs dramatically, "you're telling me you've already moved on from the whole Gardener thing?"

"Ohhh, that," I rub the back of my neck considering it, I had honestly forgot about the little flirtationship or whatever it was that happened during the summer. "I mean she can be super annoying, and I don't see her ever getting over her grudge against me."

"so... that's a definite no?" he asks suspiciously.

"yeah, I'd say so" I laugh as we reach the doors of the big house.

•••

"Oh! and then we can put a bunch of toilet paper on their porch!" Connor laughs as he scribbles down the idea.

I laugh at his newest plan and add "but we have to make sure to wrap it in all the trees and stuff so it has a bigger effect."

He pauses and thinks then looks up at me, "the Athena cabin doesn't have trees in front of it. If we wanted to do that we'd have to prank cabin 4, again. and they're not due until..." he flips through our calendar on the table, "next thursday."

"yeah but," I think for a second "if we want to raid the camp store for toilet paper it has to be tonight when the Hypnos kids are keeping watch. And you know if we keep the stash for too long Chiron will find it during cabin inspection."

Connor stares back at me obviously not believing my response. "We pranked Katie almost all summer, and you specifically told me that whole situation was done. Can't we focus on the other cabins for a week?" He rolls his eyes.

"It's not about pranking Katie- or that cabin or whatever- it's just an idea I had is all," I argue, feeling my face heat up and I casually run a hand through my hair and lean my chair back.

"Yeah, sure it's not."

Just then, a knock sounds, and Connor stands up to get it. I hear a door creak followed by a familiar voice, and I scramble out of my seat.

Katie Gardener

"Oh. My. Gods." I stare at Miranda. "You're kidding."

"Would I kid about something like this? I saw them walk to their cabin earlier, clear as day" she says with a deadly serious look in her eye.

I groan and sit on my bed, putting my face in my hands. "Why on Mom's green Earth are they not at school?" I ask, looking up once I'm sure my complexion is back to normal.

"How should I know? Besides, Katie, that's not the issue at hand," Miranda says sitting beside me.

"what is then?" I turn toward her, confused and hoping she hasn't misinterpreted any of our interactions in a way that only Miranda could.

I almost sigh in relief when she says "you have to make sure they're not gonna play any pranks on our cabin. Call me selfish, but I've gotten used to the peace, and I know you guys have a weird little..."

I slowly start to tune Miranda out as I think of all the things the stupid Stolls might be planning. Maybe even right this very instant. I get a weird feeling of- excitement? well, anticipation more like as I get an idea. "I guess I have to go over there," I say interrupting Miranda.

"I mean maybe not necessarily right now-"

"You know the Stolls as well as I do-" I pause as she raises an eyebrow and I roll my eyes "anyway, the point being they're probably planning something as we speak. As head counselor it's practically my job to go see what's going on."

she stares at me for a solid ten seconds before sighing "fine, Katie, I think you should go talk to them."

I hurriedly stand up and start putting shoes on "Okay, but it's only for the good of the cabin. If it weren't for you guys I would get to avoid those two idiots for another day." I march out the door thinking about the sacrifice i'm making. Man, i'm a good head counselor.

•••

I wait at the door of cabin 11 after knocking. Connor opens it and I feel an unexpected wave of disappointment. Not letting it show on my face, I cut him off before he can ask why I'm here "Why are you and your idiotic brother back at camp so early?" I ask.

"hey hey woah woah woah" Travis walks up and casually leans on the door frame, cutting off Connor once again "there's no need for name-calling Katie Kat"

I roll my eyes and cross my arms "Whatever, Stoll. I just want to make sure you guys don't mess up our system. Sure your pranks are cute and all in the summer but during the fall and winter growing plants gets like a million times harder. Of course you guys don't get that because you've probably never worked a day in your life and you're never here during the school year. If you guys worked a little harder at school you probably could've graduated early like me and be here during the school year now. but NO. Which leads me to my previous point-" I stop, realizing i'm rambling. It doesn't matter because the two morons in front of me aren't paying attention anyway. They've looked at each other and seemed to have a silent conversation which ends with Connor smirking and Travis looking slightly annoyed

"cute?" Connor asks, looking almost giddy

"what?" I ask flustered

"you said us pranking you during the summer was cute. Now may I ask, were both of us cute? or did you have one in mind" Connor asks, as Travis forces a laugh and rubs the back of his neck

"you know that's not what I meant," I feel myself blush and avoid looking at Travis at all costs. Though I'm not really sure why Connor would single out his own brother after my comment. "whatever I just wanted to say that BOTH of you better stay out of my way or so help me gods-" the door is slammed in my face as I hear Connor's laughter behind it. My mouth falls open. I recollect my thoughts and stomp away stupid Connor with his stupid laugh and stupid implications and stupid Travis with his stupid smile and stupid inability to stay at school

Hello ! sorry it took so long to update. I'm so so so busy and I got writer's block like halfway through the chapter. Please vote and comment and thank you guys for reading !