fake | tratie | EDITING |

| twelve |

Truth or dare?

I glanced at Travis, worried. If I'd gotten panicked just being in the cabin with all those people, what would happen if I had to interact with all of them?

He pulled me to stand with him, understanding in his eyes. "It's okay if you don't want to go back, I'll walk you back to your cabin if you'd rather."

I bit my lip and thought about the reason I was even there. I hadn't wanted to go in the first place, but Miranda and Natalie would be in there waiting on me. Plus, Travis had asked - practically begged - me to go.

Well, and he'd kissed me for it.

Dang.

Shaking my head, I took a step towards the door. "No, I've got this. It's fine."

"Alright, if you're sure." He offered a small smile and brought me into a hug. 

I let myself get lost in his hug, hoping the compression would squeeze out the last of my insecurities of the night. Leaning down to my ear, he whispered, "I'll be sure to thank you for it later, Katie-kat." 

Goosebumps rose on my arms and my head spun, but not in the way that it had earlier from panic. Now, I became fully aware of the way he let a breathy chuckle hit my ear before he unwrapped himself from our embrace. 

"C'mon, Kates!" He took my hand and drug me into the cabin, acting like nothing happened.

Gods, that boy.

He paused to let me walk in front of me, but before we walked in, he grabbed my arm. "Hey, Kates?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks. For opening up to me," he acknowledged, keeping a steady gaze on me. "It means a lot."

Oh. "Yeah, sure." Not really knowing what to say, I pushed my melting heart aside to make way for the oncoming stress of truth or dare.

I rolled my eyes at the scene inside: a circle of demigods chattering on the floor, waiting for everyone to join them. Piper, the ringleader of it all, waved us in. "Sit wherever you'd like!"

"I think I'll pass," I spoke with distaste.

"What is this, a middle school sleepover?" Travis broke the oncoming tension with a laugh. "The last time I saw someone playing truth or dare was when the Aphrodite girls had that sleepover a few years back."

Piper drew a look of confusion. "How'd you see that?"

"I have my ways," he grinned devilishly.

I elbowed him in the ribs before walking past him. "Have fun with your little game."

Piper crossed her arms. "Come on, Katie! Everyone's playing."

Miranda joined in. "Yeah, please, Katie?"

I briefly considered walking out then, but one look at Travis made me decide otherwise. He wasn't pleading, he was more... kind. The blue of his eyes softened and he looked like he was ready to protect me from every truth and dare I didn't want to do.

Like a real boyfriend.

Shut up, brain! 

Brushing away my thoughts, I sat on the ground between Travis and Natalie. Travis leaned into me and settled his hand into the crook of my knee, and Ashley glared at me from across the circle.

Stupid fake relationship.

"Now, let's make this interesting." Piper clapped giddily, and my nerves leaped. "This is Lorelai's first party at camp, as most of you know."