fake | tratie | EDITING |

| sixteen |

The sunlight met my skin like it had missed me personally. My mouth immediately lifted upwards as I was greeted by a clear blue sky and a cool breeze, and I walked myself in a circle to take it the earth.

I needed this.

As I'd guessed, Annabeth drifted away soon after we left the cabin, saying that she had a class to teach. Proving that she'd only been there to get me outside. I didn't mind, though - I increasingly found myself wondering why I hadn't just walked outside sooner. 

"Here, taste this," Miranda ordered, tossing me a fresh-picked strawberry. 

I inspected its round shape and rich color. I bit into it - the sunkissed ripeness gave it a sweet, juicy taste. "We did a good job this season, huh?"

"If I do say so myself."

Piper, Calypso, and Natalie hung around for a while longer, talking and laughing. I spent most of the time inside myself, thinking about everything. Helping Miranda tend to the strawberry plants helped me channel myself into something, and I loved fooling around with everyone. 

They were a perfect distraction.

Natalie sat on the ground, winded after running around. "This has been awesome, guys, and I hate to be the bearer of bad news... but it's almost lunch time."

I stiffened, but the rest of them ignored it.

"Alright, let's go!" said Piper.

Calypso looked over to me, blunt but caring. "You have to face him eventually."

"Yeah, and no better time to do it than with your powerful girl gang!" Natalie added.

I sighed. They were right, but that didn't mean I had to do it just then. "Nah, I think I'll hang around here. I haven't been in the fields for ages, and I think I just want to be alone for a little bit longer."

They all nodded in understanding, and reluctantly left with kindhearted goodbyes before I was left alone.

Talking to Travis was on my list of "things to do eventually but not right now". 

I spent the time for lunch digging in new strawberry plants to replace the old ones whose last season had arrived. Gardening had always been calming to me, and being outside while doing it really felt good.

Until I heard a voice.

"Kates?"

Oh, no.

I didn't turn to see him, even though I knew it was him. My heart rate picked up, and I willed myself to think clearly.

The girls wanted me to diss him.

I wanted the opposite.

Who knew what he wanted?

"Can I sit here?" I gazed at his feet as he stood in front of me, crouched down before the strawberry plants.

Gulping, I nodded.

He folded himself to sit criss-crossed next to me, wordless. I finally risked a glance at him, and he had his eyes pegged to the strawberries. His lip quivered, and bags hung under his eyes. 

He looked like a wreck.

"It's... good to see you," he fumbled.

I shrugged. "It's, uh, good to be out."

Awkward. 

He cleared his throat. "I can imagine you don't want to talk to me right now, but could you hear me out?"