Perfect Timing: a tratie story

December // Chapter 12

Katie Gardener

There is nothing cuter than a guy that's good with kids. That fact has become painfully obvious as for the last month Travis has been in charge of showing new campers around. At first he told me he was nervous, but there was no reason to be. It's clear that everyone who comes to camp absolutely adores him, and I can't blame them. If anything, it's just helped to fluster me more and more.

Today is no different, I guess, because I nearly fall off of the ladder that's propped against my cabin when I hear a familiar voice call my name.

"Katie-kat," Travis yells, "hey, don't die on my account, please. Almost gave me a heart attack" he smirks as I rebalance myself on my ladder

I turn to him and see he's with 2 girls. They look about 16 or 17, a little older than the usual new campers so they must not be very powerful demigods. But who am I to talk? "How many times have I told you not to scare me like that?" I roll my eyes, holding back a smile at that stupid annoying nick name.

"Sunshine, you know I can't count that high," he laughs and walks closer to where I'm stringing up Christmas lights "need some help?"

I feel my face start to flush as I fiddle with the hooks in front of me "Aren't you kind of busy?"

"I think it would be good for the newbies to experience some holiday cheer. Right, girls?" He turns to them with a smile that I can only describe as charming. He's the worst.

The girls just giggle and nod in response, causing me to hide a disgusted expression, "Whatever, Stoll. I can't reach the top line of hooks anyway."

He reaches out a hand to help me off of the ladder, but I make a point of climbing down on my own. I can feel my face flushing, and try to pretend I'm not mad. I mean, I have absolutely no right to be annoyed right now, right?

He quirks an eyebrow at me and I direct my eyes at the floor. I only look up when I hear him climbing the ladder, and pretend not to hear the whispers beside me. "It's nice to meet you guys. I'm Katie," I turn to the girls and smile. It's not like it's their fault Travis is an idiot

"Hey, I'm Elizabeth," one smiles, "You're Travis's girlfriend, right?" she asks in a tone that I would call innocent if it weren't for the competitive look in her eye. I catch Travis scratching the back of his neck like he does when he's nervous, but I guess he's pretending not to listen. Typical.

I force myself to laugh but it comes out slightly bitter instead of casual, "definitely not"

"just checking," the other one laughs, winking like we've been friends for years, "I'm Kylie, by the way."

I offer a tight smile in response, forcing down the unpleasant feeling rising up

"Trav, how do you even reach those? you're so tall," Elizabeth calls up to Travis as he hangs the last few lights

I dig my nails into my palm.

"So I've heard," Travis jokes back, making a show of nimbly hopping off of the ladder

I clench my jaw.

Elizabeth and Kylie all but swoon, and Travis's smirk doesn't go unnoticed before I drop my gaze to the dirt.

"Well I should really be getting you guys to the Big House," Travis nods for the two girls to follow him in that direction, he gently brushes my arm as he passes, "I'll be back in a sec, Kates"

"You really don't have to do that," I grumble as he walks away, and I open another box of decorations

Travis Stoll