Chapter 1

Music buzzes in my ears as I continue to run through the forest. It is perfect outside, the sun shines brightly through the trees and the newly formed leaves. Camp always has amazing weather, but today is the first true day of summer. I look at the flowers that align the trail and breathed in the peacefulness of the scene. My feet pound on the forest ground rhythmically as I hit the peak of my workout.

After the Battle of Manhattan and the new Great Prophecy I decided I should always be ready for an attack. Unfortunately, this included always staying in shape. At first I dreaded my daily workout, but now running has become a passion of mine that I learned to love. Sometimes, during the summer I would see a few other campers running, but not very often. Feeling a surge of energy as my music picked up, I sprint toward the little pond. After my runs I always stop there to stretch and cool down. Nobody I know of knows where the lake is, and it is my refuge.

Summer session will be starting soon, meaning that many of my siblings and friends will be returning to camp. I usually dread the day that summer session starts, because it meant one thing; the Stolls. But, after the battle I had talked to Travis and Conner into a truce and had somewhat befriended them. Don't get me wrong, they are still annoying and pull pranks, but it is not as awful as before. The pranks are now spread through the whole camp, and the brothers are not only focused on making my life a living hell. I actually miss them, I mean camp is less interesting without them.

Travis is actually a pretty nice guy. I know it's crazy, but I actually started to like him at the end of the summer session last year. I know what you're thinking, how could I, Katie Gardner, like the Travis Stoll. Well, after I was knifed in the Battle of Manhattan, Travis took care of me. He told me jokes to cheer me up when I thought everything was going down in flames.

I was laying on a couch in the Plaza gripping my stomach to try to stop the bleeding while Apollo kids were flying around scrounging up medical equipment. I remember seeing Travis running towards me yelling things I could not comprehend. When he reached me I was floating in and out of consciousness. At first, I only saw him mouthing words I could not hear, then I suddenly became aware on his touch on my forehead. His fingers continued to softly brush the side of my forehead and through my hair. With all the chaos surrounding us, Travis remained still, staying by my side.

When I woke up again, I had found Travis asleep next to the coach, holding my hand. He looked so peaceful. I surveyed his face, from his amazing curly brown hair to his soft looking lips. I realized in that moment that Travis was much more to me than some petty feud.

I shake my head, attempting to clear my thoughts. I have been thinking about Travis a little bit too much since my revelation. I haven't seen him since last summer when he left with Connor to live with their mother. I'm kinda nervous about when he comes back, but I honestly cannot wait to see him again.

I finish stretching and put my earbuds back in, hoping to push all thoughts out of my mind and just run back to the cabin. I quickly make it back to the edge of the forest, suddenly I crash into someone. I'm knocked off my feet and clutch onto the strangers shirt, trying to stay up. Unfortunately, I bring the body crashing down on top of me, pushing all of the air out of my lungs.

I groan. "Shit, are you ok?" I ask, not opening my eyes out of sheer embarrassment.

"Katie?" A deep sexy voice responds. I open my eyes and am greeted with a smirking Travis.