Part I

I sighed as I looked across the cafeteria and saw Travis Stoll, the guy of my dreams, and Lily Cornwall, the bane of my existence. I was so sure that Travis was going to ask me out until he bumped into her. I remember the day that he asked her out like it was yesterday, its been nearly one month and the pain is nearly unbearable.

I'm not sure how long I was staring at them laugh and hold hands without a care in the world for until Nico tapped on my shoulder.

"Hey, Katie, stop doing that," he said and I turned around at once.

"Oh, I'm sorry you guys," I said blushing apologetically.

There was a chorus of 'its cool's 'around my lunch table. I was eating with Reyna, Nico, Miranda, Annabeth, Thalia, Hazel, and Will Solace. I guess you could say that everyone here is a mix of nerds and emos. Except for Miranda, Reyna and Hazel. Miranda's a cheerleader and she doesn't always sit with us. Reyna's student council president and Hazel's just an all around regular kind person.

Everyone here knew about my predicament, but the only one who could truly understand my feelings was Reyna. She went through the same thing with Jason Grace. I suppose Annabeth did to, but she got her guy in the end.

"He'll come around one day," Miranda said with fierce confidence. She doesn't like Lilly either because she's after her spot as co- captain.

Everyone at the table nodded. Most people were blinded by Lilies flawless skin and perfect silky, smooth, straight blonde hair. Very few people knew the truth about her ugly demeanor, and the people that do know are social rejects like us who don't matter and people who just don't care, like Drew. Travis is the most fooled by her little act. He doesn't see the cold glares she gives me, or the way that she trips me or pushes me whenever we cross paths. He didn't see the way she rubbed their relationship in my face tear streaked face. Either he doesn't see it, or he doesn't care.

I was pulled out of my reverie when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw it was none other than Michael Kahale.

"Hello Katie," he said smiling brightly.

I nearly chocked on my apple slices. Michael Kahale was one of the most popular students at Goode High. He was a straight A student on the swim team, football team, debate team, cross country team, and the student council. He was every girls dream. We've talked, and hung out a few times, but his presence still unnerved me.

"H-hi?" I choked out.

"How are you doing this fine afternoon?" He asked smiling even wider.

"G-great," I said as my teeth began to chatter a bit. "How are you?

"I am feeling am-azing," he said showing of his white teethe as he ran a hand through his perfect blonde curls.

He was way to smart to want me to do his homework, so what could he have possibly wanted from me? Before I could ask someone else did for me.

"What do you want from her, Kahale?" Travis asked coldly coming between us.

I stood up and put a hand on Travis' shoulder. "It's okay Travis you can go back to you sl-" I started before clearing my throat a bit, "seat now."

Travis ignored me. He's hated Kahale ever since we started high school. He was on the cross country team, and Travis was on the track team, they never saw eye to eye about anything.

"What do I want from her? I don't think that's any of your business, you're not her keeper." Michael said.

Thank you. As much as I loved the fact that Travis always stood up for me and protected me from other guys, he couldn't keep doing this. This was one of the little things that he'd do that made me positive that he felt the same, but he doesn't. So this has to stop now.

"Of course its my business, keeper or not."

Michael laughed gesturing to Lily who was sitting was to close the one of the guys on the football team, twirling her hair around her finger. "I think that you should really go take care of your girlfriend."

Travis snarled at Michael and then he gave me a look that I couldn't really understand before walking back to where Lily was. I remember the first time this happened. Travis always thinks it's the guys, but Lily always through herself at someone when Travis pays me more attention.

Michael extended his hand to me and lead me out of the cafeteria. Once we were outside I apologised for Travis rude behavior. Michael said that that was normal for Travis.

"So what did you want?" I asked politely.

Michael raised his hand to his mouth and kissed it. I felt heat run into my cheeks like an avalanche. "Katie I know that we never got to talk and hang out that much because of Travis, but now that he has a girlfriend, he would have no good reason to object to us going to prom together. So what do you say, will you got to prom with me, Katie?" Then he pulled a single rose out from no where and gave it to me.

I didn't know what to say, well actually, I knew that I shouldn't say yes. Travis was my best friend and he'd be destroyed if I went out with Michael. But Travis also broke my heart, even if he doesn't know it.

"Look, it doesn't have to be a romantic date at all, we can go as friends if you'd like, but will you please go with me, Kate?" He pleaded.

I sighed. It wasn't like I was going to get a better offer from anyone else, prom was in three days. "Yes Michael, I will go to the prom with you," I said.