-Regarding Confessions and Climbing-
10:47 PM
"I dare you too."
"No. No way in Hades. We are going to get caught. And it's dark out, we could fall and kill ourselves."
"So..you just can't rock climb?"
"I didn't say that."
"No but that's what you meant."
Growl.
"Fine. but we are doing it together."
"Um no. That wasn't part of the dare."
"It has to be so I can make sure you don't have a prank waiting for me at the top. You do it right beside me, and there won't be any problems."
"Katie…"
"You do it with me or I'll tell Clarisse what you really think about her."
"Like you would know. Believe it or not, Katie darling, we aren't close friends, you and me."
"You're probably right, but it doesn't take the best friend title to maybe, possibly overhear a conversation at lunch about what Clarisse looks like when she's mad…"
"..."
"I'll race you."
10:59 PM
"Ya know, you're pretty slow at this Travis. I'm kinda surprised. I mean, I would've thought by now you'd at least be, I dunno, two feet off the ground."
"Shut it Greenie. My rope isn't working."
"Mhm."
Sigh.
"Just give me a second to unknot it."
"Okay, but keep in mind that in a few minutes they should be coming around for lights out check."
"Like anyone actually does that."
"They do. But they never stop by your cabin because they know there's no point. But from where we are right now, we could get caught and this could end very badly."
"Hopefully I'll just take your word for it."
"Thank you for taking this seriously."
Hysterical laughter.
"Gods, no. I was meaning that I, Travis Stoll, never gets caught, and that record won't be broken tonight."
"You are such a pompous -"
"Yeah, I knew you weren't actually gonna curse. Greenie's to much of a goody goody to do something like that, isn't she?"
"Stop talking like we are in third person Travis! And for your information I curse all the time."
"Oh yeah? Like when?"
Muttering under breath.
"Huh? What was that? I couldn't hear you over the loud sirens of victory playing in my ears…"
"Ok, so I don't curse. Sue me for wanting some dignity."
"My question is, what do you say when you are peeved? Heckfire? Holy Cow? My goodness gracious? M-"
"I can still send the vines for you from up here you know. Don't push me Stoll."
"Wait, but don't your feet have to be on the ground?Isn't there some rule about that or something?"
"Geez, you really are an idiot. Our first year we spent half of camp learning about what each demigod's powers were. Didn't you take the required notes?"
"Do you realize what words are coming out of your mouth? Why would you expect me of all people to take notes?! Especially if they're required!"
"Travis, I can honestly and truly confess that it's hard for me to comprehend that we are the same age sometimes."
"Katie, (since we're gonna do this awkward first-name thing) I am gonna choose to take that as a compliment."
"Ugh you."
11:20
"I can't believe you just did that."
"We're supposed to do that you idiot."
"Why would you let go of the rope? On purpose?"
"Uh, how have you been climbing otherwise? The rope is only there to keep you from falling, but you can't hold onto it."
"That makes no sense Greenie."
"I'm beginning to think you're a bit cautious of this whole idea. Care to explain,Travis?"
"Nope."
11:26
"I'm beating you! Care to hear my victory song now?!"
"Shut it Greenie. You're only a foot above me."
"Geez, what's gotten into you."
Pause. Heavy breathing.
"Nothing. Just...Nothing."
11:30
"Okay, I wasn't going to say anything, but you're scaring me Travis."
"You won fair and square ok? No need to keep looking down at me. I'll be up soon."
"You're one of the fastest runners at camp. No way are you just naturally slow."
"You don't need an explanation."
"Yes, I do. You're being a jerk and this whole thing was your idea, not mine."
"YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO GO UP, NOT ME!"
Deathly silence.
"Travis….what in the Hades was that."
"...Nothing. I-I'm fine."
"I swear to Demeter, I will throw a rock at your head, and this time, I promise you I won't miss. Now tell me what's going on."
"You'll laugh Katie."
"You're right I probably will. But half of the crap you say is meant as a joke, so you can't really blame me."
"This isn't funny."
Whispered.
"I didn't mean it like that. I've never seen you this upset. Please...please tell me what's wrong."
"Why do you care? It's not like we're friends remember? We decided that like twenty minutes ago."
"We're teenagers, rules of time don't apply to us. Now tell me why you haven't moved the entire time we've been talking."
"Wh-"
"The truth this time, Stoll."
"Imscaredofhieghtsokaythatsmysecrethappynow."
"Try to speak in English, darling. I don't speak too much Stupid."
"That was a terrible joke."
"I'm choosing a large, heavy rock…"
"I-I'm scared of heights okay?"
"..."
"Go ahead. Laugh."
"You didn't say anything funny."
"Ha. Yeah, like you don't find it totally hilarious that the arrogant theif who's been making your life a living heck for years has a huge fear of heights?"
"The only thing I found shocking about that sentence was that you didn't use the actual curse word."
"Yeah, well you're rubbing off on me, darn you."
Smile.
"So...you're going to completely ignore what I just said?"
"What do you want me to say? I'm sorry? Or that it's ridiculous? Cause both are total lies."
"Can I please just go back down? You won okay, just let me go and sleep this humiliation off."
"I'm not gonna let you fail."
"At what?"
"Travis Stoll, you are making it to the top of this rock or I will tie you to it until you do."
"That sounded strangely suggestive...OUCH ok leave the rocks where you found them!"
"Just give it a try. For me."
"That doesn't hold much weight."
"I know. It backfired. But the point is you need to step out of your fear. Overcome it."
"You sound like a life coach on steroids."
"Think about the reward though; you could truly say you're fearless."
"As much as that title's growing on me, no."
"I swear to you, I will catch you if you fall. Okay? Just...take one more step up. Yes, yes! That's it!"
11:45
"You. Did. It."
"I know."
"How do you feel-OOMPH."
Tight hug.
"Thanks, Greenie."
"Why,...w-what was tha-at for?"
"You didn't let me fall, just like you said. Maybe I won't prank you this week. Maybe."
"Really?"
"Yep."
"Oh. Okay."
"Before I forget, Greenie?"
"Yeah?"
"Fair warning, there's a group of my guys waiting on the left-side to smother you in a mix of ketchup and honey."
"Why you-"
"Just wanted to say, I won't yell if you leave from the other side. They won't hear you."
Blink. Blink.
"Wow. Thanks Stoll."
"Eh, don't push it."
Review and let me know what you guys want for the next few! Every thought counts, and I will use them!