Disclaimer: Do I look like an old man? If you were wondering, I don't!
Enjoy!
About: It's Travis' birthday and Katie is throwing a surprise party. What happens when Connor sneaks out?
Time: After Second Titan War
Katie's POV:
I rushed around, trying to get everything ready for Travis' surprise birthday party.
"...and remember, it's a surprise!" my sister Miranda said. "Connor!"
I snickered, then sobered up. If Connor did tell, this party would suck.
I spent half of the afternoon just running around, trying to get everything finished.
"Can you see him?" I asked Will Solace. He was our watch-guard. Actually, he was one of our many watch-guards.
Travis Stoll was tricky. That was for sure.
"Nope. No sign of him." Will continued to peer through the binoculars.
"Good."
"Hey!"
I turned. Leo stood in the middle of the clearing. "Where's Connor?" he asked.
My eyes widened. I hadn't even noticed Connor had left. That stupid son of Hermes!
I grabbed Will's binoculars and scoured the camp, looking for the familiar brown head. I just hoped I didn't mistake Travis for Connor and spoil everything.
"He's coming!"
Those two words shocked me right to the bone. I didn't need to ask, I knew exactly who they were talking about.
"Travis is coming!" Piper ran into the clearing. "He's almost here!"
"Hide!" An unfamiliar son of Hecate joined us.
Miranda grabbed the cake and a few others took the presents.
We scrambled to our positions, leaving the clearing looking like a ghost party.
I watched from a hidden spot between two branches as Travis came in.
"Hey..." My boyfriend's voice trailed off as he realized there was no one there. He looked around calmly and I had a brief panic attack. Where was Connor?
He wouldn't have told, would he? Unfortunately, I already knew the answer.
"Hello?"
"Hi!"
What idiot would answer before I gave the signal?
Splat!
I gaped as mud, dirt, shaving cream... and a bunch of other stuff I don't want to describe poured down on Travis' head.
"Happy birthday, brother!" Connor jumped down from Zeus knows where in front of Travis.
Everyone else ran out of their hiding places.
"SURPRISE!" they cried.
I stayed where I was, watching, listening. I saw Travis scanning the crowd, obviously looking for me. I looked on as his face fell when he didn't spot me, still not moving.
I felt like a terrible girlfriend for not running down to give him a birthday hug or kiss, but I couldn't tear myself away.
That's why I sat and gazed at Travis.
~TIME LAPSE
"Hey, Katie." Travis came up behind me and slipped his arms around my waist, burying his face in my hair. "I was afraid I wouldn't see you here."
"Hey Birthday Boy." I murmured. "Of course I'm here. Why wouldn't I?"
"That's what I want to know." Travis spun me around sharply, his beautiful blue eyes searching my own. "Where were you when everyone else came out?"
"I... I... I was watching. Watching... you."
"You know that makes you sound kind of stalkerish, right?"
I giggled, leaning into his chest. I closed my eyes. I felt so safe.
"Hey, Katie-kat?"
"Yeah?"
"Where's my present?"
I bolted upright. How could I have forgotten?
"Travis... I'm so sorry. I can't believe-"
"Don't tell me you forgot?" Travis teased.
I shoved his chest lightly. "Shut up, Travis. It's just with planning all this... I'm so, so sorry. I know it doesn't help, but-"
"Wait, wait... You're trying to tell me you planned all this?"
I nodded weakly. Travis broke into a huge grin. "Why didn't anyone tell me?"
I looked at him blankly. What was he talking about?
"Hey, everyone!" Travis cried. "I want to make an announcement!"
The conversation around us died down. Everybody turned to listen.
"I want to say thank you to Katie for the best present ever. She organized this whole party and no one told me?"
I gasped. "Really, Travis?" I whispered.
"Yeah." Travis turned to face me. He engulfed me in a huge hug.
"I love you." was all he said.
Q: Who was Annabeth's first crush?
