I am so sorry about not updating sooner. My computer crashed epically. We had to send it off to get fixed, and here I am about three weeks later with a new hard-drive and no files! It was like *snap* poof! Now I have to remember everything. Luckily, I skim through nameless ideas during the night so it might not be that bad… she hoped. Anyways, I will get back up and running soon.

10

I gaped as Carrie walked out of the room.

She just talked to me about my dad being nervous around the Stolls and she obligatory left me with one, I thought. Who does that?

Travis did not seem to see that small insignificant sneaky tone in Carrie's voice by the way he plopped down next to me and started rifling through his newly created Facebook page on a vaguely familiar iPod.

"Okay, so this is magical device called," he paused for dramatic effect, "Facebook. You can become friends from people online and talk to them but not talk to them… Like phones but with letters!"

He seemed to giddy about this. He was... almost too giddy. I had to do something about it.

"Yeah, I know," I said. "I have one too. Lots of people have Facebooks! Haven't you seen the movie about it?"

He stared at me blankly.

"Right," I said. "You've never been out of camp." He opened his mouth to say something, but I saw it coming: "The Titan War doesn't count."

He clamped his mouth shut, but opened it just as quickly, "Well, aren't you just a ray of sunshine today!"

I stood up and started to walk into the kitchen as I said, "You want a ray of sunshine? Go see your buddy, Will."

"Can't!" he sighed. "He's staying with the Slovaks. I think he's rather happy with that."

"What, he likes Sophia?" I asked incredulously, but not surprised. Sophia was Athena-smart neat freak, but she was also the kind of girl to have a hilariously bad dance montage with. So… not me, and yet, Will and I dated. I just don't get my life.

I pulled out a gallon of sweet tea and pour some into a cup. I sighed and put my head into my hands.

"Something wrong?" Travis asked. I scowled at him.

"Why do you care?" I retorted not-so-friendly. He did his signature smirk, and despite myself, my heart pounded.

"Katie, dear, what is that mortal saying that has to do with friends and enemies?" he asked.

"'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you'?" I asked. He shook his head.

"No, keep your friends close, and keep your enemies closer," he said confused.

"Then why did you ask me for it when you already knew it?" I asked irritably. He stood up and walked over to me.

"Katie, for being out in the world more than I have, you sure are dumb!"

"I am not dumb!" I exclaimed, but my last report card didn't back it up. Luckily he didn't know where it was. I was about to gloat to his face to prove it when he pulled out a folded sheet of paper to me.

"I think this begs to differ," he said casually. I looked at the paper in my hand.

My report card.

I sighed and stuffed it into my jean pocket, "Well, whatever, I don't… Wait a minute. Why do you even have this?" Then it dawned on me. "You're stalking me!"

He sighed disappointed, "Now, Katie, what exactly is the definition of stalk?"

"Um, to follow, hunt, tail, shadow, track, and need I say more?" I said staggered. He rolled his eyes.

"Why would I ever stalk you?" he asked confused.

"Well, because I'm talented, athletic, resourceful, a good fighter, a good arguer—" I rambled.

"Well, aren't you full of yourself," Travis muttered cutting me off. "By saying that long list of 'never-was-never-will-bees,' that proves the point that you want me to stalk you."

I choked on air at the sound of this, "Why would I ever want that?"

"… Because you love me," he said. I rolled my eyes.

"Yeah, right."

"Aw, c'mon, Gardner. We both know it's true."

"Are you talking about last night?"

"Maybe…"

"Well as far as I'm concerned, it didn't even happen." I lied.

"You sure?"

"I felt nothing." I lied again.

He peered at me as if reading my thoughts. I kept my poker face on not breaking eye contact, but that had its defaults. There was a tug in my gut an my heart was beating a thousand times a minute.

Do not let Stoll get to you! Do not let Stoll get to you…

He got to me.

"Now," I said to get out of this uneasy feeling inside of me, "if you please, I'm going to somewhere where your annoyance cannot penetrate my mind and kill me."

I walked away without a second look. I was almost out the front door when I actually looked back at him.

He was still on stupid Facebook probably playing Cityville or Pet Park or, I don't know, posting some ridiculous status update on 'a dumb Demeter girl.' Yeah that's it.

I rolled my eyes closed the door behind me. I sat down with my head in my hands.

He's killing me.