I really "very much dislike" having computer troubles. So, I caught a virus and find out my antivirus software does more harm than good (don't use McAfee) so I had to ship it off, and THEN the hard-drive crashed! AGAIN! Bleh, at least I have you, Trusty School Computer That I'm Typing In. You'll always be by my side right?

I've answered a couple of questions on my tumblr that were sent anonymously. Sorry, I wish I could reply directly, but... you're anonymous. Just remember that every question I answer or reply to comes with a guaranteed virtual-mind hug.

21

I never got to finish that heated discussion with Travis. Depressing, huh, when nothing seems to go your way? I should have accepted that fact long ago when things actually went a smidgen better.

My loss- of course, but something else did come out of it!

The ballroom was packed with people, which in Southern terms is an understatement on a ratio of ten to one. Literally, there were people wall-to-wall, and I could have sworn the place was about to burst at the seams.

Our whole section of Durant was probably there. That may have been around 300 people. Stella and I looked around for any familiar faces.

We saw Jacob Smith by the door and net to him was Nicole Leigh with her baby Bobby. The two got a little too friendly last summer. Then there was Michael Parse, legendary D-bag, hitting on Rebecca Ramones, the cheerleader. Sophia Hawk was quietly surveying the scenes around her. She was the shyest person in school. And Dallas, of course, was in the middle of a circle Gangnam-styling with Houston Kelley. They had a not-so-secret bromance going on.

Next thing I knew Shawty was joining in. I began to laugh. She was so funny at whatever she did. The way she danced was so serious but at the same time it was as goofy as it could get. Adidas, Travis, and Connor were on the outskirts of the circle watching the escapade go on.

Stella and I ran up to them. When we managed to get past the mob, I stood next to Travis. He looked down to see what was bumping up against him and smiled. He put his hand in mine and inter-locked our fingers. His head leaned down and his lips brushed my left ear. I sucked in a breath.

"I found something you need to see. We'll sneak out when the crowd disperses," he whispered. Goosebumps ran up and down my arms, and I smiled at the ground.

Why did he have to make me feel this way? So exposed and defenseless? But strangely I liked it. Which is weird because I used to never want to vulnerable to anyone- especially Stoll-, but now, I was sort of drinking it up like I wanted to be around him.

Probably so he could see the real me. Not the stranger that I'd been gallivanting around as.

The crowed began to part, and people walked off to mill by themselves.

Connor and Adidas left to go talk to Shawty, who was still with Houston and Dallas. I grabbed Stella's arm real quick. She looked at Travis and me and smiled knowing what was up.

"Have fun," she dug at me. I blushed as she walked away with a flip of the hair. Travis squeezes my hand grabbing my attention.

"Follow me," he whispers. Pulling me gently by the hand, Travis weaved throughout the crowd all the way across the ballroom to a hallway right outside the double doors. He ducked inside a door on the right. It led to a small alley outside where I followed him to the back of the building.

When we rounded the corner, I gasped in amazement.

There was a small little courtyard laid out back behind the ballroom. I had to do a three-sixty to take it all in. There were cobblestone walkways, vintage lamp posts, an ornate fountain in one corner, and the most lush garden I had seen in a while. I kicked off my shoes and stepped onto the grass. My gods, it was so soft and comforting to feel something natural preserved. It was my element: safe and sound.

I looked over to Travis, "How did you find this?"

He shrugged, "I had time to so I walked around outside and found this alleyway. Followed it to the back and voila!" He looked down and flashed his devishly handsome crooked smile. "I figured you would like it, Katie dear."

I raised an eyebrow, "Like? I love it, Travis. This, honestly, means so much to me right now." I was at a loss for words, "I-I don't know how I can-"

"Hey," he cut me off quietly. "Don't say anything. It's just a token of my affection."

"Travis," I said truly touched, "you never cease to amaze me."

He smiled and replied holding out his hand, "Come on." I took it and he lead me over to the center of the courtyard. "Stay right here."

I did as he told and stayed while he pulled an object out of his pocket.

"Is that my iPod?" I asked astonished. He chuckled, "Maybe."

"Travis Stoll, what are you doing with that?"

"This." He pressed a button and the plucking of a guitar began. In an instant I knew what it was. It was my favorite song.

"'All About Us?'" I asked. He smiled and bowed, "May I have this dance?"

I'm pretty sure my eyes were watering about now, but I smiled and nodded nonetheless. "I can't dance though."

He held out his hand, "Allow me." I tenderly took it, and he swiftly pulled my in and lifted my up to where I was standing on his toes. I latched onto his neck to keep from falling. I let a squeal slip through my defenses.

"Don't worry," he soothed. "I won't let you fall."

I looked into his deep blue eyes, and in that moment I knew he never would. With one hand gripping mine, and the other securing me around the waist, he began to move fluidly and in-time with the music.

I was hesitant to do anything, much less release my iron grip of him, so I just moved along with him. After a couple of seconds, I got the feel of it and stepped off of him. I was horrible from the start having to look at my feet the whole time.

"Don't try to anticipate the moves. Look at me and try to feel the music. Stay light on your toes and let me lead," he guided.

I hesitantly looked up to be met by his brilliant smile. I relaxed and let him lead. Quickly, it came to me, and in no time, we were gliding together. Not Travis and Katie but TravisandKatie. One.

Swinging and swaying. Dipping and turning. Left and right. Up and down. We danced all throughout the courtyard laughing and smiling. A happy glow radiated in the air, and my heart began to melt.

There would be times where he would lift and carry me and then he would chase me around. And when he caught me he would bury his face in my neck and tickle me. I would laugh until I cried until we began to dance again. Then he'd try to tickle me again, and I ran around giggling like I had never done before trying to escape his grasp

Travis managed to grab my wrist and tried to grab a hold of me, and the next thing I knew, I was laying on the grass with him hovering right above on his elbows as if not to crush me. I was vaguely aware of the music fading away in the background, but he was grasping my attention.

Our breaths were laborious and synched together just as the closeness of our bodies was. His curly locks tousled in the slight breeze, and his endearing, dark blue eyes locked with mine and forbid to look away. An energy passed between us, an attractive one. Almost magnetic, and it slowly brought us closer together.

Travis lifted up a hand to brush a stray piece of hair behind my ear and let it trail down to cup my cheek.

"Is it too early to say 'I love you?'" he asked.

"No," I whispered despite what I'd though earlier. Funny how the more things stay the same, the more they seem to change.

"Good. I thought four years was enough," he cajoled. I smiled, and he brushed his mouth against mine. "I love you, Katie."

"I love you, too, Travis."

His lips were sugary and sweet, soft and full, and currently locked with mine. His palms were hot on my skin pulling me closer and closer to him, and he smelled vaguely of lavender and mint. I wanted to get as close to him as possible for a fear of him not being there in a minute.

My life changed in that moment. It was the moment I realized what I felt for Travis was real. We confessed it to each other, but it most importantly it was the moment where we truly became TravisandKatie. Still in hiding? Yes. But together.

We pulled away and opened our eyes to only to meet each other's. We smiled.

"First time today nobody's interrupted us," I noticed. His crooked grin grew bigger.

"Yep. It's all about us."

This is wayyy overdue (and it feels a bit rushed...meh). I tried to make it a lot on the romance side for the heck of it. I'll try to get better about posting!

Thanks to He is We and Owl City for the amazing song! You must check it out!

Also, I'm posting answers to anonymous questions on tumblr (link in bio). So, check up regularly for a reply! I've already posted a couple, but good luck finding it. I'll tag them "TSoT Answers".

B.E. Wilder