Remember not mine, all the credit goes to Kayla Parent, please vote, and enjoy! Sorry that it's really long. One more part after this one.

Tratie (pt. 3)

2616 words
•••

"Hey Katie!" Me and Miranda turn to the guy that called out my name.

"I'm rooting for you girl" he laughed "Don't let me down"

I smiled back to him acknowledgment.

"What's step two then, genius?" I turn back to Miranda.

"Your gonna be there at mom and dad's barbecue tonight right?" I asked

"Of course," she shrugged "mom and dad wouldn't let us miss it"

A group of jocks walk by before I could respond. One of them grins at me.

"Heard Stoll's cooking up something epic" I turn to look at him "I'd be scared if I were you"

I flip him the bird

I could see Miranda roll her eyes.

"Good" I turn back to her "Because for step two i'm gonna need your help"

She lets out a sigh and stops in the middle of the hallway. "I know I sound like a broken record, but this is really what your focusing on?"

I raise my eyebrows "What are you talking about?"

"Graduation is in a few days" she gives me a look of pity "and you haven't even figured what your gonna do yet"

I mean it's true. But she didn't know what she was gonna do yet either, granted she did get a job at a bakery a few minutes away from our house to make some money. But I change the subject, for a good reason though. Because I've been avoiding this conversation for a long time...and I don't wanna get into it.

"I'll worry about that later" I say as i lock eyes with Travis coming out of the classroom. Usually we avoid eye contact or scowl at each other. But I smile, hoping to take him off guard. And when he just stares back at me, confused, i know it worked.

                        ~Later (at the barbecue)~

I'm on my bed surrounded my pictures of me and Travis. We were inseparable when we were kids. And this trip down memory lane is bittersweet. But I can't get caught up in emotion, plus step two is already underway.

I check my phone for what feels like the tenth time. My family's barbecue started 20 minutes ago. And so far, no sign of Travis.

Come on Miranda

She's doing a solid and sending Travis on a fake errand to my bedroom.

Suddenly I hear footsteps. I jump back into bed, and grab a picture. The door opens and Travis's head pops in. And I make a show of trying to hide the pictures. Of course, I want him to catch me.

I look up and sneer at him "Haven't you ever heard of knocking?!"

He just smirked "Miranda asked me to get you, your mom just fired up the grill"

I waved him away "I'll be right there"

Just like i hoped, his eyes narrow in on the pictures scattered around me.

"I don't think so" He storms in and snatches one "Trying to embarrass me with old photos"

"I was looking for the one with you in the bathtub when you're naked, crying and scratching your butt" I laughed

"Have at it" He grinned cockily "Can't shame me, I was a good-looking kid"

I pretend to be annoyed "What are you even doing here?"

"Just because we're not friends anymore" he sits on my bed, next to me "doesn't mean our parents aren't, you know they make me come to these things"

"Whatever" I picked up another picture, ready to put step two officially into action. "I- uh haven't looked at these for a long time"

I hand Travis a photo and he laughs "Our treehouse! Man, I haven't been up there in ages"

I smiled "I went up there the other day"

He looked back up from the picture "You did?"

"It's just how we left it" I nodded "Posters on the wall, sleeping bags on the floor, our list of rules is still hanging above the ladder"

A genuine smile appeared on his lips and his face lights up. "No way, what were they again?"

"No parents allowed.." he started

I smiled "No going to bed before midnight"

"And.." Travis trails off, and I know why.

Because I'm feeling lost for words too. But I force myself to finish the sentence.

"And stay friends forever"

A pang fills my chest. And a sad smile crosses his face. "Things were a lot different back then huh?"

I nodded "Yeah"

We share a look, but I force myself to look away. I grab the picture I'd been hiding behind me. "Oh my god! Found it!"

I show it to him and we start laughing. "Okay I take it back" he guffawed "Please burn this, I had such a big head"

I smirked "Not much has changed"

He chuckled and picked up another picture. I hold my breath, watching him. Letting myself enjoy having him near.

•••

Over the weekend, our pranks continue.

But it feels different. And i'm not sure what to do about it.

When I sprayed him with a gardening hose, we both ended up laughing until we couldn't breathe. He ordered ten pizzas to my house, and we spent all night talking on my porch.

And today, when I open my locker, a couple of daisies fall out. I smile, pick them back up and put them in my bag. I grab my phone and read his latest text.

Travis: You left your math book here. Hope you don't think you're getting it back in one peice.

Me: School's almost over big head, do your worst

Travis: Pick it you later?

Me: See you then

Miranda approaches and I don't have enough time to wipe the big grin on my face. "Someone's been in a good mood lately."

"Uh, yeah," I face her "plan's working perfectly, in fact, step three is in motion"

"I mean it, you seem happy..." she smirked "and you're spending a lot of time with Travis"

"Because I have to" I roll my eyes at her assumption "stop reading into things brainiac"

She shakes her head before changing the subject. "So I talked to my boss at the bakery. She's hiring. And I figured since you don't have any plans after graduation-"

"Oh! There's Matt!" I exclaim "We'll talk later..I've got a date to plan"

I was about to walk away but she grabs my arm. "Wait, you're going out with Matt?!"

"Nope, but by the end of the day," I smirk "Travis is going to think I am" I shoot her off a wink and walk off.

•••

Travis is in the gym shooting hoops, when he's approached by Matt. I sneak behind the bleachers and listen in on their conversation.

"Yo, Stoll"

Travis looked back at him. "What is it Sloane?"

"Do me a solid and cancel any pranks you're planning to do today, so lay off okay?" Matt smirked "Got a date with Katie, and i don't want any interruptions...if you know what I mean."

Travis's expression turned into a shocked one. "Katie's going out with you?!"

Matt chuckled "Don't look so surprised. I got a lot to offer a girl like her"

I can't help but roll my eyes at that. Matt grabs a basketball, shoots and misses. "Let's just hope I have a better luck scoring tonight, eh?"

He walks away from a conflicted Travis. He reaches into the pocket of his letterman jacket. He takes out his phone and types something. I jump when my phone vibrates.

Travis: Still coming by to grab your book tonight?

Me: Oh shoot, I made other plans. Can you leave it on my back porch?

Travis: Yeah, sure

He puts his phone back into his pocket, grabs a ball, shoots it and misses. He looks upset and I grin.

Perfect

•••

I'm dressed in a form fitting black dress. Sitting in my backyard at a table set for two. I'm waiting for my 'date'. And when Travis walks into my yard. My math book in his hand.

Step three is into motion

I check my phone as if i'm annoyed and I can tell when he notices me. I look up and lock eyes with him.

"Oh great," I roll my eyes "just what I need"

He looks around perplexed "Katie, whats all this?"

"It's supposed to be a date," I feign irritation "but considering he's an hour late, not answering any of my messages...I'm pretty sure he stood me up"

The shock on his face is flattering. "You're kidding me! Matt's a no show?!"

"Go ahead and laugh" I wave my arm around at all the food and decor "I'm sure you find this hilarious"

"The only thing that I find funny is you going out with Matt." He takes a step closer "I thought you hated him"

"I do. I mean I did" I shrugged "But not all of us have unlimited dating options, Stoll"

He gave me a lopsided smile. "True, I do have my pick of the ladies"

I school my expression into one of defeat. I need him to take the bait. "Just go ok? This is embarrassing enough"

I take the math book away from him and turn back around to head back inside my house, but Travis speaks up before I could do so.

"And let all this food go to waste?" He sits in one of the chairs and picks up a fork. Even though this is exactly what I hope would happen, I fake outrage.

"What do you think you're doing?!" I put the book down on the ground.

"Eating" he shrugged "at least I know it's not poisoned"

He takes a large bite of the mac n' cheese and groans in pleasure.

"This is freaking delicious, best mac n' cheese ever"

I smile despite myself. I'm glad he likes it, since I made it just for him.

"That doesn't mean a lot" I smirk "coming from someone who thinks mac n' cheese is a food group."

"Exactly, so I know it's the best" he looked at me with cheese on his lips. "Is it homemade?"

"Yeah, I uh, spent the whole afternoon making it"

"Pshh, all that for Matt?" He waved his hand "His loss"

Travis picks up two soda bottles and takes off the top. He holds his up and signals for me to sit down across from him. I force myself to hesitate, I need to make this believable.

"Travis, this is crazy" I scratched the back of my neck "We can't have dinner together"

"Why not?"

"Because I...we..because we-"

He cuts me off gently "It's just a meal. Come on..for old time sakes"

I smile timidly and sit in the chair. I grab the other bottle and clink it against his "For old time sake"

(You guys are lucky, this is where I was gonna stop writing but I was bored in quarantine and kept going lol)

•••

This 'date' with Travis was going well. Too well

Because as we climb up to the ladder to our treehouse, the prank war was the last thing on my mind.

He and I had a great time at dinner. I have to admit to myself, I'm having a much better time than I thought I would. And now after all these years, we're standing in our treehouse and my heart skips a beat. Travis looks around, eyeing our old memories with light in his eyes.

"You're right, this place hasn't changed one bit" he beamed

"Yup" I reciprocated "Just like we remembered it"

We share a sad smile and sit down on our old sleeping bags. And we talked, all night. Just like we when we were little kids. As he was talking, he still had a big smile one his face. But his next words, feel like a bucket of cold water (just like the one he poured on me last week).

"So what are your plans for graduation?"

"I have no idea" I shrugged "Kind of a sore subject."

"Yeah, me too"

"Really?" I raised my eyebrows "I thought you were going to state."

"I, uhm didn't get into State" he scratched the back of his neck.

"Oh, sorry"

"Everyone thinks I am, but no" He sighed "I haven't told anyone about this except Connor, but i'm going to trade school for construction...it's a better fit for me"

"That's great!" I grinned but it was replaced with a confused look "But, I don't get it, whats the problem with that?"

"It's just that everyone is going to these fancy universities to get their fancy degrees..I guess I feel ashamed"

"Well that's stupid" I rolled my eyes playfully "You've always been great with your hands, the pranks you set up- heck you even built this treehouse, you are way too proud, Stoll"

"Thanks Gardner" he smiled at me.

His blue eyes lock with my green ones. And his head moves in closer, mine does the same. But I force myself to reality. I can't lose sight of things now, especially since I got this far. Can't give up now.

"At least you have a plan" I shift back a little "I literally have no idea what I'm gonna do. I always thought I'd have more time, but I guess life finally caught up with me"

"You can do anything you want" He puts his hand on mine. Woah

"You're a force to be reckoned with" His words make me melt inside. He has no idea how much that means to me.

"And when did you start having so much faith in me?"

"I always have." Travis says "You've always been the coolest, most adventurous, and ballsiest girl I've met. You still are"

"Really?"

He was still holding my hand "Yes really, and you can do anything you put your mind to"

And there in that moment, I feel the wall between us break down. I knew he could feel it too. And my feelings for him open up like a dam. Overwhelmed, I make a light of things.

"So much for being proud, huh?"

I know Travis. And I know he feels what I'm feeling right now.

"Katie, there's something I want to say" He squeezes my hand. "I've really, really missed you"

And I can't lie to him anymore.

"I've missed you too" I intertwine my fingers with his

"I think we need to talk about what happened at-"

The floorboards creaking cut him off. And there was a large cracking sound. I gasp and jump into his lap.

Once the noise stops and we realize it's okay. We both start to laugh. But i'm still on his lap, and we both notice. Suddenly the moment turns heated. He slides his hands down from my waist and grips my thighs. I lean forward and he does the same.

But I jerk away

This is too much, too fast. I was about to kiss Travis Stoll! I need to re-evaluate.

When I pull away, I look at him. I can see the disappointment in his eyes. Unable to stand it, I stand up.

"We better get going" I state "I don't think it's safe up here"

"Yeah me neither" He stands and stuffs his hands in the pockets of his jacket. "But you're going to my birthday party tomorrow, right?"

I tease him "You mean, I'm actually invited?"

He doesn't laugh or smile. Instead he has a serious look on his face "I want you there"

I grin "Then I'll be there"