Chapter 8

The next couple of days were back breaking in terms of trying to get Terra around camp with out having Chiron notice. Essentially It was mission impossible demigod style. Eventually, one of the younger Athena kids caught her not sacrificing her juiciest steak to the gods and ratted her out to Chiron. 

I currently stood in the big house in front of Chiron while he stood on all fours in front me with his arms crossed. He was very intimidating when he wasn't in a wheel chair and glowering at you from four feet above.

" Katie, you know we can't have a mortal staying at camp, It is against the rules unless you run it by me, which I don't recall you doing ".

I rolled my eyes, which probably wasn't the best thing to do seeing as I was trying to have him on my side, and said,"Ugh but when have we ever followed the rules? And Rachel's staying here!".

" You know very well that is different, she is the oracle! Any we only break the rules on certain occasions, but this is unacceptable!". He stamped his front foot down, blowing dirt on my shoes.

I looked up at him pleading," Just one week and then she can leave! Please Chiron just a week? She followed me here and I need to get her back home. I swear she really means no harm she's more of a ditz if anything" 

He shuffled his hooves around, kicking up more dirt. He glanced around as if to check if no gods were hearing us, and sighed deeply. " One week, just One week ".

I let out a breath that I didn't realize I had been holding in and shouted, " Yes! Thank you, So much!". 

He smiled but I could see the sadness in his eyes. He must miss Percy, almost everyone did. The flames yesterday at the campfire were low and the overall incident left us all on edge. This summer felt like the calm before the storm. Everyone is waiting to see if Percy will come back by the end of the summer. If he wasn't such an important figure here no one would think twice. Sadly, we die all the time but with this, something about Percy going missing felt off, and I know I wasn't the only one thinking it.

Chiron turned around and walked over to the front door. Gesturing towards it he said, " Well Katie if this is all we have to discuss then I kindly ask you to see your way out as I have important business to attend to with the gods". I nodded my head silently, and walked out. I didn't need for my luck to run out early today.

As I was walking out the big house, I ran into Annabeth who seemed to be walking in. Her eyes were bloodshot red and her face was puffy. I could tell she had been crying but I knew not to bring it up with her. Not wanting to just rudely walk past her, I asked " Hey Annabeth, How's it going?"

Her head seemed to be so wrapped up in the clouds that she flinched back and stared at me, not realizing I had been there the whole time. Her eyes seemed to hold a storm in them, they looked dark and cloudy but you couldn't really tell what she was thinking, even though you could see she had been crying. 

Annabeth stuttered over her words," E-Everything's going good Katie" . She tried walking past me, but I softly grabbed her arm stopping her in her place and asked " Are you handling everything ok with, you know.. Percy?". Although I didn't want to ask I couldn't help but feel for her. I can't really imagine what she was going through right now, I mean sure I could understand why she was in pain, but to really feel the pain and confusion over losing a best friend and a lover in just one night was something I hope I would never have to go through.

Her voice hardened and she said " Everything is going fine Katie, no need to ask ". I nodded my head, ignoring her rudeness.  I couldn't take it personal. So instead, I walked back towards my cabin to tell Terra the good news. I reached my cabin, hearing the loud commotion of voices coming from inside.

 I opened the door to walk in and hear the rush of my siblings head over  to me and start exclaiming,"Oh my gosh! why didn't you tell me she was so nice! She has such good advice! Let her stay! "

And of course Gavin my lovely  younger brother had to say, " Katie! you never told me she was hot!".

Terra who sat on my bed as my siblings surrounded her like she was a popstar, gave Gavin a look of disgust and said "Eww you ginger headed freak, what are you like 8?".

Gavins face turned tomato red, his eyes narrowed and through gritted teeth he pointed his finer at Terra saying,   "For your information, I'm ten. And my dad says that I should be PROUD to be a ginger, its the rarest color of them all! You know Katie you were right, She is a devil spawn. I'm going to go tend to my strawberries now." And with that he walked out of the room slamming the front door behind him.

" You think I'm a devil spawn?!" She screeched. With that my brother and sisters quickly left the room giving me a series of Good luck's before they walked out to the garden.

" Well, you did just insult my younger brother for being a "freak ginger", which he has no control of, so yeah a little." 

" That's ok. I use to call you worse, so I guess we're even now " She said calmly.

 " Gee thanks" I sarcastically answered. "So I talked to Chiron, I got it all sorted, and you got one more week here so I don't have to keep sneaking you around but you cannot make me look bad, Im serious". 

She raised her eyebrows at me as if I was stupid and replied, " First of all, I think I should be the one worried about you making me look bad, and second stop acting like you're gonna get kicked out if a screw up a little. "

I felt my chest get hot with anger as the sigh of her face now was only getting me more annoyed. After all I've had to do the last couple of days making sure she wouldn't get caught, and she's worried about her reputation because of me?

 I walked up to her standing less than a couple of feet away. "Listen," I sternly said pointing at her, "I have a life here, a good one, so yeah I don't need YOU coming in here and trying to change things up. This isn't your world its mine, so don't get in the way because you've been doing that enough." I could feel the annoyance radiate off from her. Terra didn't like being told what to do or not being the center of attention, essentially everything I was trying to keep her from doing. 

With that said, she stood up, so now we were face to face. She had a smug look on her face as she eyed me up and down, she flipped my braid over my shoulder and casually said " Cute". She pushed past me and walked out the front door, leaving me annoyed once again. It was like no matter what I could say or do it would never affect her. It was so easy for her to get under my skin, and for just once it would be nice to just actually feel like I could do the same to her. Not having much else to do, I decided a small nap would hopefully make me feel less annoyed at the previous events. I threw myself onto my bed, and let the days events come to an end as I drifted off into a slumber.

_________________________ LATER ON THAT DAY____________________________________

" Oh my god! You guys have a lava rock climbing wall?!?". Terra exclaimed. Hopefully she would find out how difficult it would be to climb it, nothing a few burns and scorches that she couldn't handle. The rest of my day consisted of giving Terra a tour of Camp. Let me just say her mouth stayed open the whole time while mine tried to stay shut from being any meaner. She met a couple of my friends and, not to my surprise, she became fast friends with the Aphrodite girls. Her favorite site was the Lava wall; which I told her it wasn't as fun as it seems. Thankfully once I finished showing her around, a couple of the Aphrodite girls came along and took her away. So I was left walking around alone while everyone was in their classes.

I was walking to the Archery field when Travis came bounding up to me. His curly hair looked golden in the sun, making me want to reach out and run my hands through it for looking so soft.

He threw his arm around me, making my stomach feel like I was dropping from the top of a roller coaster. " Ole miss Katie I see is taking a page from my book and skipping classes? Has my bad boy self changed you already?" He sarcastically said.

I rolled my eyes and took his arm off of me. No need to feel any feelings when you can just not am I right?

" Actually, I was giving Terra a tour of the land so no, I am not skipping any classes".

He spat his tongue out like a child, " Pfft, boring as usual, anyways do you think it's fine if I tell people that were dating? ". He made air marks with his fingers on the word dating.

I felt my cheeks get red at the thought of people knowing that we were dating. Sure it was fake to us but no one else would know that. What would they say? Even worse what would they ask?The last thing I needed was another lie on how we even got to this point.

Scratching the back of head, I said " Um I guess, just don't make it a big deal or do it to make girls jealous because I don't wont to be in some Aphrodite girls drama fighting over you"

He gasped, placing a hand over his heart and said in a mocking voice " I cannot  believe you think Aphrodite girls are the only girls that I hit on! I thought you knew I was better than that!".

I rolled my eyes and lightly shoved him on he shoulder. " You know what I mean ". He mumbled a few kind words in Greek before asking me, "Do you want to go out on a date with me?".

I stared at him confusingly. " Why?"

" Um I don't know, maybe because we are quote-on-quote dating. Unlike you Katie, I actually want to get something done here like go out on dates and stuff. I mean we have like what? Two weeks to fake date? At least try to make it fun! ".

" Ok! Ok! I didn't say no! Were are we going to go?".

"That is for me to keep a secret. And meet me at the camp borders at 8, and make sure you don't get eaten by the harpies. I would hate it if I got to miss our first date together ". He winked at that last statement before walking off. I was strutting off towards the archery field when he shouted back, " Oh, and wear something nice!". I rolled my eyes and reached the field. I grabbed a bow and arrow and started practicing when my sister Miranda came up and asked me " What were you doing with Travis? I thought you were with Terra ".

" I was but Aphrodite girls took her, and it seems that I have a date with Travis Stoll."

___________________________________DATE NIGHT____________________________________

After getting scowlded at by my silbings for being a dim witted person for at leat half an hour I quickly ate dinner and went to get dress. I was shuffling through my clothes when I found one that was just right. That's weird, I don't remember having this shirt, or these pants. On the out fit was a letter from Aphrodite:

Katie,

Its your first date with Travis( Finally!) And I saw what was in your closet and you have nothing to wear! So here is a little something for your date night tonight. Enjoy!

Yours Truly, The amazing Aphrodite.

The outfit layed out for me consisted of loose jeans and a white collared top with new sneakers. Not bad Aphrodite, not bad. I didn't even expect to be helped by the goddess of love, but I'm assuming she sensed my lack of fashion taste and the stress of my upcoming fake date. I showered quickly to get rid of the day's stress and changed into my new outfit. I stood in front of the foggy mirror, wiping it clean to see how I looked. I didn't want Travis to think I was trying to hard but a part of me also hoped he would notice my casual effort. Stuck on what to do, I brushed my hair out letting it to air dry throughout the night and did my small make up routine which consisted of mascara, concealer, and a little bit of gloss. Luckily the cabin was empty so I could sit with my nerves not having to worry about the bajillion questions that would soon be asked by my siblings. It was ten minutes till 8, so I nervously got up and walked to the camp borders waiting at the edge for Travis.

I nervously waited the grass around me growing taller by the passing minutes. By the time Travis had shown up, the grass around me was 15 feet tall concealing me from anyone or anything who would potentially pass by. I will admit it the camouflage wasn't that great seeing as a huge square foot of grass was randomly 15 feet tall in a patch that didn't grow more than a couple of inches. I heard footsteps nearby when a voice called out, "Uh Katie?". Before I could answer Travis poked his head through the tall patch of grass leaving no more than a couple of inches between us.

"Uh what are you doing?" He asked, a puzzled look on his face. I felt my face get red with embarrassment as I stepped out to the side.

"Well, someone forgot that we were supposed to meet at 8, and its 8:20".

Travis stepped out smiling and running his hands through his hair, "Katie, Katie, perfection takes time, and I am now perfectly ready for our date". He said gesturing to himself. He wore baby blue skater boy shorts and crème short with sneakers, not to bad I thought. Knowing him he definitely stole that outfit from an Aphrodite boy, I honestly didn't think he owned anything else beside a camp shirt and cargo pants.

"Ok well we are already late so where are we going?" I asked. I didn't know what to expect and was a little scared we would be doing something along the lines of criminal activity.

"Well Katie that is a surprise, but I do have to warn you, we are going to have to sneak in somewhere." He nervously said.

Great just what I was afraid of. I rubbed my hands on face and looked up, "Travis I'm not comfortable with this, I really don't want to get in trouble with anyone, we are already sneaki—" before I could finish, he held his hands up and interrupted me.

"Katie I really promise you, you won't regret this, maybe the sneaking in part, but I'm not going to get you in trouble for something you're not going to enjoy ok? Just trust me." He held his hand out, and his warm brown eyes that usually held a mischievous glint seemed sincere for once, or that could just be my delusion speaking for me. I looked down at his hand and back up at him. "Fine, but I'm not holding your hand." He rolled his eyes and turned around gesturing me to follow him.

"You have your weapons by the way?" He asked. I nodded in agreement, and we left the camp borders. I felt nervous not knowing where this night would take me. We walked in silence for about ten minutes until we reached a car at the edge of the woods.

I raised my eyebrows and turned to him, "Uh who's car is this?".

"Ah don't worry, just some chump who left his car unlocked about two months ago. My brother and I hot-wired it and changed the plates, so you don't have to worry about it showing up on anyone's radar, we've been using it ever since and we've been fine." Seeing my hesitation to get in he said, "I mean hey its either this or we walk the twenty miles."

"Oh my god what are you getting me into Travis." Seeing as I had no other option, I went to open the door when he abruptly stepped in front of me.

"Ah-ah-ah madam this is a first date and as a gentleman, I kind of have to open the door for you." I stepped aside, praying to the gods that the night sky was covering up my blushing beet red face as he opened the door for me, allowing me to step in. I mumbled a thank you, hoping I didn't look so flustered by the time he got in the car.

Travis hopped in and for the first ten minutes we rode in silence. The tension between us was so thick It made me want to rip out my hair. Why did things feel so weird? I had grown up with Travis, things never felt this weird. Maybe it was just the nervousness of having to keep up with appearances? Whatever it was I didn't like it, and I finally decided to break the silence.

"So, we're not robbing a bank right?' I half-jokingly asked.

He turned to me with a small smile on his face, "No Katie we are not robbing a bank, if you're low on funds though we definitely can, and we won't get caught." I shot him a glare and he jokingly put his hands up.

"Both hands on the wheel Travis." I nervously retorted.

"Like I said, you really wont regret this. So, what's your favorite plant miss greanie?" His fingers kept tapping the wheel, out of nervousness or sheer boredom I assumed, probably the latter.

"Hmm, I wouldn't say I have a select favorite, but I have a few. One of the coolest ones in my opinion is the California Pitcher plant. It's a carnivorous plant that can trap mice and bugs. It uh uses its shape to attract and disorient small creatures inside, and once they're caught, they get dissolved by the plants enzymes and boom, food for the plant, and it's really cool because if they get caught in a fire its root system is strong enough to survive and regenerate the plant. So yeah, I would say one of my top favorites." He looked at me with a face I couldn't quite recognize. Oh my god Katie I thought, way to sound like an uber nerd. Here I am giving him another reason to think I'm a freak, why couldn't you say something normal like a tiger lily?

"Wow and here I thought plants were boring! C'mon Katie how have you been hiding this from me? I will say though very fitting plant for tonight."

"What does that mean?" I asked.

He turned over and smiled at me, making my heart skip a beat. "I'm not going to ruin the surprise but I'm 100 percent sure you're going to like what we're doing tonight. So come on hit me with some more weird plants I want to know." I turned to look at the window, hiding the giddy smile that was creeping up on my face. Talking about weird plants with a cute boy? Maybe this night wouldn't be so bad. The last ten minutes of the drive I spewed out what information I knew on weird plants until out drive came to an end and he pulled the car into an empty lot. We parked and got out of the car, he opened my door for me once again and in front of us stood long iron gates with a sign that said The Alnwick Garden.

I felt my heart grow with excitement, he was right I would like this. I immediately felt my face get red again, our first fake date and we're sneaking into a garden? I mean sure it would've been great to not be sneaking in, but I was pleasantly surprised, he really put thought into this.

Travis turned to me his smile growing even wider. "So, Katie this is not just any typical garden, this is the world's deadliest garden, filled with over 100 plants that can ultimately lead to our death." My mouth dropped as I felt my excitement and nervousness growing. I was speechless, looking at the sign ahead of me. A deadly garden? Dam Travis really knew how to woo a girl.

"No way, are you serious?" I was almost shouting from how excited I was.

His face dropped and his eyes widened, "Wait do you not want to do this? I just thought it would be pret-"I cut him off not wanting to wait any longer than to get inside.

"No Travis this is amazing, how did you find this place?". I stared in awe at the sight above me, I felt my senses tingle, wanting nothing more than to get inside and see the deadly wonders this place had to offer.

"Oh, thank the gods", He said scratching the back of his head. "I uh figured you know you like plants and I uh heard of this place through the grapevine and thought it be a pretty cool place to visit so... voila." I still felt in shock, this was so thoughtful? And from Travis? He stood there his head towards the ground and shuffling his feet, his eyes darting everywhere but me. I could be bluffing but was he blushing? Of course, not Katie, he's probably just weirded out that you're here geeking out over deadly plants. Whatever it was, it didn't matter, I've never in my life wanted to hop a fence so bad.

"So how are we getting in?" I asked.

"Oh yeah." He mumbled, digging around in his pockets and pulling out a key.

"I had Shane from the Hephaestus cabin make me this, he says it can unlock any door so I'm willing to bet its gonna work." I felt giddy as he put the key into the lock and turned it. The key looked too small to be able to turn the large metal lock but low and behold, the metal doors creaked open. I jumped up and down clapping with excitement and rushed in before he could say anything. I was instantly hit with the smell of sweet and intoxicating fumes. I felt at home, my senses tingled as the plants around me slowly reached out towards me, letting me touch them and hold them. I excitedly turned around to thank Travis when he said, "Dear the gods what is that smell." His nose was turned up as he pulled a mask from out of his pocket and covered his mouth. I giggled as he put the mask on and walked over to him.

"That would be the beautiful corpse flower." I gestured over to the large alien looking plant that's leaves were growing towards me.

"You might want to step back." I told him. The large flower bloomed, its inner stem growing larger as I willed it. It bloomed open as I touched its leaves and felt the dirt around it, making sure its soil makeup was healthy and allowing it to grow at its fullest potential. I'm glad humans took as much interest as I did towards the majestic plants. It seemed healthy, but happier that I was here now.

"This smells good to you?" He asked as he reached out to touch the plant. I swatted his hand away before he could and said, "Well no but it's not horrible, and If I were you, I wouldn't touch or smell anything in this place if you plan on making it back alive."

He gave me a puzzled look and said, "Well you're touching it."

I nodded my head at him, "Well, in case you forgot my mom is Demeter, and this is kind of my specialty, like stealing and hot-wiring cars is yours."

"Duly noted that was pretty stupid of me." He sheepishly said looking down. I giggled and grabbed his hand leading him along the concrete path. "Don't worry the mask was a smart move." The gall of me to be holding this man's hand. We walked along the path, the 24/7 fairy lights lighting the way as the plants around me kept reaching out towards me. He stayed quiet as I lectured on around all the plants around me. I felt like I was dreaming as I passed through rows of Delphinium's, Foxgloves and Laburnums. Most of these plants I never thought I would see, and here I was on my first fake date with Travis, and it was more than I could have ever asked for. I made sure that the plants didn't touch him, they grew out towards me yet edged back when he walked through, they knew better. I don't know how long we walked for, I was so entranced by everything around me, this is what Alice must've felt like in wonderland I thought. My trance was broken when we reached a plant that made me audibly gasp. I ran over touching the glass box it was placed in. It looked weak, as it leaves wilted up towards me.

"Gympie gympie, no way." I whispered in shocked.

Travis let out a small giggle, "I'm sorry what did you say?" He looked at the plexi glass box, seemingly unimpressed by the deadly sight before him.

The plant was small, probably still not mature yet, but based on how it looked, it wouldn't make it till the next year.

In awe I told him, "Now this, this right here is the world's deadliest plant, its known as Australia's suicide plant, I can't even believe they have one here, and they're not even taking care of it correctly!" Its soil felt dry and had way too much nitrogen in it. I felt my heart hurt as these humans didn't even realize they were slowly poisoning this beautiful gem. I couldn't fully blame them, New York was not the place for this plant to be. It was a fish out of water.

Travis cocked his head looking seemingly unimpressed, "Doesn't look too deadly to me."

"That's the beauty of it, it's unassuming, but if you touch it, its spinal hairs break off into your skin and can kill you, and if it doesn't kill you then you'll be in pain for months on end. The thing is its dying, the people here aren't taking care of it correctly. I just know if it took it back with me it would be thriving by the end of the week." I sighed. I watched it as its leaves wilted up once again, before slowly falling down. I felt Travis's eyes boring into me. I turned over to him, not realizing how close we were. He had a solemn look on his face as he said, "Hey I'm sorry to bring this up but I've been meaning to apologize for what me and my brother did. I realized we we've been childish, and you already have it hard enough at school and I definitely haven't helped with that." For the second time of the night Travis left me speechless. Was this real? Not knowing what to say I nervously said, "Don't worry about it its fine." I tucked my hair behind my ear and looked down at my feet, being too nervous to look up at him. I already could feel my face getting hot with embarrassment.

"No Katie it's not ok, I've been nothing but cruel, you don't have to accept my apology, but I just want you to know I really am sorry. I'll stop pranking you at school, I really mean it." My heart raced faster, was this real? Or was I inhaling too many fumes from the nearby Angels Trumpet? Knowing that wasn't possible I looked up at him, our face inches apart and I nervously stuttered out, "R-really its fine, I accept your apology." We stood there, our face inches apart, his brown eyes piercing into mine and the distance between us was slowly fading. Oh my god is Travis Stoll about to kiss me? His lips were about to touch mine as I excitedly braced myself for what was about to happen when a bright light blinded us both.

"HEY, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU ALL DOING IN HERE? YOU WANN GET YOURSELVES KILLED?". Like a deer in headlights, I stood frozen as Travis's head turned to the left of us.

"OH SCHIST KATIE RUN", Travis yelled. Not knowing where to run I turned towards the path we were on to see a tall security guard flashing his lights at us and speed walking toward our direction. There were bushels of Jimson weed around him, so I shot them up making them grow to thrice their size, hoping to confuse the officer giving us time to run. Travis shoved the car keys in my hand, "I'll distract him, turn the car on and get in the passenger seat ill meet you out their soon." Before I could protest the security guard pushed through the bushels, coming out with a confused look on his face and spitting out the flowers from his mouth. Let's hope he didn't ingest that because I did not need a dead mortal on my hand. I ran towards the other side of the trail following it as I heard Travis running around yelling random obscenities. I willed the poison ivy plants, letting them know I wanted them to wrap themselves around the big burly man with a light. 

Hopefully they didn't mistake him for Travis. I ran down the path, the plants once again reaching out towards me, begging me to stay. I reached the end of the gates still hearing Travis and seeing the flash of lights from the security guard. I looked back at the plants taking it all in, seeing the bloom with excitement. I'll be back I told myself, there's no way I could stay away from this place now. I gave one final look before pushing the gates open and running to the car. I hurriedly hopped in turning it on and sat there nervously waiting. What if the poison ivy trapped Travis instead and here I was, a sitting duck waiting for the cops top show up? I no longer heard Travis yelling and couldn't see the lights of the security guard's flashlight which only amped up my nerves. The clock on the dashboard read 10:01. Time had flown by so fast it felt like we had only been in there for twenty minutes. I sat there, my leg nervously shaking at the clock changed to 10:10.

Oh gods where is he?

I nervously peered out the window when suddenly the gates flew open and out came Travis holding a pile of dirt with a small plant sticking out of it. His face was scrunched in pain as his muffled voice yelled out something I couldn't quite make out. I turned down the window to hear him yell again, "DRIVE THE CAR!." I quickly jumped in the driver's seat not knowing what to expect when he flung open the car door. The security guard ran out behind him only feet away from reaching the car. Travis yelled in pain as he slammed the car door shut and I hit the breaks as the security guard's flashlight hit the back wind shield causing it to crack. Adrenaline rushed through me as the shouting security guards figure faded slowly in the distance.

I turned towards Travis in excitement over what we had done when my face dropped in horror. His face was pale and he had broken a sweat, not from the running I assumed. I looked down to see the one and only Gympie Gympie.

"OH MY GODS WHAT DID YOU DO?!" I didn't know whether I was excited or mad. I had too many emotions running through me as he sat there groaning in pain. He let out a small groan and mumbled "Gympie Gympie" before he passed out. I realized I couldn't be mad. Travis Stoll, stole the world's deadliest plant putting himself in harm's way for me? And apologized? Why were the gods blessing me so much today? Surely this night couldn't be any better.

I felt so giddy and flustered with emotions that like a lunatic, I laughed like crazy and yelled out, "I could kiss you right now oh my gods." Thankfully he wasn't awake to hear that. I turned that twenty-minute drive into a ten-minute drive and excitedly held my little gympie gympie the rest of the way. He wouldn't die but he was definitely feeling the effects of the plant. Soon enough we arrived at the road that border the camp and I pulled into the grassy hidden lot the car was at before. I held the little gympie in my hand and shook Travis.

"Travis please wake up we're here and I can't carry you both back." His eyes fluttered open as he let out a large groan.

"Help me", he muttered out. Turning the car off, I held the gympie in my left hand I went over opening the door. He slowly stood up, and almost fell down. Luckily, I caught him, and he rested on my right side as he half shuffled, and I half carried him back to camp.

After a long walk where were almost fell twice, I saw the camp borders I told him, "Don't worry, just a few more feet a nothing a little ambrosia wont fix." He grumbled out in pain and his head flopped towards me. We finally reached the campgrounds, and I rushed in trying to pick up the pace to the infirmary when Travis mumbled out, "So no kiss?". I felt my face get hot as I realized he had heard what I stupidly yelled in the car. Before I could answer he passed out again and my sister Miranda came running up to me.

" Katie come here, its Terra! You have to see this!" She sounded frantic and grabbed my arm and started dragging me towards the bonfire. I let go of her arm and ran back to Travis who had fallen over on the ground.

Finally noticing the state of him and I she asked, "What the hell happened to yall?". I excitedly held up my new plant and she gasped. "Gympie Gympie!" I shook my head with excitement as she helped me carry Travis to the infirmary while ogling over my new wonder. Thankfully the Apollo kids were godsends, and I knew he would be good by morning. He currently lay asleep on the bed, and as Miranda once again tried to pull me out, I made a gall split second decision. I quickly pecked him on the cheek and hurriedly left the infirmary. This time I didn't care if he remembered or not, a part of me was hoping he would because I don't think I would have the balls to do it again. As I left with Miranda dragging me along, I looked down at the gympie gympie plant with excitement and butterflies running though me, nothing could ruin this night.

"Katie c'mon you have to see this!". She dragged me along to the campfire as I asked, "Miranda what could be so—oh my gods." I spoke to soon, the sight in front me of almost made me drop my little gympie but I held on. Low and beholds the gods weren't blessing me today, but only preparing me for what was about to come. In front of me stood Terra, with the glowing symbol of Aphrodite hovering over her. This was going to be a long summer.

The Alnwick Garden is located in the UK and not in New York. It is a real garden however it was hard finding a directory of what plants are actually in there so some plants mentioned may not accurately be in the real garden. The gympie gympie plant, Laburnum and a few others mentioned do reside in this garden. I changed the date night for them because the original didn't make sense to me anymore. Hope you enjoy