Katie really didn't want to be handing out flyers for the university ecoteam, but that's what she got for being the newbie. Miranda left to go be with some guy whose major really didn't impress Katie. But of course Miranda didn't care.
Maybe if I get up, more people will notice the stand! Katie thought. Right as she stood up, a frisbee hit her head, making her drop her flyers. What the...?
"Hey I'm really sorry." A honeyed voice said.
Katie gathered her papers. "I'm sure."
As she stood up she came face to chest (the guy was significantly taller than her) with a brown-curly haired guy her age.
"I mean it you know." The guy said. Again, Katie didn't believe him.
"Ok great. But a guy like you wouldn't miss a throw like that. So I still don't believe you're sorry." She huffed and put so,e flyers back on the table.
The guy huffed. "You know what? You're right. I was totally trying to throw the frisbee at your head. Happy?"
"No." Katie stated.
"No?"
"No." Katie started. "You just said you deliberately threw the frisbee at my head, which hurts thank you very much. So why would I be happy?"
The boy rolled his eyes. "I was being sarcastic. I was actually trying to throw the frisbee to my friend Leo. Happy now?"
"Only if you take a flyer." She said, giving him a smile.
"Umm no."
Katie cocked an eyebrow. "Excuse me? You will take one since you hit my head. Understand?"
"Fine. I'll probably just throw it away anyways."
The guy started walking away when Katie shouted "At least recycle it!"
And she swore, for even a second, she saw him crack a tiny smile.
----
Travis woke up 10 minutes late and starving.
Just great, he thought, I'm late for my first class and I'm hungry.
Travis arrived to his communications class on time due to his rushing to get from his room across campus to the language building.
Walking into the classroom, Travis was astounded by how many desks and students there were. There has to be at least 50...
"Alright everyone, find a seat. Choose wisely, it will be your seat for the rest of the quarter." A booming voice said.
Travis quickly went to one a few rows away from the front but also a few rows from the middle. A happy medium for him. But it seemed as though someone else had gotten there at the same time.
"Not you again." A girl huffed, rolling her eyes.
Travis looked up to see Flyer Girl. Instead of flyers in her head though, she had a big notebook with a green cover.
"Oh, Flyer Girl." He stated, almost proud of the nickname.
"My name is Katie and your half-sitting in my seat."
"Does it have your name on it?"
"...No..."
Travis smiled, his blue eyes scintillating with mischief. "Well, then it's not technically yours."
"Really? You used a first grade response on me? How old are you?" Katie crossed her arms uncomfortably, she she was sharing the chair.
"Well Katie, I'm 20." "That's hard to believe."
"Excuse me. Only one to a seat." The teachers said.
Simultaneously, Travis and Katie said "Get out."
"No!" "I was here first."
"Enough! If you can't act like mature adults Ms. Gardener and Mr. Stoll, please remove yourselves from the class." The teacher pointed to the door.
"We're fine. He was just about to move anyways." Katie smirked at him.
"Fine." Travis gathered his things and headed towards the back where an open chair sat. He got open his book and a pencil when his stomach let out a loud growl.
I hate this already.
----
A month into school and Katie only had two friends, her only friends from the past 2 years of college.
And here I thought I'd be more social.
"Hey Katie!" Annabeth and Miranda greeted her at dinner.
"How would you like to go to a party tonight?" Annabeth asked.
"Why...?" Katie questioned. She never got invited to parties.
"Well Percy just joined a nice frat house and they're throwing a party. He said I could invite people."
Katie picked at her mashed potatoes. "I'm not sure... can't those be dangerous?"
Miranda shook her head. "Last year that made a new policy for frat and sorority parties: only legal things and a police officer will be in the neighborhood."
"Gee only one?"
"C'mon Katie! You always talk about never doing anything. Live a little." Annabeth pushed.
"Fine. But you guys have to help me get ready."
Annabeth and Miranda got excited. "Deal! Silena can help us."
---
"I look ridiculous Percy." Travis fixed his hair, ruffling it out of it's former gel state.
Percy poked his head around the corner. "It was worth a shot bud."
"Whatever." Travis grumbled. "Let's just set up the party."
...
Within 45 minutes almost half the student body danced away in the frat house. Percy let Travis have a night off of being "the door guy", almost as if Percy was waiting for someone to show up. "No, I'm just being nice." Percy stated earlier. "Sure Perce, sure."
Travis mostly hung out on the porch that night. Too many people cluttered the house and lawn and he didn't have time to come up with a great party prank (his past ones were okay but he promised himself to step it up this year). Out from the porch he could see the hug lake, the city around the campus, and people partying on the lawn, raising their glasses of water (most were under 21) and dancing to whatever song Will had put on a playlist.
"Ugh, freshmen." Travis huffed.
"You know, you were once a freshman." A matter-of-fact voice said.
"Hi Katie." Travis said without turning around.
Katie stood next to Travis. "You know, I never got your name. Just that you're the guy that hit me with a frisbee."
"It's Travis. Travis Stoll."
"Ah. I'm Katie Garnder."
"Yeah I know that."
"Right." Katie looked down, the railing beginning to look more interesting.
A few moments passed before Katie spoke again.
"It's quite beautiful out here you know."
Travis scoffed. "If freshmen grinding on each other is beautiful then that's weird. Also, it's too hot and sticky for anything to seem pleasing right now."
Katie rolled her eyes. "If that's how you see it. I was talking about the fact that the moon's reflection on the lake seems like something out of dreams. And the sky lit up with stars, well, it's breathtaking. And don't even get me started on the flowers." Katie sighed with content.
"You can't even see the flowers."
"Earlier, when it was still light out. Besides, the roses up here still look amazing. The red is a brilliant red with dark red edges. Although they could use some water."
Travis dumped his water cup on the plant. "Better?"
"Sure. Why are there a lot of flowers around here?" Katie asked.
"Oh, a few years ago this was a sorority house, not a fraternity house. But we like tending to some of the plants. It's easy on the eyes having the place look somewhat neat every now and then."
Katie laughed, the moon and faint city lights making her face glow. Travis was amazed to say the least. His concentration broke when Katie's phone buzzed.
"Sorry," she said. "I have to go now. My friends have to take a test really early tomorrow and I have to drive them back to our dorm. It was nice talking with you Travis." Katie smiled and gave him a quick, unexpected hug. She left right after.
"You too..." Travis was slightly dazed.
He had a smile the rest of the night.
---
After the party, Travis started to notice Katie more around campus and began to talk to her. He learned that she grew up on a farm, loved gardening, and hated the nickname Katie-Kat. As soon as he found out about the nickname it became his normal greeting to her.
"Travis stop!" "You shouldn't have told me, Katie Kat." "Ugh I hate you." "Sure..."
The two quickly got over the seating arrangement in their communication class and traded it in for picking out a good spot in the library to study. They spent a lot of time in the school's garden too (Katie's idea). Travis could tell this year would be better than the previous ones. A lot better.
/-/
I really hope you liked it DJArtic9000 !!💘
I'm very sorry it took awhile to write. :(
How's school been for everyone else? Or summer depending on where you live. :) ☀️🍃🍂
Have an APPLE-solutely great week!
-2gypsy🍎❤️