Cheery night

Daisy's pov

As I step out of the car, the cool and fresh New York air hits my body bringing alive my senses. Breathing in the refreshing air, I walk ahead and twirl in a circle. Spreading my arms out, I enjoy the earthy fragrance mixed with the smell of burning wood. This place always helps me feel light and full of life, making me forget all my worries and helps me clear my thoughts.

I suddenly hear distant voices and my ears perk up when a particular voice reaches my ear.

"Ron!" I turn around to see him, leaning against the hood of the car with his arms crossed against his chest and an amused look on his perfect face.

"Yes, babes." He flashes me his breathtaking smile.

For a second, I want to lose myself. Just watching him so happy makes me feel content. I brush off my thoughts and ask him the question I was about to.

"Are they here?" I raise my eyebrows expectantly.

"Yep." He answers and starts walking towards me with his hands shoved deep into his pockets.

"Then what are we waiting for. Let's go." I say grinning like a child who just received his favourite toy.

"Ouch Daisy. I thought you wanted to spend time with me today." He places a hand over his chest feigning hurt look.

"Stop being melodramatic and come on. Otherwise, I'm not a child, I know my way there."

"Oh yeah, then why are you waiting for me here?"

"Because I don't want you to get scared of the dark night in this forest where a wolf or a tiger can attack you at any moment. I can't leave a small kid alone in the woods, now can I?" I say grinning like an idiot while Aaron looks like he's going to attack me any moment.

"Now, I'm not going to leave you. Just wait." With that, he launched into a run towards me.

My instincts kicked in and I start sprinting in the direction of where our camp is usually set, to escape the monster chasing me. In this moment, I thanked my gut feeling that I went with sneakers instead of some heels.

"Daisy, wait." I hear him screaming behind me but I didn't stop. I run until I spotted the camp and three bodies moving.

Looking behind my shoulder, I can see him nearing me and I increase my pace. My eyes widen and I almost gasp as I felt his fingers trying to grab my shirt. Despite the burning sensation in my muscles, I sprint and launch myself on Jake's back, throwing my arms around his neck and lifted my legs off the ground.

"Daisy, What the hell?" Jake yelled in shock, supporting my back with his right hand and holding my hands with his other one.

"Jakey chain, Save me from that monster," I say hiding behind his back.

"Lazy Dazy, get off his back, right now. I'm going to teach you a lesson." He screamed and I could guess there's a hint of a smile on his face.

"What did you do, Dee?" Luke asks as he tries to pry me off Jake's back.

"I just stated the truth, tha....that..h-he is sca-scared of wild an-animals." I say in between the fit of laughter as Aaron started tickling me.

"I am not scared of wild animals, Daisy." He says in a suddenly stern voice.

"Luke, bro, he forgot about that time in sixth grade when he ran for the hills after puppy snooped around him in the park. Oh my God! That was so fucking hilarious. It was a puppy, Ron. PUPPY!”

“Yeah man, I know right. And do you remember that time when we all went to get Lizz a pet cat and he ended up travelling in another car because apparently, the poor Persian's eyes scared him.” Luke says in between his fit of laughter.

“And not to forget that time when we all went trekking and we stayed the night in the woods and the bear’s growls didn’t let him sleep a wink,” Jake adds.

“Okay now stop it, guys. Ronnie has already gone red as a tomato.” Lizz purses her lips after saying that to stop her laughter.

“Aww, my little Ron is embarrassed.” I coo pinching his cheeks. He swats my hand away from his face and glares daggers in my direction causing a chuckle to escape my lips.

“Okay guys, calm down now. And Ronnie, we were all just pulling your leg. Dee, you, stop teasing him now.” Luke tries making a stern face but ends up making a poker face causing all of us to break into hysterics including Aaron.

After a little more teasing and catching up on each other’s lives, we all savoured some snacks. And now we’re all seated around the bonfire, sipping coke while listening to Luke playing PERFECT by one direction on his guitar.

The melodious tune calmed my nerves and I feel myself losing into the tune. Humming along with the music, I lean my head on Aaron’s shoulder, who’s seated right beside me and he wraps an arm around my shoulder, holding me close to him.

“Feeling sleepy?” He asks me.

I just nod in response and snuggle into his chest even more.

“Come on. Let’s get you inside the camp.” I hear him say as my eyelids start drooping.

“You’re still a child, Lazy Dazy.” He whispers softly and next thing I know I feel him pressing his lips against my temple.

“I love you, my gummy bear.” I hear him say and feel his lingering touch on my cheek before I doze off.