Story 45/1001

• noise
• cooperate
• wilderness

Alika covered herself with a blanket and sat next to the fire. She never liked camping, and now she asked herself why she agreed to this in the first place.

“Look who decided to join us after all.” Trisha said.

“I did say I’ll come with you. Might as well get out of the tent.” Alika answered.

“I’m glad you’re here.” Eli said, his eyes trailing Alika’s features.

“You two need a room or something?” Dean asked, sitting next to Trisha.

“They can sleep in her tent.” Joshua pointed at Alika. “Mine’s taken.” He winked at Trisha.

“In your dreams, Josh.” Trisha said, waving him goodbye.

“Shush!” Alika said, jumping from her seat. “I heard something. Some weird noise.”

“Relax, Ali.” Dean said. “This isn’t the wilderness. We’re barely away from our hometown.”

“Yeah. You’re right.” Alika sat back down, hugging her blanket.

“You know what we need?” Joshua asked. “We need music. The woods do sound hella creepy.”

“The speaker is in the trunk. “Dean said and grabbed the keys. Joshua followed.

“Hey, are you okay?” Eli moved closer to Alika.

“Yeah, it’s just-“

” You hate camping.” Trisha said. “Everyone knows that. But you’re here now, so you might as well try to enjoy it. Or at least pretend you do, and cooperate or something.”

Alika frowned, biting her tongue. Eli didn’t say a word, but rather stared at Trisha until she went to help Dean and Joshua with the speakers.

“Thanks.” Alika smiled. “I love her, but she can be a lot.”

“I feel you.” Eli sighed. “What do you say about this? I’ll be next to you for these few days, and every time you feel scared or annoyed, just tell me. I’ll do my best to make this trip enjoyable.”

Alika blushed.

“So, you’re giving me permission to bore you to death?”

“Something tells me I won’t be bored.”

Alika looked away. The intensity of his eyes made her heart jump. She took a few moments to calm herself and looked right at him.

“Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you.” She answered, smiling.