TWO GHOSTS

Chapter Twenty Nine / Camping! (PART 2)

You carried what you could outside your apartment, waiting for Tyler to park in front. Tyler was hard to reach out to, even though he tried keeping contact. You haven't seen him in over two weeks, you hoped if he had changed it was for the better. You waited patiently out in front, looking up and down the streets. Finally, his car drove up next to the curb. You could barely see him through the tinted glass. You watched the car door open, he stepped out. Tyler reeled off his sunglasses, staring at you. He slowly smiled, "I missed you."

You couldn't help yourself, running up to him and jumping into his arms. Tyler carried you off the ground, hugging you fondly. He set you down, "I should disappear more often if your reaction is this."

"Don't say that." You laughed.

Time passed, and the others slowly begun to show up. Ruth and Niall were together, each hugged you before helping load your stuff into the back of your car. You weren't sure if Zayn was going to show up, he hadn't replied to your texts. You walked up to Niall, "Do you know if Zayn is coming?"

Niall shrugged, "I told him 'boot it but he didn't say much. Guess he's undecided."

"Ah, okay." You simply said. You noticed everyone was ready to head on the road, but you hesitated to gather everyone together or announce it. You wanted to know Zayn better, and to thank Zayn most of all. He was the reason why you dropped out of college, releasing a lot of pressure and stress. You sighed, giving up hope that he'd show up, "Uh, okay everyone so there's three cars. Ruth and Niall, me and..." You glanced at the twins.

Harry and Tyler glanced at one another.

Harry spoke, "I'll drive myself, it's fine."

Tyler shook his head, "No, I mean, you can drive with her--"

"Aye, Zayn's here!" Niall said, staring at a small car pulling up to the curb. Zayn eventually stepped out, slinging a duffel bag over his shoulder. He didn't say much until he approached Ruth. He hugged her, "Hey, Ruth." She hugged him back. Zayn walked up to the twins and introduced himself and shaking their hands. He walked up to you. You smiled, "I'd hope you come."

Zayn didn't reply, he only looked down with a small smile.

You looked to the twins, "I'll ride with Zayn."

Tyler grinned to Harry, "Brother bonding time it is, then."

Everyone got in the cars, following you and Zayn who were in front. You had the perfect camping experience planned, you wanted everything to go perfectly. You were obviously excited, driving the car as Zayn stared out of the window. He looked over to you, noticing your smile which hasn't left. Zayn questioned, "I'm guessing you love camping?"

You nodded excitedly, "You'll all love it too."

Zayn didn't reply. He turned to the window again.

You said, "I, uh, wanted to thank you. You helped me realize college isn't the right choice for me. I dropped out."

Zayn smiled a bit, "I'm glad." He looked over his shoulder to the twins driving behind us, "Thank goodness Harry has long hair, it's really hard to tell them apart."

You laughed, "Tyler is the one with long hair."

Zayn chuckled, "Oh, shit. Right."

. . .

Then it came your favorite part. You had unpacked everything, willingly wanting to set up camp by yourself even though everyone else participated. Tyler watched you set up one of the tents and stepped in to help. He grabbed what he could and looked at you, "You should relax. You already set up the other two tents by yourself."