Camp Buddies(Modern AU Aris Jones X Reader)

1) The Headphone Trick

I'd been going to Camp Killzone since I had turned thirteen. I know the name's weird, but they let a bunch of teenagers pick it. Of course they're going to want something weird. Besides, we're not those Camp Greiver weirdos. Usually, I'm fine with people who are odd since my friend group is like that. These kids were something else though. They gave me the heeby-jeebys.

This year camp would be different. My friends had come with my every year because I forced them to. Instead, they all abandoned me just because they have lives, and I don't. Minho was going on an out of state trip with his track team. Teresa was leaving soon so Thomas was staying with her. Newt was at some science camp for smart people, and Alby just straight up said he didn't want to go.

That's how I ended up here. I put my earbuds in and covered them with my hoodie. It was my favorite trick, and somehow no one questioned why I would do that in summer heat. The actual tricky part was hiding the MP3 player. If only I had my friends with me to listen to it with me. This was going to be a long summer.

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Sighing I looked around the campfire to see the same people as always. The age groups were all separated so I would never see the newbies. Besides, more people left than came back. This place wasn't known for being well liked, but I found its cabins and little hammocks charming.

Glancing around this place bored, I saw someone that was new. It was a boy with pale skin and his hood up. He was looking at the ground and fiddling with his hands in his lap. Very subtly he reached into his sleeve and pressed a button on his MP3 player. I only knew because of the metal reflecting from the fire.

I glanced down for just one second to do the same only for him to have vanished when I looked up. He must have decided to go to bed early. I have to admit people rarely want to leave someone's sight when they first come here. Like I said earlier. People generally don't like this place. They don't trust it. It has to many urban legends about terrible things that have gone on in this very camp. At least it makes it a cheap place to go to.

An owl hooted from within the forest, snapping me out of my thoughts. I had always thought the forest was an alluring place. Something about the fact that I couldn't go in made me want to do it. People are weird like that. Once you tell them they can't do or have something they need it in their lives, even if they didn't want it before.

I debated it in my head before deciding breaking one rule couldn't hurt. Grabbing my flashlight I headed in the forest. The leaves gave a satisfying crunch beneath my feet with each step.

I kept my flashlight in my hand and my earbuds in. The forest was strictly off limits without having a counselor there, but it was actually quite peaceful. I had only gotten to go in the daytime before, but it was different at night and alone. Everything seemed more relaxing.

Once I was deep enough I turned on my flashlight only for another beam to be shining right back at me. I jumped back and felt my heart racing. The stranger did the same and almost dropped their flashlight. I didn't even know who it was because of the hood covering their face.

"Who are you?"I asked.
"Me? Who are you?"A guys voice asked back. He sounded right around my age.
"I asked first,"I reminded him.
"Okay. I'm Aris Jones,"He introduced, pulling his hood down. It was the boy who had left earlier.

I finally took a good look at him. He was cute with defined cheekbones. He had short brown hair that was swept to the side. His eyes were a lovely bright blue.

"Your turn,"He said, pulling me out of my weird staring spell.
"I'm Y/N L/N. I take it this is your first year?"I double checked.
"Is it that obvious?"He mumbled.
"No. I've just been here every summer, and I know I'd recognize you,"I said absentmindedly.
"Why?"

I tried to pretend my face wasn't heating up by the second.
"Uh, I just mean-uh-you have a nice face. Not in like a weird way or another. You're just nice looking,"I rambled. There was an awkward silence. "I'm sorry. I don't shut up when I'm nervous."

"It's fine, and thanks? Your face is nice too."

There was obviously nothing that could make this situation any less weird so I stepped forward and held out my hand.

"I'm going to try that again. Hi, I'm Y/N L/N. I've been here since the beginning. What's your name?"

"I'm Aris Jones,"He repeated, going along with it.
"So what are you doing in the forest? It's off limits you know?"
"I know, but it was to crowded by the fire, and I don't sleep easy,"He explained.
"That fire is definitely a lot. I'm usually with my friends, but they're not here."

He nodded and turned off his flashlight.
"Where are they?"He asked.
"They have lives, and they kind of don't like this place. I'm surprised it hasn't gone out of business,"I shrugged.
"Honestly, I didn't really want to be here."
"You're not the first, but maybe we could help each other out. Do you want to be my camp buddy?"I offered.
"Yeah. I'd like that."

Maybe this summer wouldn't be so bad after all.