NO FRIENDSHIP IS AN ACCIDENT || SIXTH MEMBER SICKFICS/HURTFICS

11- Lost at Camping

11- Lost at Camping!

One Direction-Louis, Harry, Zayn, Liam, Niall, and Matilda-had decided to take a break from their chaotic schedules and escape to a secluded lakeside for a weekend of camping. They'd set up their tents earlier that day, nestled among the trees just a few meters from the lake's shore, a serene and picturesque retreat.

"Hey, Tilly! You coming?" Niall called, his voice carrying across the water. He was crouched by the campfire, fanning the flames to life, a bag of marshmallows in his hand with Liam sitting beside him.

"I'll be there in a minute!" she replied, her voice bright and playful.

As the group sat around the campfire, the conversation was light and full of laughter. Harry was playfully teasing Niall about his fear of bugs, while Liam worked on skewering marshmallows over the fire. Zayn sat nearby, strumming on an acoustic guitar, filling the air with soft melodies, while Louis, as always, kept a watchful eye on Matilda, who was sitting next to him, her cheeks slightly flushed from the warmth of the fire.

As the sun began to set and dusk crept in, the group gradually shifted into more relaxed conversation. Harry stretched out lazily, lying back on the ground with his arms behind his head, looking up at the stars beginning to twinkle in the sky.

"Right, I'm gonna go for a little wander," Matilda announced, standing up and brushing the dirt off her jeans.

Louis' head snapped up immediately. "Where you off to, love?"

"Just around, not far. I wanna get a look at the lake while it's still light."

He looked at her, a slight frown on his forehead. "Just don't wander off too far, alright?" he called out.

Matilda rolled her eyes playfully, her long brown hair catching the breeze. "I promise, Lou! I'm not going anywhere far."

He shot her a soft smile, the corners of his mouth quirking up. "Good. I'd hate to lose you, love. Especially here." He said gesturing around him exaggeratedly making Matilda giggle.

Matilda laughed, shaking her head. "I'll be fine, Louis. I'm just going to the water. I won't be long."

"Five minutes," Louis warned, pointing a finger at her with a playful but serious expression. "And take your phone with you."

Matilda laughed, waving him off. "Yes, Dad," she teased, grabbing her phone from her bag before heading off toward the lake.

"She's fine, Lou," Liam said softly, noticing Louis' worry. "She's not a kid."

"Yeah, well, tell that to my brain," Louis muttered.

"Mate, you treat her like she's made of glass," Niall chuckled. "She's tougher than you think."

Louis sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Maybe. But she's also got no sense of direction. I swear if she goes more than ten feet without me, she's lost."

Matilda decided to explore a little further along the lake. The trees beckoned her, their branches swaying gently in the breeze, casting playful shadows on the ground. She ventured off the beaten path, drawn by the soft rustling of leaves and the call of nature.

"Just a quick look," she murmured to herself, feeling adventurous. The underbrush was thick, and she maneuvered through the trees, captivated by the beauty around her. She lost track of time, mesmerized by the chirping of birds and the distant sounds of the lake.

But as she turned to head back, she realized she couldn't quite remember the way. The trees looked different, the sounds seemed to echo eerily, and a knot of worry twisted in her stomach. "Okay, Matilda, just retrace your steps," she said to herself, attempting to calm her racing heart.