Camp ↠ Ashton Irwin

3 // docks & nicknames

I rushed back to the room to get changed. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be spending the free day with my roommates but rather with a boy who is completely gorgeous.

I wanted to make an impression on Ashton so I wasn't gonna go out looking totally disgusting.

I searched my suitcase for cute but not trying so hard outfits.

So, I ended up settling on a blue tank top and my white pair of shorts. I kept my sunglasses latched onto my tank too in case I needed them.

Just as I was finishing up brushing my hair, Laura and Hayley came in mid-conversation.

"Oh, are you going out?" Laura asked tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.

"Yeah." I responded. "I actually was just gonna explore the camp grounds a bit. But, you guys don't have to come. Hope you have a good night. See you soon!" I yelled before they had the chance to respond.

I walked a good 7 minutes before I actually knew where I was going. There was just so many damn people and the whole camp grounds were big itself.

I finally spotted the dock and as he said, the curly haired boy was sitting with his feet over the wood. His messy hair was covered by a beanie.

His back was turned so I slowly approached. My main goal was to scare him but, the wood on the dock must've been old so it made a loud creeping noise when I stepped on a certain board.

He turned around and smiled.

"Hey, clumsy is back." He said tugging in my wrist and then patting the spot next to him.

"You don't have to call me that." I said laughing.

"Well, of course I do! It's who you are and what you are. Clumsy is practically in your blood, thereby I will now and forever on call you that." Ashton said looking achieved.

"How would you like it if I just went around calling you 'dimples' or.." I trailed on looking for more physical features. "Big hands!" I said.

"That's not funny." Ashton frowned bumping shoulders with me.

It was quiet for a few moments.

He was the first to speak.

"Can I call you Em?" He asked peering at me from the side.

"Actually, I'd rather you not." I said starting to get uncomfortable.

"Why? Don't other people call you that?" Ashton asked getting confused.

"No. I ask them not to. Just..call me Emma, okay?"

"Okay." Ashton spoke.

"Thank you."

"It's my pleasure, Emma." He said emphasizing the final word.

"So.." I started off. "Why did you decide to come to this two month camp?" I questioned.

"I certainly did not. I was forced. Trust me, i'd rather be at home listening to music in my room in the basement with all the unlimited wifi to my hearts content. My mother, thinks the opposite." Ashton said tracing patterns into the knees of his skinny jeans.

"Really? So was I. I really didn't wanna come. Not a very social person. I'm sort of awkward around my new roommates." I responded.

"You seem fine. Don't worry, it gets easier. You'll be social by the end of this summer when I'm done with you."

-

For about an hour, Ashton and I talked about everything. Our family, our friends back home, our schools. Everything.

After an hour, I had memorized his beautiful voice.

It was now around 1:15. We still had the whole day ahead until dinner and curfew of course.

"Em, do you know-" but I interrupted him.

"Please, don't call me that." I said looking at my reflection in the water.

"Why? I don't understand what's wrong with two letters?" He said.

"It's..complicated. Someone really close to me use to call me that all the time and now we are no longer on speaking terms. I'd just really appreciate it if you called me Emma." I said tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. I did that when I was nervous.

"Oh." Ashton said taking his bottom lip in between his teeth.

"That's fine. No worries." He said clapping his hands together and standing up.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"The question should be, where are we going?" He responded.

Ashton reached out his hand and I took it without hesitation.

"Okay, where are we going?" I asked another question.

"Let's go on an adventure."