The Camping Trip (A Gacha Life Mini Series) (On Hiatus)

Chapter Three: Midnight With Malik

Note: Play the music above when told to, it's  after the picture above, it might fit the chapter since it's a peaceful night.

At Midnight...

Malik slept peacefully in his sleeping bag, his bag to his left side as he slept on his back. His arm went to the right as he turned over, but he just noticed the absence of his friend he's sharing a tent with.

He slowly opened his eyes, he even grabbed his glasses and wore them to see Zach missing. Inside, he slightly panicked. He slowly got up and crawled out of the tent, he looked around and saw Zach sitting on a rock facing a clear space in the forest, the moon shone brightly and the light illuminated his figure.

Zach sighed and took off his eye patch. Malik furrowed his eyebrows a little at what he was doing up late, then he heard Zach talking to himself.

(Play the music.)

"Natalie.. I wish you were here." He mumbled to himself and looked at his eyepatch sadly, he sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "If only you weren't sick." He added softly.

Malik suddenly felt a little sadness for him, he knew Zach and Natalie really liked each other for a long time. Malik slowly walked over to Zach and put a hand on his shoulder. Zach flinched a little in surprise and looked at Malik, his expression softened.

"Hey." Zach smiled softly. "What are you doing up?"

"I should ask you the same." Malik said, glancing at Zach's left eye. It was gray and a scar was left. He remembered the day Zach lost that eye and frowned. "You don't remove your eyepatch much, unless you're alone or thinking." Malik said, concerned and sat down beside Zach.

Zach's eyes showed sadness, "Well, I just.." Zach started, but he lost some words to say. "I just.. wanted-"

"Natalie to be here." Malik finished for him, Zach sighed sadly and nodded. "Look, I get it. You and Natalie like each other, and you want to spend time with each other as much as you can.." Malik started, Zach listened intently. "But there are times when you have to spend time apart, either for something important or for your own benefit. And, I know how understanding Natalie is." Malik said. "She would always look after someone she loves, and even sacrifice things for them."

Zach looked up, "You got that from experience?" He asked. Malik froze a little and remembered his forgotten relationship with Natalie that didn't last long or go well. Nonetheless, Malik nodded. "She did love you before, right?"

"I wouldn't really say she loved me, but then again, she did care for me." Malik said, also looking up. "She deserved better than me, anyway." Malik added and looked at Zach then smiled. "And you're pretty much who she's looking for."

Zach looked at Malik, surprised. Then he smiled and looked down, he blushed lightly. "You.. think so?"

"I've seen how she acts around you. Remember the time you lost your eye? She brought you to the doctor right away, when the doctor said it can't be treated anymore, she comforted you before us, then she bought and gave you your eyepatch." Malik smiled. Zach's blush reddened but he smiled wider nonetheless.

"I guess you're right." Zach said in agreement. "Doesn't it hurt for you?"

Malik looked surprised, but then he smiled reassuringly. "No, at least not at this time that I realized we were not meant to be. If I still loved her when she loves you, then it'll be complicated." Malik said, Zach nodded.

"You know, you're one of the greatest friends I've ever had that I look up to." Zach said after a peaceful silence. Malik smiled.

"How so?" He asked, surprised.

Zach chuckled softly and wore his eyepatch, "Well, for one, you're very supportive, two, you have unbreakable trust for us, and three, after all you've been through, you're still at our sides." Zach finished and wrapped an arm around Malik's shoulder. Malik was touched, so he smiled and wrapped an arm around Zach's shoulder as well.

"Thanks, a lot. I can't think of any other way to thank you, Zach." Malik murmured. "I wish the best for you and Natalie."

"What about Lucy and Luke? We've known Luke for years, and when he loves someone, he tries to hide it. But we all know he's just a Tsundere." Zach laughed. Malik laughed along, they did notice that Luke and Lucy had feelings for each other for a while. "Do you think they'll confess to each other soon?"

"I bet." Malik replied, chuckling. Zach smiled. "Actually, being Lucy's first guy friend for a long time, I too noticed she hides her liking for Luke." Malik added. "They're very much alike."

"Agreed, but I know they're gonna tell each other their true feelings soon enough." Zach said. Then looked at Malik. "Do you think me and Natalie will eventually confess too?"

"Of course. Knowing her, she'll find the right time to tell you how much she loves you."

Zach suddenly blushed again. "Wait, love me?"

Malik chuckled again, "The way she looks and acts around you, it's more than admiration, it's love." He said. "And I know, you love her too."

"I do.." Zach murmured. "So much."

"Plus, I noticed some more future couples." Malik smirked. Zach's eyebrow raised. "Shadow seemed to have a liking for Lauren, and she looks like she likes him too. Plus, Felix and Mandy, they're always so close." Malik smirked wider. Zach chuckled.

"Little bro never really loved just any girl. He loves those who really catches his eye, he actually would talk about Lauren occasionally. Saying how beautiful and nice she is. I'd say she feels the same." Zach smiled and looked at the tent Shadow was in with Felix.

"Yeah." Malik agreed. "It's still pretty late, how about going back to sleep?" He asked and as if on cue, Zach yawned.

"Yeah.. that sounds great." Zach said and they walked back to their tent, laid down and got comfy. "Good night, Mal."

"Good night, Zach."

To Be Continued...

So far, longest chapter in this book. (2-4-19)