Pulling Up to Camp276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvCMLZBH9g5
Sophia sits in the passenger seat of her mom’s car, watching the trees blur by as they drive up the long, winding road to Camp Maple Ridge. Her phone buzzes in her lap—texts from friends back home about beach trips and parties she’s missing. She sighs, shoving it into her pocket.
Mom (cheerfully): “You’re going to love it here! Fresh air, sunshine—”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCdg1c4Ra5v
Sophia (cutting her off): “Yeah, can’t wait for the smell of bug spray and screaming ten-year-olds.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyjl8uZGrx
Mom: “Think of it as an adventure. Who knows? You might actually have fun.”
First Impressions276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvjBWWP0LP
The camp is buzzing with activities kids running around, counselors unpacking, and the faint smell of pine in the air. Sophia drags her duffle bag toward the main cabin, looking around nervously. That’s when she spots her.
Lia stands by the lake, sunglasses pushed up in her hair, laughing with a group of counselors. Sophia tries not to stare, but it’s impossible. M catches her eye for a second, smirking just enough to make Sophie look away.
Counselor (behind her): “You new?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5zCtM4NGq6
Sophia (startled): “Oh, yeah. First year.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUTBF1yAnmv
Counselor (grinning): “Good luck. Hope you like running after kids who don’t listen.”
The Cabin276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQbpKlBCCOC
Sophia’s unpacking in the counselor’s cabin when Lia strolls in, dropping onto the bunk across from hers.
Lia: “You’re Sophie, right?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNRijYTjT0
Sophia (nervous): “Yeah. How’d you know?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWH3fgftI7Z
Lia (grinning): “I know everyone. Plus, they told me I’m stuck with you for the next eight weeks.”
Sophia’s heart skips. She tries to play it cool.
Sophia: “Lucky you.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsNg00hSIX
Lia (teasing): “We’ll see.”
Bonfire Night276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QkRREuAki
Later that evening, the counselors gather around a bonfire to kick off the summer. Sophia sits quietly, listening to everyone joke and laugh. Lia slides down onto the log next to her, shoulders brushing.
Lia (softly): “Don’t worry. First week’s always awkward. You’ll get used to it.”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1vaS8NrWL
Sophia (glancing at her): “What if I don’t?”276Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LgqV94h56
Lia (grinning): “Then you’re stuck with me. I make a great escape plan.”
Sophia laughs, and for the first time, summer doesn’t feel so bad.
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