Pulling Up to Camp368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceNpsbD91g
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—”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnsVZKDu6Cs
Sophia (cutting her off): “Yeah, can’t wait for the smell of bug spray and screaming ten-year-olds.”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuxvASRlHbQ
Mom: “Think of it as an adventure. Who knows? You might actually have fun.”
First Impressions368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnXmRCtlcV
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?”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SN8qunPLJ
Sophia (startled): “Oh, yeah. First year.”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62csjpRrEG
Counselor (grinning): “Good luck. Hope you like running after kids who don’t listen.”
The Cabin368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRltEsL1sy
Sophia’s unpacking in the counselor’s cabin when Lia strolls in, dropping onto the bunk across from hers.
Lia: “You’re Sophie, right?”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4QlppdZV3
Sophia (nervous): “Yeah. How’d you know?”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvZyzCKPk8Y
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.”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHc261TyOlR
Lia (teasing): “We’ll see.”
Bonfire Night368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhARr5Yv8ur
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.”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiX33A76OR
Sophia (glancing at her): “What if I don’t?”368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIGENHpHkx
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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