Pulling Up to Camp387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtlkY8AVao
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—”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp80c8NsUxR
Sophia (cutting her off): “Yeah, can’t wait for the smell of bug spray and screaming ten-year-olds.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoe2rWhOTVD
Mom: “Think of it as an adventure. Who knows? You might actually have fun.”
First Impressions387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXW6r8IVxa
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?”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsxT3CsdPc
Sophia (startled): “Oh, yeah. First year.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsp4FLDinEw
Counselor (grinning): “Good luck. Hope you like running after kids who don’t listen.”
The Cabin387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyNSmxIyq3C
Sophia’s unpacking in the counselor’s cabin when Lia strolls in, dropping onto the bunk across from hers.
Lia: “You’re Sophie, right?”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mqdjLTLYf
Sophia (nervous): “Yeah. How’d you know?”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOpSdYKogVx
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.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgOSDjj3Xp5
Lia (teasing): “We’ll see.”
Bonfire Night387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5Z2YQeeG3
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.”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmL17TbD5p
Sophia (glancing at her): “What if I don’t?”387Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtqQa1YwL3
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.
ns216.73.216.251da2
