Pulling Up to Camp290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGs8VqJvq4o
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—”290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfW1e1DELMV
Sophia (cutting her off): “Yeah, can’t wait for the smell of bug spray and screaming ten-year-olds.”290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Vp8YmqO9B
Mom: “Think of it as an adventure. Who knows? You might actually have fun.”
First Impressions290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPaLhL0NQDn
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?”290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmDPrJhTb2
Sophia (startled): “Oh, yeah. First year.”290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsGr9FjRD4
Counselor (grinning): “Good luck. Hope you like running after kids who don’t listen.”
The Cabin290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrxUSZbAuQ
Sophia’s unpacking in the counselor’s cabin when Lia strolls in, dropping onto the bunk across from hers.
Lia: “You’re Sophie, right?”290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9JsqrMlkW
Sophia (nervous): “Yeah. How’d you know?”290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡei5tBH0WzD
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.”290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPUHyDzFYs
Lia (teasing): “We’ll see.”
Bonfire Night290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGYLtmIsbbx
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.”290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVDU4Z2JPX
Sophia (glancing at her): “What if I don’t?”290Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJ92j6na4x
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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