Pulling Up to Camp391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1D98QnEczf
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—”391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyjpFWZA70
Sophia (cutting her off): “Yeah, can’t wait for the smell of bug spray and screaming ten-year-olds.”391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrwy31uVK8
Mom: “Think of it as an adventure. Who knows? You might actually have fun.”
First Impressions391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOI00P1m1fN
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?”391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8grbAoX3ZK
Sophia (startled): “Oh, yeah. First year.”391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldPfQLrQmF
Counselor (grinning): “Good luck. Hope you like running after kids who don’t listen.”
The Cabin391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYi3lGkFeh
Sophia’s unpacking in the counselor’s cabin when Lia strolls in, dropping onto the bunk across from hers.
Lia: “You’re Sophie, right?”391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJjGJBRFxz
Sophia (nervous): “Yeah. How’d you know?”391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRO1rAfS45
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.”391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNoqVYqfFC
Lia (teasing): “We’ll see.”
Bonfire Night391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzdGEVUnPp
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.”391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIf26LJHHRX
Sophia (glancing at her): “What if I don’t?”391Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlrGn5TkhyS
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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