Pulling Up to Camp17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUfBBmY09RA
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—”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrbviOrbHO
Sophia (cutting her off): “Yeah, can’t wait for the smell of bug spray and screaming ten-year-olds.”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA49XndTpzE
Mom: “Think of it as an adventure. Who knows? You might actually have fun.”
First Impressions17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhueKEHdzFc
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?”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0J6vo6onGw
Sophia (startled): “Oh, yeah. First year.”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUzXFld8td
Counselor (grinning): “Good luck. Hope you like running after kids who don’t listen.”
The Cabin17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWFQxBehRKz
Sophia’s unpacking in the counselor’s cabin when Lia strolls in, dropping onto the bunk across from hers.
Lia: “You’re Sophie, right?”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbw5nSw1t5s
Sophia (nervous): “Yeah. How’d you know?”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdOPjIlkzqd
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.”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRlea0SmcT
Lia (teasing): “We’ll see.”
Bonfire Night17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rRKArx4Gb
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.”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3AF3dsBB9
Sophia (glancing at her): “What if I don’t?”17Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxwBJug6Y0
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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