Pulling Up to Camp213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwvHPeaxV9
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—”213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypmYNdwhcE
Sophia (cutting her off): “Yeah, can’t wait for the smell of bug spray and screaming ten-year-olds.”213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡggunlAO5w8
Mom: “Think of it as an adventure. Who knows? You might actually have fun.”
First Impressions213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBz0ks0rtyY
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?”213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgf2oSym466
Sophia (startled): “Oh, yeah. First year.”213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1QypWMiBC7
Counselor (grinning): “Good luck. Hope you like running after kids who don’t listen.”
The Cabin213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGW9IjMe00f
Sophia’s unpacking in the counselor’s cabin when Lia strolls in, dropping onto the bunk across from hers.
Lia: “You’re Sophie, right?”213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsRPdzk74qI
Sophia (nervous): “Yeah. How’d you know?”213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0sdEkdpEA
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.”213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaxnB0xcq5
Lia (teasing): “We’ll see.”
Bonfire Night213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YCxcqMFbF
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.”213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIQte6pMZzt
Sophia (glancing at her): “What if I don’t?”213Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBR11CHRdZ6
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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