Pulling Up to Camp309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGMTkhr42o
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—”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm2H2D405kL
Sophia (cutting her off): “Yeah, can’t wait for the smell of bug spray and screaming ten-year-olds.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtL4sGbzqnw
Mom: “Think of it as an adventure. Who knows? You might actually have fun.”
First Impressions309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdK7CXYkVz
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?”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4exXYaF1Y
Sophia (startled): “Oh, yeah. First year.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQHHnGFlh9l
Counselor (grinning): “Good luck. Hope you like running after kids who don’t listen.”
The Cabin309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhNHBxL3vG
Sophia’s unpacking in the counselor’s cabin when Lia strolls in, dropping onto the bunk across from hers.
Lia: “You’re Sophie, right?”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSkFnNEU4Q
Sophia (nervous): “Yeah. How’d you know?”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5FMOuHTYuM
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.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzT8jc05IHD
Lia (teasing): “We’ll see.”
Bonfire Night309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc3AOxEyhGa
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.”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsFDWNuj6X
Sophia (glancing at her): “What if I don’t?”309Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihIazyISVZ
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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