Pulling Up to Camp416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzCy2neR0jF
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—”416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY0w2i1i9OP
Sophia (cutting her off): “Yeah, can’t wait for the smell of bug spray and screaming ten-year-olds.”416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZkVXiYNT4v
Mom: “Think of it as an adventure. Who knows? You might actually have fun.”
First Impressions416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hYcju85Qi
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?”416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnQuvyOo8o
Sophia (startled): “Oh, yeah. First year.”416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHM1x8LUF8h
Counselor (grinning): “Good luck. Hope you like running after kids who don’t listen.”
The Cabin416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vWTRpsp1N
Sophia’s unpacking in the counselor’s cabin when Lia strolls in, dropping onto the bunk across from hers.
Lia: “You’re Sophie, right?”416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTPxBnly5Z
Sophia (nervous): “Yeah. How’d you know?”416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvl9nS29P3f
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.”416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKwoTtLeuV
Lia (teasing): “We’ll see.”
Bonfire Night416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROOvmtNHMZ
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.”416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkYIkW4dIx
Sophia (glancing at her): “What if I don’t?”416Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡad8dumKuBF
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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