Pulling Up to Camp263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTvu5ULUsU
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—”263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPsPaBikfxB
Sophia (cutting her off): “Yeah, can’t wait for the smell of bug spray and screaming ten-year-olds.”263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9XVQMjN0z
Mom: “Think of it as an adventure. Who knows? You might actually have fun.”
First Impressions263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJl8YUg5djO
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?”263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQS5zvEV4M
Sophia (startled): “Oh, yeah. First year.”263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvYeCebpRrF
Counselor (grinning): “Good luck. Hope you like running after kids who don’t listen.”
The Cabin263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCaJTHRmmX
Sophia’s unpacking in the counselor’s cabin when Lia strolls in, dropping onto the bunk across from hers.
Lia: “You’re Sophie, right?”263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWA2JZSTLoI
Sophia (nervous): “Yeah. How’d you know?”263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9RAVEI30Fv
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.”263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJXIS6SOTd
Lia (teasing): “We’ll see.”
Bonfire Night263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaV7W8doGI
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.”263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXXW5zaWYk
Sophia (glancing at her): “What if I don’t?”263Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC15zavXE4P
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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