Pulling Up to Camp332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTpUUHLuHny
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—”332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBCMdsbUmX7
Sophia (cutting her off): “Yeah, can’t wait for the smell of bug spray and screaming ten-year-olds.”332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i0WEUflht
Mom: “Think of it as an adventure. Who knows? You might actually have fun.”
First Impressions332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ879R5CdzqE
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?”332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNQxmQCjzi
Sophia (startled): “Oh, yeah. First year.”332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡknJsXqmfCT
Counselor (grinning): “Good luck. Hope you like running after kids who don’t listen.”
The Cabin332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwEh1gcYMz4
Sophia’s unpacking in the counselor’s cabin when Lia strolls in, dropping onto the bunk across from hers.
Lia: “You’re Sophie, right?”332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXjjCqriT4
Sophia (nervous): “Yeah. How’d you know?”332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWhHdfNXRC
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.”332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYKPgiCuBy
Lia (teasing): “We’ll see.”
Bonfire Night332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeEiSuErvNz
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.”332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjQE6iFTuj
Sophia (glancing at her): “What if I don’t?”332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwQ4LWc8DV
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.
ns216.73.216.210da2
