Pulling Up to Camp208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlKdyAUSJYu
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—”208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxyX36zUne
Sophia (cutting her off): “Yeah, can’t wait for the smell of bug spray and screaming ten-year-olds.”208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzmaJ9WvEG
Mom: “Think of it as an adventure. Who knows? You might actually have fun.”
First Impressions208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsp4owQETvI
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?”208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDcQ4XsLUwW
Sophia (startled): “Oh, yeah. First year.”208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5xfc6cCXB
Counselor (grinning): “Good luck. Hope you like running after kids who don’t listen.”
The Cabin208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzztfQytFBl
Sophia’s unpacking in the counselor’s cabin when Lia strolls in, dropping onto the bunk across from hers.
Lia: “You’re Sophie, right?”208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEZWFlFO3f
Sophia (nervous): “Yeah. How’d you know?”208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLyp9eXUZE
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.”208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnBlIZRu3Yd
Lia (teasing): “We’ll see.”
Bonfire Night208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdKjfBDU1X
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.”208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3RUHrZR60
Sophia (glancing at her): “What if I don’t?”208Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X2qgBiEYP
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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