SUMMER BREAK.

Chapter 2: Camp Beginnings

The summer sun beat down mercilessly as I waited at the entrance of Moonlight Camp, my excitement mingling with a touch of impatience. Bethany had called me earlier, explaining that her mother wouldn't let her come unless she attended her ballet practice first. I hoped she would make it eventually, so I had secured a ticket for her just in case she could join later.

Mom had insisted that I use this camp as an opportunity to make new friends, tired of seeing my familiar crowd of regulars crowding the house. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was ready to embrace whatever came my way.

As I stood near the entrance, my attention was drawn to a girl stepping off the bus with a guy trailing behind her. He was struggling with a large container on a trolley, filled with drinks. The girl, looking slightly exasperated, was urging him to hurry up.

"Come on, Jacob, be quick! The drinks are getting warm!" she called out.

The guy, Jacob, stumbled a bit as some of the drinks tumbled from the trolley and rolled towards me. He didn't notice, but the girl did, and she wasn't pleased.

"You've been taking these drinks, Jacob!" the girl said, her tone sharp.

"No, I didn't! I swear!" Jacob protested, his voice full of innocence.

"Then who took them? They were with you," she retorted.

Not wanting Jacob to take the brunt of her frustration, I picked up the scattered drinks and walked over to the girl.

"I think these belong to you," I said, handing them over.

"Oh, yes, thank you!" she said, visibly relieved as she took the drinks from me. "They fell from the trolley."

"I appreciate it," she added, extending her hand. "I'm Chloe Blast."

"I'm Charlotte Murphy. Nice to meet you," I said, shaking her hand.

"And I'm—"

"Jacob," Chloe interjected, as if she had anticipated his introduction.

"How did you know my name?" Jacob asked, puzzled.

"Chloe's been calling you by name since you both left the bus," I explained with a smile.

Chloe's cheeks flushed slightly. "Jacob, I'm sorry for accusing you of taking the drinks."

"Hey, no worries," Jacob said with a forgiving grin. "I already forgave you the moment you yelled."

"Thanks," Chloe said, pulling him into a hug. They were so cute together.

"Do you want to have a drink with us?" Chloe offered.

"No, thank you," I replied with a smile.

"Alright then, Jacob and I need to get our tickets. We'll catch up with you later," Chloe said, waving as she hurried after Jacob, who was already moving ahead.

While waiting for Bethany, I received a message from her.

Note: Don't let what others think about you become your reality.

Queen Bee: Hey Charlie, sorry I'm not there yet. Just came back from ballet lessons. By the way, I just saw Liam—he came to apologize. FYI, he looks really hot.

Charlie Babe: Wow, that's awesome. But please hurry up. I'm getting tired and need to go inside.

Queen Bee: Can you imagine? Liam just said he was sorry. I forgave him and suggested we get to know each other better.

Charlie Babe: That's cool, but after what happened, I thought you said you'd never forgive him.

Queen Bee: WhatEVS. I'm not coming to the camp anymore.