getaway car - tayvis ✧˚ · .

- 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐏 -

Summer camp had always been a big deal in my family. Every year, my siblings and I would pack up our bags, load up the car, and drive out to Pine Hill Camp for two months of hiking, swimming, and generally being free of parental supervision. This year was no different, except for the fact that I was going to be a counselor. A little more responsibility, sure, but the same great camp experience I'd always loved.

As I pulled my duffel bag out of the trunk, I took a deep breath of the fresh, pine-scented air. The place hadn't changed a bit since I was a kid. The same wooden cabins, the same mess hall, and the same sparkling lake where I'd learned to swim. I felt a surge of excitement; this was going to be a great summer.

I turned to see my mom giving me that look—the one that was a mix of pride and worry. "You'll be fine, Travis," she said, giving me a hug. "Just remember to call every once in a while."

"Sure thing, Mom," I replied, though we both knew that camp had a way of making you forget about the outside world. I waved as they drove off, feeling a strange mixture of independence and nostalgia.

I checked in at the main office, got my cabin assignment, and headed off to meet my fellow counselors. That's when I saw her for the first time. She was standing by Cabin 5, looking a little lost but determined. She had a duffel bag slung over one shoulder, and her blonde hair was tied back in a ponytail. She was beautiful in that natural, effortless way, and something about her made me feel like I'd just been hit by a bolt of lightning.

"Hey there," I called out, trying to sound casual. "Need some help?"

She looked up, her electric blue eyes meeting mine, and smiled. "Yeah, actually. I'm supposed to be in Cabin 5, but I can't seem to find it."

"You're in luck. I'm Travis, by the way. I'm in Cabin 6, right next door."

"Nice to meet you, Travis. I'm Taylor." She extended her hand, and I shook it, feeling a spark at the touch.

As we walked to her cabin, we chatted about the usual things—where we were from, what brought us to Pine Hill. Turns out, it was her first summer here. She'd heard about the camp from a friend and decided to try something new before starting college in the fall.

"I've been coming here since I was a kid," I told her. "You're going to love it."

"I hope so," she said with a smile that made my heart race.

Camp Life
The first few days of camp were a whirlwind of activities, orientation sessions, and getting to know the kids in our cabins. Taylor and I didn't have much time to talk, but I found myself looking for her in the crowd, catching glimpses of her at the mess hall or during group activities. Every time our eyes met, she'd give me that smile, and I'd feel like the luckiest guy in the world.

One evening, after the kids were all settled in for the night, I decided to take a walk down to the lake. The moon was full, casting a silver light over the water. I found a spot on the dock and sat down, enjoying the peace and quiet.

"Mind if I join you?" a voice said behind me. I turned to see Taylor standing there, her face illuminated by the moonlight.

"Not at all," I said, motioning for her to sit next to me.

We sat there in comfortable silence for a while, listening to the sounds of the night. Eventually, she spoke. "It's beautiful here. I can see why you love it so much."

"Yeah, it's always felt like home to me," I replied. "What about you? How are you liking it so far?"

"I love it," she said, her eyes sparkling. "The kids are great, and the staff is really welcoming. And, well, there's this guy I met who's been pretty awesome."