Mysteries of Sparrow Lake Camp

Chapter six

We gathered on the dock, bubbling with excitement and relief after completing the swim test. "We did it!" Amelie shouted, her face beaming with pride. "And we all passed!"

"Yeah!" Angelique cheered, high-fiving Amelie and then pulling me into a group hug. I felt a rush of joy, but just as quickly, a hint of worry crept in. I could feel the familiar pressure in my ear-a reminder of my ear infections.

"Hey, I'll be right back," I said, trying to keep my tone light. "I need to check in with the clinic. I think I've got some water trapped in my ear."

"Do you want us to come with you?" Angelique asked, concerned flashing in her eyes.

"No, it's okay. I'll be quick," I reassured them, forcing a smile. "I'll catch up with you guys in a bit."

I made my way to the clinic, where the nurse was waiting. The door creaked open, and I stepped inside, greeted by the calming scent of antiseptic and a soft, friendly voice.

"Hi there! What seems to be the problem?" the nurse asked, her smile warm and inviting. She had kind eyes and a calming appearance that instantly put me at ease.

"I think I just have some water stuck in my ear, and I've had some ear infections before," I explained. "I just wanted to see if I could get some Advil or something."

"Of course! Let's take a look," she said, guiding me to a chair. After a quick examination, she confirmed what I suspected and handed me a small bottle of Advil. "This should help with any discomfort. Just remember to let the ear stay dry for the next couple of days, okay?"

"Thank you so much!" I said, feeling relieved.

"Anytime! Enjoy your supper, and don't hesitate to come back if you need anything else," she replied with a reassuring smile.

After saying my goodbyes, I hurried back to the cabin, where everyone was getting ready for supper. The cabin was alive with laughter and chatter as my cabinmates shared everything about the day.

"Elyse! You made it just in time!" Amelie called out as I entered. "We were just about to head to the cafeteria!"

"Perfect timing!" I replied, pulling on a fresh t-shirt and shorts. I tossed my wet swimsuit on the drying rack outside and quickly brushed my hair.

Once we were all ready, we linked arms and headed toward the cafeteria, the sounds of camp echoing around us. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden glow over everything. I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me; despite my ear issue, I was surrounded by amazing friends in this beautiful place.

As we got to the cafeteria we were informed that before everyone eats we all sing a little cheer. So as everyone got ready to sing the football cheer, I was so nervous that I was going to be the only one cheering. So I thought to myself that I'll wait until I see everyone cheering. "Three...Two...One... GRACE ON THREE... ONE TWO THREE GRACE!" Everyone screamed. " Ok you guys can go in now" a counselor said.

As we entered the cafeteria, the aroma of delicious food filled the air. Long tables were lined with campers, all chatting and laughing. The energy was infectious. We found a spot at the table with some other girls from our cabin and settled in.

"What's for dinner tonight?" I asked, glancing at the serving line.

"Looks like fajitas" Kaleigh said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I hope they have a salad bar too!"

As we piled our plates high with food, I felt a sense of closeness with my cabinmates, each of us sharing stories from our day. We laughed about our swim test mishaps and compared our strategies for floating.

"Next time, I'm definitely going to try a backflip off the dock," Angelique declared, and we all erupted in laughter at the thought.

After dinner, the counselors announced that there would be a campfire gathering later that evening, complete with s'mores and storytelling. I felt a thrill of anticipation at the thought of cozying up around a fire under the stars, sharing stories with my new friends.

As we finished our meals, I knew that this was just the beginning of an incredible summer filled with laughter, friendship, and unforgettable memories.