❝Luke, summers gonna end soon and I feel like I need to tell you... so, here it goes.❞
❝Save it I already know.❞
The Ross kids head to summer camp in this spinoff of "Jessie." Emma, Gwen, Luke, Ravi and Zuri spend the summer at Maine's Camp Kikiwaka...
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Gwen's phone buzzed loudly on her bedside table, pulling her from a half-dream. She squinted at the screen and saw Luke's name. With a groggy sigh, she picked up. "Luke, it's too early for this. What's up?"
Luke's voice came through bright and annoyingly energetic. "Rise and shine, Gwen! Just thought I'd let you know—I'm coming to camp early. Surprise!"
Gwen groaned, rubbing her eyes. "Really? And this couldn't wait until I'd had at least one cup of coffee?"
From the next bed, Sage sat up, hair sticking up in every direction. "Who's ruining our morning?" she asked, leaning closer.
Gwen put Luke on speaker. "It's Luke. He says he's coming to camp early."
Sage rolled her eyes, sarcasm dripping from her voice. "Oh, great. Just what we needed—a few extra days of Luke and his endless chatter. Somebody pinch me."
Luke laughed. "Don't pretend you're not thrilled, Sage. I know deep down you're excited to see me."
Gwen smirked. "Yeah, Luke, you sure know how to make an entrance. What are we supposed to do with this 'good' news?"
Luke replied with mock indignation, "I'm sensing a lot of sarcasm, and I don't appreciate it. I thought you two would be happy to have me around sooner."
Sage pretended to think it over. "Hmm, more Luke? I'm not sure the camp can handle all that ego. But hey, maybe you'll surprise us."
Gwen chuckled, but her tone softened. "All jokes aside, Luke, we actually can't wait to see you. It's been too long."
Sage nodded, a small smile breaking through her sarcasm. "Yeah, you big goof. Camp's always more fun when you're around. Even if you are a pain sometimes."
There was a brief pause before Luke spoke again, his voice lighter. "Aw, you guys. You're gonna make me all emotional. Now I really can't wait to get there. I'll see you both soon."
"Yeah, hurry up and get here," Gwen replied, smiling. "And bring snacks."
Luke laughed. "You got it. Later, ladies."
Gwen hung up, and she and Sage exchanged a look. "It'll be good to have him around," Gwen said, a genuine warmth in her voice.
Sage nodded, still smiling. "Yeah, it will."
☆
The camp was unusually quiet under the night sky. Most of the kids were finally asleep in their tents after a long day, and the campfire was reduced to glowing embers. Sage, one of the senior counselors, had decided to take a break and get some sleep. She had spent the entire day keeping the kids in line, her patience wearing thin.
Gwen, the other counselor on duty, watched from her spot by the campfire as Sage disappeared into her tent. She rolled her eyes. "Finally," she muttered under her breath, a smirk forming on her lips. "Queen Sage has retired to her quarters."
