cruel summer. [ rini au ]

chapter two.

Trees, mountains, a river, oh look a deer!

Nini has her head resting against the window of her mom's white Santa Fe SUV, looking out at the scenery that the winding roads of Colorado have to offer. She was taking in the last couple minutes of peace and quiet before arriving at Camp Pineridge . They had just passed through the town of Pineridge Falls and had about 10 minutes to go before they arrived.

Finally after a day and a half of driving, Nini's mom, Dana, pulls into the camp parking lot and Nini steps out of the white car and onto the dirt road filled with pine needles.

"Hey there! Welcome to Camp Pineridge!" A voice calls out from in front of her.

Nini looks up and sees a twenty-something year old man wearing some black shorts, a Patagonia t-shirt and some hiking boots walking towards her.

"Hello! Nice to meet you, I'm Nini Salazar-Roberts." Nini says, walking towards him.

"Ahh! Our amazing lifeguard is here, nice to meet you, my name is Dave and I'm the camp manager." Dave says as the two shake hands.

"So, you will be in cabin three, there are 6 little campers in your cabin. Take the time today to settle in to your cabin and then once you are ready, you can meet at the dining hall with all of the other counsellors for the orientation night." Dave says, handing her a map of the campgrounds and a key to her cabin.

"Thank you, I'll see you around!" Nini says with a smile on her face. Then she turns around and heads back to her mom's car to grab all of her bags.

"I'm going to miss having you around Nini, the house is going to be so quiet." Dana says as she passes Nini one of her duffel bags.

"Well, if you ever are in need of some rowdiness, just walk over into the Caswell's backyard and I'm sure you'll find some." Nini jokes around, grabbing the last of her bags.

Nini turns around and engulfs her mother in a big hug, holding her tightly. "I'll miss you lots." She says into her mother's ear, starting to get a little teary-eyed.

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine at home." Dana says, pulling back from the hug to look Nini in the eyes. "Now, make sure you have the best summer ever, okay? And if you ever need me, I'm just a phone call away."

"I love you Mom," Nini says as she picks up all of her bags, "See you in a couple months!"

Dana waves goodbye and gets back into the driver seat of her white SUV. Nini takes one last look at her mom before turning around and heading towards her cabin.

Normally Nini wouldn't get so sad at leaving her mother, but it was different this time. She is used to her being gone for a couple days, even a week or two for business trips, but ever since that one summer, she hasn't been away from her mom for more than 14 days.

Nini takes out her map of the campsite to figure out where she was heading when she hears some feet running towards her.

"Hey! Need any help with your bags?" A blond-haired boy asks her.

"Sure that would be awesome," Nini says, handing him one of her duffel bags, "Oh, I'm Nini by the way."

"Cameron Brenner, at your service," the blond-haired boy says, curtseying. "So, where are we heading, Miss Nini?"

"Cabin three, which is..." Nini looks at her map trying to figure out where to go.

"C'mon follow me, I know my way around here." Cameron says. "I've been coming here ever since I was a little boy."

"Wow, impressive", Nini exclaims, "Guess you might just have to give me a tour later on."

"Yeah, my parents have a cottage in Pineridge Falls, so I've spent practically every summer here. Cameron says as they walk up to Nini's cabin. "Last year was my first time actually being a counsellor here."