The trees mocked me as I stumbled to the main lodge. My parents car had already dashed away, leaving me exposed to the woods and cabins. My phone and a can of my favorite soda were drifting very far away, taken from my possession upon arrival at camp. The green leaves and twigs were different from the concrete jungle I was used to, and I could hear the birds squawking. I could tell they were talking about how pathetic I looked in my biker shorts and expensive T-shirt which was clearly untouched by nature.
I stumbled around in search of the main lodge, which didn’t seem to show itself anywhere. Older kids confidently marched around me, knowing exactly where they were going, unlike me. Eventually, a large building with a roof of logs and wooden walls appeared behind the thick forest. I adopted the posture of the older kids, prodding about without a spark of confusion in my eyes. However, I was foolish to think I knew everything just because I spotted a building.
I walked through the natural-looking doors to the lodge, and inside, there was minimal furniture: just a large carpet and a few tables where lines of kids like me stood, waiting to be checked in. My excitement faded as I realized I would have to wait in one of the extremely long lines. I stood behind a girl my age. She carried a backpack that smelled like pine and a calm look washed across her face. Her black hair was tied up in braids to keep it out of her eyes.
After what felt like an eternity, I reached a counselor with blonde hair who looked like she would rather be scrolling through social media. She checked me in quickly and shoved me some papers before yelling, “Next!” I tried to ask a question, but another kid shoved me aside. I looked at the papers I got and saw “CABIN 5” scrawled in bright red letters.
I left the lodge and scanned the forest to look for cabins. I only saw towering trees and wild bushes. I blindly walked down the first trail I saw and came across cabin ten. With a sigh, I continued to follow the trail. As I saw cabin 9, my eyes lit up. I just have to go a little further, I thought to myself. I began to walk quicker; but still moved slow enough to avoid devious twigs and rocks which tried to trip me.
I walked past a few more cabins and eventually reached cabin five: my cabin. I stepped inside, and the cabin smelt just like the forest outside. There were about eight beds, well – four – four bunk beds. I saw a few other girls doodling and reading. Then, I spotted the girl who I stood behind in line. She was in Cabin 5 too. “What’s your name?” I muttered before I could think.
She looked at me and answered, “my name is Amelia. Yours?”
“Hope,” I blurted out way too quickly.
She smiled and sat down next to me. “Do you have any friends here?” she asked.
“No,” I whispered.
“Me neither,” she looked at the ground while other girls who seemed to all know each other had loud conversations. “Is this your first time here? You look new.”
“Yeah,” I responded quickly, like I was being timed for the quickest response even though I knew I wasn’t. I guess I was nervous.
“Well, if you need any help with anything, just find me.” She smiled and walked away. Camp suddenly didn’t seem so bad.
As the day continued, me and Amelia laughed during dinner, and we talked like we had been friends for years. After the meal, we all played dodgeball, and my cabin won because of me and Amelia. I went to bed relieved since I knew that I wouldn’t be alone and confused during the days to come. Camp seemed less horrible than I thought it to be without my phone or favorite snacks.
