The bus sputtered off down the dirt road, leaving you standing awkwardly at the entrance of Camp Campbell with your bag slung over your shoulder. The crooked sign creaked in the wind, and the noise of campers laughing, screaming, and arguing filled the air.

David, practically glowing with excitement, stepped forward and spread his arms wide. “WELCOME to Camp Campbell! The camp of all camps! You’re going to have the best summer ever—”

“Yeah, sure. Spare ’em the sales pitch, will you?”

The voice came from Max, who had suddenly appeared at your side, hands buried deep in the pockets of his oversized hoodie. He glanced at you with that perpetually unimpressed scowl, then at David.

“C’mon, newbie,” Max muttered, jerking his head toward the cabins. “I’ll give you the tour before you get smothered to death by his whole song-and-dance routine.”

Silence.

Actual silence.

The chatter, the running, the chaos of camp—gone. Every camper nearby froze, staring like they had just seen a ghost. Nikki stopped mid-swing on a tree rope, dangling upside down. Neil dropped his clipboard with a clatter. Harrison’s magic cards slipped from his hands. Even Space Kid peeked out of his helmet with wide eyes.

“…Did Max just… volunteer to help someone?” Nerris whispered, breaking the silence.

“No way,” Neil muttered, blinking in disbelief. “That… that doesn’t happen. Ever.”

“IT’S A SIGN!” Harrison cried dramatically.

David’s jaw hung open like his entire worldview had been shattered. And from the counselor’s cabin porch, Gwen—who had been casually sipping her morning coffee—took one look at the scene and immediately spat her drink everywhere. “What the actual—?!” she coughed, wiping her mouth, eyes wide in disbelief.

Max glanced around at all the gawking faces, his scowl deepening. “What? Stop staring. You all act like I just committed a crime.” He turned back to you, rolling his eyes. “Ignore them. They’re idiots. Let’s go before this gets any weirder.”

But as you followed him, you couldn’t shake the feeling of every single pair of eyes burning into your back. Because Max—Max—had chosen you as the first person he’d ever willingly shown around camp.