Midnight Bear Mission

I'm crouched behind the mess hall at twelve minutes past midnight, my heart hammering like I've just downed three energy shots. Jordan dared me to "spy" on the senior counselors' secret meeting, and okay, maybe my curiosity was already peaked because everyone's been acting weird all week.

Then I see it—a massive shape lumbering from the woods.

My brain short-circuits. Bear? Actually bear? I scramble backward, my iPhone clutched in my hand like it's gonna save me from becoming midnight snack. The moon catches the figure and—oh my god, it's someone in a bear costume. A really good one.

The costumed bear stops at the lake's edge and just... stands there. Like it's contemplating its life choices.

Suddenly: "AARON, IF YOU DON'T GET YOUR RACCOON-LOOKING BUTT OUT OF THAT SUIT, I'M TELLING EVERYBODY ABOUT THE TIKTOK INCIDENT."

I jump so hard I nearly faceplant into the dirt. That's Maya's voice—camp director's daughter, total queen bee, literally the last person I expected to be out here threatening bears at midnight.

The bear sighs. This is my life now.

"Maya, bro, I'm just vibing. Let me process my emo in peace."

"Your what now?"

"My EMOTIONAL JOURNEY, Maya. GOD."

I can't help it—I snort. Like, actually snort. Both of them whirl around and the bear points directly at my hiding spot.

"WHO'S THERE? I WILL FIGHT YOU. I HAVE BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH TONIGHT."

I step out, face burning. "I was just... leaving?"

Then my foot slips on wet grass.

I go full-on flying, arms windmilling, and splash into the lake. I come up spluttering, my iPhone clutched above my head like Simba, while Maya and the bear stare at me.

"Was that... was that a tactical entry?" Bear-Aaron asks.

"I think she was trying to make a point about emotional vulnerability, Aaron," Maya says, completely deadpan. "Very metaphorical. Very deep."

"Yeah," I say, treading water. "Totally planned. Performance art."

We all just stand there—well, I swim there—staring at each other until Aaron's bear head slowly turns back toward the lake.

"So," I say. "Anybody else wanna join me? The water's actually kinda nice once you get over the whole 'I ruined everything' part."

Maya sighs, kicks off her flip-flops. "Fine. But if you tell anyone I was swimming in my pajamas, I'll end you."

"Same," Aaron says, attempting to peel off the bear suit and failing dramatically. "This thing was NOT designed for aquatic activities."

We end up sitting on the dock at 2 AM, my phone (somehow still working) playing soft music, talking about everything and nothing. Maya's not as perfect as she seems. Aaron's bear costume was for his little sister's birthday video that went viral in the worst way. And I'm not just the new girl who doesn't fit in.

"You know," Maya says, watching the sunrise paint the sky pink. "This wasn't how I thought tonight would go."

"Yeah," Aaron says, finally bear-free and looking like a wet golden retriever. "Way better than our planned senior counselor meeting."

"Wait," I say. "There was NO meeting?"

"Oh there was a meeting," Maya grins. "But you weren't supposed to know about the part where we vote on which new counselors to prank."

We all burst out laughing, and honestly? This might be the weirdest night of my life, but somehow, it's also the best.