Spinach Teeth & Campfire Secrets

Maya's shift at the dining hall sucked — literally, because she'd managed to get spinach stuck in her braces while inhaling lunch between serving rounds.

"You've got green stuff, like, everywhere," whispered Brielle, flicking her eyes toward where Caleb sat by the campfire entrance. Caleb, the cute junior counselor with the dimpled smile who'd actually noticed Maya yesterday when she'd fallen off the dock during swimming lessons.

Maya shoved her snapback lower, trying to disappear. That was the problem with working kitchen duty instead of leading activities like the cool counselors. She spent her days serving tater tots and salad bar fixings while everyone else made memories and summer romance connections.

"Whatever," Maya muttered. "Like he's gonna look at me anyway."

"He's looking NOW," Brielle hissed.

And yeah, he was. Caleb was walking over, and Maya's stomach did that awful fluttery thing it always did when cute boys approached. She should've worn the hat with the brim folded differently. She should've checked her teeth after eating.

"Hey," Caleb said, dropping onto the bench beside her. "You were awesome during the bear scare yesterday."

Maya blinked. The what?

"When that baby bear wandered into the craft pavilion?" Caleb continued. "You were the only one who actually remembered the training. Got all the kids inside calmly while everyone else panicked. That was legit."

Oh. The baby bear. That had been terrifying but also kind of incredible — this tiny fuzzball just waddling in like it owned the place, all confused mewling and oversized paws. Maya had just gone into autopilot, her summer camp training kicking in.

"I was just doing my job," she said, shrugging.

"No, seriously." Caleb leaned closer. "You were chill under pressure. That's rare." He paused, his eyes crinkling. "Also, you should know you've got spinach in your teeth."

Maya wanted to die. Right there. Just spontaneously combust.

"Thanks," she groaned. "This is officially the most embarrassing moment of my life."

"Nah." Caleb grinned. "The most embarrassing was when I tripped over my own feet during staff week and dropped an entire tray of muffins in front of the camp director. In front of EVERYONE."

Maya laughed despite herself.

"So," Caleb said, "wanna sit by the fire tonight? After you, you know, deal with the spinach situation?"

"Yeah," Maya said, actually smiling now. "Yeah, I'd like that."