campdaylighted

[campdaylighted]

𝐌𝐘𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 | ᴄᴀᴍᴘᴅᴀʏʟɪɢʜᴛᴇᴅ

☆ this is kind of short and NOT PROOF READ because I'm like busy with exam preparation and stuff!!! also I'm using the third person for my ease but this is still reader!!

Zara clicked her tongue as Dolly pleaded with her, giving into her only friends at the aspect of her being scared and with strangers - a fact no one needs to know - she gives the girl a jerky nod heading behind the group when her eyes catch sight of Lyra.

"What!?" She said making the girl shake her head at harshness and quitely follow everyone to the lake.

"Well this is anticlimactic." Jacob said as the group of some 20+ people stood by the lake no Luke in sight.

"We should spread out to look-" Dean begins only to be cut of by Mel.

"We don't separate."

The tone she says that in makes everyone root in place and look at her, her eyes focused in the direction of camp border.

For moments no one says anything, absolute silence has landed upon them, broken only when Zara speaks up.

"Oh come on, let's just find the guy and get going." She said, the gravel crunching beneath her feet as she moved.

Mel looked at her eyes narrowed, some smirked while others were impressed. Dolly snaps out of it too, falling behind her friend, her platforms making almost the same sound of gravel crunching as Zara.

"I'll tag along." Clark adds joining the girls.

The other too - much to Mel's dismay - separate in small groups to look around.

It would have been barely fifteen minutes since they have been walking, Clark was leading with the flashlight, Dolly was clinging to Zara who seemed uninterested.

The silence was a little more than awkward. He was about to make a polite comment when sound of significant thug made them freeze.

Clark's first instinct was to stop knfront of the girl, Zara stiffed - her hand twitching to reach for her knives - and Dolly froze on her arm.

"Stay with her."

Clark barely had time to process before Zara was moving, he didn't even get a chance to protest having to hold back Dolly from following.

- - - - ☆ - - - -

On the other side of the lake the small group of Dean, Livie and Lyra were looking around. While Livie seemed way to okay with the situation, Dean was leading with the flashlight and Lyra? well she was still not okay.

The twisting and weird feeling in her stomach was almost through the roof. Something was not right here, like sure the kids aren't quite here, they are just three people right now but still.

The silence was way too weird, the echo of them waking on the ground almost giving her a feel of four pair of feet and not three, then the creeping feeling of being followed.

Everything was out of place. Not to forget the random as splashing sound from the lake.

She was so lost in thoughts that she screamed when her hand touched her shoulder which was only Livie, looking at her both startled and amused.

"Ladies?" Dean said from few steps ahead. "You both good over there."

"Yeah we're super, Lyra just seems a little lost in her head, I startled her by mistake." Livie called back.

After few more minutes of walking and getting nothing they decided to circle back and see if someone else found something.

To their surprise most of the groups have circled back to the point they separated.

"Anyone find anything?" Livie asked to which a number of no's echoed, Dean noticed Jason's silence making him raise a brow which got answered by shake of head.

"Wait not everyone is here." Adelaide said doing a headcount, Dean frowned at that going a count himself before he realized a familiar face missing.

"Where is Clark? His group is not here." He said, a underlying sense of panic rises as the counselors cross reference if they saw or heard anything suspicious.

"I told you we shouldn't get separated." Mel said shaking her head, arms crossed and jaw set in disappointment. Lyra bit her lip, to be honest she agreed with Mel, they should've have stayed together especially with this bad energy all over the camp.

"Cut down on the fucking dramatics." A voice cuts through the panic and Mel's words like a sharp knife. All the heads turn to the sound of the missing trio heading towards them.

"We found the missing counselor." Zara says as she helps Clark carry an almost passed out Luke, Dolly following them looking visibly concerned.

"Here-" Zara speaks again, sarcasm levels rising in her voice along with frustration. "-meet Luke, the drunk off his ass counselor." She adds, her gaze pointed to Lyra and Adelaide.

"Drunk?" Savanna asks kneeling beside the almost unconscious and definitely out of it fellow counselor.

"What else do you think got him to this state, a ghost?" Zara replied, almost groaning out loud when the everyone felt silent looking at her.

Two of the boys help Luke in his room, the rest settling back down around bonfire.

"So who's on the night watch?" Dolly asks in hope of sparking something resembling a conversation as she hands her lighter to Zara who lit a cigarette.

"Uh since it's first night maybe we can start with volunteers and then do the rotation accordingly? let's say one person from each team?" Millie suggests.

A chorus of approval rings through and once everyone - save for Luke - joins back they start deciding who stays back around the fire.

"I'll stick around." Zara says still smoking and very much not interested in the conversation anymore after her say.

"I'll stay around too." Clark adds almost without missing a beat, his eyes subtly moving between the bonfire and Zara.

"Then I'll t-" Dolly begins but shuts up at one healthy glare from her friend, sitting down pouting.

"I'll stick around from wolves side." Kassie says. "I'll take it for the grizzly." Giada adds.

Once decided some of them head back to their room while others stick around a little longer. Livie watching as Zara and Dolly seemed to have a small disagreement - mainly Dolly going on a hushed but animated rant while Zara finished her cigarette - thinking what she herself wanted to do.

attn other counsellors: @daylighted @wchswift @onanismbator @thesevnthseal @fuckedupfate @cupidzbunny @0ccvltism @dollyfetti @h8aaz @fandomchik @rubyvhs @soldiersgirl @chxrrysandwine @stereotypicalbarbie @cherrygirlfriend @jasvtsc @unfortunate-brat

dividers by : @cafekitsune

[campdaylighted]

here at camp daylighted, our campers' & counselors' safety is the most important and valued thing to us. that being said, there is always a percentage of chance that someone could get hurt on camp grounds . . . or worse.

in these circumstances, do not call for help. the signal is unreliable. out here, you are on your own. you are the only thing that you can depend upon. the beauty of camp is the disconnect, though that same detail runs the risk of life or death, especially in the way that fate does not rest in your hands all of the time.

you are in charge of your fate, and your neighbor's. save yourself, or your friend?

if you are gravely injured in the coming events of camp daylighted's pre-opening and opening, do not fret. use the time that fate is in your hands to play god and decide the fate of the others. you may not be in the game any longer, but who is to say that in your absence, you can't bring people down alongside you?

your death is not the end. killed counselors may not get their story told, but the writers behind them will simply get a door opened for them to kill or save the others in telling their parts of the story.

not everyone will make it to the end of the summer. it is a fact that cannot be avoided, a curse of the camp's grounds that ensures there to always be a tragedy. the question is, how devastating will you make it?

[campdaylighted]

Break the ice!

Lyra arrives at camp and meets her coworkers at the bonfire... or @campdaylighted part two...

The gravel crunches beneath your feet as you make your way to the bonfire. You figured unpacking could wait. You should probably get to know the people you’d be spending the summer with. If you were lucky, you could meet your roommate, Giada. Maybe even your head counselor, Lottie.

The cabins that created a circle around the bonfire were built with wooden logs. It was the kind of camp you begged your parents to send you to when you were younger, but the answer was always the same. You needed to work through the summer, not go off to waste time. At least now, you could do both. Make money. Free room and board. Out in nature. What more could you want?

With the sun already set, a breeze runs through the air that causes goosebumps to prick at the skin of your arms. You curse yourself for leaving your jacket in the car. It was way too cold for the tank top you had dressed in. As you neared the bonfire, you got an odd feeling in your stomach. It twists and taps against your insides.

It’s your body’s way of telling you something was wrong with the camp. You got strong feelings about places and people; you were humble enough to admit that they weren’t always right (even if they were right a good 95% of the time), but you were long past trying to discount your intuition. You make a note in your head to be careful around the camp. To not get too caught up in the fun to ignore any strange happenings.

Though, you’re sure the anxiety buzzing inside you had something to do with the camp’s history. Tragedy and revenge were woven into the grounds.

There were stories and legends, as there always are at camps like these ones, but a couple of these were known to be true. A man drowned in the lake. There were mysterious circumstances around his death. Rumours and little sparks of hearsay that someone who worked for the camp had drowned the man. You didn't know if that part was true, but something about the ways the trees ruffled in the wind told you it might be. At any rate, you tried not to think about it too much, because it made you feel a bit faint.

And then there were the supernatural beings that lurked in the woods that were a recurring tale to scare the campers. That was all it was… surely. You weren’t scared of them. You're open to the paranormal, but not a stark believer. You sure as hell weren’t going to be the one to say their name, or even think about it, though. Some things are better off not being risked.

Finally, there was the controversy at the camp. The no-eyed slasher. The man who had massacred the whole camp years ago.

That one freaked you out the most.

There was certainly much death and destruction in these grounds. You can feel it. The sorrow and despair of all the souls who hadn’t been put to rest. You shiver again, but not because of the wind this time.

Hopefully you can distract yourself with the the warmth of the bonfire and some conversation.

You’re shocked to find the campfire well-populated. It seems you were nearly the last one to arrive. You try not to seem awkward as everyone turns around to stare at you.

“Hey,” you greet. “I’m Lyra. Go team coyotes?”

“Hell, yeah!” A girl from the back partially shouts. She comes from back behind the fire to meet you, gesturing vaguely to some totally not suspicious unlabelled bottles. “Settle in. I’m Lottie. Glad you made it. Drive in alright?"

You smile brightly and nod. “We’re the arts leaders then on the coyotes, I think. The drive was good. Not much traffic around this time."

“You know it.” She turns, popping off the cap of one of the bottles that had been laying plainly on the grass. “Director told me you do a lot of painting.”

“I do, yeah. ‘Specially nature.” You join her, grabbing a bottle. You take a sip. Your throat burns. “Strong,” you rasp.

“Yeah.” Lottie hums. “Someone made moonshine, though I’m not sure where he got off to…”

You turn around once again and notice that all the counsellors had their eyes trained on you, trying to figure out the new person in the group. You shift on your feet, trying to make sense of how many people you could see. It was hard with only the low light of the fire, but there had to be close to 30 of you. This was a big camp, bigger than you had originally anticipated.

“Well,” someone claps from behind you. You jump and spin around to meet a tall guy. The light from the fire danced over his face to reveal some freckles and green eyes. “How about an icebreaker now that everyone’s here.”

A chorus of groans erupts from behind you.

“Fine. Just thought it might be nice to get to know everyone’s names,” he grumbles.

“No, Dean’s right,” Lottie says. “It’s tradition. Come on, guys.”

The counsellors begrudgingly shuffle around the fire in a big circle. The man beside you, who you now knew as Dean, starts:

“Alright we’ll do name, team, assignment, and fun fact. How about that?”

There’s a few unsure nods from the crowd. From the back, someone hollers. You’re assuming probably another one of the head counsellors.

“Don’t be so enthusiastic.” Dean rolls his eyes. “Right. I’m Dean. Head of team wolves! I’m on forest. And…” He pauses. “I really like classic rock. Zepelin rules!”

He looks at you expectantly.

You clear your throat. “Hi, I’m Lyra. Team coyotes. Arts assignment. I like to write poetry, sometimes.”

You look at the next person eagerly, not being able to wait to get the attention off of you.

The girl your eyes land on looks pale. Her eyes widen, but she takes a breath. “Savanna. Team wolves, shoreside leader. Um, I work at a movie theatre.” She glances back at you with apprehension. You debate asking if she’s alright, it might be a stupid question, though, she's obviously not. You decide you probably should, but by the time you go to open your mouth, someone else is already speaking.

“I’m Giada.” Your ears perk up. That was your roommate. You could just about make out her curly hair in the dark. “Team grizzly bears. Shoreside assignment. I like art,” she says simply. She shrugs.

Alright, you think. She likes art. It shouldn’t be too hard to find something to talk about.

“Suri,” another voice begins. “Team wolves. Lake leader. I looooove 60s music.”

The ball is really rolling for the introductions now. People excited to get their turn over with. You try to make notes about everyone, but you have a hard time keeping up. The low light impedes your ability to match faces to the names, but you try your hardest to store away their fun facts.

“Daisy. Team bobcats. I’m on forest. I really like fashion. I’ve even designed a few dresses myself,” she adds, a hint of pride lacing her words.

“Livie. Team grizzly bears. I’m on kitchens. I guess my fun fact is that I’ve recently started hunting. Dad taught me.”

“V. Just V. Team coyotes. I’m also on kitchens. I play guitar.”

“Maria. Team bobcats. I’m on indoor and outdoor recreations. Fun fact: I used to camp here when I was a kid!”

The next girl sighs. “I’m Jasmine. Team coyotes. I’m a lake leader. And my fun fact is that I don’t want to be here.”

“Wow, tell us how you really feel,” Dean mutters under his breath from beside you.

The next guy grins. Even with the sun set, his white teeth are blinding against the light of the bonfire. “I’m Jacob. Team bobcats. I’m on indoor and outdoor recreations. I’ve never lost a game of capture the flag.” He beams.

“Good for you, man,” the next counsellor says. “I’m Clark. Head counsellor for bobcats. Shoreside leader. Fun fact… this is my third summer working here.”

“I’m Rochelle,” the girl beside Clark begins. “Team grizzly bears. Indoor and outdoor recreations. And I throw, like, the best parties in Chicago. You guys should totally come if you’re ever in the city.”

“I’m Danielle, but some people call me Elle! Team bobcats. I’m a nurse’s aide. I looove the movie Hairspray! I cannot stop singing the songs.” She giggles. “Sorry if you ever hear me.”

“Kassie. Team wolves! I’m on lake. I love hiking. Part of why I applied.”

“I’m Mikey. Team grizzly bears. I’m an arts leader. Hmmm, I climb trees a lot.”

“I’m Emeline! Team coyotes. Forest leader. And I’m here working with my totally cool best friend for the summer.” She leans into Mikey, who lets out a short laugh.

“Jason,” the next man says. “Head counsellor for team grizzly bears. Lake leader. I’m really into weightlifting.”

“I’m Adelaide,” the next counsellor starts. “I’m team coyotes! I’m a shoreside leader. And, shoot, I can’t just pick one fun fact. I like baking, singing, and gardening."

“I’m Jen! Team bobcats, nurse’s aid. I love nature!”

“Margaret. Team wolves. I’m on kitchens. I’m from LA, did a bit of modelling while I was there.” She smiles.

“I’m Millie!” The next counsellor says cheerfully. “Team bobcats. I’m an arts leader! I really, really like to read!”

“I’m Mikayla. I’m team grizzly bears on indoor and outdoor recreations. And fun fact…” She hums. “I can fix up nearly any car problems. Daughter of a mechanic.”

“Mel. Team wolves. I’m a forest leader. I believe in ghosts.”

The next girl looks at Mel a bit strangely, almost as if trying to tell if she was joking. After an awkward pause, she begins to speak:

“I’m Dolly! Go team wolves! I’m a nurse’s aid. I do gymnastics and cheer!”

“Zara. Coyotes. Kitchens. I hate kids.”

Dolly laughs. “She’s grumpy.”

Finally, the circle is nearly back at Dean, just rounding to Lottie. “I’m Lottie. Head for team coyotes. Arts leader. I like to sketch.”

“Awesome!” Dean looks around the circle, you hear him counting under his breath. He frowns. “We’re missing one.”

“I think Luke wandered out to the lake,” Lottie offers.

“Well, we have to meet him, too!” Adelaide pipes up, sweetness dripping from her voice.

“Or maybe we should leave people alone who obviously want to be,” Zara bites.

“I don’t know,” you say softly. “It’s late, and I just get a bad energy about this place.”

“I know exactly what you mean!” Mel exclaims. “We shouldn’t leave him out there.”

You look out towards where you thought the lake was. You shiver again.

“I can take a group down there.” Jason shrugs. “Bring him back.”

“I’ll come too,” Dean says decisively.

“I’m in.” You nod.

“Why not?” Giada chimes in.

“I’ll go,” Maria adds.

“Count me in,” Mel says.

“I’ll-”

Dolly is interrupted by a scream coming from the direction of the lake. It was stark, piercing against the otherwise quiet and rather peaceful nature of the night. Panic rises within you, your eyes move frantically around the circle. The other counsellors looked about as shocked as you were.

“Shit,” Dean mutters. “Come on, let’s go. He probably just saw a deer or something, but we should check anyway. A nurse's aid should join us if one hasn't already."

You move along with the group who said they’d go check it out, with a few more people who hadn’t spoken joining in to find the source of the scream. You hear a voice from behind you.

“Come on, please.” You recognize it as Dolly’s. “Please come check it out with me! I’m scared.”

You glance back to catch her talking to Zara. You wonder if they’ll join you in finding Luke.

attn other counsellors: @daylighted @wchswift @mahi-wayy @onanismbator @thesevnthseal @fuckedupfate @cupidzbunny @0ccvltism @dollyfetti @h8aaz @fandomchik @rubyvhs @soldiersgirl @chxrrysandwine @stereotypicalbarbie @cherrygirlfriend @jasvtsc @unfortunate-brat

[campdaylighted]

part one, welcome to camp daylighted.

YOUR CAR IS PACKED FULL OF A SUMMER'S WORTH OF BELONGINGS.

it speeds down the dusty backroads into the middle of the woods, faded signs indicating that you were heading in the right direction. every few miles, the woods gave way to open plains painted in the deep gold of a setting sun, the occasional flicker-and-glow of lightning bugs like glitter sprinkled over your surroundings.

it's peaceful. you can do this for a summer, you think. disconnected from society to connect with nature and peers your age while being a guiding eye to a group of kids relying on you? yeah, it was definitely something that you could do.

the radio filters through the speakers in your car, a faint soundtrack to the last winding paths of dirt roads, and you talk yourself through, in your head, of what you're getting yourself into. a checklist, to make sure you've gotten every bit of your job's requirements and guidelines down pat.

a) make friends! interacting with your peers and befriending them is a great way to make your summer-long job more bearable.

b) get to know them! have a question about someone's likes or behaviorisms? ask them! you wouldn't want to be misrepresented, even by accident, would you? plus, talking to others about themselves and yourself is a great way to make friends, too!

c) 1k word minimum! when it's your turn at the helm, you have full control¹ over what happens in the plot, and amongst the characters. this is not going to be a shortform task because of this. take advantage of the playing field, and make things happen! ⤷ full control = go crazy! you have complete creative freedom. use this however you please.

d) open up the floor! at the end of your contribution to the storyline, don't forget to put a vote at the end. here at camp, we operate on a democracy. everyone gets a say in the big stuff that happens!

easy peasy. this job was going to be nothing but fun and made memories; exactly why you'd signed up for it.

you pull your car into the parking lot, the faded paint lines in the gravelly rock about halfway full with other cars. it seemed that you'd pulled up at just the right time, not too early or too late.

for now, you leave your belongings in the car, wanting to get a good feel of the place that you'd call home and clock in for every morning for the next few months. a large log-cabin lodge greets you, the front doors slightly cracked and creaking evidently in the slight summer night wind. behind its rustic walls, you can see the beginnings of a half-circle of smaller log-cabins, smoke flickering from the center of the shape made with the camp's landscape.

the other counselors must have started a bonfire. in an attempt to familiarize you all, the director had instructed all of you to arrive a few days early to both help with camp preparations and to get to know each other. it seemed that they were taking advantage of the director's early shuteye in the name of getting to know each other.

still, you leave your things in the car, and don't yet follow the rock trail from the wooden-gated entrance to the bonfire. instead, you step up to the lodge's front doors, eyes catching on the yellow fluttering paper taped to the right of the doors.

COUNSELORS & TEAM ASSIGNMENTS / roommate assignments & counselor cabin keys behind front desk! one per team!

right. you'd need this information, and maybe the order of them, too . . . better store it away in the back of your mind, for safe-keeping. first, you'd figure out what team you were, and then head inside to see if anyone had taken the key for your team yet or not, and your roommate.

1) lyra, coyotes / @blossomingorchids 2) zara, coyotes / @mahi-wayy 3) livie, grizzly bears / @onanismbator 4) dolly, wolves / @mahi-wayy 5) adelaide, coyotes / @thesevnthseal 6) giada, grizzly bears / @fuckedupfate 7) jen, bobcats / @cupidzbunny 8) vanessa, coyotes / @0ccvltism 9) danielle, bobcats / @dollyfetti 10) mikey, grizzly bears / @h8aaz 11) melissa, wolves / @fandomchik 12) daisy, bobcats / @rubyvhs 13) millie, bobcats / @soldiersgirl 14) mikayla, grizzly bears / @chxrrysandwine 15) savanna, wolves / @daylighted 16) margaret, wolves / @onanismbator 17) suri, wolves / @stereotypicalbarbie 18) jacob, bobcats / @cherrygirlfriend 19) kassie, wolves / @jasvtsc 20) maria, bobcats / @wchswift 21) rochelle, grizzly bears / @thesevnthseal 22) luke, grizzly bears / @daylighted 23) jasmine, coyotes / @unfortunate-brat 24) emiline, coyotes / @h8aaz

putting it in the back of your mind, you push open the doors to the lodge, the faint glow of the scattered lanterns on top of the setting sun making for a warm, peaceful ambiance.

there, in the center of the room, is a large wooden desk. beneath the heavy base of a lamp was another sheet of yellow paper, the words 'roommate assignments' in thick letters at the top.

you step up to it, your eyes scanning over it for your own name, and who your roommate would be.

vanessa & maria suri & daisy mikayla & millie emiline & jacob dean winchester & melissa jasmine & danielle giada & lyra jason todd & savanna livie & mikey rochelle & luke kassie & adelaide zara & clark kent lottie matthews & jen dolly & margaret

you nearly miss it. the wind flutters through one of the open windows, carrying the smell of campfire smoke and hushed laughter through its little gap. the curtains billow in the breeze. and, in front of you, the papers flutter.

papers, because one was hidden away beneath the roommate assignments, was your role assignments.

report to head counselors first before going to the camp director!

BOBCAT ASSIGNMENTS —

clark kent / shoreside jen / nurse's aid danielle / nurse's aid daisy / forest millie / arts jacob / indoor & outdoor recreations maria / indoor & outdoor recreations

COYOTE ASSIGNMENTS —

lottie matthews / arts lyra / arts zara / kitchens adelaide / shoreside vanessa / kitchens jasmine / lake emiline / forest

GRIZZLY BEAR ASSIGNMENTS —

jason todd / lake livie / kitchens giada / shoreside mikey / arts mikayla / indoor & outdoor recreations rochelle / indoor & outdoor recreations luke / nurse's aid

WOLF ASSIGNMENTS —

dean winchester / forest melissa / forest suri / lake kassie / lake savanna / shoreside margaret / kitchens dolly / nurse's aid

there's a sticky note taped to the landline phone on the other side of the desk. the camp director must really like leaving notes, you realize quickly. did she trust you lot of campers enough to leave you all for the few days before camp's opening with nothing but instructed notes, or did she trust you all so little that she had to leave these little reminders and infosheets for your finding?

you probably wouldn't find out that night. the interior of the building is lit up only by the moonlight and flickering bonfire outside. the entirety of the staircase and where it leads up is dark, as if you're the only living being in the place.

you pluck the sticky note off of the phone receiver and hold it in the light to read it.

this phone has limited minutes! ask before using, unless it is a life or death emergency.

right. you'd heard this rant from your parents a million times about phone minutes and limitations. it was nothing new to you. maybe someday past this grueling 1989 summer, they'd make phones a little more easy access and user friendly than this.

with all of your new roles and information memorized, you turn around to look back at the front doors. your things are still packed away in your trunk, waiting for you to retrieve them and unpack properly in your room for the summer. behind you in the center of the camp are your summer coworkers, the muffle of their voices drifting again through the open window.

you can either go get your things and settle in for the night and meet your coworkers in the morning, or join the bonfire.

the choice is yours, lyra.

[campdaylighted]

— NEWS BULLETIN.

the counselors for camp daylighted have all arrived and attended their orientation, much earlier than initially scheduled, to the camp director's delight. choose your next course of action.

[campdaylighted]

THEY CALL HIM UNLUCKY ⌞ LUKE ⌝

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⤷ for CAMP DAYLIGHTED !

easy to hate and hard to please, luke's childhood rebellion phase was the gift that just kept giving . . . well into his teenage years. the fights at school became consistent, as did his name in the school administration's mouths. wasted potential, they'd say. where are his parents? they'd ask.

the truth was that his father was a missing figure in his life, and his mother was too busy with the everyday maintenance and attendance of her summer camp, camp daylighted. as the camp director, luke's mother had a huge role in the care and wellbeing of hundreds of kids lives a year. all of them except the one that mattered the most — her own son's.

after a run-in with the police that put him in juvenile detention for two months, luke's mother had enough. it was time to get a handle on her son, even if the actions were taken far too late.

this was how the idea was proposed of him working at the summer camp, the very thing that stole his childhood away from him.

he's unlucky for the very reasons one could expect. a permissive mother, an absent father, and a list of bad habits and behaviors tacked to his name, luke was doomed from the very start. there's no telling what will happen in a place in the middle of nowhere, with children and young adults his own age, and nothing but the woods for company. though how much can a delinquent get up to, really, when his mother is his boss? and how much is he going to try?

[campdaylighted]

HER NAME IS ⌞ SAVANNA ⌝

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⤷ for CAMP DAYLIGHTED !

the scenes film reels cherry lipgloss cinema starlet silver jewelry vanilla perfume " lucky you " jeans tan lines confident black sunglasses late night drives " it girl " ocean waves leather jackets angel wings tramp stamp witty checkered scrunchies irresponsible resting bitch face sweet & sour ice cream shops juicy shorts charismatic " hands off ! "

the synopsis here is savanna, a box office attendant for local movie theater, limelight cinemas by spring, and camp counselor by summer. an avid volleyball player, she got an athletic scholarship for a school halfway across the country from the small town she grew up in, and on a random whim one afternoon prior to her graduation, she applied for the role of counselor at camp daylighted. because, honestly, what could ever go wrong at summer camp in the final year before the biggest change of her life?

the plot twist the drive from savanna's home to camp daylighted is an hour drive, factoring in summer traffic and pitstops. the unshakeable girl arrived three hours after leaving the house, shaken up and with a haunted look in the depths of her eyes. something happened in the three hour span of her journey, though the classic dry attitude that she possesses is weaponized as a mask to anyone who tries to pull the truth out of her. do you know what she saw in the setting sun that night? or are you capable of coaxing it out of her?

[campdaylighted]

⟡ maria!reader

ADDRESSED TO: director @daylighted of @campdaylighted.

CAMP DAYLIGHTED COUNSELOR APPLICATION .ᐟ.ᐟ

☼ name — maria. goes by “mari” but some campers call her " reddie" and she will answer if you're charming enough. Dean is the only one to call her “gingersnap” (some people think it's weird, and he always says it like he’s daring her to hate it—she pretends to, but never really does). 5'4. white. immigrant. latina—spanish dad, brazilian mom. Grew up on empanadas, bossa nova, and ghost stories. swears in portuguese when she’s pissed (which is rare, but memorable). big hazel eyes that flirt with blue under certain sunlight. sharp eyeliner, full bitten red lips, usually smirking. two small scars on her left knee (she says it was a tree, others say otherwise), freckled shoulders, always warm to the touch, even after midnight swims. and a lean and strong frame from years of dance, swimming, and climbing things “just because.”

crop tops + cargo pants. band tees tied at the waist. sports bras and oversized flannels. blood red or neon pink chipped nail polish—no in-between. muddy white sneakers. gold hoops. layered woven bracelets from campers + a leather anklet from age twelve she never takes off.

☼ personality — first to joke, last to trust. flirty without trying to be, chill, lowkey competitive. a wildfire underneath. sharp with her words, soft with her hands. the campfire storyteller with just enough bite in her tone to make you believe her ghost stories. observant and intuitive, she reads people easily. fiercely loyal once you’re in her circle, but that circle’s tight. has a "break glass in case of emergency" attitude when it comes to opening up emotionally. keeps her trauma funny, thanks. never loses her cool—even when she absolutely should. charming in a way that makes you question what she’s hiding (spoiler: something). has that “fun counselor” energy and definitely the counselor kids go to for secret candy, bad advice, or a shoulder to cry on. might leave a note in your cabin that says “get it together” in glitter pen. sometimes talks to herself in portuguese. whispers “porra” under her breath more than once a day. loves hard, argues harder. quietly intimidating in a way most can’t explain. always watching. always knowing more than she lets on.

☼ why she's here — used to come to Camp Daylighted every summer until she was 14. left after something strange happened in the woods and no one believed her. this is her first time back. she signed up last-minute after spotting the old camp flyer on a café bulletin board 3 towns over. says she’s here for the nostalgia, but there’s something in her eyes that says unfinished business.

☼ interests + hobbies — ✴︎ swimming, especially at night (even if the lake creeps her out). climbing trees just for the view and to prove she can. horror movies. urban legends. creepy folklore. knows every campfire story—sometimes adds her own. foraging and plant identification (she'll tell you which berries will kill you… then smile and offer you a handful) ✴︎ knife throwing (she says it’s “for fun,” but she's too good at it). night hikes + stargazing. DIY survival gear & first aid queen (always has a suspiciously well-stocked backpack). dancing barefoot to old tapes. can still hit the splits like it’s nothing. ✴︎ teaching campers how to make fire without matches. always smiles too wide when it finally lights. sketching landscapes in the margins of her journal. tarot, astrology, energy stuff she won’t admit she takes seriously

☼ vibe — campfire smoke in her hair. laughter that turns into a scream. wearing someone else's hoodie. eyes like secrets. a splash in the dark. the silence after something goes wrong. friendly, but you’ll never get all of her. not really. says she doesn’t care. cares too much. the kind of girl who would help you bury the body—but ask what they did first. sunshine when she wants to be. storm when she doesn’t. Dean often says she’s “trouble in a tank top.” she tells him to shut up. still always sits next to him at the fire.

☼ always has on her — silver lighter engraved with her nickname from her mom: “mar.” grandpa’s knife tucked in her sock. vintage red walkman + overplayed tapes. an old friendship bracelet from someone she won’t talk about. a photo strip from the last camp fair. half-ripped. the other half’s missing. a small notebook full of camp rumors, drawings, pressed leaves, cryptic notes in spanish and portuguese.

[campdaylighted]

CAMP DAYLIGHTED APPLICATION

NAME: suri vaughn. 21 years old.

APPEARANCE: brown hair with (dyed) highlights, originally curly, but she straightens it. brown eyes with a light green ring that seem to reveal her every single thought. small lips, permanent sunburn on her nose and cheeks that remove her need for blush, 5'1 --no more, no less. lots of lashes (to the point that they poke her eyes), olive toned skin, blind as a bat without her contacts or granny glasses. always wearing her butterfly family ring-even while on the job, always has a fresh manicure somehow, and the cutest bikinis....(she'll let you wear them if you ask nicely), she has a small coquí tattoo tribal symbol on her right hip, and an aries symbol on the nape of her neck. if not in her standard red lifeguard bikini, she's usually wearing low-rise shorts, some form of a crop top, her rings, chunky silver bracelets on the left hand, and an evil eye string bracelet on the right, with her rings on the right hand. additionally, she's constantly equipped with first aid of some kind, and tons of chewing gum.

PERSONALITY: tanning obsessed. bubbly when needed. spoiled to high heaven. according to her home friends, she's able to talk to you about anything, and is able to maintain firm boundaries about what she needs. passionate about her interests, compassionate, unabashedly herself, strong willed and emotionally intelligent, considerate and creative, in touch with herself and the world in a way some can only envy, kind hearted and thoughtful, determined despite it all, and tries her best to make everyone around her laugh, and shopping.

INTERESTS: 60s music, fashion from all generation, the stars, summer time, night swims, animals (especially her puppy dixie), enjoys physical affection, soap operas, yapping to her friends, getting drunk (on occasion), anything peach flavored, and helping the little kids learn how to swim.

FUN FACTS: she's a city kid to the point that you'll wonder how she ended up here. speaks two languages: english and spanish. has a spotify playlist full of 60s music (because it's that good). she's the head life guard at camp daylighted, and actually does enjoy teaching kids how to swim. rumor has it that she's a mermaid....but who knows for sure! best friends with savanna!

tags: @daylighted AND @campdaylighted, SO EXCITED !

[campdaylighted]

⛧ "Where's the funeral?" ⛧ 

Meet V!Reader: Camp Daylighted is Vanessa's father's last ditch attempt at getting his little girl out of the house for the summer - better not to spend it in the house her mother died in - and maybe, just maybe, getting her away from all of the weird shit she's been into since.

ABOUT HER

⛧ A little too into the occult (and some legit witchcraft). It started as a way to keep people from bothering her - no one's going to bother the chick sporting The Satanic Bible and a wicked resting bitch face - but it's a thing now.

⛧ No one knows her actual name unless they're signing her paycheck. It's V to everyone else.

⛧ Hiking sucks - but she'll go, because maybe she'll find some neat bones along the way (or some cool rocks, but you'll never hear her admit that).

⛧ Spooky stories, scary movies, and creepy music - V lives up to the stereotype, and isn't scared at all. Definitely not.

⛧ Wants to make friends - but she'll never admit that. She's perfectly happy brooding and being left alone, thank you very much.

⛧ Her wardrobe? Way too fucking over the top for a summer camp. It's no secret she wakes up a solid hour and a half early to do that ridiculous makeup every morning, and her hair has enough hairspray to keep any hairdo intact in humidity, wind, or heat.

⛧ Grew up on rock, pop, and country, but you won't find a single cassette or CD like that - her music taste now matches her looks - Depeche Mode, The Cure, The Smiths... There might, though, be a few purposely mislabeled ones tucked away that she'll only listen to with headphones on.

⛧ Loves to sing - you might get a genuine smile out of her singing around a campfire. She can play guitar, but getting her to do that in front of anyone? Good luck.

⛧ Pale, box-dyed black hair, blue eyes, and way too much makeup for a summer camp.

I FINALLY DID IT, DAHLIA, SHE'S HERE, I PROMISE. I'm so excited to play with ya'll! @daylighted @campdaylighted

[campdaylighted]

𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐱

to record a message, please wait until the dial tone…

“hi jasmine, we are so excited to have you here as one of our wonderful counselors for this upcoming summer full of new adventures and a lifetime of memories !! can’t wait to see you here !!”

you have one unread message:

jasmine. she’s got the term daddy issues practically painted on her forehead. unable to catch a break as her mom dates more losers and this current one decided to send her to camp to straighten out her morals.

with five feet and six inches you’d think she’d be a bit laid back but this girl is a spitfire and heavily opinionated. it’s gotten her into trouble but jasmine doesn’t know when to stop sometimes.

she cusses pretty fluently in spanish, but tell her to have a conversation about anything else, jasmine ends up saying things in the wrong tense. it’s her one trait that she gets embarrassed about sometimes.

jasmine has a tramp stamp, a simple cross with small roses on either side. she got it done a year ago and her mother has not noticed to this day. her dream is to get more tattoos once she moves out. cause if her mom caught her, its game over. and mexican moms don’t play about tattoos.

jasmine can cook, despite her laziness to get up and join the camp activities most of the times, her food is delicious. one of her favorite things to make is pescado frito with some rice and if available, beans. sometimes she sneaks in to cook something because the camp food is bland.

there’s no weapons allowed at the camp, but knowing she’d be stuck with people her age who might be like her, she’s packed a butterfly knife and a switchblade. don’t ask how she managed to sneak in a machete of all things. it’s hidden very well.

she’s from the big ol san fernando valley in california, so her accent slips when speaking both english and spanish. when people mock her its just something she ignores. not her fault she says towel like its tawel.

music you can find in her collection consist of nirvana’s first album, metallica, the cure, depeche mode and guns n roses. her cd player and walkman is practically working overtime with these albums.

how she even became a camp counselor is bizarre, there’s no way jasmine is qualified but it’s not impossible to rule out that her mother’s current boyfriend pulled some strings.

some of her hobbies include swimming, cooking and drawing. in the morning, jasmine likes to wake up before everyone else and go for a quick swim. it’s the closest she’s gonna get to the beach for a while and though its not salty, its good enough.

drawings are kept in a brown sketch book, something jasmine hates showing off and keeps hidden. there’s too many doodles of a certain green eyed dude in there, plus her in some certain poses. so if this got out, she’s toast.

jasmine’s never one to solely focus on looking good all the time. she does a little eyeliner, mascara and dark lipstick. sometimes the eyeliner smudges but it adds to her aesthetic. can she do a full face of foundation? hell no. with natural wavy hair, she doesn’t do much to style it. every night she sleeps in braids to keep its silky texture. one thing she doesn’t play about is her hair routine. if she doesn’t get her full shower in to do two shampoo runs and conditioner jasmine gets pissed.

1 photo attachment.

her closet consists of entirely black, with some exceptions of dark wash jeans, red or dark brown. jasmine’s uninterested in wearing bright colors because it makes her stand out too much. for 18 years she’s played the background character and prefers it that way.

she’s independent, sometimes being too serious but get her drunk enough so she can loosen up. last time she had 6 beers, jasmine was dancing on tables and almost flashed the crowd her tits. jasmine hasn’t drank that much since.

‿̩͙⊱༒︎༻♱༺༒︎⊰‿̩͙

oc created by unfortunate-brat

camp daylighted created by @daylighted & @campdaylighted

[campdaylighted]

── JACOB DIAZ is a golden retriever personified.

JACOB DIAZ is known as the resident jock, as a himbo. but in reality…

JACOB DIAZ aka JAKE as he’s called by most people is a jock. a himbo. he thinks he doesn’t really know how to read and has just memorized a bunch of letters. he’s extremely talented in athletics as well as martial arts. (people made fun of him for being ‘dumb’ so he wanted to make sure he was fluent in as many physical skills as possible. who cares if he can read if he can kick their asses?”

JACOB DIAZ has never lost in a game or ‘capture the flag.’ and that’s because he always picked the prettiest girls into his team not even knowing that they’d obviously be faster than the boys.

JACOB DIAZ who loves taking pictures! he takes pictures on his vintage camera without even realizing that the pics come out amazing. he just does it for fun. someone wants to buy a picture he took for 5k? must be a scam.

JACOB DIAZ loves the gym. loves working out. he has a note in his notes app where he writes down how much he can bench + he takes videos!!!

JACOB DIAZ who writes poems but never shows them to anyone because he knows his friends would make fun of him.

JACOB DIAZ has the biggest crush on danielle and she was the reason jacob signed up to be a counselor, jacob wanting to get closer to the girl.

@daylighted @campdaylighted

[campdaylighted]

♡ ࣪˖౨ৎ.˚ 𝓭anielle!𝓻eader

COUNSELOR APPLICATION!! ADDRESSED TO: @daylighted (with lots of rainbow glitter) ♡

❛❛alrighty then... a little about yourself, please?❞

𝓝AME: danielle (or elle!) 𝓐PPEARANCE: white skin 5'3 soft brown locks (wavy) with a fringe crooked nose brown eyes polka dot nails wispy lashes bitten lips small bewbies pudgy tummy tiny heart tattoo on on her wrist pink ribbon nose piercing 𝓢TAPLES: stockings ribbons baking friendship bracelets mary janes heart shaped sunglasses tulips hairspray (she watched it in a drive-in theater months before applying to camp, and she still won't stop singing!) country music iced coffee cinnamon rolls lacy tank tops birthday cake and/or marshmallow scents cheesy affirmations (her favorite is "less quitter, more glitter!") 𝓕UN 𝓕ACTS: easily disturbed sweet tooth bit of a germaphobe sleeps with a white mouse stuffed animal she's had since she was a baby ocd infj cd collector loves "unattractive" features horrible at studying youngest child ADORES KIDS!!

❛❛gee, danielle, you sure are interesting. and why do you want to be a counsellor here at @campdaylighted?❞

DANIELLE spent five unforgettable summers as a proud camper at DAYLIGHTED. even now, her heart still lives in the creaky wood of the bobcats' cabin, where scary stories and loud giggles echoed until sunrise. her childhood memories were stitched together at camp, and she plans to create more!!

and listen, even though she may be a little meek and grossed out at times, she still has no problem stepping outside her comfort zone. wanna go for a hike? she's (reluctantly) spritzing on her bug spray and ready to go! she'll do practically anything if she believes she's helping someone out (just.. maybe not anything bloody or she'll faint)

she's definitely a bit of the classic good girl stereotype, and for the most part, she is. she makes sure the campers are tucked into bed at a reasonable time, breaks up fights with typical counselor authority, and even somehow manages to clean up the entire cabin before going back to her latest art project. she's the kind of counselor who remembers everyone's allergies, carries extra sunscreen, has a band-aid for every scrape, and bakes you cookies when you're sad...!

however, you might catch her sneaking out of her bed in the middle of the night to meet up with her friends (or even a special boy) at the lake. and while she's got patience down to a science most of the time, you will definitely spot her snapping at campers for hitting her in the head with a volleyball that was covered in sand. ("i just showered!!")

[campdaylighted]

due to popular demand, camp daylighted has opened up four more counselor roles!

[campdaylighted]

CAMP DAYLIGHTED SUBMISSION! —   application for summer camp counselor by @chxrrysandwine

🦌name:

mikayla suzanne kuʻulani baird. Dean call her Bambi which she hates (loves)

🐇Appearance:

Lean and curvy, with softly freckled porcelain skin and fluffy white-blonde curls usually yanked into a bun with whatever tool’s lying around. Her dark grey-blue eyes are doe-like, unreadable and haunting—especially when lit by firelight. Pouty lips that purse when she’s annoyed (which is often), and a baby face that gets her underestimated—until she throws a punch. Vintage lace, grease stains, worn denim, and sharp jewelry she might’ve made herself. She looks like a saint carved into a scrapyard wall. 🚬role: counselor, crafts & car repair. keeper of secret maps and midnight snacks. probably the one who smokes behind the mess hall. 🐺team request: team wolves. she says it’s because she “likes the emblem.” it’s actually because of dean.

🩶aesthetic:

grease-stained hands and cherry lip balm. frayed flannel tied at the waist. Insecurity. lace camis under beat-up Henleys. faded motel keychains and wildflower engraved bullets in her pockets. smells like cigarettes, cherry cola, and warm engine metal.

🌙personality:

sharp edges, soft core. big heart wrapped in barbed wire. sarcastic survivalist who secretly collects pressed flowers and believes in fate. she won't say I love you, but she'll fix your flashlight and memorize the shape of your cough. fiercely protective. doesn’t flinch at blood but will go quiet if you compliment her. a mechanic with magpie instincts—she hoards shiny junk and broken pretty things like they might come back to life.

🍒soft lore:

— Had a Romanian immigrant mother — smells like cigarette smoke and cherries, like heartbreak at a truck stop. — her comfort movie is secretly Clueless — when she was little, she tried to be and Daphne Blake and Lindsay Weir at the same time — sings folk hymns when she thinks no one’s listening — keeps a rusted Zippo engraved “deliver us.”

— Anti social and quiet until you get to know her, makes good friends with one of the extroverted counselors — born catholic, and has religious trauma, still crosses herself before bed, even if the prayers sound like accusations now — once fixed a carburetor with a shoelace. it worked — dreams in symbols. writes them down. burns some of them — has never said “I need you” out loud — but it’s there, in how she looks at Dean.

📓counselor skills: can rebuild an engine, stitch a gash, make the perfect s’more, and sneak you contraband music. will fight a bear. might win.

⚙️ Grease-Stained Girl:

Mikayla grew up under the hood of a car before she knew how to spell her name. A mechanic’s kid with a thing for engines and busted radios, she finds comfort in the hum of a running motor and the rhythm of old tools. Her hands always smell faintly like oil, no matter how much she scrubs them. Cars were her first language. Silence was her second.

🐦 Magpie Heart:

She’s a quiet collector—trinkets, charms, scraps of ribbon, bones, broken watches, buttons she finds in the dirt. Everything means something, even if she can’t say what. She’ll tuck a coke bottle cap into her pocket like it’s a holy relic. The dashboard of her truck is a shrine of forgotten things. Has a secret collection of old calico critters.

🎧Music:

creed. alice in chains. CCR. red hot chili peppers. the eagles. lynyrd skynyrd. pearl jam. R.E.M. aerosmith. radiohead. REO speedwagon. blue oyster cult. motley crue. britney spears. kansas. the smiths.

🪞Items:

vintage iron pistol engraved with wildflowers, affectionately dubbed

Rosetta. pearl rosary she keeps wrapped in a silk pouch, the only thing left from her mother. a worn Walkman + a million cassette tapes. Chunky old heart-shaped locket, she’ll never let anyone see the contents.

🧷Closet:

Tops:

—Soft, lace-trimmed camisoles in muted colors (cream, rust, dusty blue) —Threadbare Henleys with oil stains she gave up trying to wash that she pairs with a lace cami underneath —Oversized band tees (Creed, Alice in Chains, REO Speedwagon), most with holes —Cropped tanks layered under flannels or tied at the waist —Flannels: every color, all thrifted, all fraying at the cuffs —One black long-sleeve thermal she refuses to let go, sleeves thumb-holed to death

Bottoms:

—Baggy carpenter jeans with ripped knees and grease-streaks —Cargo pants (one pair with a bloodstain she says is “paint”) —Soft drawstring shorts for late nights around the fire —A single denim mini-skirt, never worn unless dared —Old sweatpants for working under the Impala or stealing Dean’s food

Outerwear:

–Faded 1990s Carhartt jacket (lined with plaid flannel, patched up, way too sentimental) –Oversized leather jacket she found in a junkyard and fixed herself –Oversized hoodie that might be Dean’s (she won’t say) –An army surplus parka for cold hunts

Footwear:

–burgundy converse she refused to throw out –Muddy work boots that live in her truck A pair of soft wool socks she guards with her life

Accessories:

– Mismatched earrings and so many ear piercings  – Rings on almost every finger—some stolen, some sentimental –Chain necklaces, dog tags, rosaries, a tiny vial of grave dirt –A worn leather belt with a hidden blade pouch –Fingerless gloves in winter –Aviators and a cracked lighter always in reach

[campdaylighted]

INTRODUCING: Mel (Melissa) or supernaturally obsessed!Reader

=~○☆○~=

☆ Appearance: 5'9 and slim. Lightly toned muscles and somewhere in between pale and sun-kissed. Dark brunette with lighter highlights. Green eyes. Long lashes. All-smiles and smug smirks. Doesn't wear much make up but religious about skincare. Vintage t-shirts. Scrunchie always around her wrist just in case. Cut-offs and all types of shorts. Brown leather jacket. Zip-up hoodies with sewn on patches.

☆ Personality: obsessed with all things supernatural. Owns a pinboard covered in news articles and blurry pictures. Shelves at home overfilled with books and encyclopedias. Overly-excited. Unbothered by gore. Ginger cat personality. Stubborn and determined. Amazing story-teller. Loves children because they don't look at her like she's crazy. Believes in fate. Carries an EMF reader wherever she travels.

☆ Hobbies: lowkey got a black belt in karate on the down-low. Loves all things music. Whips out her tarot card stack as a party trick. Likes to go on hikes and investigate anything and everything that even hints to aliens or monsters. Swimming helps her clear her head. (Can hold her breath for almost 5 minutes underwater). Climbs trees like a child.

☆ Never leaves without: EMF reader, small digital camera, vaseline and sunscreen.

☆ Reason for becoming camp counselor? Had a brief stint at the camp as a camper when she was 10, the stories from the previous counselors stuck with her, kickstarted her obsession. When she saw the adverts hiring counselors she jumped at the opportunity. Campfire stories and a summer in the woods? Chances to see if she could catch a lead herself? Yes and YES! She was submitting an application within minutes.

Application to camp director: @daylighted

[campdaylighted]

CAMP DAYLIGHTED — daisy !reader

You take a deep breath, looking up at the big sign reading ‘Daylighted’s Lodge’. You don’t know much about the place, just that it said you’d get payed for hanging around kids the entire summer (which in your head translates to being on your phone). You’d worked as a PA before and it was a piece of cake, you’re sure that this will be too.

The first step into the Lodge creaks as you step on it and it only frightens you a little— so you get scared easily, no big deal. Maybe you should’ve thought of that before driving an hour and a half from the city for the interview, but still.

The entire place is empty save for the reception desk. A girl with faded blue hair hums along to whatever she’s listening to through her earphones, clearly engrossed in her book. As you near the desk, looking around to see if anyone else is here or if you’re about to die alone, she startles you by jumping up.

“Oh, hi. Sorry, I didn’t see you, I’m Dahlia, I assume you’re here for the counselor’s position.” You nod hastily, not expecting the warm welcome. Not that she looks anything but kind— but years of watching true crime and Netflix shows indicate that she’s supposed to be the mean girl who throws you to wolves later on. Well, you’ve always enjoyed being surprised.

She walks you up a flight of stairs— after unlocking some freakin’ chains first, and your first thought is that you should make a run for it. The girl seems sweet but the place is primarily giving you the creeps. But then you thought of how much gas and gas money you’d have wasted and suddenly, whatever happens today doesn’t seem so bad.

You pass a few shut doors before entering the room with her. “Alright,” she starts, getting in her chair and putting her leg up on the table. God, she seems fun, she really needs to find a new job. “So, tell me about yourself.”

“Right,” you clear your throat, sitting across from her, you give her your name and are about to keep going before she stops you.

“Seriously? Isn’t that kinda— I don’t know, boring? Do you have a nickname?”

“I mean, not really. My parents used to call me daisy when I was younger.”

“That’s so cute, the flower, right?” You nod, remembering how your parents would pick them out for you back when you lived in the villa with them. “Okay, sorry, keep going.”

“I did English Lit in college but my real passion is fashion. I mean, I love English and I love studying but i’ve wanted to design since I was in middle school— I actually made most of my friend’s prom dresses and my best friend’s wedding dress!” This is why interviews shouldn’t let you have the floor. You’re rambling about a dream while applying to a summer camp. Fuck. “Sorry. Anyway, I was a PA after that but it’s the summer and I just need to do something else with myself. I love sports, which is why I think this’ll be fun. I used to do basketball and swimming.”

“Why’d you stop?” Your mind immediately flashes to back when you used to cry to your mother about not wanting to go to practice.

“Oh, you know, uh, I didn’t have time with school and stuff. I also did competitive cheer, I still am.” Dahlia nods and you let out a sigh of relief.

“Next question, how good are you with kids?”

“Like… of all ages? Because I will not do anything below 13. Above that, I’m great. I have two younger siblings who I practically raised, I love kids. I just don’t enjoy them when they don’t listen to me or fuss about yoghurt.” She laughs and it helps set mind at ease. Maybe this interview is going better than you thought it was. “I, uh, I’m very active and I know I love being involved in as many things as I can be. I also love helping people, it’s the reason I became a PA, so I guess I’m good with connecting with the kids too, trying to understand them and guiding them to having a good time. And I love nature, if I had the money, I’d be visiting the Amazon, Bali, maybe even Turkey for the summer, but a Lodge in the middle of the forest is honestly a close second best. Especially with all the flowers around here, did you know there’s periwinkles out front— never mind.” This rambling thing has got to get fixed soon. No one should get you started on how much you adore cabins in the woods.

“Alright, last one, where on earth is your dress from? It’s gorgeous!” You can’t help but smile, looking down at your red dress. It’s one of your favourites.

It’s been a year since you last wore pants to anything but the gym, deciding dresses and skirts faltered your body more and that they were truly what you loved having on your body. They made you feel confident and sexy— and this one, the dress you designed— it’s no different. A marble look with red and cream, the top flowy with a low neckline, it screams summer. “I actually made it.” Her eyes light up.

“Wait seriously? Tell me you’re gonna be making more soon, please.”

“Only if I get to work here, otherwise I’d have no way to deliver them.”

Dahlia smiles, “oh, you’re hired, for sure. And I get one of those dresses.”

“Deal.” As you leave, you wonder if you should’ve asked how big the cabins are because you’re an overpacker: your camera, clothes, sewing machine, sketchbooks and shoes won’t fit in a tiny cabin. How many of your running shoes can you even fit in their closet? Maybe you should go back and ask.

banner credit : @campdaylighted camp director : @daylighted