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[color=ECE9F5]Gwen Thomas was cold. 

Standing at the North Pole and awaiting her camper's arrival, the green counselor attempted to keep warm by rocking back and forth on her heels and nursing a dwindling cup of hot chocolate in her gloved hand. She had even bundled up this time around- donning a [url=https://cdni.llbean.net/is/image/wim/227260_1_41?hei=764&wid=665&resMode=sharp2&defaultImage=llbstage/A0211793_2][color=7866B7]heavy black parka[/color][/url] over her green cabin tee shirt and a [url=http://t0.gstatic.com/shopping?q=tbn:ANd9GcRFr7kdIP1uUXadDppjO5WbsBTmn6njAmH3aIttSOfcrvT0FENuqUbSuFuYCqEngNgoU_gkHfu0&usqp=CAY][color=7866B7]fluffy pom beanie[/color][/url]- but as per usual, the girl was still freezing. Granted, Gwen hailed from New Mexico (plus during the school year, Nebraska) and considered anywhere with an average temperature below 50 degrees cold, but no matter how many times she visited cities that were graced by snow, she was never truly prepared for the chill she'd feel in the air. 

In addition to the change in temperature, the past few days of orientation were full of adjustments. New time zone to get used to, new faces to meet, new protocols to follow- however, as a second-year staff member, Gwen wasn't completely clueless as to how things truly went at Second Horizons. She had learned those intricacies last year and thus was prepared and knew for the most part what to expect this time around. That meant stocking her backpack and cabin with snacks for when her campers got the munchies, looking the other way when people decided to trek to the hot springs for a bit of private time, and providing a listening ear to those smitten in a camp romance or love triangle.

Ah yes, relationship drama. A topic that the brunette was unfortunately all too familiar with- at least this year her advice would come from a place of empathy and not just sympathy. While standing there, Gwen stole another glance at her cell phone and was met with a notification-less screen once again. The girl should've already nipped the habit of checking her messages in what was nearly the third month since the break-up, as by now she was awaiting a text or two that would never arrive. What was it that she was seeking so desperately- another apology text? A promise to be faithful that was obviously going to be broken? Some form of closure? Even though Gwen told herself and others that she was over her heartbreak, there was still some part of her that wasn't- after all, finding out that her boyfriend was cheating on her with a peppy blonde sorority girl a week before her midterms didn't allow her the time to fully cope. Maybe the next two weeks would rid her of any lingering negativity or feelings- Second Horizons had the knack to distract campers from the rest of the world for a few moments, why not her too.

Gwen's grip tightened on her clipboard as she was brought back to reality. Organized and tidy, her delicate cursive handwriting was already scattered over the first page of the stack of papers. Although she had gone through the staff training last year, she still had been jotting down important notes throughout the sessions- various things that would be good for her to remember throughout her time here. But when she hadn't been paying attention as things got repetitive, Gwen had taken it upon herself to decorate the back of her [url=https://i.imgur.com/NZ9wdno.png][color=7866B7]clipboard[/color][/url]. She had found some paint pens in an arts and crafts bin and had just gone to town- doodling various colorful flowers and leaves as well as her name across the surface. On the off chance she were to misplace it or leave it somewhere, anyone would be able to return it, as it was now unmistakably hers.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see someone making a beeline directly towards her and her co-counselor, and so her demeanor shifted. A smile reappearing on her face and complementing her delicate features, Gwen greeted the newcomer as soon as he spoke. [color=7866B7]"It's nice to meet you, Dez- Welcome to Second Horizons! I'm Gwen, one of your counselors for the next two weeks. And this is-"[/color] She turned to introduce her fellow counselor, but they had disappeared in the few seconds that her back was turned. [color=7866B7]"Well, that [I]was[/I] your other counselor, but I guess you'll meet them later!"[/color] The brunette shrugged but then motioned to the area behind her. [color=7866B7]"You can drop your things here for the moment, but we'll be heading to the bunk to get settled when more campers from Green arrive."[/color]

She searched around once again to see if anyone else from their cabin was present- the only familiar face she noticed was Nate, who looked as though he unfortunately was not making a good first impression with another female camper. Shaking her head with a laugh, as he somehow always found a way to get into sticky situations, she looked back at the dark-haired boy in front of her. [color=7866B7]"So, Dez, where are you from?"[/color] Gwen asked, making small talk as they waited for the others to join their group.[/color]