[color=#2e2c2c]..[/color]
[indent][indent][table]
[row][sup][h1]
[color=023020][b]▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅[/b][right][b]▅▅▅▅▅[/b][/right][/color]
[center][color=52BF7C]Piper McAllister[/color][color=023020]...[/color][/center]
[/h1][/sup][/row][row]
[cell][color=2e2c2c]....................................................[/color][/cell][/row][/table][/indent][/indent]
[color=c0c0c0]
The farther Piper walked from the docks, the quieter the world became. The shouting counselors faded into the background, replaced by the gentle lapping of water against the shore and the soft rustle of pine branches overhead. She followed the shoreline until the crowd had all but disappeared, eventually finding a weathered log resting just beyond the sand where the grass met the trees.  She slipped her backpack from her shoulders and sat down, stretching her legs out in front of her. The breeze rolled in off the lake, carrying the familiar scent of water and pine needles. 

Piper reached into her backpack and pulled out her sketchbook. Her fingers lingered on the cover for a moment before opening it to a blank page. She didn't start drawing. Instead, she watched. Dragonflies skimmed across the water's surface. A pair of ducks drifted lazily near the reeds while laughter echoed from the swimming area farther down the beach. It was enough to keep her occupied without having to think too hard.

[I]"You always disappear."[/I]

The familiar voice made her look up. Standing a few feet away was a girl about her age with sandy blonde hair pulled into a messy ponytail and a faded Camp Wyaconda T-shirt that had clearly survived more than one summer. A grin spread across the girl's face.

[I]"I knew I'd find you by yourself.”[/I]

Piper couldn't help but smile.  [COLOR=52BF7C]"Abby."[/COLOR]

Abby had been in a neighboring cabin the summer before. They hadn't become inseparable or anything dramatic like that, but they'd spent enough afternoons together sketching, hiking trails, and quietly escaping the louder campers. She wouldn’t call her a best friend but close enough. Abby dropped her own backpack onto the log.

[I]"I looked for you at breakfast."[/I]  Abby stated, settling down next to Piper. 

Piper shrugged. [COLOR=52BF7C]”I didn’t think you were coming this year? Sorry to miss you. Were you late?…” [/COLOR]

[I]”Yeah, got in yesterday. Seems like a lot more kids this year.” [/I] Abby glanced toward the sketchbook resting in Piper's lap.[I] “Draw anything good yet?"[/I]

Piper turned the book just enough to show the sketch she did earlier that morning. Abby's eyes widened.

[I]"Seriously, Pip... every year you get better."[/I]

Piper felt her cheeks warm ever so slightly. [COLOR=52BF7C]"It's just practice."[/COLOR] 

Abby looked toward the woods bordering the shoreline, a mischievous smile slowly appearing.

[I]"Want to get out of here?"[/I]

Piper raised an eyebrow. [COLOR=52BF7C]"And go where?"[/COLOR]

[I]"I found this trail yesterday that leads to a little clearing on the other side of camp. There's a huge fallen tree, wildflowers everywhere, and..."[/I] Abby lowered her voice dramatically. [I]"...the counselors haven't claimed it yet."[/I]

That was enough to get Piper to stand. She tucked her sketchbook safely back into her backpack and slung it over one shoulder. A place away from the noise. Away from the crowds. That sounded considerably better than watching campers argue over canoes.

[COLOR=52BF7C]"Lead the way."[/COLOR]

Abby smiled triumphantly before taking off down the narrow trail that hugged the shoreline. Piper followed close behind. 
[/color]