Ashleigh stepped out of her father's grey Volvo and slammed the door shut. The heavy sun beat down on her. She walked round to the back of the Volvo and opened the trunk.
"Want a hand with that, Ash?" Her father smiled and lifted out the heavy suitcase.
"Thanks Dad," She smiled back and took the suitcase from him.
"Well, have a great time at camp sweetheart, enjoy yourself, and remember to write." Her mother blubbed and embraced her in a firm hug.
"I will, don't worry about me, I'll be fine." Ashleigh promised.
Glancing down at her watch, Ashleigh said her last goodbyes and watched the Volvo drive off until it was out of view. She smiled to herself and started heading toward her cabin.
Letting herself in through the screen door, she set down the heavy case on her bed. She was a little early; no one would be arriving for another half hour. She lifted the catch and started to unpack.
As she was folding some shorts, Ashleigh heard cars starting to pull up on the gravel drive. The rest of her fellow Camp Buddies were arriving, camp was finally starting. Hurriedly, she packed away the last of her things and shoved her case under her bed; she wouldn't need it for another 8 weeks now.
The sound of tennis shoes on the wooden porch of the cabin could be heard from the open window. The screen door opened and a tall girl walked in.
"Ashleigh!" She cried and dropped her duffel bag. "Oh my God! I can't believe this summer came round so fast!"
The girl ran up to Ashleigh and wrapped her arms around her. She smelt musky, like perfume and new clothes smell.
"You look so different! Your hair...you cut it! It looks so cool! You've changed so much, I hardly recognize you!" The girl held Ashleigh at arms length, looking her over.
"I could say the same for you too Claud! You're so tall!" Ashleigh smiled at her friend.
It was true; Ashleigh had changed a lot since last summer. She'd cut her long black hair to ear length and dyed it a coppery red. Her chubby cheeks had vanished, replaced with slim, defined cheekbones. She had grown at least five inches and finally got the breasts she always wanted. And of course, she was an adult now, eighteen. Last year she was a camper, this year she and Claud were Camp Buddies together. Helping out with the kids and organising activities in the sun and the heat.
As Ashleigh look up and down Claud, she could see how much she had changed as well. Last year, Claud had been pudgy and shorter than Ashleigh. Since then she had shot up and slimmed right down. Her camp shorts clung to her skinny hipbones and her polo shirt unbuttoned to give a tiny peek of her newly gained 32C breasts. Her long silky blonde hair was tied back in a pony tail and slung over one shoulder.
"We have got so much to talk about! What have you been up to?" Claud settled down on her bed while Ashleigh perched on the end.
"Well, you know that guy I was in love with last year? Well, he's ancient history now. We went on one date and when he kissed me goodbye on my doorstep, he belched right in my face!" Ashleigh giggled.
"Ew! Gross!" Claud made fake sick faces. "My parents' divorce finally came through and I moved to New York with my mother. The loft is so amazing; you should come over one time. I have my own room and the view from the balcony is unbelievable!"
They sat for some time talking and laughing as the other girls moved into their own cabins all around them. The bell for lunch went and they raced to the canteen, still talking nine to the dozen.
