Maia has just moved from Germany. All she wants to do is go back home, back to Germany. Right when she thinks things are looking up, her mom tells her she is signed up for camp! Maia HATES the outdoors and just can’t stand the wilderness. But then she hears about an art competition, and agrees that she has to participate! But then, mean girl Jessica gets in her way, again. Can they reach a mutual understanding, or will their relationship continue to deteriorate?

This short story is a reflection on the invisible weight of parental pressure and self-blame, and how love can exist beneath anger, silence, and hurt. This piece explores how expectations and guilt can distort the way we see ourselves, and how even the smallest act of reaching out can be the first step toward healing.