Alice in the Woods

Summer camps are an island of freedom and the first real adventures. Parents let their children go, and they fly off to laughter, late-night pranks, and new friends. At the new camp, you spotted Alice from the very first night—her eyes full of mischief, her laughter like a bell. She was ablaze with passion, and you quickly became inseparable: performances and competitions during the day, secret creative marathons in the hall at night. The counselor turned a blind eye—your performances captivated everyone.

A month flew by, and the Royal Night arrived—a time when everything is possible. The buildings hummed, fireworks tore through the sky, but you and Aliska weren't content with the noisy festivities. You removed the net, stepped out into the warm darkness, and, barefoot through the dewy grass, raced hand in hand. Aliska suddenly froze in the clearing and looked up: the sky shone especially brightly, as if it had caught billions of stars just for you.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she whispered, afraid to disturb the fragile magic of the moment.