This is my first Samcedes fan fic, so be nice! I made this chapter short, just to briefly introduce a back story. I do not own the following characters, and any relation to real life events or other stories is strictly coincidental.

oo1. Introduction

The drive to Lake Wykagyl was a long, yet, highly anticipated one. All Mercedes could think about on that four and a half hour journey were her old counselor friends, as well as the camp director, and the beauty of the outdoors. Happiness crept up into her chest when she passed the exit sign, leading her into the small township of Kline.

Ever since the last day of school, a few days prior, all Mercedes could think about was escaping her stupid suburban town for one last summer hoorah before college. She frowned, briefly, remembering how her senior year had not ended on a good note. By the end of the year, she had no friends, no boyfriend, and no social life. Oh, but she was the valedictorian. Go figure. Mercedes rolled her eyes at her own thoughts, as she pulled onto a dirt road, driving as far away from the main road as the dirt would take her. At this point in time, only the summer sunshine, and the company of all of her camp friends would ease the annoyance that came with high school and all things school related. For the next 8 weeks, New York University, ex boyfriends, and backstabbing friends didn't exist. It was just Mercedes, her co-counselors, and nature. She smiled and tapped on her steering wheel in time to the music.

I've gone for too long

Living like I'm not alive

So I'm gonna start over tonight

Beginning with you and I

When this memory fades

I'm gonna make sure it's replaced

With chances taken

Hope embraced

I hope I told you

Mercedes ginned and belted out the words along with Hayley Williams.

I'm not going

Cause I've been waiting for a Miracle

And I'm not leaving

I won't let you

Let you give up on a miracle

Cause it might save you

After a minute of more driving, a large wooden sign slowly appeared. In big red letters, read "Welcome to Camp Wykkie!" with children's handprints surrounding the words. Mercedes beamed and took in a deep breath, attempting so slow down her rapidly beating heart.

It's not faith if

If you use your eyes

Oh why

As she pulled to a slow stop in front of the main office, she closed her eyes and belted, happily.

Get it right, this time

It's not faith if you're using your eyes

Oh why

She opened her eyes to find a short dark haired boy, around her age, staring at her with a raised eyebrow, through her windshield. The next words caught in her throat and she dropped her head down in embarrassment. Normally, these moments were spent alone. And she had arrived so early to the camp site, 7:00 AM to be exact, that she didn't expect anyone else to be there. When she slowly looked up, the boy was gone. The heat crept up in her cheeks as she killed the engine, and removed the key from the ignition. Taking a deep breath and adjusting the light blue bandana (used as a headband) in her hair, Mercedes tilted her head backward up against the headrest.

"And so it begins."

If you guys really like it, please let me know :) I'll try to update at least 3 times a week.

XOXO

-N