In the Malibu Mountains, Camp JCA Shalom was alive with the sounds of summer. For Chen Ryan, JCA wasn’t just a camp; it was like a second home. He had spent countless summers there as a camper before becoming a photo specialist. He knew the place inside and out, giving him a sense of comfort each time he returned. Chen had arrived early for staff week. He spent those days catching up with friends, meeting new counselors, and preparing for the busy weeks ahead with the photo team. By the time the campers arrived, Chen was in his rhythm. Camera in hand, he moved through camp, snapping shots of the bustling first day. ...... For Eden Glucksman, JCA was entirely new. Her cousin, an international staff member from Canada, had encouraged her to apply. What Eden thought would be a casual interview quickly became a full-time job. She arrived on the first day of camp overwhelmed and unsure of what to expect. After her interview, Eden was given basic rules and sent to meet her campers. She was led to her cabin, where excited girls were unpacking their bags. The introductions were chaotic, names flying as the girls claimed bunks. When the girls left with another counselor to explore, Eden wandered around camp, looking for clarity. She stopped at a bulletin board near the White House—the camp’s large white office building—and began scanning the schedules for kitchen duty and night watch. ....... Chen had spent his morning documenting the camp’s energy, capturing campers dragging bags, counselors guiding groups, and reunions between friends. After snapping photos near the dining hall, he headed to the bulletin board by the White House to check the same schedules. As he reviewed the papers, he noticed someone unfamiliar standing nearby. Her eyes darted across the papers with a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. “Are you lost?” Chen asked casually, breaking the silence with a light tone. Eden turned toward him, startled at first but quickly laughing. “A little,” she admitted. “I just got here and don’t know what I’m doing." “You’ll get the hang of it,” Chen said with a reassuring smile. “The board is a good start.” Before they could continue, campers from Eden’s cabin ran up to them, giggling. “Is he your boyfriend?” one asked, smirking. Eden hesitated, remembering the camp rule: no discussing relationships with campers. She quickly improvised, “No, no—we’re cousins.” Chen raised an eyebrow but went along. “Yep, cousins,” he added, grinning. The girls laughed and skipped off. Chen turned back to Eden. “Cousins, huh?” “Camp rules,” she said with a shrug, then laughed. “Well, good luck out there,” Chen said. “You’ll do great.” ......... After their encounter, Chen and Eden caught glimpses of each other throughout the day. From afar, Eden saw Chen at the basketball court, snapping photos of campers outshooting their counselors. He laughed with the kids and chatted easily with others, moving through camp with effortless confidence. Chen, meanwhile, noticed Eden guiding her campers to activities, laughing warmly with them, and making fast friends with other counselors. That evening, after the campers settled into their cabins, the counselors gathered at Hillel, a house reserved for them after hours. Across the room, Chen spotted Eden laughing with other staff. Her earlier nervousness seemed gone, replaced by growing confidence. When their eyes met, Chen gave her a small wave, and she smiled, waving back. Joining the group of counselors, Chen listened as Eden spoke amongst the group and realized he wanted her—not fleetingly, but genuinely. Something about her lingered in his mind. For Eden, the day had been overwhelming but full of victories, including her interaction with Chen. As the night settled, she found herself gravitating toward him, eager to speak with him again. Neither of them knew it then, but their first meeting at the bulletin board—the teasing, the laughter, and the playful cover story—was the beginning of something far greater.