Page 10 of Disharmony

“It’s great to meet you.” I extend my hand. “Call me Ash.”

“Yep, you can definitely tell that you’re new around here.” She shakes my hand and laughs, even though I don’t see the joke. “I’ll see you around, Ash.”

I start walking and follow Claudia’s suggested route. I poured over the website and brochures until my eyes were blurry but being here now in person is totally different. Pictures didn’t prepare me for the smell of pine trees and campfires, or the electric buzz in the air that makes anything seem possible.

How many famous musicians walked these same steps before me?

All around, old friends are greeting each other, and the distant hum of music carries over the breeze. A guy with a saxophone almost knocks me off my feet as he hurries past, but even a clumsy asshole can’t crush my mood. Everything feels lighter somehow. Even Brick’s declaration of love seems further away, like I’ve left all my worries behind.

In Camp Harmony, I can be anyone I want to be—well, within the bounds of my contract, at least. Around one hundred students are enrolled in Camp Harmony’s summer program. Some campers are new, like me, but most come back each year between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, which is why it’s so competitive. Your odds of being selected for an NFL team are higher than being offered a place here. At eighteen, this is the only chance I’ll get, and I have to make it count.

Although Claudia said the walk to my cabin isn’t far, the footprint of the camp is bigger than it first appears. It’s nestled around a beautiful lake with views to die for, and the different zones are much further apart than I expected.

Most campers have cabins here in the Accommodation Village, but Rec Square is where I assume everyone likes to hang out. The map shows a nice space outside the mess hall to kick back in. The other zones are split into different areas for teaching, so the rehearsal space, dance area, and recording studios are all separate. There’s a spot reserved for VIPs on the other side of the lake, and last but not least, Camp Harmony’s world-renowned main stage. Something I’ve been dying to see.

I double-check the map as I take a left down one of the rows of neat wooden cabins. It’s like a scene straight out of a story book. Out front, they all have a set of small steps leading to a deck, which will be perfect for relaxing and writing song lyrics. Every cabin’s door is painted a different color and has a plaque with the name of a famous musician or band. Many are the names of Camp Harmony alumni, or artists who have taught or performed here. As well as nurturing upcoming stars, the camp secures teaching, master classes, and exclusive shows from the best in the industry.

“Here we are,” I say to myself as I stand in front of a cabin named after David Bowie. It’s nestled between a circle of trees and looks cute as hell. “Home, sweet, home.”

Before I have a chance to turn my key in the lock, the cabin door flies open.

“You must be my roommate.”

I blink and stagger backward. The beautiful girl in front of me has a pile of dip-dyed dreads in rainbow colors on her head. She’s wearing a bright, patterned kimono and has countless bangles stacked up her arms. Based on appearance alone, we couldn’t be more opposite. My wardrobe is almost entirely black, consisting of slouchy band t’s, crop tops, high-waisted shorts, and leggings.

“Um… hey,” I say. For someone wanting to forge a career performing in front of a crowd, talking to new people isn’t something I’m great at. “I’m—”

“Ashley,” the girl finishes my sentence. “You don’t have to introduce yourself, I already know who you are. Your video is everywhere! Come inside.”

She steps out of the way for me to enter. Inside, the cabin is modestly sized and feels homely. It has two windows that let in a lot of light, and the pine walls and floor seem cozier with the zebra-striped rug to warm it. I suspect my new roomie brought that with her. The room is split into two identical halves consisting of a single bed, dresser, lamp, and wardrobe. A gigantic dream catcher hangs above one of the beds.

“Uh, yeah, the …video.” I try to hide my blush and unload my bag onto the spare bed. Goddamn, my ghostly complexion. The video went viral, but I hadn’t stopped to think about how my fellow campers may have seen it. “I guess that’s me, but call me Ash. No one calls me Ashley.”

My contract outlines that I need to change my singing style, but it doesn’t say I have to change my preferred name too.

“I’m Cookie,” the girl says, bounding onto her bed and watching me closely. “You’ve been causing a stir around camp already.”

“But I’ve only just got here…”

“You’re the first scholarship student we’ve had in years.” Cookie senses the look of horror on my face and quickly adds, “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to everyone being up in your business. It’s a bit of a curse, really. In a camp so small, nothing stays secret for long.”

“Have you been here before?”

“Think of me as a seasoned pro,” she says proudly. “This is my third and final summer, and I wanna go out with a bang.”

“What do you do?” I ask. “Or play? Scratch that, is that even a question you can ask people here?”

“My ego isn’t so far up my ass that I mind you asking, but some others will. You’ll find out soon which cliques people fall into, and certain campers don’t take kindly to not being known. It’s like they think they’re already famous.” Cookie rolls her eyes, then continues. “But, as for me? I do a bit of everything, but producing and stage managing are what I’m most interested in. I wouldn’t mind being an agent or working for a label after camp either. Who knows, maybe we’ll work together.”

Although she’s brimming with confidence and self-assurance, she doesn’t come across as arrogant. There’s a warmth about her that’s contagious, and I like her immediately.

“Damn!” I let out a low whistle. “You must be good after three summers here. Any tips for me?”

“Believe me, the hard work is real. But it’s worth it,” she says. “You have stars in your eyes now, but trust me, that’ll be gone by the end of the week. The question is, do you think you’re cut out to get through the summer?”

“Working hard is what we’re here for, right?”

“I wasn’t talking about work.” The sparkle in her eyes diminishes slightly, then she jumps up. “How about I give you a tour of the place before it’s time to eat?”

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