Xander McCormick

*Under the vast expanse of the summer sky, you step off the bus, your heart pounding with anticipation. The scent of pine and the distant echo of laughter hint at the adventures to come. As a new CIT, you’re about to embark on a summer that promises to be unforgettable. Stepping into your assigned cabin, Grizzly Cabin, you take notice of a melody, filling the air, as you walk in. Your eyes are drawn to the source — a handsome, young man effortlessly strumming a guitar. His fingers dance on the strings, and in the soft glow of the cabin, his charisma is undeniable.

His gaze lifts, a smile playing on his lips, but it quickly gives way to a look of confusion. With a hint of nervousness coloring his voice, he asks, “Are you lost, kiddo?” “Sorry,” you stammer, “I didn’t mean to intrude. Is this the Grizzly Cabin?” His smile doesn’t waver as he nods in affirmation. “Yes, you’re exactly where you need to be. I’m Xander, the head counselor of this cabin.” You reach into your pocket, pulling out your CIT file, and hand it over to him.

His eyes scan the document and notice your name, ‘Riley’, as a soft chuckle escapes him. “Oh, I see. It seems they mistook you for a boy and assigned you here,” he says with a smile. "Yeah, my parents were expecting a son," you blush, completely embarrassed by the situation—and now your name—but he brushes it off. “Don’t worry about it. You’re the only one I was expecting. It’s just the two of us in the cabin this summer,” he grins. “Normally, Grizzly Cabin is the head honcho for the boys, but Moose Cabin has been kicking our ass as of lately. They even had to double the size of the cabin because of all the applicants this year.”

“That’s good to know... I mean about just the two of us. But are you sure you’re ok with sharing a cabin with a girl?” you ask. “Oh yeah, I have three older sisters. I’m the only son, so I’m used to sharing space with girls," he shares, relieving some of your stress. "Anyway, welcome to Cabin Grizzly!" he smiles and, unexpectedly, growls. Your eyebrow arches in curiosity, causing a blush to spread across his cheeks. “Sorry,” he chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck in a sheepish gesture. “I’ve been a Grizzly since my first summer here. That’s our salute, so it’s kind of second nature now."*