She's Got a Way by Maggie McGinnis

Pretty sure the girls swept out every piece of dust that could be mistaken as a crumb.”
    â€œGood. Hard lesson to learn, but a good one. Could have been a bear.”
    Gabi shivered. “Thank you. I need to have that on my mind right now.”
    He filled a coffee mug, then motioned toward the door. “Want to come sit by the lake for a few minutes before the princess posse awakens?”
    She paused. Would it be easier to have the conversation she’d practiced down by the water? Or here in the dining hall?
    She shook her head internally. It didn’t matter. No matter where they were, it wasn’t going to be easy. She followed him out the door and down the wooden steps, inhaling the woodsy scent of pines and moss. Even through her anxiety, she already loved this time of the day at Echo Lake.
    In the morning light, with wisps of fog lifting off the lake, it looked like they’d stepped into a magical summer wonderland, rather than a run-down, has-been summer camp. As they walked over the dewy grass to the water’s edge, she looked around, trying to appreciate the beauty of the setting, even though the distinct scent of skunk still lingered in the air.
    Or maybe she was still carrying it with her, despite three lake shampoos yesterday.
    Echo Lake stretched for what looked like a mile or so across, and the camp property was nestled in a sandy cove surrounded by the tallest pines Gabi had ever seen. It reminded her of dream-vacation pictures she’d seen online, where water met land met sky … and not one building interrupted the sightline.
    The moment she sat down, she felt her blood pressure drop, as it did every time she sat here. She didn’t know if it was the mist, or the mountain, or just the fresh, clean air, but there was just something about this spot that called up her inner Zen.
    The arm of the chair made a perfect landing spot for her coffee mug, and she closed her eyes for a long moment, just drinking in the peace as she called up her courage. She could hear the water lapping softly against the sand and the dock, and somewhere behind her, birds and squirrels were busy in the trees.
    â€œSo what are you going to do with the girls today?” Luke’s deep voice made her open her eyes.
    Gabi sighed. Here was her opening, but for some reason, she couldn’t find the words she’d practiced. “I’m not sure yet. Leave them out for the bears? Send them on a hike with bad directions?”
    â€œIf I said I had an idea, would you trust me?” He kept his eyes focused on the other side of the lake, not looking at her.
    Wait. Was he about to actually make this easier on her?
    â€œIt’s … possible. Tell me why I should.”
    He tipped his head. “I think the girls could use a little wake-up call.”
    â€œBecause the skunk wasn’t enough of one? What does that mean?”
    â€œIt means—and you may not want to hear this—it means despite what they did back at Briarwood, in all honesty, their first few days at camp have been a piece of cake.”
    â€œI beg your pardon? Did you miss the part about raccoons? Outhouses? Baths in a glacial lake?”
    â€œAnd scavenger hunts and art projects and swimming every day. Yes, it’s been harsh.” He raised an eyebrow like she was being obtuse. “I know Camp Echo is hardly their normal lifestyle, but I also know these four girls aren’t feeling a whole lot of pain around the decisions they made that got you sent here.”
    â€œNo offense, Luke, but I actually think they’re feeling quite a bit of pain.”
    â€œNot the lasting kind.” He shook his head. “Not the kind that’ll really change their behavior in the end.”
    She sighed, knowing he was right, but not wanting to admit it quite yet. “So what do you propose?”
    â€œI propose we give them the kind of consequences that’ll leave them too tired to even think about