Family + Camp (working title)

Chapter 28 Part 2: Fun Facts

Seth went next. He held the float behind his neck, arms draped over it. In his serious, matter of fact voice, he said, "My name is Seth and I have, or have had, seven body piercings." He held up peace signs with his fingers.

Sybil nodded. "That's a fine fun fact for tonight. Maybe not when the families and children are here."

Seth nodded with understanding. "Okay. I'll tell them I have a secret mudra."

Nell wanted to ask him what that was, but it was her turn, and her mind went suddenly blank. She could not think of a single thing she wanted to share with anyone. So she made something up.

"Hi, everyone," she waved to an imaginary group, bouncing the float on her hip like a baby. "A fun fact about me is I collect rocks."

Izzy squinted. "Do you mean stones? Like, semi-precious gems?"

Nell shook her head. Then she bowed and did two thumbs up.

"Well done, everyone," Sybil said. "Good rehearsal. I think it's lunch time."

***

"So," Izzy said as they walked to the dining hall, their hands and legs smelling of bleach. Seth had hung back to ask Sybil a question he apparently didn't want the others to overhear. "How are you feeling about Camp Morgan so far?"

Nell thought for a moment before answering.

"I'm going to be a high school senior, so it kind of sucks that I have to miss this last year with my friends back home." She felt satisfaction in saying "back home," like Camp Morgan was not that. (Would it ever be?)

"That does suck," Izzy agreed. "I would have, like, killed my parents if they made me switch schools last year. But I think you'll be all right." Izzy narrowed her eyes at Nell and nodded sagely. "I sense that about you."

"Color me intrigued," Nell said. "What do you sense?"

"You're tough. But with a softer side of Sears in there."

Nell laughed at the commercial reference. "You are so weird."

Izzy laughed too. "I like to be funny. Don't you?"

Nell shook her head. "I never thought about it." So, she thought about it. "I think—I know—I can be sarcastic. But that's not the same."

Izzy nodded in agreement. "It's not. Sarcasm is cool, but it can get old, you know? It can get mean. And I try not to be mean because—" she stopped herself. "Well, for many reasons."

"Okay, I'll bite," Nell said. "Like what? What could possibly keep you from being the meanest girl on the planet?"

"Weeellll..." Izzy drew out the word. "I just think there are more interesting ways to express myself. And that makes me a more interesting person."

Nell found this answer to be both insanely arrogant, laughable, and, well, interesting.

"Interesting is such a funny word," she said. "It seems really neutral, but it could be taken as a positive or a negative."

"Totally! Depending on the tone you use," Izzy said. "Like, I could say to you, 'Hm, those are interesting shorts you're wearing.'"

Nell blinked in mock embarrassment. "I feel insulted somehow."

Izzy laughed and rolled her eyes as they strolled into the dining hall. "You see? I was using a little sarcasm to flavor my tone."

"With a dash of bitchiness," Nell said, grabbing a tray.

"Are those two different things?"

"Maybe not. If you're a girl."

"Agreed." Izzy looked Nell right in the eyes. "I like you, Nell Harte. You are so interesting to me!"

This time, Nell did not feel insulted at all. She felt...well, she felt pleased.

"Thanks. I like you too."

"By the end of this summer, you are going to love me." Izzy nodded and got a look on her face of determination. "We are going to love each other. We will be BFFs. That's a fact."

Nell laughed again and shook her head.

===

Wattpad Readers: So, Sears was a big department store that wasn't considered fancy when I was growing up. They sold tires and clothes...but not couture. This tagline "The Softer Side of Sears" might actually be from 1993. I need to do more research, since Nell's story is set in 1990. Onward!