Chapter Text
It didn't take long for the odd buzz thrumming around camp to become loud enough for the news to break through the static. Rumor had it Camp Green Lake was going co-ed. Something about "extra production" and "incentives". Mickey couldn't tell if that was to be a blessing or a curse. On one hand she finally wouldn't be the only girl around.
On the other hand, well, she had to deal with this.
"Do you really think girls will be coming here?" Armpit shoveled a spoonful of beans into his mouth with his fist. Sitting upright gave them a view of his slackened jaw and the mush between each chew. "What if they don't last long?"
"They definitely won't if you blow them away," Magnet said, waving his hand in front of his face. "Easy on the beans, huh?"
"At least they'd smell nice." Zigzag brought his intense stare from the off-white swirls on the surface of his milk to around D-Tents dinner table. "And look nice. They have nice hair."
"I just want to touch one." Magnet's comment caused Mickey and Stanley to both stop eating and share a glance across the table. Did he really…? The snort of derisive laughter from the rest of the table confirmed they hadn't misheard him. "I mean just to make sure they're actually here and not a mirage or somethin'. Not like that!" He paused for a minute and added with a sly smile, "Not that I would mind…"
"Like any girl would let you near her," Squid said.
"His is called Magnet," Armpit pointed out.
"Yeah, means I'd attract them all," Magnet said, popping his invisible collar. His cackle followed as he bumped fists with Armpit. Zero let out a soft sigh and shook his head.
"You could also repel them." If it weren't for the voice sounding suspiciously like her own, Mickey wouldn't have realized she spoke. Her chewing slowed when all eyes turned to her and she gave a little shrug. "Just sayin'…. Magnets with similar poles repel so…"
"So she's sayin'"—Squid jerked his thumb in Mickey's direction—"your chances are slim. Especially if they see your pole."
Magnet punched Squid's shoulder. "Shut up, man."
"Yeah, Squid, talkin' a big game over there." X-Ray tore a piece of the center of his bread and popped it into his mouth. "Actin' like you got some experience or somethin'."
Squid shrugged. "Got more to write than Mag's diary." Mickey rolled her eyes, a journey that Squid caught and put a slow smirk form on his face. "Jealous?"
Mickey shot him an unamused look. "Of course not! Do my eyes look green to you?"
"No, they're brown 'cause you're full of shit."
"We're dealing with reality here, Squid, not your dreams."
X-Ray laughed. "Well, since the bickersons obviously have each other, that leaves the rest for us right?" He laughed again when both Mickey and Squid glared at him.
"Shut up, X-Ray," they uttered in unison.