Nerd Camp 2.0 by Elissa Brent Weissman

Author:Elissa Brent Weissman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Chapter 22

GABE

At every meal, kids stopped by Gabe’s table to report their stands against Camp Seneca. With every report, every success, every free time, the camp was growing more confident. Gabe could see it in his fellow campers’ faces, hear the pride in their voices, and feel the energy returning to Summer Center.

A few days after the resurgence began, a platoon of younger kids found Gabe in the cafeteria at dinner and shared the latest triumph.

“We were trading Element Cards in the woods during free time,” said a boy with Einstein-like dark hair, “and these three guys from Camp Seneca came up and wanted us to move so they could trade baseball cards. But we didn’t back down.”

“That’s great,” Gabe said, wondering if one of the defeated had been Zack. He knew Zack had brought his baseball-card binder, and he knew Zack would find Element Cards to be incredibly nerdy, which was why Gabe had never mentioned them around him.

“Last week we probably would have left and gone to the library,” a girl said, her cheeks turning the same shade of red as her three long braids. “But we stayed put, thanks to you.”

“So we’d like to offer you one of our Element Cards,” the dark-haired boy insisted, “to say thanks.”

The red-haired girl held out a card that said “He,” helium. “We figured one of the noble gases would be appropriate,” she said with a shy smile.

“Noble gas!” said Three O’Clock with awe. He stared at the card, his forkful of Salisbury steak suspended near his mouth.

“Wow,” Gabe said, his ears getting warm. “Are you sure? You guys were the ones who stood your ground.”

“You gave us the idea,” the girl with three braids insisted. “We never would have done it if you hadn’t stood up to that guy on the playground. You’re a hero.”

“Well,” Gabe said, torn. When they put it that way, he did deserve the card, and helium was hard to find. But a true hero should probably graciously turn down the reward. He was still mentally debating when Amanda Wisznewski appeared—out of nowhere, it seemed—and took the helium card. “Thank you,” she said. “As Gabe’s best friend and research partner, I accept this card on his behalf.”

Gabe was too surprised to object. Amanda stood there and smiled until the younger kids, confused, headed awkwardly back to their own table. Amanda tucked the card in her shorts pocket, said, “You’re welcome,” and left.

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