"CODYYYYY!!!"
Lucas practically tackled Cody, hugging him tightly after a two-week exam-induced separation.
"Lucas! Dude, seriously? Yelling my name like that? You're gonna embarrass us both," Cody protested, surprised by his friend's outburst in front of the whole school.
Lucas just grinned, unfazed. "Hehehe, sorry, man, I missed you! It's been ages since I saw my precious Codster."
Cody's lips twitched. "Missed me too, Luluuu," he mumbled, barely audible.
Lucas's eyes widened in mock horror. "EHHHH! It's been forever since I heard that nickname!"
Cody shrugged, unable to completely suppress a small smile. "Yeah, well, I only use it when I absolutely have to."
Lucas leaned in conspiratorially, lowering his voice. "Hey, you wanna hear some juicy gossip?"
"Spill," Cody said, already intrigued.
"I heard Finn..."
Cody practically vibrated with anticipation, inching closer to catch every word.
"...is going to that summer camp next week!"
Cody's jaw dropped. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?!" He immediately regretted his outburst, glancing around nervously. "Sorry," he mumbled to anyone who might have overheard.
Jin Mei and Riley, drawn by the commotion, sauntered over.
"EHHHHH Cody and Lucas, what's cooking, guys? Whatcha talking about?" Jin Mei asked, all innocent curiosity.
Lucas, clearly flustered, stammered, "Eh... Nothing! Just...nothing important!"
"Seriously?" Jin Mei arched an eyebrow, not buying it for a second.
"Yes! Super duper serious!" Cody insisted, perhaps a little too enthusiastically.
In a flash, Riley reached behind Lucas and snatched a crumpled piece of paper from his grasp.
"EHHHHH! Riley, that's a straight-up violation!" Lucas complained, feigning outrage.
"Consider it payback for all the times you conveniently 'forget' to pay me back," Riley retorted with a sly grin.
"What's that even supposed to mean?"
"It means I'm settling the score, buddy," Riley quipped, sticking her tongue out playfully as she unfolded the stolen document.
EHHHH!
Cody, captivated by Riley's suddenly astonished expression, desperately wanted to know what the paper contained.
"What is it, Riley?" Jin Mei pressed, equally curious.
"Oh, it's just that summer camp promotion Teacher mentioned the other day."
"Summer camp promotion?" Cody repeated, feigning disinterest.
"Yeah, you missed school on Monday, remember? Teacher handed out these brochures."
"Ooh, right... So, uh, are there still any slots open for that thing?"
"Well, it just so happens to be my courage club's program, and I happen to be the president, so..."
Cody leaned closer to Jin Mei, whispering, "Wait, when did that happen?"
"Before the exams," Jin Mei whispered back.
Riley cleared her throat dramatically. "Sooooooooo, spots for the program!!!!!!!!!! Are still available...for my two most treasured little siblings!"
"Since when are we your siblings?" Lucas groaned, making a face.
"You're the rejected sibling, and Cody's the favorite >.<" Riley declared with mock superiority.
"Ugh, this girl!"
"Hey! Don't push it, or I might just 'accidentally' forget to sign you up," Riley threatened.
Cody and Jin Mei exchanged amused glances, used to their friends' bickering.
"Okay, okay, oh most benevolent and adorable sister! Please, please grant us a spot," Lucas said with exaggerated sweetness, rolling his eyes when Riley wasn't looking.
"I will gouge your eyes out, I swear," Riley warned, but a smile played on her lips.
"So, uh, where's the application form, big sis?" Cody asked innocently, hoping to steer the conversation away from potential eye-gouging.
"Here, just scan this QR code," Riley said, offering a phone with the code displayed.
"Got it," Cody said, scanning the QR code. "Thanks, sis! We gotta run!"
Lucas and Cody practically sprinted away, their minds already racing with the possibilities. They had a cafe and a cyber cafe to get to, after all.
Jin Mei and Riley watched them go, completely bewildered. Why would two self-confessed scaredy-cats suddenly be so eager to attend a summer camp dedicated to...ghosts?
TO BE CONTINUED