My sister and best friend have been pranking each other for over a decade now. Sometimes it’s something simple, like a pinch on the butt or jumping out to scare each other, and then we get the odd, elaborate prank, which is always messy and annoying.
But do you think I can stop them?
I shake my head, lightly grabbing Nix’s wrist and encouraging her down the stairs.
“Come on, girl. Time to lose atMario Kart.”
“Oh good. I’m glad you’ve come to terms with the fact that you won’t win.”
I laugh at her teasing, running us down the stairs and into the living area off the kitchen. Some of the guys are munching on Lays around the kitchen counter while a few are outside, resting against the railing.
We get curious looks as we vault the back of the couch and get ready to play someMario Kart. It’ll no doubt draw a crowd, and I hate for Nix to lose in public, but there’s no way in hell I am letting her beat me at this game.
7
SAWYER
I hadto google how to set this prank up. I knew what I wanted to do and planned in advance. I can’t go away with Charli for a weekend and not prank her. That’s like a sin against the Gods of Humor.
She started this war years ago. At least I think it was her.
We were washing her parents’ cars, trying to earn a few bucks to buy snow cones. I was doing the best job I could, wanting to impress her parents. They’ve always been so good to me, and I’d freaking do anything for them.
Charli was on the other side of the car and she let out this wail, like she’d hurt herself or something. I rushed around, my heart in my throat, and got a face full of water.
Her cackling laugh was kind of adorable as I stood there, drenched in dirty, sudsy car water. Waving the empty bucket in her hand, she did a small victory dance, and I immediately started planning my retaliation.
And it’s never stopped, which is why I’m hiding in the doorway across from the bathroom with my camera at the ready.
When she said she had to go to the bathroom, I knew she’d take a minute. If it’s just a quick pee, she wouldn’t have bothered telling anybody. It’s only when she announces it that I know she’s taking a dump, and she’ll probably be scrolling on her phone while she does it, which is why she takes so long.
And that’s perfect for me, because it gave me all the time I needed to set up a quick prank that is going to be beautiful.
My insides ping with anticipation as I hear her undo the lock, and I quickly press Record.
The second she pulls that door open, the cup of chocolate syrup I set up starts to fall, and she manages to look up in surprise just as it tips all over her.
“Yes!” I laugh at her squawk, then zoom in on her shock as she wipes chocolate syrup out of her eyes and across her cheeks.
“Sawyer!” she shouts.
“Hey, hey, Chuck.” I step into view, and she tries to glare at me, but her lips can’t hold it.
Licking the chocolate sauce dripping past her mouth, she lets out a playful growl, then starts laughing as she lunges toward me.
I’ve already mapped out my escape route, so I take off running for the second stairwell around the corner. Jumping down it, I land and roll, about to spring back to my feet when she lets out a banshee cry and vaults over the railing to tackle me.
I catch her with a laugh and let her smear chocolate syrup all over my face before pushing her off and scrambling back to my feet.
She pounces right after me when I rush out onto the deck and whip past Mac and Ben. I don’t know where I’m heading now, but she’s right on my heels and stays there until I reach the edge of the jetty.
Spinning, I raise my hands in surrender, but she’s not having it. A cannonball push to the chest and I’m flying back into the water, but not before snagging her shirt and pulling her in with me.
Her yell is a mix of shock and delight, and we’re soon under the surface. I scramble back to the surface, making sure she’s right there with me. I never want her to see how much I hate the water. I decided a long time ago that it wasn’t allowed to scare me anymore, but I still get that hitch in my body every time my head goes under.
But Charli’s safe. She’s right here with me, pushing water into my face.
So I force out a laugh and get into it, kicking my legs and making sure we don’t float too far away from that ladder. I’m a good swimmer. I made sure of it. But that doesn’t mean I don’t want dry land to be within easy reach.
