The Hitting Zone

Of course that was just the beginning. Zeke got the car markers out and started at the trunk of Kyle's future car, Dad's former car.

"Honk if you like pizza?" I read after he was done. My lips twitched. "That's…"

"It'll get the job done." Zeke told me. "The point of doing this is to annoy them with the constant honking." He moved to the back passenger side windows, writing: 'Happy 18th Birthday Kyle!' And then he put another: 'Honk for me!' He went to the driver's side.

I went over to Dad to see what he was doing. He was rolling the saran wrap around each tire and then slapping a big bow on it. "Remind me to try to keep these bows. They can be reused for Christmas."

"Christmas is half a year away…" I tried to remind him.

"It's never too soon to plan and prepare." He said simply.

I squatted. "I think you'll forget though. You and Mom are so busy all the time."

"Well, if I remember to keep these and stick them with all the other wrapping paper and gift bags, then it'll be a nice surprise towards the end of the year." He grinned.

We moved to the next tire and he started to wrap. It wasn't perfect by any means, but with enough wrap, I could see how the twins will be struggling in the morning. I rested my chin in my hand. "What happens if the twins are late to school? Will Mom take them? Or will you help them clean up at least one car?"

Dad chuckled. "Well, if they use their heads and actually clean up just one car, I'm positive they'll make it to school on time. But knowing them…they'll want to drive their own cars to school to celebrate. Honestly, this pranking won't upset them at all. If the school thinks it's appropriate to give them detention, then that's on them." He looked at me. "But just know, that if they get after school detention, you and Noah might be on the short end of the stick."

My head slumped, not liking the sound of that. They are our drivers after all. It would make sense that we would have to wait for them if they got detention.

"If they're late enough," Zeke spoke up and got our attention. "Then they might get Saturday School."

"What's that?" I frowned, unsure.

"It's a four hour detention." He explained. "8am to noon. I know a few kids that had to serve because of unexcused absences."

I cringed. "That sounds awful."

"Yea, but I bet it would make Noah laugh." Zeke revealed a small smile.

I nodded. I believe it.

We spent over an hour, finishing up the wrap job on both cars. Dad decorated the hoods with what bows he had left while Zeke and I blew up a few more balloons to tape on the outside. It looked very good. I had never decorated a car before, but this was better than I had imagined.

I looked up at Zeke. "Thanks for coming to help."

"Hey, ouch, I was here too you know." Dad put a hand to his chest, acting hurt.

I grinned. "Thanks, Dad. I don't know what we would have done with Noah being tied up." I paused. "What are we going to do in the morning?" I looked to Zeke. Last year, he treated us to an early breakfast.

Zeke grinned. "Don't worry. When Noah wakes up, he'll hurry to get dressed and then we'll leave right away."

"You boys don't want to stick around for breakfast?" Dad asked. "You know your mom will make her best for their birthday."

"No, it's okay." Zeke answered. "Let the twins have a nice breakfast with you. They won't realize there's a prank until after they eat with you guys and you show them their cars."

Dad went back to his room, leaving me and Zeke in the living room. We still had some time until it was actually time to get ready and go. When it was closer to when we needed to leave for breakfast at the restaurant, Zeke told me to go get dressed and come down with Noah and our backpacks. He would hide out in Rhys's car, down a couple of houses.

I didn't want to intentionally wake Noah, because that would set off Kyle so I just decided to use the restroom and casually got ready for school like it was normal.

Noah got up easily as a light sleeper when he heard me rummaging around the closet for clothes. He sat up, eyes wide open.

Kyle immediately got up too, waking up from his movement. He glanced at Noah then squinted at me. "Jake is already up and getting dressed? I knew you guys were planning something."

I turned away to hide my smile. I guess it wouldn't be 'normal' for me to be up first in any reality.

Noah and Kyle started to get dress in a hurry, like it was a race. It prompted Dave to get up and moving too. I stared at them as they all moved about, wondering what I should say or do.

"Jake?" Noah paused a second in front of me. "You okay?" He gave me an exaggerated wink before the twins stopped too.

I slowly nodded. "Yea. I just didn't sleep well."

"Nightmare?" Noah guided.

I shrugged. "Can't remember."

The twins started to slow down their movements, seemingly finding a reason that I would be up before them.

"I don't think I heard you at all last night." Dave said, trying to think back.

I shrugged. "I didn't wake up crying or sick or anything. Just needed to get up. As soon as I thought it was okay, I started to get dress. I didn't think that would make you all rush."

Kyle pointed at us. "I still don't trust you guys. How do I know you aren't just pulling a stunt?"

Noah squished my face between his hands and showed it off to Kyle. "Look at this face. Do you think this face can lie to you?"

"I really didn't sleep well." I said earnestly. Then I pushed Noah away and made a face at him. "Don't do that."

Noah patted my head. "C'mon on. Let's go get food. I know you're cranky."

I swatted his hand away again.

"They probably have something planned for us at school." Dave said to Kyle. "I think you can stop worrying until after breakfast."

I nodded in agreement. And then stopped. What if I just gave it away?

Noah pulled me to the door. "Let's go." He grabbed his backpack and I grabbed mine.

The twins didn't follow us right away, giving me our chance. I calmly walked behind Noah as we went down the stairs. He glanced back before heading towards the garage. I yanked him back and pulled him towards the front door.

"Come on. Zeke's waiting for us." I whispered.

Noah's eyes widened with understanding. He took the lead, stopping with his hand on the door. "Is he already waiting in the car? Is it Mom's car or Grampa's?"

"Rhys. A couple doors down." I whispered back.

"Okay. As soon as I open this door, we take off. They're going to know something is up by the sound of the front door." He instructed quickly and quietly.

I nodded in agreement.