Unauthorized Communication

Chapter 6: Drew

I had until Sunday. Four days. Four days until I was to be moved. According to the guys from "M26", I couldn't stay with Ms.Palenski because she was not my legal guardian (which I was totally fine with). That meant no more stupid chores, but that also meant moving away, possibly changing schools. . ."Aww man, Tanner's gonna kill me!" I thought. I had to tell him soon. So, that night I snuck out.

- - D - -

After parking my bike in the alley, I climbed up the rusty ladder attached to the side of Tanner's apartment building. The superintendent forbade climbing it because he "didn't want any injuries to occur near his building." But Tanner and I liked bending the rules. I rapped on Tanner's bedroom window. He turned, away from his computer, and quickly opened the window.

"Hey, dude! What's up?" he asked.

I said nothing and threw my backpack to the side, flopping down onto his bed. I glanced at Tanner from my laid down position. He was staring at me with a concerned expression. I returned my gaze to the ceiling then to his computer.

"What are you watching?" I asked, pointing towards the computer.

Tanner's face lit up as he fell into his swivel chair. He spun it to the side so I could see his screen.

"Only the greatest play ever by 'Rocket' Jackson," he said.

Of course, it had something to do with football. That's all anything had to do with in Tanner's mind. Well, that and girls. Tanner let out a short holler as I sat up and raised an eyebrow. He turned to me.

"Rocket just made a. . ."

Tanner stopped, remembering I knew absolutely nothing about football.

"Very good play," he decided to say instead.

I laughed, "If only you could put football terms in soccer terminology."

"Oh yeah. You'd get it then," Tanner huffed, pausing his game. He swiveled back around to face me. "Now, what's up?"

"What do you mean?"

Tanner rolled his eyes at me. Then he gestured to his bedroom window.

"You only use that thing when there's something you absolutely have to tell me. So what is it?"

I sighed. Tanner was right. Man, I'm becoming so predictable. I stared down at my clasped hands.

"Some guys from 'M26' stopped by Ms.Palenski's today," I began. "They said my dad's gone. . . radio silent. Meaning he's now on his own, if he's still alive, and I'm practically a parentless child."

I looked up at Tanner. He sat speechless and motionless. Finally, he found his voice.

"Dude. . .I'm so sorry," he said. "What are you going to do now?"

I shrugged.

"I'm leaving Sunday, so-"

"You're what?!" Tanner interrupted. "Leaving?! What about Ms.Palenski? Why can't you just stay with her?"

"She's not my legal guardian."

"But still. . .four days?"

I nodded.

"That doesn't give me much time," he muttered to himself.

"You?"

"Yeah. Most people take at least two weeks to plan a party but I think I can pull something together."

"Woah, wait," I interrupted. "A party?"

"Yeah, you have to have a going away party. You think those M-whatever guys would let you stay one more week?"

"I can see," I shrugged.

"Perfect. One last party and one last dare."

Tanner's lips twisted into a smirk and I couldn't help but smile. We hadn't had a dare challenge in a long time. Probably because the last time we did, we both ended up in the hospital.

"Alright. Hit me with it. What's my dare? But. . .preferably nothing that will end in a hospital road trip," I said.

"No. Mine first. Yours needs a bit more time. . ."

Oh no, I thought. Dares that take Tanner a long time to think about never end well.

"Fine. Smoothie challenge?" I suggested. "You let me pick the ingredients."

"Dude, that is such a lame dare."

"Or is it?"

Tanner narrowed his eyes at me and I narrowed mine at him. Then he broke. That was one challenge I always won.

"Fine," he extended his hand. "I accept your challenge good sir."

"Then, I must accept yours, kind sir."

We shook on it and laughed.

"Does Cruella De Vil know you're here?" Tanner asked as we headed to the kitchen.

"Course not," I replied.

In the kitchen, I rummaged through Tanner's cupboards, refrigerator, and freezer. Tanner sat himself on a stool at the bar as I prepared his smoothie. After a few minutes, I placed a cup of it in front of him. He smelled it and pretended to gag. I laughed.

"Go on. Try it," I smirked.

Tanner plugged his nose and grabbed the cup. It was about halfway to his mouth when he stopped.

"I've got an idea," he said. "You drink it too. Since my dare is so bad, loser has to do it."

"And how exactly is the loser determined?" I asked, grabbing a glass.

"Last to finish."

I nodded and stood across from Tanner. We lifted our cups and drank. Tanner finished first and immediately began scrubbing his mouth. I started laughing.

"Dude! What did you put in there?" he exclaimed.

"Oh you know, just some tuna, pickle juice, a little bit of ketchup, mustard, berry yogurt, three olives, chives, a slice of potato, some pumpkin spice, and of course milk and ice. Also a pickle," I listed.

"Oh yeah. Pumpkin spice and everything 'nice' right?" he exclaimed. "Did you put in everything except the kitchen sink?!"

Tanner continued to scrub his mouth and chug down some water. I did the same but while laughing.

"Would you expect anything less? But, I'll admit, that was pretty gross," I said.

"For that, you totally deserve the dare I'm about to give you."

"Can't be any worse than that smoothie."

I laughed until I saw Tanner smirk. That wasn't good. That could only mean one thing: The Ultimate Challenge.

"I dare you. . ."he dragged out and I gulped.

"To climb. . ."

Another gulp.

"The palace. Garden. Wall."

I am so doomed.