If it wasn't for Jordan, I never would've fallen out of the canoe.
He was always daring me to do incredibly stupid stuff, ever since we were younger. He usual had a serious, responsible way to him. Sometimes, though, his silly, twelve-year-old-boy side came out, and when that happened, he came up with dares.
As in, he'd challenge me to do crazy dares he'd be too scared too do.
Typical boy.
It all started when the two of us were busy tying a bunch of wooden canoes to the dock on the lake. I bent down, picked up the twisted rope hooked to a canoe, and wrapped it around a post. I pulled it tight, then tied it tight. Jordan was working on the other side, his back to me. Every year, we always competed to see who can finish their side first. I usually won.
I moved down the dock and pulled another canoe up, then tied it to the post. The lake seemed to be calling my name. It was very calm and still today. Not to mention, the sun was beating down on my back, making me sweat like crazy. The lake seemed incredibly cool and tempting.
But I had a job to do. I doubted Jeff would let me get away with getting sidetracked.
Everything was going great. I was winning our little canoe-tying competition, and we were both almost done.
Then suddenly, he smiled over his shoulder at me, his blueyes having a mischievous glint. I knew that look anywhere.
I immediately dropped what I was working on and backed away. "Oh, no. I don't like that look."
He turned to me, still smiling. "Aliyah Gibson," he said ceremoniously, his hands outstretched. I knew what was coming next, I'd heard it a thousand times already - "I hereby challenge you to a dare."
I crossed my arms over my chest. "What is it this time?" Knowing Jordan, it was going to be something completely unexpected. And possibly dangerous.
He put his hand on my shoulder, and I shrugged it off. "I challenge you to do a cartwheel-" he turned and pointed to a canoe he'd tied up, "on that canoe. Got it?"
"Wait, I never said I would," I protested.
"Come on, you have to!" He pouted. "You've never turned down a dare. You can't break your streak now."
"But right now? While we're supposed to be working? If Jeff finds out-"
"Which he won't, if we do it quickly. Please, Aliyah. Please do it."
He was giving me such big puppy eyes, how could I say no?
"Fine," I sighed. "But if you want me to do it, first you've got to pay me."
"Pay you? No way. You can't make me do that anymore." He gave me a Are you kidding me? look.
"Fine. Then I'll just go back to tying canoes." I ignored him and moved to the next canoe. I knew he'd give in if I acted uninterested. It got him every time. Which is why I wasn't surprised with what he said next.
"Whatever, I'll pay you. How much do you want?"
"Ten bucks."
"Ten bucks?" He exclaimed in disbelief. "There's no way I'm giving you-"
A sharp look from me shut him up.
"Fine. Ten dollars. Just do the dare." He said it like I'm the one who was being stubborn.
I smiled a little as I went over to the designated canoe. "This was your idea, mister."
"But I don't see why I have to pay you," he complained, "That was something we did as kids, when it was an emergency or special occasion. You can't bribe me like this anymore."
