Growing up McGarrett

No news is good news

It's been almost two weeks since Dad left. I'm back at school, Mr. Thompson apologised to me on the school's behalf and assured me they will correct my grades etc. We have a new English teacher, Mr. Tanner who is really nice. So things are back to normal, well except for the fact that Dad is M.I.A! We've heard nothing. Well that's what Danny is telling me anyway and you know how adults always keep things from us. I've asked him loads of times if Dad is dead or captured or something and he keeps saying "No news is good news". Stupid ass saying if you ask me. I mean really how can no news be good news?! It could mean Dad is lying dead in a field somewhere no one will ever find him. What happens then? Do I live with Danny forever? Don't get me wrong I love Danny and it's been fun when Grace has come over too but he's not my dad. I'm getting really fed up with it all. Danny is even more overprotective than Dad. He drops me and picks me up from everywhere. School, to the Palace, to basketball/singing/swimming, to home and it all starts again. He won't let me go anywhere with my friends and is constantly spying on my electronics to make sure I'm not watching porn or something! He is driving me NUTS! So yeah the Commander is looking like a pussycat right about now. I miss him, I'm still scared I'll never get to tell him that I don't hate him but I'm also really pissed off at him. I think Danny is too. I've heard him leave a few not so patient messages on Dad's phone. But he's putting on a brave face for me.
At least being back in school means I'm back with my friends. It's lunchtime and I'm hanging with my bestie Kimmy. We're lying sprawled on the grass, soaking up some rays and I'm moaning to her about how crappy my life is right now.
Kimmy - "How about we hang out this weekend? See if Danny will let me sleepover?"
Me - "Ha fat chance of that! He's worse than Dad ever was. It's like I'm on the worst grounding ever!"
Kimmy - "But maybe if I stay at your house he'll be ok since it's under his watchful eye?"
Me - "What fun would that be? He'll just annoy us the whole time!"
Kimmy - "Gah! You're the one bitchin' about how crap things are, I'm trying here!!"
Me - "Yeah sorry Kimmy, I'm just so fed up with this limbo situation."
Kimmy - "I know"
Me - "What about your olds will they be ok with you staying when it's Danny not Dad?"
Kimmy - "They're going away this weekend and leaving Todd in charge, so I'd say they'd be ok with it. Todd's going to throw a party so I would really like to not be there!"
I sit up and box her in the arm.
Kimmy - "Ow! What was that for?!"
Me - "Todd, your totally gorgeous brother, who is a senior, is throwing a party and you want to come to my house! What kind of dufus are you??"
Kimmy - "Hey! Less of the insults and physical abuse, I'm meant to be your best friend! And please don't go on about Todd being gorgeous, he's a dumb pig! Why the hell would I want to go to his stupid party? Anyway he's bribing me to stay in my room and not tell mom & dad. I got him up to 50 bucks, soda, candy and a film of my choice. I'd still rather hang with you though."
Me - "Oh you will get to hang with me. We are going to that party!"
Kimmy - "WHAT?! You're kidding right? There is no way we can go, Todd would kill me and Danny is never going to let you come to my place with my parents away."
I look at her and give her a knowing smile.
Kimmy - "Oh no Samantha McGarrett what is going on in that devious mind?!"
Just then the bell rings so we get up to go to class.
Me - "You leave it with me, I have an idea."
Kimmy - "Oh God help us all!"

After school Danny is waiting outside for me as usual.
Me (smiling) - "Hey Uncle Danny how's your day going?"
Danny looks at me suspiciously - "It's going ok, what has you in such a good mood?"
Me - "Dunno, it's nearly the weekend and I'm feeling happy, something wrong with that?"
Danny - "No! Of course not. Yes it'll be good to get to the weekend. We should go surfing."
Me - "Great idea! Is Grace coming over?"
Danny - "No sorry, she's with her mom this weekend."
Yes! Then she can't get in the way of my plan!
We go to the Palace where I take up my usual spot in Dad's office. I feel the same tug every day when I walk in and he's not there. I have to fight back the tears. I take out my tablet and start playing some games. Danny comes in.
Danny - "Are you playing games?"
I sigh - "Yes!"
Danny crossing his arms - "So you've got your homework finished already then?!"
I roll my eyes and snap "No!" at him.
I see his jaw clench slightly and he holds his hand out for my tablet.
Danny - "You know the rules, no electronics until homework is done. Hand it over please and drop the attitude!"
Me - "Oh for fu.."
Danny cutting across me - "I would think very carefully before finishing that sentence, unless you don't want the use of electronics for a week?!"
I force myself to calm down, I don't want anything to get in the way of my plan and losing my phone would definitely not help it.
Me - "Sorry sir." Handing him the tablet and pulling out my books to get started, I look suitably contrite and he buys it!
Danny - "Ok kiddo, get the homework done and you can have it back. "
Me - "Thanks Uncle Danny." Sweetness and light!
He leaves me to get on with it and I fly through my homework. I'm pretty good at school, apart from Art and History, I get good grades fairly easily. So I get the homework I have to do tonight done in record time. Of course Danny has to check it all before he gives me back my stuff. Even Dad doesn't do that unless I want him too or he has to sign something. Mostly he just trusts I've done what I say. Mind you I suppose the forged signatures have changed that level of trust a bit. Finally I get my stuff back and head back into Dad's office. I play games until Danny is called out on a case and then I FaceTime Kimmy.
Me - "So here's my plan."
Kimmy - "EEK! I'm not sure I wanna hear this!" She sticks her fingers in her ears and la la las like a little kid.
Me - "KIMMY!! Quit acting like a 5 year old and listen to me."
Kimmy - "Do I have to?" Putting her head in her hands. "I really think I'm not going to like it!"
Me - "Trust me, I'm your bestie! "
She looks up at me with a face that says Yeah and I know you! I smile at her and wiggle my eyes brows. It always makes her laugh and on cue she goes into a fit of giggles and I join her.
Kimmy - "You are going to be the death of me!"
Me - "Well at least you'll have some fun on the way out!"
Kimmy sceptically- "Sure!"
Me - "I heard Mark Sonder is going to the party."
Kimmy - "Oh that's a low blow! I told you I fancied him in confidence! I didn't know it would be used to get me to go to an illegal party!"
Me - "All's fair in love and social life, baby! So my plan is this. Danny falls asleep on the couch every night watching TV. So once I've said goodnight and gone to bed he doesn't come near me. So on Saturday I say goodnight at a reasonable time and head up to bed. I wait for him to get settled on the couch and then I climb out of my window and down the tree to freedom! Get to your house, party like a mad thing with seniors!! Head back home, back up tree into room and into bed all while he is none the wiser!"
Kimmy - "Slight problem, how do you intend getting from your house to mine at that time of night?"
Me - "I haven't quite figured that out yet, but I'm working on it!"
Kimmy - "And what about Todd?!"
Me - "What about him?"
Kimmy - "There is no way he's going to allow two 12 year olds into his party."
Me - "Eh, what's he gonna do, tell your parents?! He's throwing an illegal party, he tries to kick us out and he runs the risk of us blabbing! Oh I am soooo excited for this. What are we going to wear?!"
Kimmy - "Em, you are making a very big assumption that I am going along with this plan! What if you get caught sneaking out or in? I don't want to be grounded for the remainder of my natural life, and the rest!"
Me - "If Danny catches me, which he won't because he sleeps like the dead, it's just me who's in trouble. I won't tell him anything about your involvement. He won't do much anyway, he's feeling bad that there is no news on Dad and is going easy on me. I can turn on the tears and say I couldn't sleep so went out to sit on the beach."
Kimmy - "You seem to have every angle covered. I suppose it could be fun to see what goes on at their parties."
Me - "And you wouldn't mind getting up close and personal with Mark!!"
Kimmy - "Shut up!"
Me - "You shut up!"
Kimmy - "No you shut up!"
Me - "Ok be in denial,
Kimmy joins in with me - "it's not just a river in Egypt you know!" And we both burst into a fit of laughter.
I hear her mom calling in the background.
Kimmy - "Gotta go, laters!"
Me - "Yeah, talk tomorrow."
And we are ON! Woo hoo this is gonna be epic. I could never pull it off with Dad here coz he checks on me and is a light sleeper. But Danny will be a walkover. I have tingles just thinking about it.
Roll on Saturday!!