• Ding-Dong Ditchin'
    Chapter 1


    "C'mon, Kayla, don't be a wuss," Nikki urged. "You haven't lived until you've ding-donged ditched a boy!"

    "I dunno," a replied nervously. "Isn't this stuff against the law...?" I loved adventure, but I hated getting into trouble unless there was good enough reason to.

    "Stop being a goody-two-shoes!" Nikki teased. "Marcus is the coolest guy in town! Dontcha wanna make an impression?" she cooed, mockingly batting her eyelashes.

    I blushed and looked away. "Not like that...," I muttered under my breath. "Mom will skin me alive if she finds out what we're plotting. Your parents actually let you prank people like this, why don't you ring the doorbell and I wait in the bush?"

    "Because," Nikki explained, rolling her eyes, "I'm training you to take risks every now and then. I all ready ding-dong ditch boys. You need this experience. Learn how to face your fears and teach the boys their place!" Nikki shoved me up to Marcus's porch, then scurried around to the side of the house and hid by a bush. "Now go up there and press the doorbell! You know you want to," she whispered from her hiding place.

    I gave Nikki a what-the-hell-is-wrong-with-you glance, but she just grinned wryly. Sighing, I trudged up to Marcus's doorstep. All the windows were closed and the door was ajar a tad. I slowly stretched my arm out to where the doorbell was. My body felt like lead, but I tensed, preparing to run as fast as I could. I extended my finger and lightly touched the doorbell... then pulled back.

    "What are you doing?! What's taking so long?" Nikki hissed.

    "I just can't do it!" I whispered anxiously back. "I just can't..."

    "Yes you can!" Nikki replied quietly. "I know you can. We'll be fine, I swear it. BFF's honor."

    I looked doubtfully at Nikki for a long moment, then nodded. "OK, I will," I declared in a whisper. I turned back to face the house again, stretched out my arm, extended my finger... and pressed the doorbell. There was a commotion inside the house, I had no time to lose. I dashed across the porch, jumped off the ledge, and ran. Within seconds, Nikki was racing beside me. We ran past Marcus's backyard and a dog barked loudly. Quickly, we ran behind the white picket fence and crouched behind an old shed.

    "So," Nikki started, out of breath. "Was it worthwhile?"

    "Yes!" I replied. My heart was pounding so hard, I thought it would pound right out of my chest. Adrenaline was racing through my veins and I was sweating a little. I couldn't believe it -- ding-dong ditching was actually fun! "Let's do it again!"

    Nikki crossed her arms and grinned. "Good," she said, "because next is Jagger and Stony's house."