text: “Are you coming tonight?” Ranger raised his eyebrows with the question. We were saying goodbye after raking my leaves all morning. I contemplated the invitation for a moment. It was Friday, a good day to change habits, right? Why not. “Yeah.” I nodded my confirmation and he grinned, wide and goofy. “Alright, see you later!” Ranger waved, jogging to his red pickup. The rest of my afternoon passed quickly and quietly. I milled about my apartment doing odd chores and activities. Before leaving the house, I debated which shirt to wear for twenty minutes, it was the green striped tee or the blue plaid button-up. In the end I decided on the green striped tee because I channeled my inner Ranger and hoped that’s what he would have done. Ranger was my best friend since grade school, when an outgoing adventurous guy like him decided to adopt a quiet introverted guy like me. I mean, Ranger is talk of the party, no doubt about it. You heard about that guy that wrestled that pig on a dare? Ranger. You heard a big thunderous laugh in the kitchen at a party where a confident guy you’d never seen before had just walked in? Ranger. You wonder what type of person organizes all the get-togethers and holidays? Ranger. But then there was me. The quiet kid who liked to listen and follow the adventure more than participate? Me. The guy who loved to be invited and feel included, just so he could say no and stay home with a quiet movie? Me. The person who followed the rules and any predictable schedule one hundred percent of the time? Me. That’s why Ranger liked me so much, he loved to challenge my comfort zone and try to push the edges. Oftentimes, I’d tell him no, but he was never discouraged. Each week he’d try again, for the same result. But not tonight. Tonight was different. So, I laced up my high-tops and hit the road in my Toyota Corolla, obeying all traffic laws and stopping outside Ranger’s house. On the docket was pizza, Poker, and the newest car movie. I took a deep breath for confidence and strode up to the front door. I raised my fist to knock but Ranger opened the door before I had a chance. “Tim! You made it!” Behind him I saw Drake and Devon, the tiger twins, exchange some cash. No doubt betting on my attendance tonight. As I walked in, I saw the rest of the gang: Evan, resident jock, Finnigan, resident nerd, Brendon and Vance, best friends since kindergarten, Leonard, the dumb but nice guy, and Caruso, the coolest dude in town. It was a full house for sure. My stomach rumbled and I remembered the plan, holding it tight helped me stay grounded. “So, uh, who ordered the pizza?” I asked tentatively. “Pizza?” Evan spat. “Gross.” “You don’t want pizza, bro?” Ranger asked, pouring me some ice water. “No.” Evan shook his head. “Honestly, me either.” Caruso agreed. “We had pizza yesterday, so.” Drake said and the twins shrugged. “Then, pray tell, do you boys want for dinner?” Ranger asked handing me the cup. I started gulping it down, I didn’t like where this was headed. “Tacobell?” Leonard suggested. Evan clapped him on the back. “That’s using your head, let’s go!” He thundered out the door, leaving it open. Brendon and Vance were hot on his heels and the rest of them started to follow. Ranger grabbed his keys off a hook on the wall. “But what about pizza?” I peeped. “Next time bud, okay? C’mon this’ll be fun you’ll see.” He waved me on, and I set down my cup following him to the truck. The guys were rocking it back and forth, it was a wonder they didn’t pop his tires. Ranger climbed in the front to drive, and Caruso immediately claimed shotgun. I was too shy, and the twins pushed their way into the cab. That left me with Evan, Leonard, Finnigan, Brendon and Vance. “Does anyone want to ride with me?” I offered stepping toward my car. “Uhnt uh. You’re coming with us.” Evan grabbed my shirt collar as the rest of the guys hopped into the flat bed. “C’mon.” Leonard reached down and hoisted me up, the smallest guy here I’m sure he didn’t have any difficulty. “But, no seatbelts?” “Seatbelt Smeatbelt.” Vance waved his hand. “Live a little.” Brendon grinned. I was scared the cops were gonna pull us over the second we hit the road, but the drive to Tacobell was smooth and easy. In the drive-thru Ranger ordered at least half the menu, but by the time we reached the window it was ready. Hooting and hollering our victory, the food was passed out. Someone handed me a chalupa and I gently took it and started eating. It was quiet for a moment, food in our mouths, but someone in the cab took that as an opportunity to blare the music, country specifically. Soon all the guys joined the radio screaming the lyrics, it was the most noise I’d heard in months. Besides their abrasive personalities and rough methods of inclusivity, the gang didn’t seem so bad. So I started to sing too, adding my voice to the cacophony that was echoing through the hills as we drove. It was fun. I was having fun. We continued on for about an hour or so before Ranger pulled over. Everyone immediately jumped out, Finnigan lagging behind to make sure I actually got out of the truck. We were at the wharf. I could smell the salty sea air with its sticky humidity and fishy tint. A few gulls cried overheard but other than the lapping waves, it was quiet. There was a dock that lead out about a hundred yards, so of course the twins raced each other down it. “Don’t just stand there.” Caruso criticized, particularly looking at me. The gang took off after the other two and Ranger nudged my shoulder. I grinned and joined the chase. It was invigorating to pound down the dock, each board sounded that hollow thump with every footstep. I laughed a hearty laugh, throwing it to the wind. Suddenly the boards disappeared, we had reached the end. I skidded to a stop. “Woah.” I breathed. “Woah is right.” Ranger nodded. The water underneath was roiling, foamy and aggressive. The bit that sprayed up with a wave was freezing. “Jump.” Evan demanded. I swiveled my head so fast I almost broke my neck. “What.” “I dare you to jump.” “Me?” “Anyone, but yes, you.” “Five bucks?” Ranger asked. “Ranger, no that water’s gonna give you hypother--” “Deal.” Evan agreed and Ranger took off jumping into the water. “C’mon in Tim, water’s fine!” He called to me. I heard that little voice in my head, the introverted armadillo that wants to curl up and hide. I was nervous. The water was cold. It was dark too, what if the current was strong or even worse, a shark came up and--shut up. I just needed to jump, after all, rebellion is good for character growth. I sucked in as much air as I dared, closed my eyes, and leapt. The water enveloped me, soaking my clothes. They weighed me down, heavy, even my high tops tried to sink me. But I kicked, good and hard, fighting my way to the surface. I broke through, splashing droplets everywhere, and the air was a thousand times colder than the water. “Ra-Ranger, Ranger.” I sputtered. My chest was tight, I could barely fill my lungs, struggling to stay afloat. “Timoth-fricken-tee! Welcome to the Cool Kids Club.” Ranger splashed me and I coughed. “I’m proud of you man.” This was a huge jump for me, and more than literally. I mean c’mon, it was late at night and we were swimming in icy cold water at a place I was sure contained a “no swimming” sign, immediately after eating no less. This was progress. I laughed and paddled around, gaining my confidence. Ranger followed me and we dunked and splashed for a few more minutes before eventually locating the ladder and climbing back on the dock. I was having fun. Wringing my shirt out I saw Caruso pull what looked like a can out of his pocket. He shook it up and popped the top. It was a spray paint can. “Wait, you’re not gonna vandalize that that are you?” I asked, stunned. “It’s called tagging kid, and someone’s got to do it. Might as well be me.” He started to streak the bright orange paint on the wooden boards. “That’s bad.” I frowned, all the excitement of our “forbidden” swim wearing off. “Who’s gonna stop us, huh?” Vance clapped me on the shoulder. “C’mon let’s go.” Brendon lead us back to the truck. Ranger and I were both refused entrance to the cab due to our wet state, Caruso offered to drive, and Ranger allowed him. As we rode in the back, arms and legs spilling out over the edge, Ranger and my clothes began to dry in the wind. It was chilly for sure, but I knew we had to pay the consequences of our choices. We’d been driving for most of the night, so I wasn’t surprised when we stopped for gas. Caruso stepped out and started pumping the fuel. Ranger hopped over the edge of the truck and pulled me by the arm with him. “We’re going inside.” “Why?” I just wanted to curl up in the corner and hide, my inner armadillo was exhausted. I’d had enough of this gang for today, the whole month or year, maybe even. “Cause you’ve probably never actually been inside and it’s important to widen your horizons.” A few more of the guys started following. “Have so.” “Prove it.” The door made the little ding-dong noise signaling our presence. I took in the average gas station, nothing special. I sighed. “This,” I waved my arms dramatically, “is a gas station. People come here to stop on their long journeys to see family in far away places, during their long truck haul or to buy a bag of chips when they have the munchies. The food options span from chips and cheese curls to candy bars and gum, oftentimes there are ample choices of beef jerky and energy drinks. Soda, waters, lemonades, teas, and even slushies can be found along the back wall. Sometimes there are made to order sandwiches and burgers, always there are TastyCakes and donut options. But, the piece to resistance, is the local lottery.” I finished with a flourish. Drake and Devon were so impressed they actually applauded and Finnigan chuckled his approval. “All those years of listening, not talking, really sharped that eye huh?” Finnigan asked and I shrugged. I was gonna come up with something to say, but Drake jumped in. “Yo, steal that candy bar.” He pointed and then looked expectantly toward me. These guys and their impulsiveness. “Nah, I’m okay.” I tried to decline without seeming like a wuss. Drake jabbed Devon’s arm. “Do it.” “Fine, if he’s too pansy then I will.” Devon swiftly pocketed the chocolate bar and walked out through the door. Ranger was nowhere to be found, browsing the gum selection behind us. I just sighed, I didn’t like where this evening was headed. We left and the gas tank was full. Since we had dried on the way over, Caruso tagged out with Ranger and finally joined us in the back. “So how was the store?’ He asked as we drove away from the artificial light of the gas station. “Dope, Devon stole a candy bar cause Tim was too chicken to do it.” Finnigan answered and I crossed my arms. “Nice, petty theft.” Caruso nodded. “Be even cooler if it was something bigger.” Vance mused. “Bro, that car!” Brendon stood up and pointed at some beat up Volkswagen Beetle from the early 1960’s. “You can’t do that.” I protested. “Can’t or won’t?” Caruso looked me dead in the eye and slapped the side of the truck twice. “Turn around!” He shouted and Ranger did as he was told. It was some old post office or whatever, federal property, great. Caruso jumped out of the flatbed and started working with a screwdriver one of the guys had produced on the window. After a minute or so he had the car unlocked, then he climbed in and started on the wires. I felt the nerves in my stomach growing. The butterflies multiplied every second we sat here. The other guys were cheering him on, encouraging you can do it’s and almost there’s floated around. Caruso was about halfway there when a cop drove by. The gang grew quiet, and I prayed so hard he hadn’t seen us. With the stakes heightened Caruso was urged on by only one word: hurry. Everyone said it and many more than once. I saw a spark, then a set of headlights in the distance. Please don’t be a cop, please don’t be the cop. A hum of an engine, Caruso had gotten her started. He pulled the door shut and I felt Ranger put the truck in gear. The car drove by. I let out my breath-- Whooop whoooop. Oh no. Ranger pulled out so fast, I had a white-knuckle grip on the edge. Caruso followed in the crappy bug. I couldn’t believe it. We had actually just stolen a car, and now we were running from the police. As the chase ensued our speed only increased. We went faster and faster. Ranger led us to the highway, suddenly there were other cars on the road. We weaved in and out of traffic, us in the back spilling over the edges. I was so scared one of us was going to fall out. But the other guys were loving it. Everyone was alive but me. This night started fun, but it was going downhill so fast, almost as fast as we were flying down the highway. I don’t know how we hadn’t been caught yet, but suddenly the cop started to multiply. Now there were two cars, then four. Soon we hit ten. Ten policemen hot on our tail. The guys were hooting and hollering again, with each additional car they got louder, and I got more scared. We were going so fast, so fast it didn’t feel real. The sound of the sirens was deafening, I thought maybe I heard a chopper join the fray. I didn’t want to go to jail, the lights red and blue were flashing, the cops were getting closer and closer and closer and-- “Tim. . . ?” Ranger’s voice brought me back to the present. I snapped outta it and shook my head, trying to clear the daydream. “Oh, sorry, what?” “Coming? Tonight?” He reiterated, knowing full well if he asked me to come over to hang out with the guys for a night, I’d say no. If he asked me to jump off a dock, I’d say no. If he asked me to ride in the tailgate of his truck, I’d say no. If he asked me to steal a car or even a candy bar, I’d say no. Ranger knew me better than anybody and he definitely knew my answer. But he was always polite, always asked. “Oh, haha, no.” I chuckled. “I just went in my head, and boy did that escalate quickly. So that was good enough. Thanks, though!” I closed the door, retiring to the safety of my quiet boring apartment.