"Minnesota?"

"Yup."

"That's like a million miles from here!"

"More like 1,889 miles. But you were close," Ally said sarcastically to Brooke. Brooke and anyone in the popular crowd never got her sarcastic side.

"But I thought Principal Tolken didn't expel you?" Trent said, fiddling with Ally's Rubik's cube on her desk. He gave up in frustration; couldn't even solve one row.

Ethan, Brooke, and Trent came over to Ally's house the night before graduation. Ally was forbidden to go out until that day because of what happened the night of the prank.

"Yeah, but that wasn't enough for my dad to punish me."

"Why Minnesota? It's like the middle of nowhere. Does your dad hate you that much?" Brooke scoffed.

"My dad doesn't hate me. He's just disappointed. And we have family in Minnesota. It's where I was born, remember?"

"You were born in Minnesota? I never knew that!" Brooke said.

"You know, you're the most awesome best friend a girl could have, Brookie," Ally sarcastically spat.

"Aww! Thanks, Ally!" Brooke took it as a 'compliment'.

"I told you to run with me, babe. You should have listened to me. You know I'm always right. You wouldn't have to be in this mess if you just listened," Ethan scolded her. It wasn't new to Ally, but she could never find the courage to correct him. Though she was working on it.

"His car was about to fall. We never intended for that part of the prank. It's the principle of things, Ethan," Ally defended.

"Well duh it's the principal. That was his car," Brooke commented. Ally inwardly groaned. How did she go two years being friends with such a ditz?

"Principle or not, now you're in trouble. So don't be calling me crying your eyes out at night saying you're dying of boredom in Minnesota. I actually want to have fun this summer before college starts," Ethan demanded.

Some boyfriend, Ally thought to herself.

Minnesota was Ally's punishment from her father. He didn't feel like what Principal Tolken gave her was sufficient enough. Nor did Trish and Dez's parents.


Flashback

After Ally, Trish, and Dez were put in a holding cell at the local station, their principal decided to take matters into his own hands before their parents ripped their heads off, so he picked up the three students and informed their parents to meet at the school shortly after. He told their parents of the events for the night. Visibly, each adult was furious yet embarrassed for his or her children. A police officer was in the office with them, explaining what they knew of the story. But knowing his students like the back of his hand, Principal Tolken knew it wasn't Ally, Trish or Dez's actual fault. When Ally finally defended their names, claiming that they were trying to keep his car from falling, he didn't think twice to believe them. He knew it was a senior prank as well so he took that into consideration. Now he didn't want to show biasness so he had to punish them somehow. Though what was a principal's action towards scholar students? He had no idea how to punish them.

"Three days of school suspension. You can participate in only graduation, and the senior BBQ at the end of the summer."

Ally, Trish, and Dez breathed a sigh of relief.

"But I'm not done yet," the principal stated. "I know you kids won't say any names, and I know your intentions were well for saving my car. But, just being a part of this prank got you into this mess. Now I've grown to know you three since the start of junior high (their principal was the principal of their middle school, and he got promoted to the high school the same year they started) and I know you are good kids, despite the social hierarchy of this school," he was mainly referring to Ally. "So, at the end of the summer, at the senior BBQ, I want you guys to share what you learned with everyone."

"What we learned about what?" Trish asked.

"I'll leave that up to you," Principal Tolken said. "And I'll leave the way you present it to your liking as well. It can be written, recorded, spoken, I don't care. So long as you have something prepared. This may not sound like much, but I need people to be part of the program with the reflections part, and since I need a consequence, there you have it."

It didn't really seem like much of a 'punishment' so to speak, but the principal was right that nobody would have signed up for this if he threw it out there to the senior class. It was nothing lame, but who could really speak on behalf of the senior class what they learned throughout their time here? Certainly not two regular kids like Trish and Dez, and certainly not Ally, despite her popularity.

"I think that's very reasonable, sir," Ally responded.

"Now, I know your parents might have other things in store for you," this time he looked at their parents, "but if it helps, thank you," Principal Tolken said about saving his car.

Later That Evening

"Ally we are so disappointed in you!" her father started. Trish and Dez's family were also at Ally's house. The parents wanted to lecture their kids in front of each other to make it that more embarrassing.

"But dad, didn't you hear Mr. Tolken? It wasn't our fault!" Ally protested.

"Then why did you get caught?!" he boiled in anger.

"Dez, when are you going to learn to grow up?! Stop being a silly boy and become a man already!" a short but buff man was telling off his tall redheaded son.

"I'm sorry Dad, but Ally needed our help. And this has nothing to do with my creative side!" he crossed his arms like a little boy.

"Patricia María De la Rosa, tu padre y yo estamos muy decepcionados en ti. Debe detener estas payasadas infantiles y ponernos serios sobre su futuro,"

"Pero mamá, estoy siendo responsable. ¿Qué te hace pensar que no se preocupan por mi futuro?"

"Ugh!" the two Latinas said and crossed arms, turning away from each other.

"Trish, do not talk to your mother like that," her dad, a pudgy average height man scolded.

"But papa, she thinks it's my fault!"

"I don't care whose fault it is, don't talk back to your mother like that."

"Mom, can you please tell dad that he's getting upset for nothing?" Ally begged her mother.

"Ally sweetie, we know you didn't start it, we're just disappointed that you were a part of it."

"Yeah, we're all disappointed in you kids. What were you thinking? Why be a part of something this stupid?" Dez's father questioned.

"Exactly. Since when was school pranks more important than actual school?" Ally's dad added.

"Makes you wonder what they teach our kids nowadays," Dez's mother said.

"We expected more from you kids," Trish's mother concluded.

"We know, and we're sorry," Ally tried explaining. "We really weren't thinking when it all started, but can you at least acknowledge that what we did at the end was the right thing?"

"If it was right, you wouldn't have gotten in trouble," her father pointed out.

"But Dad…" Ally tried but really had nothing left to say.

"And how many times have I told you I don't like those friends of yours, Ally? See, it only took a matter of time for you to get in trouble."

"What? Dez and Trish? It's not their fault! This is all me," she defended.

"Not Dez and Trish. Ethan and his friends," her dad corrected.

"Wait, hold up," Dez's father interrupted. "Since when were you three friends again?"

"Uh… Well…" Ally, Dez and Trish muttered.

The three teenagers looked at each other. Were they friends again?

"You know what, it doesn't matter. What are we going to do about these kids, Lester?" Trish's father asked.

Mr. Dawson paced back and forth in silence for a minute. He decided he would think well with an ice-cold beer so he walked over to his refrigerator to grab a few bottles for the other dads. Closing the refrigerator door and popping the cap off of one, he look a look swig. Mr. Dawson's eyes fell on a birthday greeting that his sister mailed him for his recent birthday tucked under a magnet on the door. He pulled it off the wall and flipped the postcard over. Examining the back for a minute, he came to a conclusion.

"Minnesota," he said stepping back in the room, handing beers to the other dads.

"Minnesota?" Dez was confused.

"Dad, what about Minnesota?" Ally asked.

"You're punishment."

"What?" Ally grew wide-eyed.

"You're going to Minnesota, Ally. It'll teach you to be more responsible."

"How will that teach me to be responsible? By sending me away from you?!"

"You're aunt Lisa lives there, remember? It's time you learn to take responsibility. You'll help her and your uncle George with a new project of mine and whatever they need help with and until you grow up, you'll be staying with her for the summer."

"The entire summer?! Dad! Minnesota is the middle of nowhere! Aunt Lisa doesn't even live in the city, she's in the countryside! How am I supposed to have fun?"

"This trip isn't about fun. It's about responsibility. It's final, Ally. You're going."

"Oh, Ally. I'm so sorry," Trish said.

Dez's father and Trish's father both shared a glance and smiled.

"You know what, Lester. That's not a bad idea. You mind if my Dez-y boy goes with her?"

"And Trish too."

"What?!"

"Dad, no!"

"As a matter of fact, that's a great idea. There you go Ally. You'll have lots of fun catching up with your old friends. I'm sure you guys have missed each other these past two years. Now's your chance to rekindle."

"But dad!"

"No buts, Allyson. You kids leave the day after graduation. Until then, you are to stay home and you cannot socialize with anyone."

End Flashback


The morning after graduation came too soon. Ally asked Ethan and his friends if they would say goodbye to her and they promised. But Ally phoned Ethan that morning and he was just waking up from a massive hangover from a grad party.

"Ethan, I won't see you for two months and this is how you're saying goodbye to me? Through a phone call?"

(on the phone) "S-sorry babe. Trent's party was just so poppin' last night I couldn't help it. He's my best friend."

"And I'm your girlfriend."

"Look, if you want me to go to you right now, I won't be at all presentable to your father. He already hates my guts, stupid asshole."

"Hey, he may be strict, but don't call my dad that."

"I'm sorry. He's just too overprotective of you it's insane. I'm sure he's sending you somewhere with hillbillies and monsters."

"I'm staying with relatives so it won't be that bad. Plus Trish and Dez's parents made them go too."

"Those losers? Don't tell me you're all friends again, Ally."

"Ethan…"

"Sorry. Well, I hope you're not bored to death so much. Trent's dad is letting us go to the lake house for a month so I'll try to call when I can."

"Sure I guess. Well, I gotta go. My flight's leaving soon."

*click*

"Mom, did you make sure my blow dryer and curling iron were packed? And where's my hairspray?"

"You know sweetie, I would have never guessed that you'd be so high maintenance in your life," Mrs. Dawson chuckled.

"High maintenance or not, a girl still has to have proper grooming, mom," Ally said naively.

"I know, sweetie. I'm sorry. And I'm sorry about your father's behavior lately."

"It's not your fault, mom. Dad's just mad at me. I get it. I'm not the son he's always wanted."

"Hey don't say that. He just wants what's best for you."

"And how does he know what's best for me? He won't even listen to me. No one does."

"Trish and Dez did once upon a time," her mother pointed.

Ally fell silent. Her mother knew Ally so well.

"Maybe you could look at this trip as a good thing."


Six hours and 1 layover later

Ally's dad put them on a commercial plane with a one-hour layover to Minneapolis. From there, they were to be picked up by a private plane to land at a non primary airport about a half hour away from their destination. Ally spent the entire flight getting as much sleep as she could, as did Trish and Dez. From the time they boarded to when they finally reached the airport, neither of the three really talked to one another.

Ally, Trish and Dez were greeted by Ally's aunt, her father's youngest sibling, and her husband.

"Ally, sweetheart! I haven't seen you in over ten years!" her aunt enveloped her into a hug.

"Hi Aunt Lisa," Ally was always excited to talk to her aunt. Though they were mostly through telephone, her aunt really understood her.

"Hey there, little miss," her uncle tipped his hat.

"Hi uncle George," Ally gave him a hug as well.

Coming back to reality, Ally remembered she was with other people.

"Aunt Lisa, Uncle George, this is Trish and Dez. They're uh, my classmates from school."

"Ahh, the other trouble makers," uncle George chuckled.

"Hi," Trish and Dez said shaking their hands but sulked in embarrassment.

"Well, let's not make this any more awkward. Let's get you guys home and we'll sort things out then. You kids mind if we drop by the town for a minute? We want to pick up some pie to celebrate!"

"Celebrate what?" Dez asked.

"You kids visiting!" Aunt Lisa exclaimed.

"Celebrate? This is punishment, aunt Lisa."

"Then let's celebrate your punishment!" she laughed. They all gathered their bags, tossed them into the back of uncle George's pick-up truck and headed to town. The drive was bumpy, to say the least, nothing Ally was used to.

"Welcome to Dawson, MN. 'The Small City With The Bright Future'," Dez read the sign aloud. "Wait, Dawson?"

As they reached further into town, Trish and Dez realized two things: the town's name, and the names of the shops – Dawson. They were in Dawson, Minnesota and almost every shop on the strip had the name "Dawson" as a part of it. The two looked at each other, bewildered, and glanced at Ally.

"What? You both know that my dad's rich," Ally reminded them. "It hasn't been that long."

"No, we knew that, Ally. But we didn't know he owned a city!"

"This place isn't really a city. It's more like a town. A small town. My dad's great granddad was named after this city. And he owned a few businesses as well."

"William Dawson, he was a landowner. Ally's old man is the oldest of the siblings and now he owns this place," George added.

"Huh. You learn something new every day," Dez said. This lightened the mood and the three of them sort of smiled.

"But I thought you were born in St. Paul?" Trish questioned.

"Yeah, I was," Ally smiled. Trish remembered. Unlike Brooke. Why did weren't they friends again?

After what seemed like forever waiting for the pie at the bakery (it really only took 10 minutes), they were on the road again to their countryside home. George pulled into a dirt road and was driving through the pasture. A lot of dust was accumulating and Ally was getting irritated on top of the 90-degree weather.

"This is not how I pictured my summer vacation," she muttered to herself.

"You kids can sit outside if you'd like. We don't have air conditioning in here," her aunt suggested.

"Not a bad idea," Ally said as she, Trish and Dez climbed out of the rooftop window to the bed of the truck. They settled on some of their luggage and let the wind hit their sweaty faces. Ally used a neck scarf to shield her mouth from any dust hitting her face.

Her uncle drove over a very bumpy stretch, causing Ally to lose her balance for a second and hit her head to the side of the cab. Having to focus her grip on something to keep from falling, her scarf flew the opposite direction along with the wind.

"My scarf! Uncle George, stop the truck!"

Uncle George made an abrupt stop, jerking everyone forward. Ally jumped out of the truck and started looking around the ground, hoping her scarf didn't wander too far.

"What's going on, Ally?" Uncle George stepped out of the car. Trish and Dez stepped down while aunt Lisa stayed seated.

"My scarf flew away. I can't lose that. I got it from Italy!" Ally complained.

"Sweetheart. It probably fell nearby. Just look harder."

"Or it could has flown away with the wind," Dez said.

"Oh no! We have to turn around to get it back!"

"Well, the sun's setting and we're still about one mile to the house. I don't want to lug everything in the dark. You can find it tomorrow," Uncle George told her.

"No, it'll be too late by then. We have to find it now. I'm not going anywhere until I see it again."

George looked at Trish and Dez with an 'is she serious?' face and Trish just nodded.

"Why don't Dez and I help Ally find it and we'll just walk to the house. It's only a mile, right?"

"Alright. Well if you kids aren't back in an hour I'll come and get you then," George said then climbed back into his truck and drove off.

"Are we really going to help her find a scarf?" Dez whispered to Trish.

"I think it flew down the road!" Ally shouted about 50 feet ahead of them. She began running down the road.

"Of course, because this is how I want to spend my vacation," Dez rolled his eyes.

"Come on, freckles. Her family's letting us stay here for free. It's the least we can do. Who knows, maybe something good will come out of this," Trish hoped. "Maybe, just maybe."


A/N: Just wanted to clear a few things. I'm not from Minnesota. Don't really know much about the state except for the twin cities. In the show, Ally mentioned she was from Minnesota. I think it was St. Paul, or maybe I just made her from St. Paul in my fic. And as you just read, I was able to incorporate a much better plot due to Ally's last name, Dawson. For the purpose of this story, I just wanted to clarify that I'm using semi-fictional geographical and historical references that I made up. K bye.