"Surly look! Over here!"

Surly perked his ears in the direction he had heard Grayson's voice. Turning to Andie, the two dropped the nuts they had been nibbling on and ran off to find Grayson. He was standing by the bridge that went over the river, that had melted by now. He was pointing his finger down to something by the river. Surly and Andie walked next to him and peeked down. Andie gasped when she saw the purple flower poking out of the snow. She hopped down to the bank and brushed her paw over the petals. Surly and Grayson followed after her and sniffed the flower.

"You know what this means don't you guys?"

Andie asked with excitement. Grayson scratched his head in thought and Surly just sat there smiling.

"That means spring is here! We have to go show this to our leader, come on!"

Andie shouted, then leaned down and plucked the flower from the ground. She then hopped out of the bank and bounded off for the tree. Surly sighed and started off after her, Grayson following close behind. Surly didn't like the idea of talking to the leader of the tree, Raccoon. The guy was big, and always had a scowl on his face. Something about him set Surly off. But from what he's heard, he's been taking care of the park for almost 2 years now, so he had to give the guy some credit. At the base of the tree Raccoon was busy looking inside the hollow where food was kept for winter.

"Supplies are running low…" He whispered to himself under his breath.

"Excuse me, sir, Raccoon?" Andie called out.

The leader turned and straightened his posture, and let her approach.

"Ah yes…Andie is it? What news do you bring?"

Andie slowly made her way up to him, and held out the flower. Raccoon didn't need to reach for it because his assistant, a red cardinal, swooped down from the tree and plucked it out of Andie's paw. The bird flapped over to Raccoon and landed on his shoulder, handing him the flower. Raccoon looked over the flower, and nodded his head.

"Well done Andie, this is definitely a sign of Spring, well done. Tonight I shall call a meeting in the Old Mill for the tree to decide if it's finally time to declare this winter, over."

Andie nodded and bowed her head to him, then turned back and walked up to Surly and Grayson.

"Can you believe it guys? We found the first flower of spring!"

Andie cheered and Grayson cheered with her. Surly crossed his arms and smiled as he watched the two cheer together. Then Andie took Grayson's hand and went over and took Surly's.

"Come on guys, lets go hang out by the Mill until it's time!"

Then the trio started walking together to the Old Mill. Surly felt uneasy about a meeting with the park. It's not that company bothered him much anymore, but last time he was at a meeting, his mother had been declared dead. He didn't think anything good came out of them.

Surly stood nervously behind Andie with Grayson by his side in front of the park. Andie was standing next to Raccoon with the flower in her paws. She had a smile on her face, but her heart pounded rapidly as she starred over the crowd. Raccoon lifted up a paw and the crowd went silent. Grayson patted Surly's back comfortably, but Surly scooted a bit away from him.

"My fellow brethren, I've brought you all in here tonight for an important announcement."

Then he took a step backwards, and gestured a paw to Andie.

"Go ahead Andie."

Andie took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"I was spending lunch with my two friends Surly and Grayson today. When Grayson called out to us from the river bank. When we found him, he was pointing to this beautiful flower. It is a sign, the first flower to bloom this year."

Grayson stepped next to Andie, and puffed out his chest proudly, Surly came up next to Andie, and gulped. Raccoon came up behind them and put his arms around the three.

"Which means, spring is here!"

He said, lifting his arms up. The park animals let out cheers of joy and jumped around.

"And let us not forget the one who brought us this flower, Andie."

Andie smiled then stepped away.

"I'm sorry sir, but I can't take that credit," she walked over to Grayson and placed the flower in his paws. Grayson looked up, a crooked smile on his face and bits of tears in his eyes. Surly rolled his eyes, and with the help of Andie, they lifted him up and cheered.

"Free cheers for Grayson!"

The park started chanting his name "Grayson, Grayson!" over and over. Grayson lifted the flower up and laughed with happiness. Andie and Surly let him down and gave him a hug, then Andie turned to Surly and hugged him. Surly hugged her back, but let go when he saw Raccoon coming over.

"Well you three will be the talk of the night. Might I have this flower now?"

Grayson started to walk up to Raccoon, but Surly walked in front of him.

"Sir, Grayson found it, shouldn't he be the one to keep it?"

Raccoon's face seemed to stern up a little, and Surly was taken back a bit. Did he just defy him? He was sure he was doomed, but Andie walked in between them.

"Not to be rude sir, but this is kind of an important thing for Grayson. Maybe let him keep it for the night to show it off, you know, so the whole park can get a chance to see it before it's put away. Then once this party and night is over, we'll give it to you."

Raccoon starred at Andie, and Surly felt his heart drop. No one ever defies Raccoon, what he said usually was done and done. But he just regained his posture and sighed.

"Very well young one, your friend can keep a hold of this flower for one night. Just make sure it's not harmed."

Then he turned around and walked off to go talk to a young mole maybe about five months older than Surly himself. Andie let out a sigh of relief, and turned back around to see shocked faces on Grayson and Surly.

"What?"

She asked, looking around.

"It's just…no one stands up to Raccoon."

Surly said awkwardly, looking over at Grayson's flower.

"Well I don't know," Andie shrugged, "He may be the leader, but he doesn't scare me. Plus leaders should look after the well being of their followers after all."

Surly shrugged and just grinned at Andie.

"Well you got guts Andie I'll give you that. You really are fit to be a leader one day."

Andie smiled at Surly and the two looked at each other for awhile until they noticed Grayson was looking at them.

"Hey you guys!"

A voice called and Andie turned to see Jamie walking over and she put her arm around Grayson and her.

"A bunch of us of the same age are gonna play some Truth or Dare while people are celebrating, wanna join?"

Grayson nodded his head and put the flower over his shoulder, strutting over to join the other animals. Andie started to follow him, but turned to see Surly staying behind.

"Surly? You gonna join us?"

Surly frowned and look down, but got a smile back on his face and looked back up at Andie.

"Nah you go on ahead and play with Grayson…I think I'll, uh, chill up on the roof."

He noticed Andie's face sadden a bit, but she nodded and walked off after Grayson. Surly sighed and hopped onto the wood frame, climbing up onto the ceiling and out through a hole that lead to the roof. He sat down and leaned up against his paws behind him. He looked down at the party below, then up at the night sky.

Down below Andie and Grayson sat with a group of young squirrels and gophers. Jamie sat down at silenced the chatty group.

"Alright guys, tonight's truth or dare is gonna be sweet!"

She cheered, then pulled out a glass bottle and pushed it into the middle of the circle. She grabbed it and spun it around and it landed on Grayson.

"Grayson, truth or dare?" She said grinning.

Grayson sat up, holding up the flower.

"I take dare! I'm ready for what ever challenge you put upon me."

Jamie grinned, and pointed at a tan squirrel sitting next to him.

"I dare you to kiss her."

Grayson's face dropped and he look over at the squirrel, who was looking away embarrassed. Some of the animals around him groaned a bit. Grayson leaned over to whisper into Andie's ear.

"Uh Andie, why do they all look…angry?"

Andie laughed at Grayson.

"Well you're kind of popular now Grayson, I think they all have crushes on you. So my guess is that, they are jealous."

Grayson perked up and looked around, as if taking in what popularity he just gained. Grayson smiled and turned to the squirrel, and handed her the flower.

"For you."

The squirrel giggled before Grayson grabbed her and swooped her down, planting a kiss on her lips. Andie rolled her eyes at Grayson. Not only is he dramatic, but he's a dramatic romantic. Grayson pulled away and sat down next to Andie, grinning widely.

Jamie laughed a bit, and turned back to Grayson.

"Alright Grayson, now you spin the bottle."

Grayson grabbed the bottle and gave it a good spun, then it landed by Andie. Grayson grinned and looked over at her. Andie felt a bit worried at what Grayson might dare her to do.

"Andie I dare you to…kiss…"

Andie waited, her heart pounding and all eyes fixed on her.

"Surly!"

Andie's eyes widened, "What?"

The other squirrels laughed at her and so did Grayson. Andie grabbed Grayson's ears and pulled him down.

"Grayson, I can't kiss Surly! First off, he's my friend, second, he's not even playing the game."

Grayson pulled away and twirled his flower around a bit.

"Well a dare is a dare Andie, unless, you want to kiss me?"

Andie got a disgusted look on her face and looked around at everyone else's grinning faces. She flicked her tail agitatedly, then let out a sigh.

"Fine…I'll go up there.."

The others let out tiny cheers and laughs as Andie crawled up the board of the walls. She climbed across the ceiling and poked her head out of the hole. She found Surly still there looking up at the stars. Andie sighed and lifted herself up. How was she going to tell him this? Surly perked his ears when he noticed Andie walking slowly over to him.

"Oh hey Andie, get tired of the party?"

"No…" She said nervously, standing beside Surly.

Surly tilted his head, "Oh, did the game stop?"

Andie sat down next to him, "No, it's still going on. I got dared, by Grayson"

Surly sat up more, "Uh oh, what did he dare you to do?" He asked, looking at her concerned.

Andie brushed her tail nervously with her paws, then looked into Surly's eyes, which had the reflection of stars on them.

"He dared me to kiss you…"

Surly's eyes widened the two looked away from each other shyly.

"Dang it Grayson, always picking the most ridiculous stuff…huh?"

Andie let out an awkward laugh.

"Heh..yeah."

The two sat their, the air filled with awkwardness, neither of them not knowing what to do or say. Surly rubbed the back of his neck and turned to Andie.

"So…what are you gonna do?"

Andie shrugged and sighed.

"I don't know, they'll know I didn't do it if I go back down there now."

Surly thought for a moment, he didn't want a situation that would embarrass Andie. But it's not like this was already embarrassing enough.

"Well they didn't say you had to kiss me on the lips did they. Just a kiss. Here you could just kiss me on the cheek and call it done. How's that?"

Andie looked over and sighed. She really didn't have much of a choice.

"Ok..ok I'm sorry Surly."

Surly chuckled at her a bit, "Hey come on now you don't have to apologize. It's just a stupid dare, right?"

Andie nodded and scooted closer to him. Surly turned his face over and stuck out his cheek. Andie closed her eyes and placed her lips onto his cheek. She pulled away and Surly slowly turned, smiling a bit.

"See? That was nothing…"

He said, but he lost his train of thought as he starred into Andie's eyes. Andie starred into his and the world around them seemed to fade as both leaned forward slowly. Before either of them knew it, there lips were pressed against one another's. Surly felt Andie's paw slide over to his and he took it in his. He had no idea what just happened, but he didn't want this moment to end.

"Aww isn't that sweet?"

Surly and Andie's eyes both popped open and then broke apart to see Grayson and other squirrels peeking out from the hole in the roof. Grayson waved his flower around in circles, grinning at the two. He then flickered his eyes at Surly, and made a kissy face, taunting him. Surly let out a small growl and got up.

"Grayson I'm going to kill you…"

Grayson let out a laugh and so did everyone else, but his face changed when he saw Surly bend down and launch himself at Grayson.

"Surly no, wait! It's fine!"

Andie shouted, but it was too late. Surly crashed into Grayson and knocked him from the roof top and onto the bottom of the party floor. Around them the animals gasped at Grayson lay on his back against the wood floor. Surly had his paws holding his shoulders to keep him down.

"You're going to pay for that dare, you know?"

Grayson stuck his paws in his face quickly.

"No Surly wait you don't understand you have to stop. I'm in big trouble."

"Oh you're in big trouble alright." Surly said angrily.

Grayson then grabbed his shoulders and pulled him close.

"No you don't understand I…I landed on the flower…"

Surly's expression changed when he realized what he had done. He quickly got off of Grayson and let him stand up. The two looked down in horror and the animals around them gasped. The beautiful flower was now crushed and crumbled from the fall.

"Oh no…" Surly whispered to himself, and they both turned around when they heard Raccoon come up from behind them. He pushed in between them and bent down to pick up the flower. Andie jumped down from the roof top and walked over to Surly and Grayson, avoiding Raccoon's gaze. He turned to the three squirrels, his expression seemed calm, but who knew what kind of rage it held. Andie was the first to step forward.

"Raccoon, we're so sorry for ruining the first spring flower."

Grayson stepped forward, Surly could see him shaking a bit.

"Raccoon it's all my fault, I was the one who decided to keep the flower and I've ruined it, punish me if you must…"

Raccoon raised a brow and looked up at Surly. Surly stood there being starred down by this leader. Then he turned round to face the crowd.

"Fine, because of Grayson's actions, he is to be sentenced to stay at the tree farthest away from our own. The tree that hangs over the city. He shall stay there…for the remainder of the week."

"What?"

Andie said under her breath, and Grayson let out a small whimper. Surly looked back and forth to his friends, then took a deep breath. He pushed in front of them, and ran in front of Raccoon and the crowd.

"No!"

Raccoon looked down at Surly, Surly thought he saw a shocked look in his eyes. The red cardinal flew down from the roof and landed on his arm. Surly gulped, and stood up straight, then turned and faced the crowd.

"It's my fault the flower is dead."

The crowd was filled with whispers and looks toward him, but Surly held his ground.

"It was my fault for wanting Grayson to keep the flower in the first place. And it's my fault for tackling Grayson to the floor. If anyone should be punished," He turned to Raccoon, but looked back at Andie and Grayson, "It should be me."

Andie's gaze softened and Grayson looked at him with shock. Raccoon looked down at the teenage squirrel, and let out a grunt. Then he looked back up to the crowd.

"I say we hold a trial. All favor of Grayson being banished, raise your paws."

Surly looked around, but he didn't see a single paw raise into the air.

"Alright then, Surly squirrel for banishment."

Multiple paws started to raise, and all Surly wanted to do was disappear from the room. All but Grayson and Andie held there paws up. Surly walked over to them and up to Andie.

"Surly no I…I can't do this to you."

Grayson ran up to Surly and placed his paws onto his shoulders, shaking him around.

"Surly! Why did you do that? I deserve this punishment."

Surly shook his head, and brushed his paws off.

"This is my punishment Grayson," then he turned to Andie, "It's only a week, I'll be fine."

Andie looked away and sighed. She felt bad because this wouldn't have happened if she hadn't taken that dare. She wished she would've just kissed Grayson instead. Then again, she was glad she didn't. This night really changed her view on something.

"Ok, but I'll come visit you, I'll bring you food."

Surly shook his head, and grabbed one of her paws.

"I don't want you getting into trouble Andie. You want to be leader one day, you need to stay on the park and Raccoon's good side."

Andie sighed and looked over at Raccoon. Slowly, but hesitantly, she raised her paw, and Grayson did the same. Surly sighed and walked up to Raccoon.

"Then it's settled, Surly squirrel is to be banished to the farthest tree at the edge of the park for the rest of the week. Maybe while he's there, he'll learn a thing or two about not following the rules."

Then with that, Raccoon left, declaring the party over. As he walked out of the Old Mill, the other park animals followed, glancing over at Surly every now and then. Soon the Old Mill was empty, and Surly just stood there. Then from outside, the mole came in and walked behind Surly.

"By order of Raccoon, he has instructed me to take you to the tree for your sentence."

Surly sighed and started walking out of the old mill. He glanced back to see the two sad faces of Andie and Grayson looking after him. He turned away from them as he walked out of the Mill. As he walked away, he glanced over at Raccoon who was watching the park animals go to the tree. Then he turned over to him and for a second it looked like he gave him a death glare, before returning to the animals. Surly shuddered a bit, but rolled his eyes, and continued following the mole. It didn't take long for them to reach the tree, and Surly looked up into the branches. Leaves were just starting to sprout for the winter.

"Now, by the authority granted by Raccoon, and the park community, Surly Squirrel is hereby banished to the ends of the park. To live in this tree for a whole week, for his crime against crushing the first spring flower."

Surly looked to the ground in shame, but then jumped for the tree, climbing up it until he was far away from the mole's sight. Looking down he saw the mole start to leave and he sighed. Looking around, the trunk of the tree was to thin to have a good hollow, so it was open branches for him. Surly jumped up onto a thick branch and leaned against the trunk. He looked out over the park at the huge oak tree where his friends were sleeping tonight. This was not a good night for him. Where Grayson and Andie has been pronounced heroes, Surly had been pronounced a criminal.

"Oh Surly, what have you done…" Surly whispered to himself, before slowly drifting off into sleep.