Tree House
*In the tree house in the Carmichaels' backyard
Drake and Josh lay sprawled across the floor of the cramped treehouse, their feet pressed against the wooden walls. The air hung heavy with the scent of freshly cut lumber and the boys' growing frustration. Hours seemed to stretch into an eternity, a mocking reminder of their confinement.
"Whataya think our twin dates are doing?" Josh asked, his voice barely a whisper as he stared at the ceiling.
"Sittin' at the Premiere, wonderin' where we are," Drake replied, his tone equally dejected.
The boys sighed in unison, a wave of disappointment washing over them. They had been so excited about their double date with beautiful twin girls, a rare opportunity that they now were unfortunately going to miss. Their plans were in ruins, replaced by the stark reality of their predicament.
"That Megan," Josh growled. "This time she's gone too far! And I'll tell you what, we are gonna get her back!"
Drake's response was unexpectedly calm. "No, we're not," he said flatly, his gaze fixed on the wooden planks above them.
Josh's anger deflated like a punctured balloon. "I know..." he mumbled, his voice barely a whisper. He knew all too well the futility of trying to outsmart their cunning sister. Megan always seemed to be one step ahead, her pranks leaving them flustered and defeated.
Low rumbles echoed through the treehouse, a chorus of hunger pangs emanating from the boys' empty stomachs.
"Man, can you hear my stomach rumbling?" Drake groaned, rubbing his belly in a futile attempt to silence the symphony of hunger.
"Yeah," Josh replied, his voice a low grumble. "Mine is too."
"I've never been this hungry," Drake lamented. "I wish I had an Inside Out Burger right now. "
Josh groaned in frustration. "Would you stop talking about burgers? I can't take it. I can practically smell 'em."
"I know...," said Drake.
The boys' noses twitched, their senses overwhelmed by the undeniable aroma of grilling meat. It wasn't just their hunger-induced imaginations playing tricks on them. The smell was real, and it was tantalizingly close.
"Wait a sec!" Josh exclaimed, sitting up abruptly. "I do smell burgers."
"Yeah, me too!" Drake confirmed.
They both scrambled to their feet, peering out the window with a mix of hope and disbelief. Josh's jaw dropped as he spotted Megan below, casually flipping burgers on a portable grill.
"Megan!" he shouted, his voice a mixture of shock and outrage.
Megan looked up, a sly grin spreading across her face. "Oh, hey," she replied, feigning innocence. "What's up?"
"I can't believe you!" Josh sputtered, his anger boiling over. He turned to Drake, his eyes wide with indignation. "She's grillin' burgers!"
"What?!" Drake roared, rushing to the window to confirm the scene unfolding below. "Oh, so now you're gonna torture us with the smell of food while we're starvin' up here?!"
Megan shrugged, her smirk widening. "Pretty much, yeah," she admitted, relishing her brothers' frustration.
"Okay, this is a new low, even for you!" Drake snarled, his voice laced with a mixture of anger and disbelief.
Megan merely shrugged, a smug smirk playing on her lips. "Really? 'Cuz I think it's a new high for me." She turned back to the grill, carefully placing a slice of cheddar cheese on a sizzling patty. "Ooh, this one's ready for cheese."
"Hey!" Josh shouted, his voice echoing through the backyard. "Hey, you forgot one thing, Megan!"
Megan turned back, a playful glint in her eyes. "No, I didn't," she replied nonchalantly, holding up a package of hamburger buns. "I got buns right here."
Josh's face flushed with frustration. "I meant we're gonna tell Mom and Dad, and then you're gonna be in huge trouble!"
Megan's smirk widened. "Well, you're gonna have to wait," she taunted. "'Cuz Mom and Dad went out to have dinner and see a movie with the Schneiders."
Josh groaned, his shoulders slumping in defeat. "Stupid Schneiders," he muttered under his breath.
"Yeah, you want food?" Megan sneered, a triumphant glint in her eyes. "Looks like you're gonna have to beg."
"No!" Josh retorted, his voice filled with defiance. "We will not beg for food! Just... just give me a hamburger!"
Megan shrugged, a cruel smile playing on her lips. "Okay," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. With a flick of her wrist, she scooped up a raw patty with the spatula and launched it upwards. The cold, uncooked meat slapped against Josh's face with a sickening thud.
"Ow..." Josh groaned, his voice muffled by the patty clinging to his cheek.
"What happened?" Drake asked, alarmed by his brother's cry.
Josh turned around, revealing the raw meat patty stuck to his face like a grotesque mask. "She hit me in the face with a meat patty."
Drake cautiously reached out and poked the patty, his fingers recoiling at the slimy texture. "Ew, it's raw," he grimaced.
Driven by their intense hunger, the boys' primal instincts took over. They tentatively tasted the raw meat, their expressions contorting in disgust.
"Hmm, this is gross," Drake mumbled, trying to swallow the unappetizing morsel.
"Yeah, nasty," Josh agreed, spitting out a chunk of gristle.
Yet, despite the revolting taste, they continued to nibble at the raw meat, their hunger momentarily eclipsing their better judgment.
Megan stood beneath the treehouse, a triumphant smirk plastered on her face. Once again, she had successfully tormented her brothers, and it felt oh-so-good. This time, she had even managed to add a layer of culinary cruelty to her prank, and the satisfaction was immeasurable.
But her gloating was abruptly interrupted by the distinct sound of a car pulling into the driveway next door. Car doors opened and closed, followed by the murmur of voices. Megan's heart skipped a beat. Busted.
With a swiftness that belied her usual nonchalance, she abandoned her grilling station and darted out of the Carmichaels' back gate, racing towards her own house. Just as she suspected, Audrey and Walter were standing on the front porch, their smiles fading as they spotted their daughter's hasty retreat.
"Megan?" Audrey's voice cut through the twilight, stopping Megan in her tracks.
Megan's heart pounded in her chest. She plastered a fake smile on her face and turned to greet her parents. "Oh... hey, Mom," she chirped, feigning innocence. "You're home early."
"Yes, we are," Walter replied, a hint of suspicion in his voice. "The Schneiders got a call from their daughter about an emergency."
"So, we had to cut our evening short," Audrey added, her eyes scanning Megan's face for any sign of deceit.
"Oh..." Megan mumbled, her smile fading as a wave of dread washed over her. She knew her carefully crafted facade was about to crumble, exposing her cruel prank. Her parents were home, and they were about to discover the truth.
Audrey and Walter's gazes swept across the backyard, landing on the newly constructed treehouse that loomed over the Carmichaels' property.
"Where are Drake and Josh?" Audrey inquired, her brow furrowed with concern.
"Oh... um... they went on their double date," Megan replied, her voice a little too high-pitched.
However, Audrey and Walter's attention shifted to the driveway, where Drake and Josh's car sat idle.
"That's strange," Audrey remarked, a hint of suspicion creeping into her voice. "Their car is still here."
Megan's mind raced, desperately searching for a plausible excuse. "They... took a bus?" she offered, her voice laced with uncertainty.
"Why would they take a bus when they have their own car?" Walter questioned, his skepticism growing.
"I-I don't know," Megan stammered, her facade crumbling under the weight of her lie.
Audrey and Walter exchanged a knowing glance, their arms folding across their chests in unison.
"Alright, Megan," Audrey said, her tone firm but gentle. "What's going on? Where are your brothers?"
Walter echoed her question, his voice carrying a hint of authority. "Tell us the truth, Megan."
Megan's heart hammered in her chest, her palms growing clammy. The web of lies she had spun was unraveling, and she knew she couldn't keep up the charade any longer.
With a defeated sigh, she pointed towards the treehouse. "They're... they're in there."
Without hesitation, Walter and Audrey rushed towards the Carmichaels' backyard, their footsteps pounding on the pavement. Walter, in his haste, practically kicked open the back gate, his concern for his sons overriding any sense of decorum.
"Drake! Josh!" they called out in unison, their voices echoing through the twilight.
The boys, startled by the familiar voices, abruptly stopped their impromptu snack.
"That sounded like Mom and Dad!" Josh exclaimed, a glimmer of hope replacing his earlier despair.
"Yeah, it's them!" Drake confirmed, his face brightening with relief.
With renewed energy, the boys scrambled to the window, their faces pressing against the screen.
"Mom! Dad!" they shouted, their voices filled with urgency. "We're up here!" Josh frantically waved his arm out the window, hoping to catch his parents' attention.
Audrey and Walter's heads snapped up, following the frantic waving of Josh's arm until they spotted their sons peering out of the treehouse window.
"Boys? What's going on here?" Audrey questioned, her voice filled with a mixture of bewilderment and concern.
"Why are you still in the treehouse?" Walter added, his brow furrowed in confusion.
Josh leaned out the window, his expression a blend of exasperation and accusation. "We're stuck in here because a certain someone," he said, shooting a pointed glare at Drake, "forgot to cut out a door hole for us."
Drake, caught red-handed, could only offer a sheepish shrug and an awkward grin in response.
"Oh my God," Audrey exclaimed, her hand instinctively flying to her forehead in a classic facepalm gesture. "Drake, how could you forget something so basic?"
Walter's concern deepened. "How long have you two been stuck up there?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.
"Since about 5:15," Josh replied, his stomach growling audibly in emphasis.
"And we're bored and starving," Drake added, his voice plaintive.
Audrey and Walter exchanged a worried glance, a pang of guilt tugging at their hearts. They hadn't intended for their punishment to turn into such an ordeal. They had simply wanted Drake and Josh to learn a lesson about responsibility, not end up trapped and hungry in a treehouse.
"Don't worry, boys," Audrey called out, her voice filled with reassurance. "We'll have you down in no time."
Walter's eyes scanned the backyard, searching for a solution. He spotted the power saw lying forgotten amidst the wood shavings and debris. "Here's the saw," he announced, a glimmer of determination in his eyes.
With the saw in hand, Walter carefully ascended the ladder, his movements steady despite his age. Once he reached the treehouse platform, he took a deep breath and revved the saw to life. The buzzing sound echoed through the backyard as he carefully began cutting a door-sized hole in the side of the treehouse.
As the final piece of wood fell away, revealing a makeshift doorway, Drake and Josh let out a collective sigh of relief. Fresh air rushed into the stuffy treehouse, carrying with it the promise of freedom and a full stomach.
Without hesitation, the boys scrambled through the opening and leaped into their father's waiting arms.
"Thank you, Dad!" Josh exclaimed, his voice muffled against Walter's shoulder.
"Yeah, thanks, Walter," Drake echoed, squeezing his stepfather tightly. "We thought we'd never get out of there."
Walter chuckled, his heart swelling with love for his sons. "No problem, boys," he said, returning their embrace. "Just glad you're safe."
Audrey's smile faded as her eyes landed on the makeshift grilling station, still emanating warmth and the mouth-watering scent of cooked meat.
"What's this doing here?" she questioned, her voice laced with confusion and a hint of disapproval.
Drake, Josh, and Walter descended the ladder, their reunion cut short by the sight of the grill. The boys' faces hardened, their earlier relief replaced by a simmering anger.
"You wanna know what that is?" Drake spat, his voice laced with bitterness. "Megan was grilling burgers out here while we were stuck up there, starving!"
Audrey and Walter's expressions turned to shock. "What?" Walter exclaimed, his voice incredulous.
"It's true," Josh confirmed, his tone equally indignant. "Megan thought it would be funny to taunt us with the smell of cheeseburgers while we were trapped and hungry!"
Just then, Megan cautiously emerged from the back door, her footsteps hesitant as she entered the backyard. She had heard her name being mentioned and, with a sinking feeling, realized her parents had discovered her cruel prank. Her wide eyes and innocent expression did little to mask the guilt etched on her face.
Audrey and Walter turned towards their daughter, their gazes piercing through her flimsy facade. The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken accusations and disappointment.
"Megan..." Walter's voice was firm, his disappointment palpable.
"Were you cooking hamburgers out here while your brothers were stuck up there, hungry and alone?" Audrey questioned, her voice a gentle but unwavering demand for the truth.
Megan's face flushed, her eyes darting nervously between her parents. How could she possibly explain this away? Her mind raced, desperately searching for a plausible excuse, but none came.
"Uh... I... well... I..." she stammered, her voice trailing off into an embarrassed silence.
Drake and Josh exchanged triumphant glances, their arms crossed in a gesture of smug satisfaction. They reveled in this rare moment of vulnerability, their sister finally caught red-handed.
"Go ahead, Megan," Drake urged, a sly smirk playing on his lips. "Why don't ya' tell Mom and Dad how you left us trapped up there and then tortured us with those burgers?"
"Yes, do tell, Megan," Josh added, his tone a mix of amusement and reproach.
Beads of sweat formed on Megan's forehead, the weight of her guilt pressing down on her. The jig was up, and she knew it.
"Okay, fine!" Megan burst out, her voice a mix of frustration and resignation. "Yes, I left Drake and Josh stuck up there, and then I grilled burgers right in front of them!"
Audrey and Walter's jaws dropped, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief.
"Megan!" Audrey exclaimed, her voice sharp with disapproval.
"How could you do something so mean-spirited to your brothers?" Walter questioned, his tone a blend of disappointment and anger.
Megan's defiance flared. "I did it to get back at them for making me miss Janie's birthday party!" she retorted. "If I can't go to Janie's party, then they can't go on their dates."
Audrey and Walter's expressions hardened. Their daughter's words stung, revealing a side of her they rarely saw - a vindictive, manipulative streak that had overshadowed her usual sweetness. The atmosphere in the backyard grew tense, the air thick with unspoken disappointment and the lingering scent of grilled meat.
"Megan Louise Parker!" Audrey's voice thundered through the backyard, startling birds from the nearby trees. "How dare you do something so cruel and heartless to your brothers! I thought I raised you better than this!"
Megan flinched, her defiance melting away under the heat of her mother's anger. "I'm sorry, Mommy," she whimpered, her voice small and pleading. "I was just angry."
"Being angry is no excuse for such malicious behavior," Walter added, his voice stern and unwavering.
Audrey pointed a finger towards the house, her gesture brooking no argument. "You go to your room right now, young lady! You are in big trouble!"
Megan's shoulders slumped, her earlier bravado replaced by a sullen resignation. With a huff of frustration, she stomped towards the house, her footsteps echoing her displeasure.
"This is so unfair," she muttered under her breath, her voice laced with bitterness.
Drake and Josh exchanged a knowing smirk, their eyes twinkling with satisfaction. Finally, Megan was getting a taste of her own medicine. It had been satisfying the first time, when she was forced to help them rebuild the treehouse, but this felt even sweeter.
Audrey and Walter turned back to their sons, their expressions softened with concern.
"Are you boys alright now?" Walter inquired, his voice filled with genuine worry.
"We're so sorry Megan treated you like this," Audrey added, her tone apologetic. "Believe me, she's going to be grounded for a long time."
Drake and Josh's smiles widened. "We're okay now, Mom," Josh reassured her.
"Yeah," Drake chimed in, "we're just glad to be out of there."
Walter nodded, a relieved smile spreading across his face. "That's good," he said, his gaze lingering on his sons with a newfound appreciation for their resilience.
Josh's eyes widened as he glanced at his watch. Time had slipped away during their treehouse ordeal.
"Oh man," he whispered urgently to Drake, "we better hurry to the Premiere! The twins are probably still waiting for us."
Drake's face paled. "You're right," he exclaimed, a sense of panic creeping into his voice. "We can't keep them waiting!"
Without another word, the boys sprinted towards their house, their legs pumping with newfound energy. They had a date to salvage, and every second counted.
*At the Premiere
Two strikingly similar figures, blonde twin sisters Carissa and Katrina, stood near the bustling entrance of the Premiere Movie Theater. Carissa tapped her foot impatiently, her eyes glancing at her watch for the umpteenth time. It was well past 7:00, the agreed-upon meeting time for their double date with Drake and Josh.
"Where do you think they could be?" Carissa sighed, her voice laced with a hint of frustration.
Katrina shrugged, her expression mirroring her sister's. "I don't know, Car, but they're awfully late."
Carissa rolled her eyes. This wasn't the first time they'd been stood up or left waiting by tardy dates. A wave of disappointment washed over her, threatening to dampen her excitement for the evening.
Suddenly, the theater doors burst open, and two figures came barreling through, their chests heaving and their faces flushed. Drake and Josh, looking slightly disheveled but undeniably relieved, skidded to a halt in front of the twins.
"Hey, we're here! We're here!" Drake gasped, his words punctuated by breathless pants.
The girls crossed their arms, their expressions unreadable.
"You're late," Carissa stated flatly, her tone leaving no room for excuses.
"Where have you two been?" Katrina added, her voice echoing her sister's disapproval.
Drake and Josh exchanged sheepish glances. They knew they deserved the girls' frustration.
"We're really sorry, ladies," Josh apologized, his voice sincere. "We would have been here earlier, but we got... stuck somewhere."
"It's a long story," Drake mumbled, avoiding eye contact.
The boys offered hopeful smiles, their expressions a mix of apology and eagerness. They could only hope that their tardiness hadn't completely ruined their chances with the twins.
The twins' initial annoyance melted away as they took in the boys' disheveled appearance and earnest apologies. Their expressions softened, replaced by a flicker of curiosity and understanding. It was clear that something unexpected had happened, something that had genuinely delayed them.
"Okay," Katrina said, her voice a bit gentler now. "We'll forgive you... this once."
Carissa nodded in agreement. "You may not have made it on time, but at least you're here now," she added, a small smile gracing her lips.
Drake and Josh visibly relaxed, their shoulders slumping in relief.
"Yes!" Drake whispered, a triumphant grin spreading across his face.
Josh, meanwhile, couldn't contain his excitement. His heart soared at the prospect of finally getting to kiss a twin. He couldn't wait to see what the rest of the evening had in store.
"Well, shall we?" Drake asked, extending his arm with a charming smile.
The twins' eyes sparkled with delight, their flirtatious giggles filling the air. Katrina looped her arm through Drake's, while Carissa took Josh's arm with a gentle squeeze.
With a shared sense of anticipation, the foursome headed towards the concession stand, ready to indulge in popcorn, candy, and the latest blockbuster. The stresses of the evening slowly faded into the background. Tonight was about having fun, enjoying each other's company, and creating memories that would last a lifetime.