Chapter 5: Blake Wins A Round

Lokee got up early, accessed Blake’s laptop camera, opened the chat and started livestreaming.

Blake was sprawled on his bed, one arm dangling off the edge, mouth slightly open, snoring softly. His phone lay face-down on the nightstand, plugged in and charging—right next to the old digital alarm clock their mom refused to throw away because it was “perfectly good.” Today, Lokee was grateful for that this morning because it was simple to crank up the volume. Most pranks are simple. Last week unzipping Blake’s backpack and locking him outside in his work-out clothes were simple pranks. The hardest part about most pranks is just being willing to do them. And Lokee was always willing to pull a prank on Blake.

*sparklekitty*: Good Morning, Blake, My Sleeping Studmuffin!

Once again, sparklekitty was the first to sign on. Would it be the same seven? WHOA, 20, no 25, user-ids were signed on. Lokee thought they must be here for the morning wood. She hoped Blake didn’t disappoint. She wanted to sell more meat pies. So, the meatier the better.

*ADMIN*: You fangirls and fangays are in for a treat this morning. I’m making Blake jump!

*kawaii4life*: Hey, Admin, I purchased “baked goods” yesterday and they haven’t arrived in my email, yet.

*strawberryboba*: I’m here for the HARD opening 😉

*softgirlvibes*: Admin, how you making Blake jump? Electrify his bed?

*glitterbomb*: Oh, he uses the whole bed, huh? He’ll have to share when we’re married.

*ADMIN*: kawaii4life, check your user account. They’re in you purchases folder. You can download them from there. I don’t know any of your emails.

*cheerstar99*: strawberryboba, I’ll love Blake if he isn’t hard. But, I hope he is. 😊

*kawaii4life*: Hey, Admin, I purchased “baked goods” yesterday and they haven’t arrived in my email, yet.

*ADMIN*: softgirlvibes, LOL, believe it or not I’m allowed to do that. But, no, not today.

*sparklekitty*: Starting countdown until Blake gets up. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1,

A deafening, shrill BEEEEEEP-BEEEEEEP-BEEEEEEP exploded from Blake’s room, the kind of electronic screech that seemed to vibrate in your teeth. It wasn’t music—it was the default factory alarm tone, the one nobody in their right mind actually used because it sounded like a smoke detector having a panic attack.

Blake jolted awake as if someone had dumped ice water on him. He shot upright, eyes wide and wild, hair sticking up in every direction. His arms flailed, knocking over a half-empty water glass that clattered to the floor. “WHAT—WHAT THE—?!” he yelled, voice cracking in confusion and terror.

The alarm kept screaming.

He lunged toward the nightstand, missed, and slammed his knee into the bed frame. A strangled “OW—SH—” escaped him as he hopped on one foot, still half-tangled in his blanket. Finally he grabbed the clock, fingers fumbling for the buttons. He mashed every one at once—snooze, off, time set—until the noise abruptly cut off, leaving only the ringing echo in everyone’s ears.

Blake sat on the edge of his bed, chest heaving, staring at the innocent-looking clock like it had personally betrayed him. His face was flushed red, eyes bloodshot from the shock. Water dripped from the spilled glass onto his sock. He rubbed his knee, muttering curses under his breath.

Down the hall, Lokee pressed her pillow over her face to muffle her laughter, tears streaming down her cheeks. I pranked Blakey, I pranked Blakey.

*strawberryboba*: LOL! You did it Admin! I just hope he didn’t lose his morning wood.