Jude waited 20 minutes behind the cardboard to prank Trent.

Jude crouched behind the cardboard cutout of a superhero, heart racing with anticipation. He had been planning this prank on Trent for weeks. The school’s annual fair was in full swing, and the noise of laughter and music filled the air, masking his presence perfectly.

He watched as Trent strolled through the fair, blissfully unaware of the trap waiting for him. Jude could barely contain his excitement as he spotted his target—a giant inflatable banana that Trent had been eyeing all day.

“Just a little closer,” Jude whispered to himself, trying to steady his breath. After what felt like an eternity, Trent finally approached the banana, his eyes gleaming with delight.

With a burst of energy, Jude leapt out from behind the cardboard. “Surprise!” he shouted, arms wide open, ready to unleash the ultimate prank.

But instead of the expected jump or scream, Trent merely raised an eyebrow, a smirk spreading across his face. “Really, Jude? A superhero cutout? Classic.”

Jude’s heart sank for a moment as he processed the lack of shock. But then, Trent broke into laughter, and soon Jude couldn’t help but join in. “Okay, okay! You got me!” Jude admitted, chuckling.

Just then, a gust of wind caught the inflatable banana, sending it tumbling toward them. Without thinking, they both jumped, trying to catch it. In the chaos, Jude slipped, landing right in a puddle of spilled soda.

Trent roared with laughter, doubling over as Jude sat up, drenched and sticky but grinning. “Looks like the prank’s on me!” Jude exclaimed, chuckling at his own misfortune.

“Let’s call it a draw,” Trent said, still laughing. They both stood up, shaking off the soda and sharing a moment of camaraderie. The fair continued around them, filled with laughter, but for Jude and Trent, the best part of the day was the unexpected friendship forged in the midst of a prank gone wrong.