Sweet Sixteen
Chapter 1: Getting Dates
A/N: * * around sentences indicates thoughts.
* * * * * * * * * *
Sixteen-year old Ren Stevens walked up to her locker, opening the combination lock and opening the door. She put her Chemistry and Calculus textbooks in and closed it, turning the combination again to make sure it was locked. It was the end of the day and she was going home, about to go out to the parking lot to her car. She was one of the few students left, and it was her birthday, so she wanted to get home, she was throwing a small sweet sixteen party for herself and a few friends. On her way down the hall, she saw Larry Beale walking to the parking lot also. She walked to the double doors and Larry was there, a few steps ahead of her. He held the door open for her, and gave her his biggest smile.
"Um... thanks, Larry," she said, with a puzzled look on her face.
"No problem Ren, and happy birthday," he said, smiling again, and walking over to his own car, then pulling out of the parking lot. Ren stopped by her car, and thought about what just happened. *He's just trying to get to me,* she thought, pulling out her keys, and unlocking the door. She put the keys in the ignition and was just about to pull out when her younger brother ran up to the car.
"Ren, can you give me a ride please?" he asked, getting in without waiting for an answer.
"Louis, I thought you were walking home with Tawny today?" she said, driving out into the road.
"I was going to, but she had to stay after school to finish some project for science," he answered.
"Oh," Ren said. She and Louis got along a lot better now that they were in high school. She turned onto another road, and they didn't talk much for the rest of the way. Soon, they were at their house. They got out, Louis running inside right away, and Ren shutting and locking the car doors. She hoisted her backpack onto her shoulder and walked into the house, going into the living room where her family was going to give her her presents before the party started.
"Here you go Ren," her dad said, and he and her mom handed her a medium sized present wrapped in blue wrapping paper. Ren said, "Wow, thank you," as she was pulling off the purple ribbon. She opened the box and pulled out an expensive sweater that she had wanted. "Oh, my sweater," she said, and smiled and hugged her parents. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, sweety," her mom said. "Oh," her mom said, "Donny sent this in from college." and handed her an envelope.
"Well, it's not his picture this time," she said and laughed, opening the envelope. It was a gift certificate for a store she liked to shop at. "Thanks Donny," she said to no one in particular, and sat it down on top of her sweater on the couch.
"Ren!" Louis said, coming down the stairs with a present. "Here, I didn't forget this year," he said and laughed.
"Louis, can't wait to see what it is," she said, hoping he was thoughtful about the gift, like the time he had gotten her the necklace she really wanted. He came over to the couch and handed the present to her. She took it and he sat down in a chair nearby. "Hmmm," she said thoughtfully as she unwrapped the sloppily wrapped gift. She took the wrapping off slowly, and finally got to the box it was in. She glanced up to see Louis smiling, and she opened the box cautiously. Inside was a pink teddy bear with the words 'Best Sister' stitched into it in red lettering.
"Louis, it's so cute," she said. "And very thoughtful," she added. "Thank you." She smiled at him and he smiled back.
"You're welcome sis," he said.
"Okay, now Ren," her father said. "Your party is in an hour, and we'll help you get ready, and we promise to steer clear while you and your friends hang out. We'll be here for cake and presents, then we're going out, so you can have the night all to yourself."
"Oh, well thanks dad," she said happily.
"Alright Ren, let's get started. Louis, help me please," their mom said as she was bringing out some blown up balloons. "Don't worry hun, we only have balloons, no party hats or streamers or anything cheesy."
Ren laughed. "Thanks."
Louis and their mom brought out balloons and their dad brought out the cake, and set it on the coffee table with the cover still on it. Ren picked up her sweater, teddy bear, and gift certificate, and brought them upstairs to her room. She put the sweater in her dresser and put the certificate on her nightstand. She moved Mr. Pookie over to the side of her bed and put the bear from Louis right next to it. Then she went back downstairs to throw away all the wrapping paper and tidy up the living room.
An hour passed in no time at all, and soon her friends were arriving, mostly girls, but a few boys too. Ruby was the first to arrive, followed by Charlotte, Yvette, and Jewel. (A/N: these are friends of hers from older episodes, you might not remember them.) Nelson came next, and then there were a few more of her friends. Last to arrive was Tawny.
"Oh, hey Tawny, I didn't know you were coming," Louis greeted her.
"Yeah, Ren invited me," she said, and kissed Louis on the cheek. Louis smiled and they went into the living room to join Ren's party. Ren got a lot of good presents, such as CDs, jewelry, a purse, etc. They played a couple cheesy games, then ate the cake, then they talked and had fun. Ren and Louis's parents left, and the guests only stayed for a few hours after that. Soon, Ruby was the only guest left, but she was spending the night.
Louis got up out of his chair and yawned. "I'm goin' to bed Ren, 'night," he said, a headed up to his room.
"'Night Louis," she said. She and Ruby stayed downstairs in the living room to talk.
"So Ren," Ruby said slyly, "Who do you like now? I mean, it went from Bobby, to that one guy, to that Mark guy, then those two other guys, then there was Chris, so who are you crushing now?"
"Ruby, I don't have a crush right now, and I think you're exaggerating about me having all those crushes," she said.
"Uh huh," Ruby replied, rolling her eyes.
"You are, Mark wasn't a crush, I just said that he... had nice eyes," she said slowly, trying to convince her friend.
"Whatever Ren, just tell me," Ruby said.
"Nobody," she said. But then she thought *Except Larry Beale...* When she thought that, she closed her eyes and put her hand on her forehead. *I can't believe I just thought that*
"What's wrong Ren? Think of one?" Ruby said, grinning.
"Okay, I need to tell you something, but you have to promise not to tell anyone," Ren said.
"You don't trust me or something?" Ruby said, pretending like she was hurt by that.
"It's not that, but you've been the gossip queen since 8th grade," Ren said.
"Okay, okay, so I've spread the news a bit, but you're my best friend, I won't tell anyone, I promise," she said.
"Okay, well..." she said, starting off slowly. "It happened today, after school and I was heading to the parking lot to my car and then, this guy," she said, not wanting to say Larry just yet, "opens the door for me and says happy birthday."
"Oh that's sweet, and do you like him?" Ruby asked.
"I think I might, I'm not sure, but I can't like him, he's like my enemy," Ren explained.
"Your enemy... you don't mean... Larry do you?" Ruby asked, slightly shocked.
"Yeah, I do mean him. I've always hated him, or so I thought. He's my leading competition at school stuff, and we always fight, but I've never really thought about him like that until today," she said.
"Well get to know him Ren, maybe he's nicer than he puts on. Plus, you guys would look sooo cute together," Ruby said seriously.
"I don't know," Ren said.
"Come on Ren, he obviously likes you, he showed it after school," Ruby told her.
"I'll think about it," Ren said.
"Great, I hope you guys hook up," Ruby said and smiled.
Ren grinned and said, "Maybe." The girls talked about other things, then finally got up to go to bed at around eleven.
* * *
[Next Day, Saturday]
Ren and Ruby were eating breakfast when Louis walked downstairs. "Hey," he yawned.
"Hi Louis," Ruby said.
"Louis, we're going to the mall now, so when mom and dad wake up, tell them where we went," Ren said, and she and Ruby got up and walked to the door.
"Alrighty," he said, and poured himself a bowl of cereal.
Ren and Ruby went out to Ren's car and drove to the mall. On the way, Ruby brought up the subject of Larry.
"So, the dance is coming up, it's Sadie Hawkins. You should ask him."
"Maybe," Ren said. "Who are you gonna ask?"
"I don't know yet, but I have an idea," she said.
"Tell me," Ren said.
"Well, I guess it's only fair since you told me about Larry," she replied.
"Exactly," Ren said.
"Nelson," she said, and looked over at Ren to see her reaction.
"Nelson? That's great!" Ren said.
"Well, we've been friends since elementary school, we know each other well, so I hope it'll work out.
"It will, trust me," Ren said. They finally got to the mall and they got out, locked the car, and went to the food court to sit and talk for a minute.
"Oh my God Ren, there's Larry," Ruby said, pointing over by the escalator.
Ren turned and looked. "Shh, not so loud," she warned. "I'll go ask him, I've made up my mind."
"Go Ren!" Ruby said happily.
Ren rolled her eyes and walked over to where Larry was standing, alone. "Larry, hi," she said.
"Ren," he smiled. "What's up?"
"Nothing much. I was just wondering if you'd maybe like to go to the Sadie Hawkins dance with me?" she asked quickly before she changed her mind about asking him.
The question caught him off guard. "Me? And you? Are you serious?" he asked.
"Oh, well if you don't want to..." Ren said slowly.
"No, no, it's not that, it was just surprising to hear my competition for academics ask me out, that's all."
"So is that a yes?" she asked.
"Sure why not? What'll it hurt, we should get to know each other better," he said.
"Great," she said.
"When is the dance again?" he asked.
"Next Saturday, a week from today," she said.
"Cool, pick you up at seven?" he asked.
"Yeah, that's fine," she said.
"Alright, well I've gotta go, see you at school on Monday," Larry said, and left.
"Bye," she said, and walked back to Ruby.
"Did you ask him? What did he say?" she said excitedly.
"Yes I asked him, he sounded surprised, but he said yes," Ren explained.
"That's great Ren! Just imagine, you went from hate to love," she said.
"It's not love Ruby, we haven't even gone out yet."
"You'll see Ren, you'll be perfect together," Ruby said.
"Now it's your turn to ask Nelson. And speak of the devil, there he is," Ren said, looking behind Ruby to see Nelson walking to the exit. "Hurry, before he leaves."
"No way Ren, not yet," Ruby said.
"Yes way, I asked Larry, you ask Nelson."
"Fine, be right back," she said, and got up and hurried up to Nelson. "Nelson."
"Hey Ruby," he said.
"Okay, this is going to sound weird, but..." she started.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Oh, never mind, it's not important," she said, chickening out.
"Wait, I have to ask you something," he said, and she looked up to his face.
"Yeah?"
"Well, I know the upcoming dance is Sadie Hawkins, but do you wanna go with me?" he asked.
"Really? Yeah, I will, that's what I was going to ask you," she said.
"Cool, what time do you want me to pick you up?" Nelson said.
"Um, seven's good. Bye Nelson," she said, and walked back to the table as Nelson left.
"So?" Ren asked as Ruby sat back down.
"It was weird, I didn't even have to ask him, he asked me," Ruby said excitedly.
"Wow, that is weird," Ren agreed.
"Now we both have dates. We can have a double date after the dance! That'll be fun," Ruby said, planning the night out already.
"Okay, now let's go shop before it gets busy," Ren said, and they got up to go shopping.
* * *
Ren dropped Ruby off at her house and went home. When she went inside, Louis walked up to her. "Ren, you know that guy Zack that's in my grade?"
"Yeah, what about him?" she asked.
"Well he asked Tawny to the dance, but she's going with me, and then he told her that he was going to ask you," Louis said.
"I already have a date," Ren said.
"Who?" Louis said curiously.
"None of your business," she said, not wanting him to know it was Larry. He hated Larry as much as Ren thought she did.
"Whatever, well I was just telling you."
"Thanks," she said, and went upstairs to try the dress on that she bought for the dance one more time.
* * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 2 soon. Please reply if you liked it.
Chapter 1: Getting Dates
A/N: * * around sentences indicates thoughts.
* * * * * * * * * *
Sixteen-year old Ren Stevens walked up to her locker, opening the combination lock and opening the door. She put her Chemistry and Calculus textbooks in and closed it, turning the combination again to make sure it was locked. It was the end of the day and she was going home, about to go out to the parking lot to her car. She was one of the few students left, and it was her birthday, so she wanted to get home, she was throwing a small sweet sixteen party for herself and a few friends. On her way down the hall, she saw Larry Beale walking to the parking lot also. She walked to the double doors and Larry was there, a few steps ahead of her. He held the door open for her, and gave her his biggest smile.
"Um... thanks, Larry," she said, with a puzzled look on her face.
"No problem Ren, and happy birthday," he said, smiling again, and walking over to his own car, then pulling out of the parking lot. Ren stopped by her car, and thought about what just happened. *He's just trying to get to me,* she thought, pulling out her keys, and unlocking the door. She put the keys in the ignition and was just about to pull out when her younger brother ran up to the car.
"Ren, can you give me a ride please?" he asked, getting in without waiting for an answer.
"Louis, I thought you were walking home with Tawny today?" she said, driving out into the road.
"I was going to, but she had to stay after school to finish some project for science," he answered.
"Oh," Ren said. She and Louis got along a lot better now that they were in high school. She turned onto another road, and they didn't talk much for the rest of the way. Soon, they were at their house. They got out, Louis running inside right away, and Ren shutting and locking the car doors. She hoisted her backpack onto her shoulder and walked into the house, going into the living room where her family was going to give her her presents before the party started.
"Here you go Ren," her dad said, and he and her mom handed her a medium sized present wrapped in blue wrapping paper. Ren said, "Wow, thank you," as she was pulling off the purple ribbon. She opened the box and pulled out an expensive sweater that she had wanted. "Oh, my sweater," she said, and smiled and hugged her parents. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, sweety," her mom said. "Oh," her mom said, "Donny sent this in from college." and handed her an envelope.
"Well, it's not his picture this time," she said and laughed, opening the envelope. It was a gift certificate for a store she liked to shop at. "Thanks Donny," she said to no one in particular, and sat it down on top of her sweater on the couch.
"Ren!" Louis said, coming down the stairs with a present. "Here, I didn't forget this year," he said and laughed.
"Louis, can't wait to see what it is," she said, hoping he was thoughtful about the gift, like the time he had gotten her the necklace she really wanted. He came over to the couch and handed the present to her. She took it and he sat down in a chair nearby. "Hmmm," she said thoughtfully as she unwrapped the sloppily wrapped gift. She took the wrapping off slowly, and finally got to the box it was in. She glanced up to see Louis smiling, and she opened the box cautiously. Inside was a pink teddy bear with the words 'Best Sister' stitched into it in red lettering.
"Louis, it's so cute," she said. "And very thoughtful," she added. "Thank you." She smiled at him and he smiled back.
"You're welcome sis," he said.
"Okay, now Ren," her father said. "Your party is in an hour, and we'll help you get ready, and we promise to steer clear while you and your friends hang out. We'll be here for cake and presents, then we're going out, so you can have the night all to yourself."
"Oh, well thanks dad," she said happily.
"Alright Ren, let's get started. Louis, help me please," their mom said as she was bringing out some blown up balloons. "Don't worry hun, we only have balloons, no party hats or streamers or anything cheesy."
Ren laughed. "Thanks."
Louis and their mom brought out balloons and their dad brought out the cake, and set it on the coffee table with the cover still on it. Ren picked up her sweater, teddy bear, and gift certificate, and brought them upstairs to her room. She put the sweater in her dresser and put the certificate on her nightstand. She moved Mr. Pookie over to the side of her bed and put the bear from Louis right next to it. Then she went back downstairs to throw away all the wrapping paper and tidy up the living room.
An hour passed in no time at all, and soon her friends were arriving, mostly girls, but a few boys too. Ruby was the first to arrive, followed by Charlotte, Yvette, and Jewel. (A/N: these are friends of hers from older episodes, you might not remember them.) Nelson came next, and then there were a few more of her friends. Last to arrive was Tawny.
"Oh, hey Tawny, I didn't know you were coming," Louis greeted her.
"Yeah, Ren invited me," she said, and kissed Louis on the cheek. Louis smiled and they went into the living room to join Ren's party. Ren got a lot of good presents, such as CDs, jewelry, a purse, etc. They played a couple cheesy games, then ate the cake, then they talked and had fun. Ren and Louis's parents left, and the guests only stayed for a few hours after that. Soon, Ruby was the only guest left, but she was spending the night.
Louis got up out of his chair and yawned. "I'm goin' to bed Ren, 'night," he said, a headed up to his room.
"'Night Louis," she said. She and Ruby stayed downstairs in the living room to talk.
"So Ren," Ruby said slyly, "Who do you like now? I mean, it went from Bobby, to that one guy, to that Mark guy, then those two other guys, then there was Chris, so who are you crushing now?"
"Ruby, I don't have a crush right now, and I think you're exaggerating about me having all those crushes," she said.
"Uh huh," Ruby replied, rolling her eyes.
"You are, Mark wasn't a crush, I just said that he... had nice eyes," she said slowly, trying to convince her friend.
"Whatever Ren, just tell me," Ruby said.
"Nobody," she said. But then she thought *Except Larry Beale...* When she thought that, she closed her eyes and put her hand on her forehead. *I can't believe I just thought that*
"What's wrong Ren? Think of one?" Ruby said, grinning.
"Okay, I need to tell you something, but you have to promise not to tell anyone," Ren said.
"You don't trust me or something?" Ruby said, pretending like she was hurt by that.
"It's not that, but you've been the gossip queen since 8th grade," Ren said.
"Okay, okay, so I've spread the news a bit, but you're my best friend, I won't tell anyone, I promise," she said.
"Okay, well..." she said, starting off slowly. "It happened today, after school and I was heading to the parking lot to my car and then, this guy," she said, not wanting to say Larry just yet, "opens the door for me and says happy birthday."
"Oh that's sweet, and do you like him?" Ruby asked.
"I think I might, I'm not sure, but I can't like him, he's like my enemy," Ren explained.
"Your enemy... you don't mean... Larry do you?" Ruby asked, slightly shocked.
"Yeah, I do mean him. I've always hated him, or so I thought. He's my leading competition at school stuff, and we always fight, but I've never really thought about him like that until today," she said.
"Well get to know him Ren, maybe he's nicer than he puts on. Plus, you guys would look sooo cute together," Ruby said seriously.
"I don't know," Ren said.
"Come on Ren, he obviously likes you, he showed it after school," Ruby told her.
"I'll think about it," Ren said.
"Great, I hope you guys hook up," Ruby said and smiled.
Ren grinned and said, "Maybe." The girls talked about other things, then finally got up to go to bed at around eleven.
* * *
[Next Day, Saturday]
Ren and Ruby were eating breakfast when Louis walked downstairs. "Hey," he yawned.
"Hi Louis," Ruby said.
"Louis, we're going to the mall now, so when mom and dad wake up, tell them where we went," Ren said, and she and Ruby got up and walked to the door.
"Alrighty," he said, and poured himself a bowl of cereal.
Ren and Ruby went out to Ren's car and drove to the mall. On the way, Ruby brought up the subject of Larry.
"So, the dance is coming up, it's Sadie Hawkins. You should ask him."
"Maybe," Ren said. "Who are you gonna ask?"
"I don't know yet, but I have an idea," she said.
"Tell me," Ren said.
"Well, I guess it's only fair since you told me about Larry," she replied.
"Exactly," Ren said.
"Nelson," she said, and looked over at Ren to see her reaction.
"Nelson? That's great!" Ren said.
"Well, we've been friends since elementary school, we know each other well, so I hope it'll work out.
"It will, trust me," Ren said. They finally got to the mall and they got out, locked the car, and went to the food court to sit and talk for a minute.
"Oh my God Ren, there's Larry," Ruby said, pointing over by the escalator.
Ren turned and looked. "Shh, not so loud," she warned. "I'll go ask him, I've made up my mind."
"Go Ren!" Ruby said happily.
Ren rolled her eyes and walked over to where Larry was standing, alone. "Larry, hi," she said.
"Ren," he smiled. "What's up?"
"Nothing much. I was just wondering if you'd maybe like to go to the Sadie Hawkins dance with me?" she asked quickly before she changed her mind about asking him.
The question caught him off guard. "Me? And you? Are you serious?" he asked.
"Oh, well if you don't want to..." Ren said slowly.
"No, no, it's not that, it was just surprising to hear my competition for academics ask me out, that's all."
"So is that a yes?" she asked.
"Sure why not? What'll it hurt, we should get to know each other better," he said.
"Great," she said.
"When is the dance again?" he asked.
"Next Saturday, a week from today," she said.
"Cool, pick you up at seven?" he asked.
"Yeah, that's fine," she said.
"Alright, well I've gotta go, see you at school on Monday," Larry said, and left.
"Bye," she said, and walked back to Ruby.
"Did you ask him? What did he say?" she said excitedly.
"Yes I asked him, he sounded surprised, but he said yes," Ren explained.
"That's great Ren! Just imagine, you went from hate to love," she said.
"It's not love Ruby, we haven't even gone out yet."
"You'll see Ren, you'll be perfect together," Ruby said.
"Now it's your turn to ask Nelson. And speak of the devil, there he is," Ren said, looking behind Ruby to see Nelson walking to the exit. "Hurry, before he leaves."
"No way Ren, not yet," Ruby said.
"Yes way, I asked Larry, you ask Nelson."
"Fine, be right back," she said, and got up and hurried up to Nelson. "Nelson."
"Hey Ruby," he said.
"Okay, this is going to sound weird, but..." she started.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Oh, never mind, it's not important," she said, chickening out.
"Wait, I have to ask you something," he said, and she looked up to his face.
"Yeah?"
"Well, I know the upcoming dance is Sadie Hawkins, but do you wanna go with me?" he asked.
"Really? Yeah, I will, that's what I was going to ask you," she said.
"Cool, what time do you want me to pick you up?" Nelson said.
"Um, seven's good. Bye Nelson," she said, and walked back to the table as Nelson left.
"So?" Ren asked as Ruby sat back down.
"It was weird, I didn't even have to ask him, he asked me," Ruby said excitedly.
"Wow, that is weird," Ren agreed.
"Now we both have dates. We can have a double date after the dance! That'll be fun," Ruby said, planning the night out already.
"Okay, now let's go shop before it gets busy," Ren said, and they got up to go shopping.
* * *
Ren dropped Ruby off at her house and went home. When she went inside, Louis walked up to her. "Ren, you know that guy Zack that's in my grade?"
"Yeah, what about him?" she asked.
"Well he asked Tawny to the dance, but she's going with me, and then he told her that he was going to ask you," Louis said.
"I already have a date," Ren said.
"Who?" Louis said curiously.
"None of your business," she said, not wanting him to know it was Larry. He hated Larry as much as Ren thought she did.
"Whatever, well I was just telling you."
"Thanks," she said, and went upstairs to try the dress on that she bought for the dance one more time.
* * * * * * * * * *
Chapter 2 soon. Please reply if you liked it.