Sim State University Versus Ripp Grunt
Chapter Twenty-five
Junior Year: Surprises, Surprises
Tank and Kea are situated at one of the red velvet booths located in the back of Strangetown's only restaurant, which was appropriately named, Le Strange. Kea smiles as she holds up a candle centerpiece that is located on the table in front of her and sniffs it, before placing it back down on the table. "Wow, I can't believe I'm sitting inside of an actual restaurant," Kea says.
"I know, especially since half the city is on lockdown," Tank replies, "I had to purchase a special pass just to get us in here."
Kea nods, before scanning the scenery around her once more. She stops and gestures over to a group of people that are standing in a crowd near the entrance, "Hey, why are those people pointing at us?"
Tank scrunches his forehead in confusion before turning around and taking a look at the crowd. He turns back to Kea with a shrug, "Huh, I don't know," he responds, "Maybe they're surprised that I'm actually on a date with a real girl."
"Aww," Kea states, loving placing her hand on top of his. Behind her, one of the members of the gang is approaching.
"Excuse me, but are you Tank Grunt?" the man asks.
Tank turns to Kea for a moment, unsure if he wants to answer this question, "Um, yes."
"Tell your brother Ripp that he better not set foot in this neighborhood ever again," the man states.
"Excuse me?" Tank stands up in his seat, fists clenched on the table.
"You heard me, the entire neighborhood's on lockdown making sure that he doesn't get in here," the man explains, "He's been officially exiled by the Leader."
"The Leader?" Kea repeats, "That doesn't sound good."
"Hah," Tank replies, his arms now crossed, "Well joke's on you buddy, cause my brother already made it past your stupid guards and is occupying Strangetown as we speak."
"Really? Well in that case-" the man steps back, and throws the corner of his shirt up, exposing his black metallic belt with many different buttons surrounding the sides. He presses the square one in the middle causing a bunch of red lights to flicker off and on in the building, sirens sounding the street as the city appears to go into total panic, "-he won't be here for long," the man completes, Tank stepping back from the table in shock protecting Kea, who is standing behind him, unsure of what to do or where to look.
"Tank!" Kea shouts, grabbing onto him.
Tank turns to Kea, his voice in a panic as the gang prepares to leave, taking out a bunch of hidden weapons from their pockets, "Come on, let's get out of here!"
Kea nods, as the two of them rush towards the exit and out the back door, hand-in-hand, racing down the street towards the South End of Strangetown.
"I don't understand, why would the Leader of Strangetown ban Ripp?" Kea asks, taking off her heels and running bare-foot.
"I don't know, but I'm sure we'll find out soon enough," Tank answers, eyeing the open exit that is laid out in front of them, "Let's just hope that the dinner ended early."
Meanwhile: At the eXtremes
Ripp, Isabella, Brent, Breanna, and the rest of the eXtremes are still situated at the table, only empty plates and cups remaining in front of them.
"Well, your friends sure sound interesting," Lenda says to them, clearing a few of the plates from off of the dinner table.
Ripp nods in agreement, "Oh believe me, there is never a dull moment when those two are around," he states. Across from him, Brent is getting up from out of his seat.
"Hey Brent, where are you going?" Breanna asks, refolding her napkin.
"Oh, I have to get something from the living room, I'll be right back," he answers, before disappearing down the hallway; Isabella begins to ponder.
"Ah-ha!" Isabella shouts as she snatches the bag from Brent, who is coming out of the living room to head back towards the dinner table, "I knew it! You are planning on proposing to Breanna! You're the one who bought the engagement ring!"
Brent stops back, clearly confused, "Breanna? Engagement ring?" he repeats, "What the heck are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb with me," Isabella replies, clutching onto the white-handled shiny silver bag tightly, "I know this bag belongs to you!" she states, shaking it lightly in front of him.
"Yeah, the bag does," he agrees, "But the ring doesn't-take a look at the receipt." Isabella pauses for a moment to look down where Brent is pointing. Sure enough, he is correct. His name is nowhere to be seen.
Isabella looks up at Brent, the receipt still in her hands, "Wait, so if you weren't who bought the engagement ring, then who did?"
"Look at who charged for the ring," Brent states, gesturing down towards the bottom.
Isabella's eyes trail down to read the charger's name at the bottom, she gasps.
Meanwhile: In Downtown Strangetown
Tank and Kea are sitting down in front of the large pool that occupies most of the Road to Nowhere Lot, their feet dangling off of the edge of the pool into the water. Both clearly exhausted from all of the running they previous did. "Gosh Kea, I'm sorry our date didn't really go as planned," Tank apologizes.
Next to him, Kea smiles, "Oh, that's okay," she says, leaning on his right shoulder, "Random dates are more fun anyways, even if I still can't feel my legs."
Tank smiles for bit, before turning back forward, his eyes trailing down to gaze at the water.
"Tank?" Kea softly speaks into the silence, "Are you okay?" she asks.
"Yeah," Tank quickly responds, nodding, as he starts to reach into his pocket, giving her a reassuring smile, "Everything's perfect," he concludes, wrapping his arm around her.
Meanwhile: Back at the eXtremes
"Hey mom, all of us pitched in and got you this gift," Brent says, returning to the table with Isabella close behind him. He holds out the bag to his mother, who gladly takes it from him.
"Oh Brent, that's so sweet of you guys," she replies, looking into the bag and giving him a hug, "Thank you all, very much."
"Well, we should probably head out of here before it gets too late and our RA wonders what happened to half of the dormitory," Brent says, waiting for Breanna to get up from out of her seat, "Come on Breanna, let's go," he states, heading towards the door. He stops a few inches short and turns to his younger sister, "Oh and Izzy, can you help me with something when we get back to Cassandra's dorm?" he asks.
"Uh, sure," Isabella responds, somewhat off-guard, "That sounds fine."
"Great!" Brent replies, "See you guys later!" he says, him and Breanna giving a small wave before taking off out the door. Outside, sirens are going off.
Upon hearing this, Lenda steps towards the window, "Huh, I wonder what all that ruckus is about."
Ripp shrugs, stepping towards the living room couch, "Who knows in this crazy town."
"INTRUDER ALERT! INTRUDER ALERT!" a voice blares from the outside. Everyone watches as a group of police cars drive up the street and park onto the eXtreme's front lawn.
Alban squints his eyes, "What the-?"
All of a sudden one of the front doors crashes down to the floor, exposing three gentlemen who are dressed in all black, minus their metallic belts. One of them points to Ripp, "There he is! GET HIM!"
"What? Hey!" Ripp shouts as one of the men grabs him from behind, and holds his hands behind his back.
"How dare you try and come back here! You have no place here in Strangetown!" the man warns, "Just for that you're really going to get it!"
Ripp struggles a bit, hoping to free himself from the man's clutches, but having next to no luck. "What are you talking about?" Ripp squeaks, clearly scared, "I didn't do anything!"
"Not yet, you haven't," the man answers back, "But you will," he says, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a taser, "Now quit struggling, or I'll be forced to take drastic action."
"Hah!" Gramma eXtreme shouts, tackling the guard to the floor, causing Ripp to be released from his clutches. She quickly looks up, turning towards her granddaughter, "Run kids, run!"
Ripp and Isabella frantically nod before taking off down the street through the other entrance door. "Wow, where did your grandmother learn how to do that?" Ripp asks, huffing through his tux jacket.
"Eh, she's been teaching courses for years," Isabella answers, rounding the corner of a nearby building. The two stop to take a few breathers.
After a few moments, Isabella opens her mouth to ask the question that they've all been thinking. "What was all that about?"
"I don't know," was all Ripp could muster, "But something tells me that whatever it is, it's not good – especially not for me."
One of the guards spots the pair and blows his whistle, "There they are! GET THEM!" he shouts, causing Ripp and Isabella to take off down the street once more. This time however, being much more tired than before.
"We're almost at the county line," Ripp says between breaths, "If we make it there then they can no longer arrest us!"
"Then come on!" Isabella exclaims, grabbing Ripp by the hand and leading him towards the exit. The pair race across the line just in time, causing the guards to reluctantly stop short of the border.
"That's right, you better run!" one of the guards shouts at the pair, who continue running in the distance, "DON'T YOU EVER COME BACK! BY THE ORDER OF LOKI BEAKER YOU – RIPP GRUNT – ARE BANISHED FROM STRANGETOWN FOREVER!"
Finally, Ripp and Isabella stop running. The pair panting heavily as Ripp attempts to smooth out his disheveled clothes; Isabella hanging onto him. "I just don't understand," Ripp says into silence of the night, "What do they want with me? What kind of horrible thing have I done?"
Isabella sighs, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. She says nothing.
Meanwhile: Back in Downtown Strangetown
Tank and Kea are now situated on the wooden park bench which is near the poolside, Tank slowly inching away from her. "Kea?" Tank says into the silence of the beautiful night, "You know I love you right?"
"Believe me, I am aware," Kea nods with a smile.
"So uh, there's something I have to tell you," Tank says, sliding completely off of the park bench and onto the cement in front of her. Tank reaches into his pocket and pulls out a fuzzy black box, "Kea Kalson, I have been in love with you since the moment I saw you and every moment I spend with you has been the greatest moment of my life," Tank says, shaking a bit as he kneels down in front of his girlfriend, "Now I know I that could never deserve you, but you would make me the happiest man in the world if you agreed to be my wife," Tank continues, "So Kea, will you marry me?" Tank completes, opening up the ring box and exposing the golden engagement ring. After a few moments, Tank looks over, noticing Kea staring off into space. "Uh, Kea?"
Kea glances back at him, "Hmm?"
"I'm proposing to you."
"Oh! I'm sorry, I thought you were practicing for a play," Kea says waving her hand.
Tank looks up, smiling a bit, "I wasn't practicing this time Kea, I'm proposing to you, right now," Tank attempts to clarify.
"Ooh. You mean I'm the one that's proposing?" Kea questions, seemingly confused, "Huh, but I don't live in Cassandra's dorm!" she points out.
Tank shakes his head, "No sweetie, I live there."
Kea tilts her head in confusion. "The what now?" Tank facepalms.
"Look, the whole play thing and dorm thing doesn't matter, what matters is that I want you to marry me," Tank says, still kneeling in front of her, "So Kea, what do you say?"
"I say – hey look a bird!" Kea shouts, jumping up from out of her seat and racing towards the red-breasted robin, who is flying around on the community lot.
Tank watches as she chases the robin around the area for a few minutes, before catching him and taking him over to show Tank. "Aww look, it's a robin!" Kea coos, lovingly bringing the bird up to her face and rubbing it tenderly against her cheek, "I'm going to name him Clarence! And nothing will ever come between us and our plan for world domination…NOTHING!" Kea growls, seeing this, Tank stands up from his spot, kneeling, and walks over to the two of them.
"Umm, Kea? Are you going to marry me or not?" Tank asks.
"Ooh, you're proposing to me? I thought you were proposing to get a sandwich!" Kea states, letting the bird go, "Okay, do it again! Do it again!" Kea says, stopping to stand right in front of her boyfriend.
"Kea Kalson, you are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me, will you do me the honor of being my wife?" Tank asks, holding the ring out in front of him, the golden band shining with the light from the stars.
"Oh Tank, yes! Yes I will!" Kea replies, taking the ring from him and placing it on her left ring finger, "This is even better than the day I purchased that Alaskan bacon!" Kea beams, lifting Tank up a bit and kissing him a few times. "This is the best moment of my life!"
Tank smiles, "Mine too."
"Caw! Caw! Caw!" something sounds in the distance.
"Hey what was that?" Kea asks, scanning the area surrounding them.
"I don't know-" Tank speaks, something catching his eye, "Uh, Kea? It looks like that bird you caught had some friends," Tank states, pointing up at the sky. Sure enough, about a few dozen robins are flying towards them.
Kea continues to gaze up at the robins, "Hey, what are they doing-?" Kea shrieks as a pile of white bird poo lands on her left arm. "BIRD POOP!" Kea shouts, as the two of them race down the street, the birds chasing – and pooping - after them.
Meanwhile: At Cassandra's Dorm
"So, what did you want me to help you with Brent?" Isabella asks, standing in the doorway of her older brother's dorm room. Ever since she and Ripp had gotten back from the whole lockdown incident Brent had been strangely quiet.
"Here, come in, come in," Brent says, gesturing Isabella into the room and away from the door. She takes the hint and walks in, carefully closing the door behind her.
"Now what I am about to say is going to make absolutely no sense, but I want you to hear me out, alright?" Brent prematurely warns his little sister. Isabella nods. "Isabella, I want to reprogram me and make a Family sim," he states.
Isabella opens her mouth to speak, but Brent quickly covers it with his hand, "Please don't say anything. Trust me, this is nothing new. Ever since that whole incident with Breanna, I've been feeling rather guilty and ashamed of my lifestyle, and dad's praising of your great life choices didn't exactly make me feel any better," he says, pulling his hand away from her.
"Brent, are you sure you want to do this?" Isabella asks him, "What if you don't like being a Family sim?"
"I'll like it," Brent responds, "After all, I liked the stable life that you and I had growing up, and I like our family and I'd love to have one of my own someday," Brent reasons.
"Well alright, it's your decision," Isabella says, "But why do you want me to reprogram you? Can't you get Breanna to do it?" she asks.
"No," Brent shakes his head, "You don't understand, Breanna can't know about this," he answers.
"Brent," Isabella, her voice suddenly filled with an angry tone, "I can't believe you're trying to keep this from her. I can't believe that you would try to play her again!"
Brent gets up from off of his bed and walks over to her, "I'm not playing her."
Isabella's face softens. "You're not?"
"No," Brent replies, "I'm proposing to her," he confesses.
Isabella stands there for a moment, speechless. "But-but I thought you weren't the one proposing this year!"
"I'm not," Brent answers, "I mean, I'm not proposing now, but getting ready to next year. – You know, provided that she takes me back."
"So this is one big surprise for Breanna Bertino, huh?" Isabella says, arms crossed and smirking.
Brent nods, "Yep."
"Boy, aren't you full of surprises," Isabella states.
"Yeah, so are you going to reprogram me or not?" Brent states, turning towards the Renuyusenso Orb, which has only three shiny green lights remaining, Isabella nods.
"Sure," she replies, "But just to warn you, you're going to think that the upstairs lounge is really purple."
Fifteen Minutes Later: In the Main Lounge
"Well that was quite a day," Ripp states, as Isabella takes a seat down next to him on the brown leather couch in the first floor main lounge. She lets out a sigh.
"You're telling me, I've never had to run so fast in my life," she states, grabbing the latest Life in Pleasantview magazine from the corner table.
Ripp nods in agreement, "Yeah, now let's never do that again."
Isabella raises up her free hand and fist pumps somewhat unenthusiastically, "Hear, hear."
The entrance doors open, causing the pair to look up from the magazine, watching as Tank and Kea step into the doorway covered head to toe in bird crap. Ripp and Isabella walk over to the pair, confused, yet somewhat intrigued at the same time.
"What happened to you guys?" Isabella asks.
"And why does it smell like bird crap?" Ripp adds, holding his nose in an attempt to save his nostrils from the stench.
Kea smiles, "Never mind that," she says, holding up her hand, exposing her golden engagement ring, which is surprising still bird poop-free, "We just got engaged!" she beams.
"Now let's hurry and get inside before the birds crap on the ring, too," Tank states, leading the two of them through the doorway.
"Wow guys, congratulations," Ripp says, stepping back just enough so that their bird poop-covered bodies avoid him.
Isabella nods, "Yeah, I'm really happy for you two," she states.
"Thanks guys," Tank replies, "Now we definitely need to take a shower." He says, as he and Kea part ways to use the bathroom.
Once Ripp is sure they are out of ear-shot, he turns to Isabella, still clearly disgusted by the bird poop covering, "When the time comes, remind me never to make the mistake of proposing to you outside," he states.
Isabella nods, holding her finger up in a point, "Will do."
A Few Hours & Several Showers Later:
"Wow Tank, I can't believe that you and Kea are engaged now," Ripp says, as he follows Tank from the kitchen back to the main lounge to rejoin the girls.
"I can't either, and I'm the one he's marrying," Kea adds from her place sitting inside of the lounge, causing Isabella to smile.
Tank nods as he stops in the center of the main lounge, standing nearby the wooden bookcase, completely oblivious to the door that is opening up behind him. "I'm so happy. Nothing could ruin this moment-"
"Kea?" an unfamiliar voice speaks from the doorway. Tank turns around, all attentions in the room now placed on the strange blonde haired, blue-eyed man standing in front of them, as Kea slowly sits up from her chair, clearly shaken.
"Andrew?" she says.
Isabella gazes intently with Ripp at the two men who are awkwardly standing on either side of her best friend.
"Oh no."
End of Junior Year.