Chapter 10: Asking for help
"I can't believe Will's party is tonight. I'm so excited!" Ren squealed as she slammed her locker shut.
"Girl, you're not the only one!" Ruby chirped in. "We are going to have so much fun!" She leaned beside her, hugging her things. "I wonder how many boys we are going to meet there," she said with a dreamy look in her eyes.
"Breathe, Ruby, breathe," She said with a smirk.
Ren's words jolted her out of her fantasy. "Oops, sorry!" she said with a smile. "So, what are you wearing to the party?" she asked.
Instantly, Ren's face lit up with a mischievous smile. "Well, I bought this outfit from the mall a few days ago. I think that would be just right for the party."
Ruby raised her eyebrow. "You know, I've been seeing that smile for quite some time this week. Ren, what are you planning this time?"
She looked innocently at her. "Ruby, I really don't know what you're talking about."
Ruby rolled her eyes. "Right," she answered with a laugh. "By the way, how are we getting there tonight?" she asked her. "I already talked to Monique, but she said she already promised to go there with a couple of girls from the squad. I was thinking-"
Ren cut her off with a dismissive wave, and glanced past her shoulder. Ren smiled at someone. It didn't take a second for Ruby to realize that some guy was definitely coming their way. True enough, she heard Will's voice as he greeted them.
"Hi there Ren, Ruby," Will said.
Ruby turned around to see Will as he gave them a sweet smile.
"Hey," Ren greeted with a grin.
Ruby smiled back. "Will, how nice of you to drop by. So, how's the party coming?"
"Great," he answered, nodding. "Everything's coming out great. You guys are definitely coming, right?" He looked at Ren.
"Yeah sure, we'll be there," she answered. Ruby nodded in agreement.
They both noticed that he was still standing there without saying a word.
Ren smiled at him, amused. "Is there anything else on your mind?" she asked.
He gave a rather nervous laugh. "Well actually yeah. I was kinda wondering about your plans this evening. Maybe I could come by your house, you know, and pick you up for the party." He looked at her expectantly. " I mean if that's okay with you."
Ren's eyes went wide. "No!" she quickly interjected. Ruby gave her an incredulous look and nudged her with an elbow.
Disappointment briefly registered on Will's face. "Oh, okay."
"Wait, that's not what I meant," she said, shaking her head. "What I mean is, I'd love to…" his face quickly lit up. "But I can't."
Once again, he looked disappointed. "Well, it's okay, really, if you don't want to. I'm not forcing you or anything."
"No, it's not that. It's just that, I already promised Ruby that we'll go to the party together, and I don't want to break that." She ignored the puzzled look her friend gave her. "Besides, how will the party start when you're not there? I mean, you are the host." She smiled at him reassuringly. "I hope that's okay with you."
He nodded at her. "Hey, that's cool," he gave a small laugh. "I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. Guess I'll see you later. " He started to leave.
They too, started to walk towards to their class.
"Oh hey Ren," he suddenly turned around.
"Yes?"
"Since I won't be picking you up tonight, how about I give you a little ride home this afternoon?" he asked.
She smiled at him. "Sure, why not. You've only been giving me a ride home the whole week." She said with a laugh.
"Alright, I'll se you later then," he beamed. "Bye Ruby," he added with a little wave.
Ruby pounced on Ren as soon as Will disappeared at the corner. "What were you thinking?!" she asked. "He was offering to pick you up tonight!" They continued on walking in the hallway.
"I know Ruby," she sighed. "But he really can't. It's not a good idea for him to show up at my doorstep tonight."
She looked at her questioningly. "Well, why not? You said it yourself – he's been giving you a ride home for the whole week. I'm pretty sure everybody at your house knows about him." Ren nodded in response. "Then what 's the problem?'
Ren bit her lower lip. "Well, I haven't told my parent yet about the party tonight."
"And why is that?" Ruby asked.
"Because I wasn't planning to in the first place."
"What?!" Ruby exclaimed. "Are you serious? Don't tell me that you, Ren Stevens, will be sneaking out tonight to attend that party?!"
"Shhhh!" Ren hushed her best friend. She looked around and noticed a couple of heads turning their way. "You don't understand. My parents will not let me go to that party." She quickly dropped her voice. "They were not so happy when they found out about Will giving me a ride home, not after the accident." She frowned. "Imagine what their reaction would be if he showed up with his car to pick me up for a party."
They stopped in front of their classroom. "Well, what are you planning to do, then?" Ruby asked.
"I already had it all figured out." She revealed. "When I get home, I'm going to tell them that I'd be at your house to work on a project. I'll put on a coat or something to hide my clothes. You don't even need to make an appearance. I'll be walking by your house, and then we could go there."
Ruby looked at her with apprehension. "Do you think this would really work?"
"Of course it will!" she assured her best friend. "All I need is a little help." She said with a smile. Yes, she was going to need a little brotherly help.
********************
Louis was preparing a snack in the kitchen when he heard the front door open and shut.
"Mom? Dad?" he heard his sister call out.
"They're not home yet," he answered from the kitchen. Footsteps sounded and after a few seconds, Ren appeared. "Dad's not gonna be home for at least another hour. Mom called and she said she's on her way home. She's just going to drop by the store to pick up something. " He narrated as he put a tomato on top of his salami.
"Perfect, I need to do this quick before both of them gets home." She mumbled to herself.
Louis quickly glanced at her. "Is there a problem?" he asked at her.
She cut right to the chase. "Yes, actually I wanted to ask you for a favor."
A slight smile started to form in his face. "Sure! Do you need help on a project, assignment, report?" he asked eagerly as he take a bite on his sandwich.
Ren looked at him weirdly. "No, actually," she answered with an amused laugh. "I was going to ask you to cover for me. You probably know that Will is having a party at his house tonight. Ruby and I are planning to go there."
He almost choked his salami. "You're what?!" Was he hearing her right?
"We're going Will's party," she repeated. "I was hoping you wouldn't mention it to mom or dad." She looked at him expectantly.
"You are actually going to his party?!" he asked incredulously. "Nuh-uh, no way. No Ren, I'm not." He rubbed his forehead vigorously. There is no way he's agreeing to this. He's not about to let his sister go anywhere near that place. There is absolutely no way he's letting her go in a place full of booze and horny boys.
"But Louis!" Ren protested. She gave him her best puppy dog eyes. "I already promised some people that I'll be there. Please?"
He looked at his sister with great trepidation. "I don't know Ren…"
"Please? Technically, you're not going to lie to mom and dad, if that's what you're worried about." She paused for a second. "Actually, why should you be worried about that? I mean, I'm sure as hell this isn't your first time to lie to them."
Louis frowned at her comment.
Ren seemed to realize her mistake. "Wait, that sentence didn't come out right."
Louis shook his head. "Nope, it didn't."
"Please, Lou," she said desperately. "All I'm asking you is that you refrain from mentioning anything about the party. Please, that's all I ask." She begged his brother.
Louis could not believe what he was hearing. Ren was outright begging him to keep quiet. Under any other circumstances, he'd be thrilled to help her out - other being the keyword. He shook his head vigorously. Nope, he's just not going to let this happen.
**********************
Hope you all liked that one. Please, don't forget to write a review!!! Thanks to all those who gave one. You've been really helpful. ^_^