One afternoon at Royal Woods High, the senior class, which included Leni, was gathered together in the auditorium to listen to something that Principal Rivers had to tell them.
"Good afternoon, seniors", Principal Rivers said, "thank you all for making it here, and congratulations on getting this far in high school."
The group of students were happy to be in their senior year of high school, but Leni was probably the most proud of the group, as she had managed to overcome her ditzyness and was close to graduating.
"This is going to be a big year for all of you", Principal Rivers said, "there is much in store for you, both during and after the school year."
She pressed a button on a small remote that she had with her, and a slideshow was projected on a projector screen behind her.
"We have several activities planned this semester", Principal Rivers said, "such as senior prom, a big senior class trip, and, of course, the graduation ceremony at the end of the year."
Images of these events appeared on the screen as Principal Rivers moved from slide to slide.
"Yes, this is undoubtedly going to be one of the best years of your lives", Principal Rivers said.
She then turned the projector off.
"However, this is also the year when it's time to start asking yourself some important questions", Principal Rivers said, "for example: what are your big plans for the future?"
Principal Rivers looked at the group and noticed Leni raising her hand.
"Leni Loud", Principal Rivers said, "do you have any plans you'd like to share?"
"You bet I do", Leni said, "this weekend I'll be working with my friends at Reininger's, then I'll finish up this dress I've been working on for a while now, and then I'm going to go to the shoe store and buy this cute pair of white boots I saw the other day, and after that..."
"Leni, please", Principal Rivers said, "that isn't what I meant."
"What", Leni asked.
"I meant what are your plans for after you graduate", Principal Rivers said.
"Oh", Leni said, "I guess I haven't really thought a lot about that."
"I see", Principal Rivers said, "well, no need to stress out too much about it, because this kind of stuff is normal."
"Okay", Leni said.
"But still, it's best to have some kind of idea for what you're going to do once high school is over", Principal Rivers said, "because once you graduate, you'll be one step closer to becoming adults in the real world, and it's up to you to decide what you're going to do with your life."
Leni couldn't help but think about Principal Rivers' words, and later that day, as she was walking with Luna and Luan to get picked up from school by Rita, the two of them noticed that she had something on her mind.
"Hey, Leni", Luan said, "are you feeling okay?"
"What", Leni asked, "oh, yeah, I'm fine, Luan."
"You sure, brah", Luna asked, "because it looked like you were thinking real hard about something."
"Oh, it's nothing", Leni said, "I just went to an assembly with all the other seniors earlier today."
"I heard about that", Luan said, "how was it?"
"It was okay, I guess", Leni said, "Principal Rivers told us about things like what kind of activities there will be for us this year."
"Cool", Luna said, "anything else?"
"Well", Leni said, "she did also mention that it's time to start thinking about what we're going to do once we graduate."
"Oh, yeah", Luan said, "gotta be prepared for life once you're all done with school."
"Yeah", Leni said, "prepared."
"Are you okay", Luan asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine", Leni said, "look, there's Mom."
Leni hurried away to go meet up with Rita, and Luna and Luan looked at each other.
"Something's definitely bothering her, Luna", Luan said, "I wonder if it's because of something Principal Rivers said during the presentation."
"You might be on to something there, Luan", Luna said, "I hope it doesn't make her worry too much."
When Leni got home and went up to her room, she looked at her reflection in her mirror and let out a sigh.
"With Lori away at college, I'm the oldest sibling in the house, which means I'll be the next one to become an adult", Leni said, "but I don't have any goals for my future like she does."
After looking into her reflection a little more and thinking to herself, Leni came to a decision.
"You know what", Leni said, "I'm just going to have to spend my time figuring out what I want to do."
Leni sat down at her desk, and began coming up with ideas for what she could do once she was out of high school.
"I'm bound to come up with something sooner or later", Leni said, "how hard could it be?"
Leni spent her afternoon brainstorming ideas for what she would do once she got out of high school, and pretty soon, Lincoln entered her room.
"Hey, Leni", Lincoln said, "Dad wanted me to come get you for dinner."
"What", Leni asked, "oh, coming, Lincoln."
"What have you been up to all afternoon", Lincoln asked.
"I've just been trying to figure out what my plans after I graduate are", Leni said, "gotta plan for the future, you know?"
"Oh", Lincoln said, "how's that going?"
"Well, I did manage to come up with a few ideas", Leni said, "but I'm not sure which one is best for me."
"I'm sure you'll come up with one eventually", Lincoln said, "now come on, let's have some dinner."
"Okay", Leni said, "I'll be right down."
Downstairs, the family was enjoying grilled ham and cheese sandwiches for dinner, when Leni decided to talk to Lynn Sr. and Rita about her dilemma.
"Hey Mom, Dad", Leni said, "can I ask you a question?"
"Sure, Leni", Lynn Sr. said, "what is it?"
"Well, we had this assembly at school", Leni said.
"You mean the senior assembly", Rita asked, "Lori went to that same assembly her senior year."
"Yes, that one", Leni said, "during the assembly, Principal Rivers told us that it's time to start thinking about what we want to do after we've graduated, but I'm not sure what I want to do."
"Do you at least have any ideas", Rita asked.
"Several", Leni said, "but I'm not sure which one I should do."
"Don't worry too much about it", Lynn Sr. said, "just take your time and think about it carefully."
"That's right", Rita said, "you're bound to settle on something you like sooner or later."
"Well", Leni said, "alright, if you say so."
"That's our girl", Rita said.
That night, Leni was back at her desk and still thinking about her options for the future.
"There are so many things I could do after graduation", Leni said, "I could get a job, go to college, or maybe just stay home with my family."
She looked at the clock on her phone and saw that it was almost 10:00.
"I should probably get some sleep", Leni said, "I'm sure I'll figure out something tomorrow."
Leni put on her pajamas and got in her bed, and as she put her sleep mask over her eyes and went to sleep, she began to have a dream.
Dream
Leni was at Reininger's for another day at work, and was showing a female customer a light blue dress that had white polka-dots on it.
"This dress is so you", Leni said, "your sister will be so jealous when you go to the party wearing this."
"Really", the customer asked, "thanks."
The customer paid for the dress and left the store, and Ms. Carmichael walked over to Leni.
"Good job, Leni", Ms. Carmichael said, "another happy customer."
"Just doing my job, Ms. C", Leni said.
"Well, you're doing it really well", Ms. Carmichael said, "I'm so glad you decided to work here full-time after you graduated."
Leni was a bit surprised by Ms. Carmichael saying that.
"I'm working here full-time", Leni thought.
She then realized that she was in one of the possible scenarios for her life after high school.
"I don't know where we'd be without a dedicated and hard-working employee like you", Ms. Carmichael said.
"Always happy to help", Leni said.
"Glad to hear it", Ms. Carmichael said, "keep up the good work."
Ms. Carmichael walked away, and Leni went back to work.
"I guess I do like working here at Reininger's", Leni said, "maybe this won't be so bad."
Leni worked hard at her job, and managed to perform just as well as she normally does, but several years later, she was still working at the store as a middle-aged woman, and was selling a sweater to a young man.
"Here you go", Leni said, "this sweater is perfect for you to wear when you propose to your girlfriend."
"Thanks", the young man said, "I hope she'll be really happy."
"Me too", Leni said.
The young man paid for the sweater and left the store, and Leni sighed sadly.
"No one's ever proposed to me before", Leni said, "I wish I knew why."
At that moment, Ms. Carmichael's now-adult son, who had taken over the position of manager from his mother, walked over to Leni with a pair of new employees.
"And this is Leni Loud, who has worked at Reininger's the longest out of any employee", Ms. Carmichel's son said.
The new employees looked at Leni in amazement.
"She continued working with us after she graduated high school, and even stayed after her friends Fiona and Miguel left", Ms. Carmichael's son said, "who knows, maybe she'll be working here until she dies."
Hearing that made Leni feel somewhat depressed.
"Anyways, let's move on", Ms. Carmichael's son said, "follow me."
As Ms. Carmichael's son left with the two young employees, Leni looked at her reflection in a mirror and thought to herself.
"Is this really something that could happen to me", Leni asked, "I don't want this as my future."
End Dream
Leni woke up and took off her sleep mask, after looking around, she saw that she was still 17 years old and in her bedroom.
"What a nightmare", Leni said, "I love my job, but I don't think I want to have it that long."
Leni put her sleep mask back over her eyes and went back to sleep, and she began to have another dream.
Dream
Leni was strolling along the campus of a large college, and was impressed by what she was seeing.
"Wow", Leni said, "so this is what college is like."
She looked at all the different areas in the college, and pretty soon, she arrived at the cafeteria, which truly was a sight to behold.
"This looks like a good place to get a bite", Leni said.
Leni got a burger and fries for her lunch and sat down to eat.
"This is so good", Leni said, "I could get used to this."
But at that moment, the college's clock bell began to ring, and Leni realized what that meant.
"Oh no, I'm late for class", Leni said, "I have to hurry!"
Leni quickly ran away to get to her class, and soon she arrived.
"I'm here", Leni said, "sorry I'm late!"
She quickly sat down and listened to the professor's lecture, trying to take notes along the way, but she found it to be a difficult task, and once it was over, the professor told the class what their assignment for the week was.
"Your first assignment will be to write a 3-4 page paper over one of the concepts we discussed in class today", the professor said, "it's due by Friday at midnight."
Leni had struggled during the class, and she was beginning to worry.
"Three or four pages by Friday at midnight", Leni asked, "that sounds hard."
She picked up her bag and left for her next class.
"I never realized how hard college was", Leni said, "I hope my other classes aren't as demanding as this one."
But as Leni went to her other classes, she discovered that they were indeed demanding, and they all gave her assignments that had difficult requirements, and when she got to her dorm room, she sat down at her desk and took out her work.
"Okay, let's see", Leni said, "I've got a paper that's due on Friday, another paper that's due the next time I meet for that class, a quiz that I need to study for, and a sheet of algebra problems I need to turn in."
Leni began working as hard as she could to get all her work done, but as she did it, she found that is was quite a challenge to do so.
"Why is this all so complicated", Leni asked.
Leni tried to keep working on all of her assignments, but she just couldn't do it.
"This is hopeless", Leni said, "I'll never get any of this done on time!"
She slammed her pencil down on her desk, when suddenly, her stack of schoolwork began to shake, and it suddenly collapsed on top of her, much to her horror.
End Dream
Leni shot awake, and after looking around without her sleeping mask on, she let out a breath of relief.
"That was even worse", Leni said, "I don't think I'm cut out for that kind of schoolwork."
Leni put her sleeping mask back over her eyes and got under the covers.
"So far, it looks like there aren't any good choices for what I can do after school", Leni said, "how am I supposed to decide which one is best for me?"
She went back to sleep, and soon began to have yet another dream.
Dream
Leni was at home in the Loud House helping Lynn Sr. prepare dinner.
"Can you pass me the seasoning, Leni", Lynn Sr. asked.
"Sure thing, Dad", Leni said.
Leni handed Lynn Sr. the salt and pepper shakers, and the thought to herself about the dream she was having.
"There's nothing strange about this", Leni thought, "I wonder what this is about."
Lynn Sr. put the finishing touches on the dinner and picked its tray up.
"Come on, Leni", Lynn Sr. said, "we've got 11 starving family members waiting for this meal."
"Okay, Dad", Leni said.
Leni followed Lynn Sr. to the dining room, and he set the food down on the table.
"Here's dinner", Lynn Sr. said, "country fried steak."
The other family members looked at the meal in awe.
"Leni, can you help serve everyone", Lynn Sr. asked.
"Sure thing", Leni said.
Leni put some food on everyone's plates, and pretty soon, they were all eating their meal, which they enjoyed greatly.
"Wow, Dad", Lincoln said, "this is pretty good."
"I'll say", Lana said, "you really out-did yourself with this one."
"Aww, thanks, kids", Lynn Sr. said, "but I can't take all the credit."
"That's right", Rita said, "I mean, he did have Leni helping him."
"Oh yeah", Lynn said, "ever since Leni chose to stay with us after graduating high school, life's gotten so much better."
"Yeah", Lola said, "her staying with us feels so good."
Leni quickly realized what was going on in her dream.
"This must be what happens if I choose to stay with my family", Leni thought.
"We wuv you, Weni", Lily said.
The Loud family all got up and hugged Leni, and she smiled happily.
"This doesn't seem too bad", Leni said.
And so, Leni spent all her time with her family, doing activities with them and all kinds of other things, but soon, she realized that it wasn't that big of a change from her life during high school, and one day, as an adult Leni was watching TV, Lynn Sr. and Rita, who were both much older, were waving goodbye to someone.
"Bye, Lily", Rita said.
"Good luck at college", Lynn Sr. said.
As the now-older Lily drove away offscreen, the two parents went inside and sat down next to Leni.
"At least you'll never leave us, Leni", Lynn Sr. said.
"That's right", Rita said, "you'll stay with us forever and ever, right?"
"I guess so", Leni said.
The two parents happily hugged their daughter, and she began to feel upset.
"I don't believe it", Leni said, "I haven't been able to do anything meaningful with my life because I've been living with my family for most of it."
End Dream
Leni shot awake and looked around, seeing that she was still young and in her bed, and she began to feel upset.
"I can't do it", Leni said, "no matter what I do, I can't decide what would be best for my future after high school."
She lied back down in her bed and stared up at the ceiling.
"I guess that means I don't have much of a future", Leni said.
Morning came, and Lynn Sr. was preparing breakfast for the family and sent Lincoln upstairs to get Leni.
"Hey, Leni", Lincoln said, "it's time for breakfast."
"Go away", Leni said.
"Dad's making waffles", Lincoln said.
"I'm not hungry", Leni said.
"Come on", Lincoln said.
Lincoln knocked on her door, but she didn't respond, so he went downstairs to the kitchen, where Lynn Sr. and Rita were working together to prepare breakfast.
"Hey, Son", Lynn Sr. said, "did you tell Leni breakfast is almost ready?"
"Yes", Lincoln said, "but she's not coming down."
"Why not", Rita asked.
"I'm not sure", Lincoln said, "but she sounded pretty upset."
"Don't worry", Lynn Sr. said, "we'll go talk to her."
"That's right", Rita said, "whatever's bothering her, I'm sure we can help her find a solution."
And so, the Loud parents went upstairs to Leni's room and knocked on her door.
"Hey, Leni", Lynn Sr. said.
"What", Leni asked.
"Lincoln told us you were upset about something", Lynn Sr. said, "is everything alright?"
"No", Leni said, "everything's not alright."
"Well, can we come in", Rita asked.
"Go ahead", Leni said.
Lynn Sr. and Rita went into Leni's room and found her lying in her bed and looking very upset.
"Hi Mom, hi Dad", Leni said.
"Leni, what's wrong with you", Lynn Sr. asked.
"Do you want to talk about it", Rita asked.
"I've got no future", Leni said.
"What", Lynn Sr. asked.
"I've got no future", Leni said, "I'm not sure what I want to do after high school because I can't think of anything that would be good for me."
She then told them about the series of dreams she had that night about possible options for her future and why they seemed like bad ideas.
"This is my last year of high school, and I don't have a clue for what I want to do when it's over", Leni said, "I guess that means I won't have a good life as an adult."
Lynn Sr. and Rita could tell that Leni was upset, so they decided to talk to her.
"Leni, it's okay if you don't know what you want to do", Lynn Sr. said, "you've still got a little time."
"That's right", Rita said, "we're sure you'll come up with something if you just take your time to think about it like we told you last night."
"But how will I know if my choice is really the right decision", Leni asked.
"There is no knowing that kind of stuff for sure", Rita said, "you just have to go with your gut."
"Yes", Lynn Sr. said, "the future isn't something we can predict, but rather something we have to wait and find out for yourself."
"You are an amazing young woman, Leni", Rita said, "whatever you choose to do with your life, we're sure you'll be amazing at it."
Hearing her parents' words of encouragement made Leni feel happy, and she embraced them in a hug.
"I love you guys", Leni said.
"We love you too, Leni", Rita said.
"Now come on", Lynn Sr. said, "let's get downstairs and have some waffles."
Lynn Sr. and Rita went downstairs to fix everyone's breakfast, and Leni followed behind, feeling a little bit better about her situation.
"I guess the future's still a long ways off", Leni said, "but that's okay, because I'm going to take my time deciding on what I want to do, and when the time comes, I'll trust my gut and find out for myself what the future has in store for me."
And with that, the now-confident Leni went downstairs to enjoy some breakfast with her family.
