One afternoon at Royal Woods High School, the Theatre Club was making preparations for their upcoming production of "Guys and Dolls," and Luan was reading the lines for the role of Sarah Brown.
"Hear me you gamblers, with your dice, your cards, your horses", Luan read, "just around the corner is our little mission where you are always welcome to seek refuge from the jungle of sin."
Luan walked along the stage as she continued to read her lines, but she wasn't looking where she was going, and bumped into someone.
"Oh, sorry", Luan said.
"It's alright", the person Luan bumped into said.
Luan had bumped into Parvana, a student at Royal Woods High who was of Muslim faith, as indicated by the hijab she always wore.
"Oh, hey", Luan said, "Parvana, right?"
"Yep, that's me", Parvana said, "how did you know?"
"We have an English class together", Luan said, "plus, that thing you wear on your head makes you stand out."
Luan quickly realized that what she had just said might be offensive.
"I-In a good way", Luan said, "you're the only one in the 10th grade who wears something like that."
"Oh, yes", Parvana said, "there aren't very many Muslim students here at school."
"What's that got to do with that thing you wear", Luan asked.
"It's called a hijab", Parvana said, "women of my culture wear them in public for modesty reasons."
"I see", Luan said, "do you ever get tired of wearing it?"
"Not really", Parvana said, "I like to think of it as me showing that I'm proud of my heritage."
"Nice", Luan said, "a person should always be proud of where they're from."
"I couldn't agree more", Parvana said, "well, I'd better get back to work setting up all the neon signs we'll be using for the set."
"And I've got to go back to reading my lines", Luan said, "see you around."
"You too", Parvana said.
The next day, Luan was walking to her first class, eating a banana as she did so, when she suddenly heard Parvana's voice.
"Get away from me, you creeps", Parvana said.
Luan followed the sound of Parvana's voice, and found her with some boys.
"Aw, come on", the first boy said, "we just wanna see what's under that thing you're wearing."
"All that's under it is my hair", Parvana said.
"But why are you covering it up", the second boy asked.
"Something to hide", the third boy asked.
"It's none of your business", Parvana said.
"Well, if you've got nothing to hide, then I guess you won't mind us taking a look for ourselves", the first boy said, "boys, hold her back."
"You got it, Nate", the second boy said.
Nate's cronies grabbed both of Parvana's arms, and he reached out to unwrap her hijab, while Luan watched with worry.
"I gotta do something", Luan thought, "come on Luan, think."
Luan looked at the peel from her finished banana and got an idea, and proceeded to whistle, getting Nate's attention.
"Hey Nate, I see you've lost weight", Luan said, "oh wait, never mind!"
Luan's comment made Nate very mad.
"Oh, you're gonna be sorry you said that, brace face", Nate said.
Nate ran towards Luan, but she threw her banana peel on the floor, and he slipped on it, causing him to fall on his back.
"Nate", his cronies said.
Nate's cronies hurried over to him, and Luan walked over to Parvana.
"You okay", Luan asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine", Parvana said, "thanks."
"Don't mention it", Luan said, "well, I'd better get to class."
"And I'd better get going too", Parvana said, "before Nate gets up and tries to have another go at my hijab."
Luan and Parvana walked away, and later, at lunch, Luan noticed Parvana looking for a place to sit.
"Hey, Parvana, over here", Luan said.
Parvana noticed Luan and walked over to her.
"Wanna have lunch with me", Luan asked.
"Sure, that sounds nice", Parvana said.
Parvana sat next to Luan, and as they ate their lunch, the former decided to say something.
"Hey, Luan", Parvana said, "thanks again for what you did back there for me."
"Aw, it was nothing", Luan said, "what're friends for?"
"Friends", Parvana asked.
"Aren't we friends", Luan asked.
"Sure, that sounds nice", Parvana said.
"Glad to hear", Luan said, "so, you wanna hang out after school?"
"Sure", Parvana said, "what did you have in mind?"
"I was thinking maybe Burpin' Burger", Luan said, "they've got this deal where shakes are half price from two to five on weekdays."
"Count me in", Parvana said, "I'm a sucker for a good milkshake."
After school, Luan and Parvana went over to Burpin' Burger, where the former ordered a medium peanut butter shake and the latter ordered a medium vanilla shake, and they sat down at a booth to enjoy their frozen treats.
"Mmm", Parvana said, "this is good."
"I'll say", Luan said, "there's nothing like a cold, creamy milkshake on a Friday after school."
"I couldn't have said it better myself", Parvana said.
Later, after finishing their milkshakes, the two friends walked down the sidewalk together, and an idea came to Luan's head.
"Hey, Parvana", Luan said.
"What's up", Parvana asked.
"I was wondering if maybe you'd be interested in coming over to my place and spending the night with me", Luan said.
"Really", Parvana asked, "no one's ever asked me to stay over at their house for a night."
"Well then, I'm happy to be the first", Luan said, "what do you say?"
"I'd love to", Parvana said.
"Great", Luan said, "we're going to have so much fun together, and I'll also introduce you to my family."
"I've heard of your family", Parvana said, "don't some of your sisters attend school with us?"
"Yes, Leni and Luna", Luan said, "Lori used to attend, but she graduated last year and went to college at Fairway University."
"That's nice", Parvana said, "I can't wait to meet them."
"Trust me, you're going to love them", Luan said.
Once she got home, Luan found Lynn Sr. and Rita in the kitchen and decided to tell them about her idea.
"Hey Mom, hey Dad", Luan said.
"Hey there, Luana Banana", Lynn Sr. said, "how was school?"
"Pretty good", Luan said, "I made a new friend."
"You did", Rita asked, "who was it?"
"Her name's Parvana", Luan said, "she's in the theatre club with me."
"Nice to see you've been making friends in that club", Rita said.
"Thanks", Luan said, "anyways, I was wondering if maybe she could come over and spend the night sometime."
"I guess that would be okay", Rita said, "but is she okay with this?"
"Don't worry, she's on board with the idea", Luan said.
"Well then, so are we", Rita said.
"She can come over and spend the night tomorrow", Lynn Sr. said.
Luan happily hugged her parents.
"Thank you", Luan said.
Luan went up to her and Luna's room, got out her phone, and called Parvana.
"Hello", Parvana asked.
"Hey, it's me, Luan", Luan said, "good news: I asked my parents, and they said yes."
"That's amazing", Parvana said, "I'm so excited."
"I just know we're going to have the time of our lives", Luan said.
The following night, Lynn Sr. and Rita were getting ready to go somewhere, with the latter holding Lily in her arms.
"Okay Luan, we're off to cater the Cohen bar mitzvah", Lynn Sr. said.
"Leni's in charge, but you can call us if there are any problems", Rita said.
"Okay, have fun", Luan said, "and tell the Cohens I said mazel tov."
"Will do", Lynn Sr. said.
Lynn Sr. and Rita left with Lily and the food, and Luan waited for Parvana with her other siblings.
"I can't wait to meet your new friend, Luan", Lincoln said.
"What's she like", Lana asked.
"She's real neat, that's what she is", Luan said.
There was a knock at the door, and Luan answered it, and there, at the doorstep, was Parvana.
"Parvana, you made it", Luan said.
"Are you kidding", Parvana asked, "I wouldn't have missed this for the world."
Parvana stepped inside, and Luan led her over to where her siblings were.
"Parvana, this is my family", Luan said, "Leni..."
"Hello", Leni said.
"Luna", Luan said.
" 'Sup", Luna asked.
"Lynn", Luan said.
"Hey", Lynn said.
"Lincoln", Luan said.
"Hi there", Lincoln said.
"Lucy", Luan said.
"Sigh", Lucy said.
"Lana", Luan said.
"Hey", Lana said.
"Lola", Luan said.
"Oh, hello", Lola said.
"And Lisa", Luan said.
"Asalaamu alaikum", Lisa said.
Parvana was quite surprised that Lisa knew the common Iraqi verbal greeting.
"Wa alaikum salaam", Parvana said.
"I could tell you were Muslim by the traditional hijab you are wearing", Lisa said.
Parvana was even more surprised that a four-year-old was able to identify that and make such a connection.
"And then there's Lily, but Mom and Dad took her with her to a bar mitzvah", Luan said.
"I see", Parvana said, "so it's just us?"
"Yes, but don't worry, I'm in charge", Leni said.
"Alright", Parvana said.
"So, Parvs", Luan said, "ready to have the night of your life?"
"You bet I am", Parvana said, "what's first?"
"I was thinking a good ol' game of Froot Tangle", Luan said, "how's that sound?"
"Sounds good to me", Parvana said.
"Great", Luan said, "anyone else want to play?"
"Count me in", Lynn said.
"Me too", Lincoln said.
"Alright", Luan said, "let's do this."
In no time, the mat for Froot Tangle was all set up, and the players were ready to play.
"Okay, let's do this", Luan said, "Parvana, since you're the guest of honor, you get to go first."
"Okay", Parvana said.
Luan handed Parvana the dice, and after shaking them in her hand, she rolled them.
"Right foot, orange", Parvana said.
Parvana got into position, and Luan went next.
"Left foot, grape", Luan said.
Luan got into position, and Lynn went next.
"Right hand, apple", Lynn said.
Lynn got into position, and Lincoln went next.
"Left foot, pineapple", Lincoln said.
Lincoln got into position, and the other siblings observed.
"This ought be good", Lola said.
And she was right, because pretty soon, the four players were all tangled up.
"Man, this is getting painful", Lincoln said.
Parvana rolled the dice.
"Left hand, grape", Parvana said.
Parvana reached out to put her left hand on the grape, but she and the others collapsed, and soon shared a laugh.
"Well, I guess that's a game", Luan said.
"No question about it", Parvana said, "that was fun."
"Glad to hear", Luan said.
Then, they heard a noise.
"What was that", Lynn asked.
Parvana held her stomach.
"That was my stomach", Parvana said, "I guess I'm a little hungry."
"Not to worry, I'll order us some pizza for dinner", Leni said.
"Good idea", Luan said.
"Is there any particular pizza you'd like, Parvana", Leni asked.
"Does where you're ordering from have stuffed crust", Parvana asked.
"I don't know, let me check", Leni said.
Leni pulled up the menu for the pizza restaurant on her phone.
"It looks like they do serve stuffed crust pizza", Leni said.
"Okay", Parvana said, "I'd like some stuffed crust pizza, please."
The other siblings were happy to hear her request.
"Mmm", Lana said, "stuffed crust."
"Your friend has good tastes, brah", Luna said.
"Thanks", Luan said.
"Looks like we're all in agreement", Leni said, "I'll make the call."
Leni ordered the pizza, and pretty soon, the Loud siblings and Parvana were chowing down on some slices of pepperoni stuffed crust pizza.
"Oh yeah, this is the stuff", Parvana said, "you haven't lived until you've had stuffed crust pizza."
"It's hard to believe that something as absurd as pizza crust stuffed with cheese can taste so good", Lisa said.
"You sure made a good choice on what to get", Lincoln said.
"Thanks, you guys", Parvana said.
Luan looked at her phone and saw that it was 7:30.
"It's still a while before we need to get to bed", Luan said, "what do you want to do next, Parvs?"
Parvana thought for a moment before she came up with something.
"How about a movie", Parvana asked.
"Sure", Luan said, "know any good ones?"
"I sure do", Parvana said, "let's see if it's on Netflix."
After turning on Netflix on the TV, Parvana did a quick search and found what she was looking for.
"Here it is", Parvana said, "Big Miracle."
"Isn't that the one with the gray whales trapped in ice", Lincoln said.
"It sure is", Parvana said, "I watched it with my family, and we all had to agree that it's a pretty good film."
"We'll take your word for it", Luan said, "now let's watch it."
"With pleasure", Parvana said.
Parvana started the movie, and afterwards, she and the others were touched by what they had just watched.
"That was beautiful", Leni said.
"I know", Luna said, "seeing all those people working together to save those whales."
"And in the end, they made it to freedom", Lynn said.
"Except for Bamm-Bamm", Lana said, "he, he..."
Lana began crying, and Lincoln comforted her.
"Shh, there there", Lincoln said, "it's okay."
"That truly was a powerful and emotional movie", Luan said, "nice choice, Parvs."
"Thanks", Parvana said.
"Okay guys, it's time for bed", Leni said.
"Where am I going to sleep", Parvana asked.
"You've got my bunk in mine and Luan's room", Luna said, "I'm crashing with Leni tonight."
"Wow", Parvana said, "thank you, Luna."
"Anytime", Luna said.
After changing into their pajamas and brushing their teeth, Luan and Parvana went into the former's bedroom, and the latter climbed up into Luna's bunk.
"Man, that was fun", Luan said.
"I'll say", Parvana said, "you're a great friend, Luan."
"You're not too bad yourself", Luan said.
The two shared a laugh, and Luan thought of something.
"Hey, Parvana", Luan said, "if you don't mind me asking, what's your family like?"
"My family", Parvana asked.
"Well, you now know a lot about my family", Luan said, "I don't know a thing about yours."
"Well, I'm the middle child in a family of three, and the only girl", Parvana said, "I have a younger brother who attends middle school, and an older brother who's a sophomore at Detroit University."
"That's nice", Luan said, "what about your parents?"
"It's just my mom who raises us", Parvana said.
"What about your dad", Luan asked.
"He passed away when I was six", Parvana said, "if you don't mind, I'd rather not talk about it."
"Oh, I understand", Luan said, "sorry if asking you about him bothered you."
"It's alright, you didn't know", Parvana said.
"Well, we'd better get some shut-eye", Luan said.
"Okay", Parvana said, "see you in the morning."
"You too", Luan said.
The following morning, Luan yawned and woke up, followed by Parvana.
"Morning, Parvs", Luan said.
"Good morning", Parvana said.
Luan and Parvana left their room, and a delicious aroma filled the air.
"Do you smell that", Parvana asked.
"I sure do", Luan said, "it must be coming from downstairs."
Luan and Parvana went downstairs, and found Lynn Sr. cooking breakfast.
"Hey, you're up", Lynn Sr. said, "and I see your friend's with you."
"That's right", Luan said, "this is Parvana."
"It's nice to finally meet you", Rita said.
"You too", Parvana said.
"So, what's on the menu", Luan asked.
"Bananas foster French toast", Lynn Sr. said.
"Sounds delicious", Luan said.
In no time, breakfast was served, and Parvana was sitting down with the Loud family and eating her breakfast, which she thought was very delicous.
"Compliments to the chef", Parvana said, "this food is delicious."
"Thanks", Lynn Sr. said, "and if you think that's good, you should have something to eat at my restaurant, Lynn's Table."
"I'll tell my mom about it", Parvana said.
"Oh, that'd be grand", Lynn Sr. said.
Pretty soon, after finishing breakfast, brushing her teeth, and getting dressed, Parvana got ready to go home.
"Thanks for coming over", Luan said.
"Thanks for having me over", Parvana said, "I had a great time."
"Me too", Luan said.
"Maybe sometime, you could spend the night over at my place", Parvana said.
"I think I might just take you up on that offer", Luan said.
"Well, I gotta go", Parvana said, "see you in school."
"You too", Luan said.
Parvana began making her way back home, and Luan went up to her room, lied down on her bed, and began reading a joke book, happily remembering the wonderful night she had shared with her new best friend.