The Velazquest Family
Chapter 7
The day of the Sadie Hawkins Dance had finally arrived, and the atmosphere at Royal Woods High was electric with excitement. Luan Loud, however, felt a mix of nerves and determination. After a week of misunderstanding and silence between her and Milton, she was ready to put her heart on the line and win him back. With a carefully crafted plan and the support of her siblings and friends, she hoped to make this night unforgettable.
As the final preparations were made, Luan gathered with her older sisters, Lori and Luna, to go over the details one last time. Luna's boyfriend, Tommy, and Lori's boyfriend-not-boyfriend, Leo, who was chaperoning the dance, were also in on the plan.
"Alright, everyone knows what to do?" Lori asked, her authoritative tone ensuring everyone was on the same page.
Luna nodded, giving Luan a reassuring smile. "We've got your back, Luan. Tommy and I will set the stage, and Leo will make sure everything runs smoothly."
Tommy placed a comforting hand on Luna's shoulder. "We'll make sure Milton is in the perfect spot for your big moment."
Luan took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. "Thanks, guys. I just hope he'll forgive me and give us another chance."
With the plan set in motion, the group made their way to the gymnasium where the dance was being held. The room was beautifully decorated with twinkling lights and vibrant decorations, the perfect setting for a night of heartfelt confessions and new beginnings.
As the evening progressed, students danced and mingled, the energy in the room filled with anticipation and joy. Luan, dressed in a stunning outfit that reflected her unique style, scanned the crowd nervously, searching for Milton.
Finally, the moment arrived. Leo, holding the microphone, signaled to the DJ to lower the music. "Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention, please?" he announced, his voice echoing through the gym. "We have a special announcement from one of our very own, Luan Loud."
The room fell silent, all eyes turning to Luan as she stepped into the spotlight. She took a deep breath, her heart racing as she glanced at Luna and Tommy, who gave her encouraging nods.
"Hi, everyone," Luan began, her voice trembling slightly. "I know this might seem a bit out of the blue, but there's something important I need to say."
She looked around the room, her gaze finally landing on Milton, who stood near the edge of the crowd, his expression a mix of curiosity and uncertainty.
"Milton," Luan continued, her voice growing stronger with each word, "this past week has been really hard. There was a misunderstanding between us, and I've missed you so much. I've realized that I don't just want to be your friend—I have feelings for you, and I'm sorry that I hurt you. Please know that it wasn't what you thought it was."
The room was silent, everyone holding their breath as Luan poured her heart out. "So, Milton," she said, her eyes shining with sincerity, "will you forgive me and be my date to the Sadie Hawkins Dance?"
The crowd waited in suspense, the tension palpable. Everyone looked over the young man who looked like he was struggling with what to do. No one but a select few knew the whole story. Tommy and Leo only agreed to help after they confirmed everything from Benny's mouth. The poor boy had been too frightened of Leo to tell anything but the absolute truth. And as Milton looked around, he saw that his brothers were nodding encouragingly at him. Milton, his expression softening, stepped forward, his eyes locked on Luan's.
"I forgive you, Luan," he said, his voice carrying across the gym. "And I'd love to be your date."
Cheers erupted from the crowd as Luan's face lit up with joy. She rushed over to Milton, wrapping him in a tight hug. The room buzzed with excitement, the moment a testament to the power of sincerity and courage.
As the music resumed and the dance continued, Luan and Milton swayed together on the dance floor, their smiles reflecting the newfound happiness they had found in each other.
Milton looked into Luan's eyes, a question lingering in his gaze. "Luan, what exactly happened last week? I overheard you talking to Benny and it sounded like..."
Luan quickly shook her head, her eyes wide with realization. "Oh, Milton, that was such a misunderstanding! Benny was trying to ask me out and I sarcastically asked him if he expected me to ask him out when we never really interacted before. You must've heard that part but not the whole thing. I turned him down, I swear."
Milton's expression softened further as he processed her words. "Really? That's what it was all about?"
Luan nodded earnestly. "Yes! I would never ask Benny out. I've liked you for a long time, Milton. I was so worried when you didn't meet me after school. I tried to call you but you must've blocked my number."
"Sorry about that." Milton said sheepishly.
"You have nothing to be sorry about. Though my sister still has to apologize to me." Luan said as she glared at her sister, Luna, for a moment.
"What happened?" Milton asked.
"She called me a donut hole and we fought." Luan explained.
"What?" Milton was shocked.
"Yep. After you came home heartbroken, Tommy told Luna and Luna accused me of messing around with Benny while leading you on. Which, just to be clear, would never happen." Luan said firmly.
Milton sighed, a weight lifting from his shoulders. "I'm so glad we cleared that up. I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions and not talking to you about it."
Luan smiled, her heart swelling with affection. "It's okay, Milton. I'm just glad we're here now. And I'm really glad you forgave me."
They danced in comfortable silence for a few moments, simply enjoying each other's presence. The twinkling lights above them seemed to shine brighter as they shared this special moment, their connection stronger than ever.
"Luan, I'm really happy you asked me to the dance," Milton said softly, his voice filled with genuine warmth.
Luan beamed, her heart fluttering with happiness. "Me too, Milton. This is the best night ever."
As the night continued, Luan and Milton found themselves lost in the magic of the evening, surrounded by friends and the joy of a new beginning. Their heartfelt confession had not only mended their bond but had also set the stage for a future filled with laughter, love, and countless more dances to come.
As the night of the Sadie Hawkins Dance unfolded, the gymnasium buzzed with energy and excitement. The heartfelt moment between Luan and Milton set the tone for the evening, inspiring others to take to the dance floor and share in the joy of the occasion.
Leni and David, who were not part of the grand plan but had arrived together, danced happily in their own little world. Their laughter and smiles radiated pure contentment as they swayed to the music, completely absorbed in each other's company.
Meanwhile, Tommy navigated the unique dynamics of his four-way relationship with Luna, Sam, and Mazzy. Ever the attentive boyfriend, he divided his time among the three girls, ensuring each felt cherished and appreciated. When Tommy was dancing with one of the girls, the other two would share a dance together, their bond as friends and partners creating a harmonious rhythm on the dance floor.
But amidst all the dancing and celebration, a truly magical moment was unfolding. Lori, who had steadfastly maintained a friendship with Leo, found herself in his arms, swaying to the gentle rhythm of a slow song. For months, she had been firm in her decision to keep things platonic, especially after her recent breakup with her long-term boyfriend.
As they danced, Lori felt an unexpected warmth spreading through her chest, a spark she hadn't felt in a long time. She looked up into Leo's eyes, finding a depth of understanding and kindness that took her breath away. In that moment, the walls she had built around her heart began to crumble, and she realized that her feelings for Leo ran deeper than she had allowed herself to admit.
Leo, ever patient and respectful of Lori's boundaries, felt a flicker of hope as he gazed into her eyes. The connection they shared was undeniable, and as the music enveloped them, he sensed that something had shifted.
"Lori," Leo murmured softly, his voice filled with tenderness, "I'm so glad we could share this dance."
Lori's heart fluttered, the spark in her chest growing into a warm, glowing flame. "Me too, Leo," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think... I think I've been scared to let myself feel this way. But now, being here with you, it just feels right."
Leo's eyes softened, his hand gently squeezing hers as they continued to dance. "I've always cared about you, Lori. I'll wait as long as you need, but I just want you to know that I'm here for you."
As the song drew to a close, Lori felt a surge of gratitude and affection for Leo. She leaned in closer, resting her head on his shoulder, feeling safe and cherished in his embrace. In that moment, she knew that the spark she felt was just the beginning of something beautiful.
"I know, Leo...I know." Lori sighed. "I think I'm almost ready...just please give me a little more time."
"Take all the time that you need." Leo told her gently. And he truly meant it, he would wait for her because he knew that she was worth it.
XXXXX
Johnny had been working part-time at Lynn Sr.'s restaurant throughout the summer, eager to dive deeper into the culinary arts. He had quickly become a valuable part of the team, learning from Lynn Sr. and honing his skills in the bustling kitchen. Along the way, he also became fast friends with Lynn Jr., whose competitive spirit and lively energy brought a new dynamic to the restaurant.
Lynn Jr. had started hanging out at the restaurant more often, ostensibly to spend time with her dad, but in reality, she enjoyed being around Johnny. She admired his dedication and skill in the kitchen, and as the summer progressed, her feelings for him deepened into a crush she couldn't quite ignore. Plus she was enjoying learning to cook with him, always getting into cooking competitions to see which one was the better chef. Sure, he was winning all the time but Lynn was getting better! Soon she would be top Chef and show him who was boss.
One day during the lunch rush, Lynn decided to take a bold step to impress Johnny. She planned to showcase her skills, hoping to catch his attention. However, in her eagerness, she miscalculated the timing and ingredients, leading to a chaotic mess that spilled across the kitchen. As she tried to finish the large pot of spaghetti, she added too many ingredients that didn't mesh well and they ended up erupting from the pot.
Pots clanged, sauces splattered, and plates were nearly upended as Lynn's well-intentioned plan went awry. The lunch rush intensified the pressure, and Johnny found himself in the midst of the chaos, desperately trying to manage the situation and salvage the orders.
Spaghetti sauce was everywhere. It dripped down the walls in crimson streaks, pooled on the floor in sticky puddles, and even splattered across the ceiling in a messy display. The counters were a disaster zone, littered with overturned bowls of salad, half-chopped vegetables, and a cascade of spaghetti noodles that clung to surfaces and shoes alike.
Lynn Sr. stormed into the kitchen, his face a mask of fury. "Lynn Jr.! What on earth were you thinking? You nearly ruined the whole lunch service!" he bellowed, his voice carrying over the clamor.
Lynn Jr. winced, her face flushed with embarrassment. "Dad, I'm really sorry. I just... I wanted to help."
"Help? You call this helping?" Lynn Sr. gestured to the mess. "You almost cost us customers! And Johnny, why didn't you stop her!?"
Johnny, who was frantically cleaning up the mess, looked up. "Mr. Loud, it's okay. I can handle this."
Lynn Sr. turned to Johnny, his expression softening slightly. "Johnny, I appreciate your hard work, but this kind of disruption is unacceptable." He sighed heavily. "We can still salvage this. Lynn, go outside, you'll only get in the way here and Johnny and I have serious work to do now thanks to you."
Lynn Jr., tears welling in her eyes, whispered, "I just wanted to impress Johnny." but no one heard her.
After work, Johnny sought out Lynn Jr., finding her sitting on the back steps of the restaurant, her head hung low in embarrassment.
"Lynn," Johnny began, his voice a mix of frustration and concern. "What was that all about? You nearly got me fired today."
Lynn looked up, her cheeks flushed with shame. "I'm really sorry, Johnny. I didn't mean for it to go so wrong. I just… I wanted to impress you," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Johnny's expression softened, the frustration melting away as he took in her words. "Impress me? Why?"
Lynn took a deep breath, her eyes meeting his with a mixture of vulnerability and determination. "Because I like you, Johnny. I've been crushing on you for a while now, and I thought maybe if I showed you I could be good at this too, you'd notice me."
Johnny felt a wave of surprise and warmth wash over him. With a grin spreading across his face, he replied, "Ditto."
Before Lynn could respond, Johnny leaned in and gave her a quick, gentle peck on the lips. The kiss was brief but filled with the promise of something more.
Lynn's eyes widened in surprise, her embarrassment quickly replaced with a beaming smile. "Really?"
Johnny nodded, his grin widening. "Yeah, really. But maybe next time, let's stick to impressing each other outside the lunch rush, huh?"
Lynn laughed, her heart lighter than it had been all day. "Deal."
As they stood there, the evening sun casting a warm glow over the restaurant, Johnny and Lynn knew that despite the mess, something wonderful had come out of the chaos. And as they walked back into the restaurant together, they felt a new sense of excitement for what the future held.
Back inside, Lynn Sr. approached them, his expression stern but softened by a hint of understanding. "Lynn, I appreciate that you want to help, but you need to be more careful. The restaurant is a team effort, and we all have to work together."
Lynn nodded, her face serious. "I understand, Dad. I'm really sorry. I'll be more careful from now on."
Lynn Sr. sighed, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Good. Now, let's finish cleaning up this mess and get ready for dinner service."
With renewed determination, Lynn Jr. and Johnny joined the rest of the staff, working together to restore order to the kitchen. As they moved through the tasks, their newfound connection added a layer of warmth and joy to the hard work, turning a difficult day into the beginning of something special.
As Lynn and Johnny cleaned up the walls and ceiling, Lynn Sr. couldn't help but smile. His daughter had never shown an interest in cooking before but with Johnny here, maybe he could leave his business to them. It was far too soon to be thinking like that, he chuckled. But maybe, just maybe he would be able to keep the name Lynn's Table with an actual Lynn running it?
XXXXX
The next day, Lincoln was hanging out with Johnny in his room, the two of them immersed in the latest video game. The room was filled with the sounds of rapid button clicks and animated shouts as they competed against each other. Posters of superheroes and game characters adorned the walls, and an assortment of snacks lay scattered around them, evidence of a long gaming session.
As they played, their phones buzzed simultaneously with incoming texts. Each of them paused the game to check their messages, and as they read the texts from their girlfriends, goofy grins spread across their faces. The content of the texts varied—Delilah had sent Lincoln a sweet, encouraging message, while Lynn had sent Johnny a playful joke—but the effect was the same.
When they looked up from their phones, they noticed the other's look and burst out laughing, the coincidence too perfect to ignore.
"What?" they said at the same time, their voices overlapping in a perfect chorus of confusion.
Johnny then sighed and set his controller down, looking at his newest best friend with a mix of nervousness and determination. "Bro...I got a confession to make. I'm...sorta dating your older sister."
Lincoln blinked once, then twice, as he processed Johnny's words. He glanced down at his phone, re-reading Delilah's message, and then looked back up at Johnny, realization dawning on his face. "Well...I'm kind of dating your younger sister."
The room fell silent for a moment, both boys absorbing the surprising revelation. Then, as the absurdity of the situation hit them, they both started laughing, the tension melting away in an instant.
"Seriously?" Johnny asked, shaking his head in disbelief. "You and Delilah?"
Lincoln nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, she's amazing. And you and Lynn? When did that happen?"
Johnny chuckled, leaning back against the bed. "It kind of just... happened. She started hanging out at the restaurant more, and one thing led to another. She's really cool, you know? Competitive, but in a fun way."
Lincoln nodded, understanding exactly what Johnny meant. "Yeah, I get that. Delilah's got this way of making everything more interesting. She's... special."
They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the initial shock of their confessions giving way to a shared understanding. It was funny how things had turned out, but it also felt right in a way that neither of them had expected.
Johnny broke the silence with a playful grin. "So, does this mean if I ever hurt Lynn, you're going to beat me up?"
Lincoln laughed, shaking his head. "Nah, Johnny. I wouldn't have to. If you break Lynn's heart, she'd probably break your legs herself."
Johnny chuckled, thinking it was a joke. "Right, right. She's tough, but she's not that tough."
Lincoln's expression turned serious, his eyes meeting Johnny's. "I'm not kidding, Johnny. Lynn's a force of nature when she's mad. Trust me, you don't want to be on the receiving end of that."
Johnny's eyes widened slightly, realizing that Lincoln wasn't joking. "Noted," he said, a touch of nervousness creeping into his voice. "I'll make sure to stay on her good side."
Lincoln grinned, the tension easing as he gave Johnny a reassuring pat on the back. "Just treat her right, man. That's all I ask."
Johnny returned the grin. "Same goes for you, Lincoln. You better treat Delilah right too, or else Leo might use some of that marine training on you."
Lincoln's eyes widened in mock horror before he laughed. "Point taken. I'll be sure to keep Delilah happy. Leo's not someone I'd want to mess with."
"Good," Johnny said, smirking. "We've got a deal, then."
"Deal," Lincoln agreed, holding out his fist for a fist bump.
Johnny met his fist with his own, sealing their pact with a grin. "Deal."
They resumed their game, the atmosphere lighter and filled with newfound camaraderie. As they played, they exchanged stories about their respective relationships, laughing at the similarities and differences in their experiences. It was a new chapter in their friendship, one built on mutual respect and the shared joy of unexpected connections.
And as they continued to play, their goofy grins returned, knowing that no matter what, they had each other's backs.
End of Chapter.