Sweet Silly Sixteen.

Chloe-Louise definitely felt the need to defend herself. Here she was again, the older sister, with her brothers and parents. They were having their usual family dinner at the burger chain store in town. It was sounding like bedlam, kids shrieking and running around. It was the best place to have a family meal, friendly, lots of toppings to choose for the grilled burgers and giant ice cream sundaes for dessert.

It was also the place for the teens to get a job, and meet up after sports training. This time, for once, some of the cool teenagers in her class year were waving and welcoming Chloe-Louise. All the older kids there were around the same age, and had received her party planner Mother's pink themed invitations for a sweet sixteen party. Bev was her Mother's name, she had been planning this party like a battle.

Chloe-Louise was totally looking forward to this event, in a very nervous kind of way. She did not want to say that these teens had basically ignored her for most of their days and social life. Once she turned sweet sixteen, she would be allowed a later curfew, if she was invited on a date or to a party. Chloe-Louise smiled back at these sudden new friends and besties. She quietly wondered exactly who was going to date her, being the quiet nerd of their class life. Even worse, she loathed sport, and often pretended to have her period so she would not have to compete in hurdles or athletics. None of her male sports teachers were ever going to chcck if she or any other teenage girl was menstruating.

Still, Bev had decided to recreate Chloe-Louise as a social identity, maybe gain an early ring for Spring. The date for the party was set, the venue was the patio and back garden. The pink theme meant that the guests would receive a flamingo design on their customized cups, and embroidered handkerchiefs as souvenirs in their gift bags. Bev had bustled Chloe-Louise off to choose that vital frock, a vision of lolly pink, saying, "Pretty in pink!" The dress had cost a fortune, but her mother was enjoying her own fantasies.

Meanwhile, back at the burger store, Chloe-Louise blushed even pinker when the handsome Desi brought over their family's orders for dinner. He wipied up a spilled drink, and he too looked flushed .Chloe-Louise did not know how to respond when Desi smiled and thanked her parents for the party invitation for that main event. His eyes twinkled, and his gaze lingered on Chloe-Louise. Bev was thrilled, here was a potential date for her gauche daughter.

Chloe-Louise actually despised pink as a gender label.. Nonetheless, she was not going to spoil her mother's fun. So she did not mutter, "Pretty in pink. Am I ready to be pimped?", as Desi hurried back to get more burgers for the hungry customers. The nearly sweet sixteen realised she would have to choose a song list for the party music, there would be dancing. How embarrassing, but she had always admired Desi, Mr. Over Achiever. He was even assistant manager on most evenings at the burger store, while maintaining his straight A levels. He was a teenage role model, best school citizen and captain of practically every sporting team. Such a junior leader of their community was so motivated, being an energetic inspiration.

Finally, the night of the sweet sixteen party and dance arrived. "I look like a pink meringue!" Chloe-Louise moaned, gazing at her reflection in her bedroom. This was her mother's dream .Chloe-Louise could not help wondering if Desi might kiss her, become her man of a romantic dream. Perhaps, maybe not. She could hear her younger brothers snickering as she tried to enter the patio gracefully, on those matching high heel shoes.

Her parents had made a sterling effort. There were tea lights flickering all around. The birthday cake was a tower of pink froth and butter cream, adorned with pink marshmellows and berries. The birthday candles were waiting to be lit, flowers bloomed and flourished, fragrances floated. Fortunately for Chloe-Louise, most of the other girls at this sweet sixteen event had got into the total pink mode. They loved their pink customized cups, her father was in control of non-alcoholic sparkles, with some bubbles for the cake and speeches.

Soon a good time was being enjoyed. Her brothers were playing tag chasey with sparklers, but that was normal for them. Chloe-Louise kept scanning the arrivals, but Desi had not shown up. She was amazed to find she felt disappointed, telling herself not to be such a girl. Then suddenly, at around 10 pm, someone said, "Look up there!" Soaring above in the coolish breeze was Desi, flying in on an illuminated hang glider. He was already an expert at that hobby too.

Chloe-Louise felt her pulse rate and breath quicken, this was being a sweet silly sixteen. Desi landed and walked right up to her, kissing her and taking her hand. He presented a card and pink wrapped gift, smiling into her shining eyes. "Open your present!" All the girls gathered round, Desi was their idol. Chloe-Louise found an invitation to go glamping at a Hang Glider contest, north in the state.

"My parents are supervising, it should be all good." Desi reassured her parents. Bev's eyes were gleaming. Chloe-Louise could already imagine her party planner mother if she went steady with Desi. No, this was only a teenage dream, or was it? As Desi asked her for a dance, she knew she would never swap him for another. She was not game to ask him if he was only being polite.

The whole evening was a fun time. Good simple fun, everyone loved their favours, the food, and especially the cake. This was Chloe-Louise's debut into the world of romance and potential for society inclusion in their little corner of the world. Surprisingly, she and Desi had much grey matter to share as intelligent academic students. She was aiming to keep her eye candy boyfriend, sharing sweet sixteen kisses on their dates. He was definitely a keeper, a treasure for his pink clad doll, who planned to always be his devoted fan.

"Best party ever, " the teens all said, as they ventured home, all off to their futures. Ah, Chloe-Louise had turned sweet sixteen at at last, silly or not.