//------------------------------// // Chapter 11: Sixteen // Story: Violet Times // by Echo Breeze //------------------------------// We arrived at my apartment just as dusk was setting in. Oak got me out of the car and helped me carry the stuff I bought up to my bedroom. My parents weren't home, so it was just us two. "You want something to drink?" I asked. "Sure. I'll take a Pepsi." Oak replied. I went to the kitchen to grab two Pepsi's from the refrigerator and joined Oak in the living room. "So. What's the plan of action for tomorrow?" I asked. "Tomorrow mornin', yer pa is gonna bring ya up ta Mac's. We're gonna have a party. Yer gonna enjoy yerself, and then ya come home." he replied. There was a rustling of keys at the door, it was unlocked, and my parents stepped in. From the light dusting of white flakes on their coats, it must have started snowing since we've been back. "Violet. We're home." my mother called from the door. "In the living room, mother." I called back. "Hey, sweetie. How was the afternoon?" my father asked. "It was good. Met up with some friends, we talked, I treated them to lunch." I said. "Where did you get the money?" my mother asked. "Lawyers decided to rather settle than have another attempted murder on record for trial. I have just under half a million in a savings account set up by the bureau." I replied. "Damn, that's a lot." my father replied. "What about your college? Don't you need it for then?" "I have a full sports scholarship to Canterlot University, father." I replied. "And I've changed my mind as to what I'm gonna do. It changes from a four year course, to about two to three years, and the scholarship covers it." "Okay. Seems like you have a plan of action then. Are you still gonna work at Sweet Apple Acres?" my mother asked. "Of course. Just because I have a half a million, doesn't entitle me to sit on my backside all day." I said, causing everyone to start laughing. "Alright. Imma head out." Oak said after he stopped laughing. He kissed me deeply. "See ya tomorrow, darlin'." "See you tomorrow." I replied. He turned and walked to the door. I saw him out and closed the door. I turned to see my parents staring at me, amused looks on their faces. "What?" "Oh, nothing. Just admiring the cuteness of it all." my mother said, causing me to blush. "We've been dating for a month and a half now. How is it still cute?" I huffed, causing my parents to laugh again. I just stomped back to the living room. "Vi. What would you like for dinner?" my mother asked once she regained her composure. "About that. I ordered us a pizza." I replied. My father came into the living room and turned on the T.V. He put it on a sports channel, and there was a baseball game on. We had missed the first innings, but we continued watching anyway.. It was a game between the Cloudsdale Jets and the Canterlot Buffalos. Coming from Cloudsdale, I was still a major Jets fan, as were my parents. Cloudsdale were ahead by four runs, with Canterlot now stepping out to bat. Five minutes later, the pizza had arrived. My mother brought us each a couple slices on a plate, and sat down to eat with us. It was the bottom of the Eighth inning, and Canterlot were ahead by one run. They had one more runner on third, and a batter stepping up to the plate. The pitcher threw a fastball, hoping to get a strike, but the ball connected and went out of the park for a home run. Now we were down three. I finished my pizza and my Pepsi, got up and took my plate to the kitchen. I then returned to the living room. "I'm gonna turn in." I said, giving my parents each a hug. "Please tell me how it ends up tomorrow." "Will do sweetie. Good night." my father said. "Goodnight." I replied and went to my bedroom. I climbed beneath the covers, not even bothering to change into my pajamas and flicked off the bedside light. __________________________________________ The following morning, I woke up to almost complete silence. I could hear my father showering just down the hall. I turned over and shut my eyes for a few more minutes. My father finished his shower a few minutes later, and I decided to go and take a shower. I got up, walked over to the bags that Oak had brought up for me, and took out my brand new jeans and boots. I went to my closet and got out the nicest shirt I could find, as well as clean underwear, and made my way to the bathroom to shower. I finished my shower and got dressed. On my way out, my father appeared suddenly, causing me to react. I punched him in the face, not really meaning to. "Father. Don't scare me like that. You know what I've been through over the last few days." I said, then noticed that he was on the floor. "Are you okay?" I bent down to check. "I'm fine, sweetie. Raucous punch though. I was not expecting it." he replied. "Oh Gods. I'm so sorry father." I said, holding my hand out for him to grab so I could help pull him up. "I didn't break anything, did I." "Nope. Just my pride. Getting sucker punched to the floor by a sixteen year old." my father said with a chuckle. He then reached into one of the pockets of his jeans. "Speaking of which, Happy Birthday, sweetie. Just a small thing for now. The rest is coming." he said, handing me a box the size of a golf ball. I opened it to find a gorgeous diamond, bezel cut and fitted to an 18 gold hanger. I took it out to see that it was fixed to an 18 carat gold chain. I was speechless. "How much did this cost?" I asked my father. "It doesn't matter how much it cost. It's not everyday that you turn sixteen." my father said. I wrapped him in a tight embrace. "Thank you. It's beautiful." I didn't have much jewellery, because I was a tomboy, but I loved this. "Now. Are you ready?" my father asked. "We have a party to get to." "Just a second." I said, running to my bedroom. I grabbed the necklace that Oak had gotten me and my Stetson, and put them on. I then ran to where my father was waiting and we left the apartment and headed to the car together. __________________________________________ Half an hour later, we arrived at Sweet Apple Acres. Most of my friends had arrived already. The only people who had not arrived were Candy, Celestia and Luna. I went up to Oak and gave him a hug. "Happy Birthday, darlin'." he said. "Thanks, babe. Any word on when the others are arriving?" I asked. "Celestia and Luna are on their way. No word on Candy yet." Oak replied "I'm sure she'll arrive soon." my mother said, coming over to us. "I know." I said, giving my mother a hug. We went into the barn to start the party. I could not believe my eyes. The normally dull and boring barn was full of decorations, making the place look like a regular party venue. "Are you sure we're in the right place?" I said, turning to face Oak. "We sure are darlin'." he replied with a chuckle "The place wasn't this decorated for Mac's sixteenth." I said, genuinely impressed by what I saw. I went over to the 'bar', which was made from an old apple cart. I grabbed Oak and I each a cider, the Sweet Apple Acres brand, and we joined the rest of the group. Celestia and Luna had arrived sometime between my arrival and me getting Oak and I drinks. "Hey, girls. Welcome." I said, hugging them each in turn. "Thanks, Vi." Celestia said, handing me a gift bag. "It's not much, but at least we managed to get you something." "Hey. You guys being here would have been enough, but thanks nonetheless." I said. "Hey, no problem, Vi. It's the least we could do after you guys invited us into your group like you did." Luna said. Just then, Oak tapped me on the shoulder. I looked at him and he pointed to the door. I was a little confused, but I looked, and there Candy was, standing by my parents. I looked at Oak and nodded in thanks. Then the whole group went over to meet her. __________________________________________ A few hours later, after making sure that all the guests had arrived, we were all having lunch. My parents hired caterers for the event, so the Apple's were all exempt from catering and cleaning. They joined us for the celebration, because they had become part of the family since we moved to Canterlot. After lunch, the time for unwrapping gifts was upon us. I started with the smallest package, which was from my cousins from Cloudsdale. I opened it to find a small mood ring. I thanked them and moved on. Several gifts later, I got to the pile that were from my friends. I started with Celestia and Luna's gift. It was a scarf, decorated with an assortment of marks that were a preference with each of my friends, all surrounding mine. I hugged them, not trusting my voice. Next was the one from Bright Mac and Pear Butter. Their gift was a coupon for a free spa day at the Canterlot Spa. I hugged them too, thanking them as I did. Next was the gift from Candy. I read the envelope. It said; 'Hope this comes in handy for the next date night.' I opened the envelope to find a five hundred dollar gift card to any restaurant at the mall. I thanked her. Oak's gift was a lot more simple. He had gotten me another necklace, one of those that had a matching one. He pulled the match out from his shirt, and showed it to me. "Thank you, Oak." I said, reaching over and giving him a kiss. "It's my pleasure darlin'. Now, no matter where we go, we'll always have a piece of each other with us." he replied. The gifts from my parents were next. I didn't know what to expect after the necklace this morning, but I pressed on. I opened one of them, and found even more jewellery. There were earrings, necklaces, bracelets and more, mostly gold and silver. I looked up at them, and my mother smiled, obviously the jewellery was her idea. There was one more package left. It was the size of a shoebox. I tore the wrapping paper off and opened it to find another box. This continued until I got to a package the size of a ring box. I opened it to find a set of car keys. The key chain had the Ford emblem on it. I looked at my father, tears forming in my eyes. He was smiling. "Everyone, attention please." my father said. "I'd like to make a toast." Everyone looked over to him. He raised his glass. "I just want to wish the best daughter in the world a very happy birthday, and may she have many returns." he said. "To Violet" "To Violet" came a chorus of cheers. "Now if everyone will join us outside, Bright Mac will take us to where the car is stored. Violet is about to take her first drive as a registered driver." my father said, standing up and leading the way to where Mac was waiting for us. We followed him out of the barn and to the road that separated the South forty from the rest of the orchard. Under a tree, was the silhouette of a car under a tarp. Mac and Oak took up positions in front of the car and each grabbed a corner of the tarp. They pulled, and out from under the tarp, came a beautiful 1969 Shelby GT500. It was silver with blue stripes, and had a widebody kit on it that made it look like a NASCAR. I climbed in behind the wheel and started her up. The big block 550 V8 roared to life, and I couldn't help the girly squeal of delight that escaped my lips. I looked at Oak. "Are you getting in or what?" I asked. He didn't answer, but opened the passenger door and climbed in. I gave the throttle a couple of test pushes, the engine growling in response. "Let's see what she can do." I said as I shifted into first and gunned the motor. I finally had a car of my own, and it was a work of art.