Tyler had become a teenager and had developed a knack for programming. He loved sports and exercise and liked to stay active, but he loved computers even more.
Delilah still looked up to him and was nearing her teenage years. The two were still close, although Tyler spent most of his time playing video games or practicing programming. Delilah was continuing to develop mentally and had impressed her parents and teachers with her desire to learn. Tyler was in a phase where he was trying to fit in with his “bros,” but behind closed doors, he always expressed love for his little sister.
Delilah and her mother were very close as well. They were both bookworms and were both interested in mental pursuits.
“This piece looks like a little man,” Delilah said, holding up a chess piece. Caroline laughed.
“Let me show you how to play,” Caroline said, picking up another piece to show Delilah how each of them moved across the board. Before long, Delilah was starting to get good at chess, but she was no match for Caroline’s years of practice.
“I lost!” Caroline said, feigning disappointment. “Good job, Delilah! You win!” Delilah giggled and cheered. Caroline smiled at her daughter. She was so much like her, and she knew she would continue to make her proud.
Delilah was also becoming a very clever little scientist. She enjoyed making concoctions and experimenting with them. One of her potions made her feel a little queasy, but she still loved to make them and try them out. Delilah completed her aspiration of Whiz Kid and was very proud to be one of the smartest kids in elementary school.
Caroline and Ronaldo were very proud of their daughter. Ronaldo always praised Delilah for her good grades and intelligence. She was still his little princess, but he knew that soon she would become a teenager. He hoped she would still be his princess then too.
Caroline and Delilah liked to read together, and their common interests made them become best friends. The two would often sit together reading for hours. When they weren’t reading, they loved to discuss their favorite books and authors.
Tyler spent an increasing amount of time programming, often in his pajamas. He had gotten very skilled and even started doing some freelance work. He hoped to someday become a Computer Whiz.
Caroline and Ronaldo struggled to find time to spend together because of their busy jobs. The two were still very much in love, but missed the time they used to have to spend together. Sometimes the two worried that they were drifting apart from not spending enough time together, but whenever they did find time, it only took a minute for everything to go back to normal. Ronaldo would whisper words of gibberish in Caroline’s ear, and she would giggle and kiss him on the nose. Although the two had busy jobs, they were still very committed to each other, and they knew that their love would last.
The rest of the family was doing well too. Zachary had become an elder and dyed his hair green in either an attempt to hide his age or show that he no longer cared what anyone thought. He was still very childish, and when he wasn’t striving to become a famous comedian, he liked to watch the kid’s network and play with toys from the toybox.
Kendall was rising through the ranks in her job that she never fully described to the rest of her family. She worked late nights and always wore fashionable fedoras. The family guessed that she was not doing anything legal or good, but preferred to be kept in the dark about her shady career. At home, Kendall spent a lot of time upgrading objects and making mischief, as she had to be capable of picking locks and causing trouble with mirth in order to continue to advance in her career. She also spent time using the woodworking table, and even made a wooden toilet, which she hoped would give the unexpecting user splinters!
Delilah had grown into a beautiful but gloomy teenager.
“Life’s so unfair!” she whined to her mother. “My teachers hate me, none of the boys in school want to go out with me, and I don’t have any friends!” Strangely enough, Delilah did very well in school, so the teachers’ hatred of her was in her head. She also was not disliked by her peers, although they did take notice of her gloominess.
“Things will get better, Delilah,” Caroline reassured her.
“Things will never get better!” Delilah cried. She began to sob and ran to her room to hide from the world. Caroline sighed and hoped it was a phase.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo was nearing his elder days and decided to drink a potion of youth in order to have more time to advance in his career. He was now making masterpieces left and right and had completed his aspiration of becoming a Painter Extraordinaire, but he had not yet advanced to the top of his career and was getting close.
Ronaldo took a sip and let out a refreshed “Ahh.” He felt much younger, and was excited to have more time. “Sambibble fron,” he said to himself with a satisfied smile. As he thought about the extra years of his life, he happily spent the evening talking to himself.
Caroline, too, completed her aspiration of becoming a Friend to the World and took a potion of youth for a little extra time to advance in her career. She was so close, and knew if she continued to exercise and explore space in her rocket ship, she could become skilled enough to reach her goal.
Delilah, despite her various complaints, had met a nice boy in her class named Reed. He came over to visit one evening after school, and the two developed a flirtatious rapport.
“I really kinda like you,” Delilah said shyly to him on another after school visit.
“Really?” Reed asked surprised.
“Really really,” Delilah said. Reed grinned. Delilah leaned in and gave him a peck on the lips. He looked startled but pleased.
“Does this mean we’re boyfriend and girlfriend?” Reed asked hopefully.
“I guess it does,” Delilah replied blushing happily.
As the days went on, Delilah and Reed became closer and closer. The two were not only boyfriend and girlfriend, but were also best friends. Ronaldo was suspicious of Reed, not because he didn’t think he was a nice boy, but because he was very protective of his daughter.
“Welgurn fargo glubbska!” Ronaldo said, pointing at Reed angrily.
“Dad, he doesn’t understand what you’re saying!” Delilah said blushing with embarrassment at her strange father.
“Yarko libben woozer closs keenart!” Ronaldo responded.
“I can’t understand a word he’s saying, but I assume he means, ‘Get away from my daughter,’ Reed said taken aback and a little startled.
“Daddy this is my boyfriend, Reed,” Delilah said, trying to speak to her father gently. Ronaldo got very close to Reed and looked him deep in the eyes as if trying to size him up. After several uncomfortable minutes, Ronaldo grumbled to himself and went inside.
“My Dad’s um...kinda sorta crazy,” Delilah admitted. Reed laughed.
“Kinda sorta,” he said grinning at Delilah. “That’s ok,” he said, taking her hand. “Our parents are all weird in their own ways.” Delilah beamed. She felt like she was starting to fall for Reed and was very happy and excited.
Perhaps Ronaldo had reason to be suspicious of not Reed, but any teenage boy giving attentions to his daughter. Delilah and Reed had begun to develop a more intimate relationship. Sometimes they would sneak up to the bedroom and fool around on Caroline and Ronaldo’s bed. The two were young and full of excitement and did not know what they were doing, but found the experience so forbidden and exhilarating that they could barely help themselves.
Unfortunately, one evening, Tyler, who had grown into an adult walked in on them. Thankfully, he came in after their teenage fumblings, but he knew enough to know what they had been doing.
“Delilah!” Tyler gasped when he saw his sister sitting on the edge of the bed. Delilah looked horrified that they had been discovered but thanked god that his timing had not been sooner.
“Are you and Reed sleeping together?!” Tyler demanded of his little sister. He would always think of her as such no matter how old she got.
“No!” Delilah said emphatically. “Just messing around! I promise!”
“Delilah, you’re too young to be doing that with anyone!” Tyler said trying to shame his sister.
“I’m a teenager!” Delilah protested. Reed woke up and mumbled something groggily and then rolled over and fell back to sleep.
“I’m going to have to tell mom and dad about this,” Tyler said shaking his head at his sister.
“You can’t!” Delilah cried. “Please, big brother, make it our secret?” She asked, playing the little sister card.
“No. Mom and Dad have to know,” Tyler said firmly.
