All Grown Up
By Misha

Disclaimer and Rating in Beginning.

Author's Notes- The behaviour in this chapter, well it's based on what I and my friends were like as teenagers. We drank, some of us were sexually active and the rest of us were certainly thinking about it. As for Sam's behaviour, he's only 23 at this point, so just out of college and his attitude is one that I probably would have had at the same age. The next few chapters are going to have teenagers being teenagers, so if that offends you, don't read.

Part Seven: Karen

"What do you think?" I asked David, showing off the outfit I'd chosen for the party. Tight jeans and a shiny blue top that matched my eyes and that I knew Adam would love, I didn't have a lot of cleavage, but the top made the most of what I did have.

David rolled his eyes. "Why are you asking me?" He whined. "I'm your brother, so I better not think you look hot and I'm not a girl so I have no idea if your outfit is fashion, though really, don't you think that top's a little low-cut?"

I gave him a look. "You know you'd like it if Becca was wearing it." I teased.

David shot me a look. "Becca's just a friend." He protested.

"Uh huh." Was my only response.

"You and Adam are going to be good night, right?" David asked after a moment.

"Good enough." I promised. "Its low risk-Mom's gone, Sam is our supervision for the weekend and you know he's more relaxed and there'll be a ton of people. Don't worry, Adam and I won't get caught."

"You better not." David warned, but he didn't look too worried.

Elizabeth, Andrew and Emily were away for the weekend, but Sam, Stacey and Kristy had come down to supervise the party. Or rather Sam had, Stacey and Kristy were going out with the girls, who were all in Stoneybrook for the weekend.

On that note, there was a knock on the door and a minute later, said big brother entered. He whistled. "Damn, Karen, you're all grown up, aren't you squirt?"

"I'm a junior." I reminded him with a smile. "And I'll be sixteen in January."

January 11th would be my 16th birthday and when Adam and I would be able to go public with our relationship-or at least soon after. The problem was, I wasn't allowed to date until I was sixteen and even when I was there would be a lot of rules, one of the problems of being one of the youngest children is that you get punished for the sins of the older children.

Sam shook his head. "I feel old. I remember you as just a little thing. My annoying little sister. Not so annoying or so little anymore."

"Gee, thanks." I said with a smile, then I made a face. "I'm just glad someone's realized I've grown up."

Sam smiled sympathetically. "I am sorry about that, kiddo." He told me. "I know you feel like you're being punished for our sins."

"Sometimes." I agreed, but I knew it wasn't fair to blame Sam. Yes, his mistakes, well his and Kristy's, were the reasons that Elizabeth was so harsh with me and David, but... He'd been a teenager and teenagers make mistakes. I just didn't think it was fair that I should be punished for mistakes I'd never made, though I was sure I would make mistakes of my own-mistakes that Andrew and Emily might get punished for.

"Are Stacey and Kristy gone?" I asked after a moment.

Sam nodded. "All off for their girl's night at the Schaefer-Spier house."

"I'm surprised you're not going out with your friends." I commented to Sam. Sam didn't get home too often, even though he only lived in New York, so I was surprised he'd agreed to give up his weekend to supervise our party.

He gave me a sheepish grin. "I am." He admitted.

David and I exchanged looks. What? That was unexpected, to say the least...

Sam shrugged. "Don't tell Mom, but I arranged to meet up with the guys." He looked at us. "I trust you guys and I figure you don't really need me hanging around-just please don't trash the place."

"We won't." David promised, giving me an excited look. I don't think either of us ever imagined we'd be able to have a party without any chaperones. Honestly, I wasn't sure I felt about it. I mean, it did come in handy to have some sort of supervision to keep things under control, even if that supervision was only Sam, who would let us do pretty much whatever we wanted as long as it wasn't too dangerous.

Sam must have seen my concern, because he sighed. "I'm going to level with you guys." He said flatly. "You're teenagers, you're going to be stupid to some extent. We all know that. Even Mom is aware of that. Honestly, she wouldn't have agreed to leave me as the chaperone if at some level she wasn't okay with that."

I couldn't fault his point there. David and I have three older siblings and Sam is the least responsible of the three. Charlie can be pretty strict and Kristy is a lot like her mom and tends to be very much about following the rules. Sam was always much more of a renegade.

"You're teenagers," Sam repeated, "we all know there will be alcohol at this party. Honestly, just don't be stupid. Drink, do whatever, but don't break anything, don't do anything that will make the cops show up and don't get pregnant."

"Wasn't planning on it." I assured him dryly.

"Me either." David said with a grin.

Sam rolled his eyes. "You know what I mean, don't do anything that will come back to haunt you. Your not stupid kids and I trust you-don't make me regret that decision."

"We won't." David and I said in unison.

I couldn't believe our luck. No adult supervision!

That meant Adam and I... Well, we'd still have to be careful because we didn't want any of our friends to find out about us yet, but we could get a way with a lot more than we usually did that was for sure. This was going to be the best party ever!

The party was well underway when the Pikes arrived.

"Thanks." I said, accepting her hug. "You look great too."

And she did, wearing this adorable lime green and black dress that must have belonged to Mallory. Margo beamed, while Jordan rolled his eyes behind her. It was then that I realized Margo was only accompanied by two of her brothers, where in the Hell was Adam?

"Didn't you guys see each other yesterday?" Jordan asked and then grinned. "Hey Karen, everything looks great."

"Thanks." I said, trying not to let my agitation show. "Where are Adam and Byron?"

"Byron's picking up Char and Adam's coming with Jeff." Jordan told me with a smile.

"Ah." I said and then turned to Nick. "Nick, can I borrow you for a minute? I have a favour to ask."

I could see Margo looked curious, but I just mouthed 'later' at her and lead her brother away.

"What's up?" Nick asked me with a grin.

"Operation David and Becca." I told him, resting my hand on his shoulder instinctively. "You were going to help Char and I get them together, remember?"

"I do." Nick said easily. "What do you need me to do?"

"Ask Becca to dance." I said instantly. "Then see if you can get the other guys to ask her too, I want her dancing all night. I want David to see her, having a good time and realize that if he doesn't act someone else will snap her up."

I wasn't sure this was the best strategy, but it was Charlotte's idea and I was willing to go along with it.

"Sure." Nick said instantly. "But do I get to dance with you at all?"

"Of course." I promised with a brilliant smile. Nick was a great guy and a good friend and I'd be happy to dance with him-even if he wouldn't be the Pike brother of my choice.

Speaking of... I saw Adam and Jeff appear in the doorway.

"I have party stuff to do." I told Nick quickly. "Can you go ask Becca?"

"Will do." Nick promised.

I smiled at him one more time and then hurried away down the hall and up the stairs. We have a huge house and while several rooms had been locked up and named off limits, there was still a ton of room and lots of places to hide. I'd hoped Adam got my silent message and sure enough a minute later he joined me in the guest room I'd hidden out in and closed the door behind himself, locking it.

"Hey baby." He greeted, pulling me into his arms.

"Hey." I whispered, wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Where's Sam, I thought he was chaperoning this thing?" Adam asked me.

I grinned. "He left. He says he trusts us."

Adam returned my grin. "No chaperones huh, that could be fun..."

"Could it?" I asked coyly.

"Somehow, I doubt it'll be as fun as I'd like." Adam said with a grin.

I blushed. Adam knows that I'm not ready to have sex. I just... I feel like I'm too young and that I'm not ready. Luckily, he understands.

"Baby, I'm just kidding." He assured me, putting one hand under my chin and making me look at him. "Karen, I love you and I'd wait forever for you."

I blushed deeper. I know Adam's not a virgin, but I am and he respects that. Do I think I'll probably sleep with Adam someday? Yes. But right now, I feel like I'm so young and we haven't been together that long and I just don't feel ready. Besides, I'd like to at least be openly dating, before adding something as major as sex to the table.

Still, there were a lot of other options besides sex for passing the time and Adam drew me towards him for a deep, passionate kiss, succeeding in clearing my mind of all other thoughts, but him...