(changed some of the groups ages, it doesn't affect the plot but i realised 27/30 year olds wouldn't hang around with 19-year olds lmao)
(also, the LONGEST chapter yet, over 5000 words)
ENEWS july 10, 2023
Pop-Star Juniper Wren, 19, and Scream VI Cast, and friends of Wren all touched down in LAX this morning in preparation for Wren's 20th birthday tomorrow!
Wren, accompanied by Jenna Ortega, 20, Jack Champion, 19, Mason Gooding, 24, Liana Liberato, 25, Jasmin Savoy-Brown, 25, Devyn Nekoda, 23, Conan Gray, 22 and Gracie Abram's, 22 (who is currently opening for Taylor Swift's Era's Tour), all arrived at LAX airport together just this morning.
They were photographed by some fans, all talking excitedly as they made their way through the airport to the limousine that was waiting for them.
Fans suspect a special event is being held for Wrens 20th birthday, but many believe she is just returning home to spend it with her family and friends in her Hollywood Hills home.
Wren's recent Instagram post has fans speculating that the singer has a secret boyfriend, which fans believe to be the inspiration behind her most recent chart-topping hits: 'Bed Chem' and 'Espresso.'
Some fans had theorised that Wren is dating friend and actor Jack Champion, after they both posted snaps on Instagram seemingly in relationships. Although, some fans of Wren's were quick to point out that the likelihood of it being Wren in Champion's post was slim, due to the image allegedly not matching something the girl would wear.
(Champion's post on Instagram, @/jackchampion)
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Sources say Wren is also back in Los Angeles to prepare for her performance at weekend one, and two at Coachella.
We hope that Juniper has a great birthday tomorrow with her friends and possible boo!
The warm Los Angeles sun was already peeking over the Hollywood Hills, casting a golden glow across the sprawling city as Juniper woke up on the morning of her birthday.
As she blinked her eyes open, the delicious smell of freshly brewed coffee and something sweet drifted through the air. She stretched lazily and sat up, rubbing her eyes, wondering if she was still dreaming.
Just as she was about to get out of bed, Jack appeared in the doorway, carrying a tray with a stack of pancakes, a mug of coffee, and a small vase with a single yellow tulip in it. His hair was tousled, and he had the softest smile on his face.
"Happy birthday, sleepyhead," he said, his voice warm and tender.
Juniper's heart swelled as she smiled back at him, still a little groggy from sleep but now wide awake with excitement. "You made me breakfast?" she asked, her voice full of affection.
"Of course," Jack replied, walking over to her bedside and setting the tray down gently. "It's your special day, and I wanted to make sure you start it off right."
Juniper looked down at the plate of pancakes, perfectly golden and topped with strawberries, syrup and whipped cream, and she couldn't help but laugh softly. "This looks amazing. Thank you."
Jack leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before sitting on the edge of the bed. "You deserve it. And don't worry, I have more planned for later. You can open your gifts when you're ready."
Juniper raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Gifts, plural?"
Jack grinned boyishly. "Yeah, I may have gone a little overboard. But you'll have to wait. Enjoy your breakfast first."
Juniper chuckled and picked up her fork, taking a bite of the pancakes. "These are perfect. You've outdone yourself."
Jack beamed, watching her enjoy the food. "I'm glad you like them. It's not every day I get to spoil you."
Juniper reached for his hand and squeezed it gently. "You spoil me just by being here."
They shared a quiet moment; the only sounds were the soft clinking of the fork against the plate and the hum of the city waking up outside. Jack watched her, his heart full, happy to see her so content. This was his favourite version of them—no spotlights, no cameras, just the two of them in their little bubble.
"I love mornings like this," Juniper said after a while, taking a sip of her coffee. "Just us. No distractions."
Jack smiled, his thumb brushing over the back of her hand. "Me too. It's nice to just... be."
Juniper glanced at him, a playful glint in her eyes. "So, any hints about these gifts you mentioned?"
Jack chuckled, shaking his head. "Nope. You'll just have to wait and see. But trust me, it'll be worth it."
Juniper pouted, though her smile betrayed her. "Fine, I'll be patient. But only because these pancakes are distracting me."
"Good," Jack laughed, pressing a kiss to the top of Juniper's head. "That was the plan."
As they sat together, the world outside seemed to fade away, and all that mattered was the two of them, sharing this quiet, perfect morning.
Today felt good, peaceful even, and she was excited for what she assumed would be a simple, quiet day spent with her family and friends. Little did she know, her closest friends were already deep in the final stages of planning one of the biggest surprises of her life.
Jack had spent most of the previous night tossing and turning in bed beside his girlfriend, his mind racing with nervous excitement about the surprise party. As he stood on the terrace of Juniper's Hollywood Hills home, sipping his coffee, he found it hard to focus on anything other than whether or not Juniper would actually like the surprise.
Would she think it was too much? Would she be upset they'd thrown such a massive party without her knowing? What if something went wrong?
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Jenna, ever the calm force, appeared beside him with a grin, holding a clipboard and a coffee of her own. "You look like you haven't slept," she teased, leaning on the railing beside him. "Relax, Jack. She's going to love it."
Jack sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just don't want her to feel overwhelmed. We've gone all out with this. What if it's too much?"
Jenna rolled her eyes playfully. "Juniper loves surprises, Jack. And this is going to be the best one yet. You've done an amazing job putting this together. She's going to be over the moon."
As if on cue, Devyn, Jasmin, and Conan appeared through the back door, lugging bags of decorations and party supplies, their faces flushed with excitement. Gracie followed behind with her phone in hand, showing Mason and Jenna the latest updates from the DJ and the caterers. It was all coming together, and the group was buzzing with anticipation.
"We've got the DJ setting up by the pool," Gracie said, gesturing towards the backyard. "The lights are going to look incredible once the sun goes down. We're thinking twinkling fairy lights and soft lanterns, really romantic but fun."
"And the food is almost here," Mason added. "We've got her favourite sushi and tacos, plus a whole dessert table."
Jack exhaled deeply, the details swirling in his head. "I just want everything to be perfect."
"It will be," Jenna said, nudging him. "You're worrying too much. Juniper cares about you, Jack. She'll be thrilled you did this for her."
Jack smiled, feeling a little lighter with Jenna's reassurance. The party was shaping up to be nothing short of amazing, and it was clear that everyone had put their hearts into making it a night to remember for Juniper.
While the group continued setting up, Lola, Juniper's sister, had been tasked with the most important job of the day: keeping Juniper distracted. Lola had texted Jack earlier in the morning, confirming their plans to go out for brunch and maybe hit a few shops afterward to kill some time. Juniper had no clue that, back at her house, a massive birthday party was being prepared in her honour.
Just as Lola's car pulled out of the driveway, the real work began.
Inside the house, everyone was buzzing with energy. Balloons were being tied to chairs, streamers hung from the walls, and tables were being set up along the edges of the expansive backyard. The sound of chairs being moved and laughter filled the air as the team worked together to bring the space to life.
Jack stood at the back of the room, nervously supervising the final touches. Every so often, his phone would buzz with a text from Lola, assuring him that Juniper was happily oblivious and enjoying her day out. Despite all the reassurances, Jack couldn't help but feel a knot in his stomach.
"I think that should go closer to the pool," Jenna called to Devyn, pointing at a small cluster of candles. "We want to keep the area around the dance floor clear."
Devyn gave a thumbs up, quickly moving the candles. Gracie and Conan were arguing over the placement of the photo booth, each convinced they knew the best spot for it.
Meanwhile, the DJ had begun setting up his equipment on the patio, testing the sound system with snippets of music. The rhythmic thump of bass vibrated through the air, giving everyone a taste of the party to come.
Jack, still anxious, paced back and forth in the kitchen. Jenna noticed him and, with an exasperated sigh, came over to pull him aside.
"Okay, seriously," she said, her tone firm but kind. "You need to calm down. This is going to be incredible, Jack. Everything is perfect. Now breathe."
Jack chuckled, taking a deep breath. "I know, I know. I just want it to be everything she deserves."
"And it will be," Jenna assured him. "Just trust us, okay? Trust her. She's going to love it."
As they spoke, the doorbell rang, and Mason rushed to answer it. The caterers had arrived, wheeling in trays of Juniper's favorite foods. The scent of fresh sushi and gourmet tacos quickly filled the air, and Jack had to admit, it was all starting to feel real.
The party was less than two hours away, and soon enough, Juniper would walk into her home, thinking she was in for a fancy catered dinner with her family and close friends, only to be greeted by a house full of her closest friends.
Suddenly, Jenna's phone buzzed in her pocket. She pulled it out and smiled at the name flashing across the screen. "It's Louis," she said, holding up the phone. "Let's get this over with."
Jack's face tightened slightly, but he gave Jenna a quick nod, signalling for her to go ahead.
She swiped to answer and immediately hit speakerphone. "Louis! You're on speaker with all of us."
Louis's voice came through the phone, as casual and cool as ever. "Hey, guys. How's it going?"
"Everything's great!" Jenna replied. "We're just getting the final touches set for the party. What time are you and Millie getting here?"
"We're flying in from New York in like...ten minute," Louis said. "We'll probably be there right as Juniper arrives. Didn't want to get there too early and ruin the surprise."
Jack stood off to the side, trying to ignore the odd feeling in his stomach. He knew it was silly to be worried about Louis, especially with Juniper being so upfront about her friendship with him. But the history they shared still lingered in the back of Jack's mind. He pushed the thoughts aside, reminding himself that today was all about Juniper.
"That's perfect," Jenna said. "We'll text you the moment we're ready for you guys to show up. It's going to blow her mind."
"I can't wait," Louis said, and Jack could practically hear his grin. "I'll see you guys soon."
Jenna hung up the phone and looked at Jack with a reassuring smile. "See? It's going to be fine. Louis is totally chill about it."
Jack forced a smile, trying to focus on the positives. He was doing this for Juniper, and that was all that mattered.
As the afternoon wore on, the house slowly transformed into the perfect party venue. The decorations were vibrant but tasteful, the tables were set with Juniper's favourite foods and drinks, and the backyard sparkled with fairy lights and lanterns. The DJ ran through his playlist one last time, and the bar was stocked with everything needed for a good time.
With everything in place, the group took a step back to admire their handiwork.
"This looks amazing," Mason said, his voice filled with awe. "Juniper's going to flip when she sees this."
Conan grinned. "I can already picture her face. She's going to lose it."
Jack, standing in the middle of it all, finally let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding. For the first time all day, he felt a sense of calm wash over him. Everything was ready. The party was set, the guests were invited, and all that was left was for Juniper to arrive.
Jenna placed a hand on Jack's shoulder, squeezing gently. "We did it, Jack. She's going to love it."
Jack smiled, the nervousness slowly giving way to excitement. "I really hope so."
As the clock ticked closer to the party, the group made a final round of checks, ensuring that everything was perfect. And as they stood back, waiting for the moment when Juniper would walk through the door, they couldn't help but feel the same rush of anticipation that had kept them buzzing all day.
The calm before the storm had passed. Now all that was left was for the birthday girl and guests to arrive, and for the real celebration to begin.
—
The night was electric.
The mansion, perched high in the Hollywood Hills, was filled with laughter, the soft glow of chandeliers casting a warm light over the throngs of guests that mingled throughout. It felt like a dream, the kind that was too surreal to grasp, even for Jack, who was beginning to fully comprehend just how massive Juniper's world was. Two hundred or three hundred people—celebrities, influencers, musicians, and close family—poured in, filling every corner of the space with energy.
Jack stood near the entrance, sipping from his drink as he watched guests trickle in. He was in awe at the sheer magnitude of the party, the grandeur of it all. It was Juniper's birthday, and even though he knew she was well-loved, the sheer number of people here to celebrate her had caught him off guard. Sure, he knew she was famous. He knew her career had skyrocketed. But seeing her life—the size of it, the scale—come to life like this made it feel more real than it ever had before.
The reality of it all settled uncomfortably in his chest. He wasn't just dating Juniper, the girl who made him laugh and blush, who made him safe and comfortable, and gave the best hugs. He was dating Juniper Wren, a superstar and celebrity whose life was infinitely bigger than his own. A text from Lola, Juniper's sister, had appeared on Jack's phone ten minutes ago, informing him they were on their way.
And then, she arrived.
Juniper walked in, and the entire room seemed to shift. She was radiant, her eyes wide with shock and awe as she took in the party that had been so carefully planned for her. Jack watched as she looked around, a wide, genuine smile spreading across her face. It was that kind of smile that could light up a room. She was glowing.
"Oh my God," Juniper whispered, her hands flying up to her mouth in disbelief as she looked around the space, taking in all the decorations, the people, and the energy that filled the room just for her.
She rushed forward, her arms open wide, as she practically tackled Jenna and Jack in a massive group hug. "You guys! This is incredible! I can't believe you did this for me!"
"We had to," Jenna grinned, hugging her tight. "It's your day, and we couldn't let it pass without something big."
Jack smiled, wrapping his arm around Juniper's waist as she leaned into him. "Happy birthday, my love," he murmured softly, pressing a kiss to her temple.
Juniper looked up at him, her eyes shining. "Thank you. This is the best surprise ever."
But soon enough, Juniper was whisked away, making her rounds to greet the guests who had come to celebrate her. Jack stayed by Jenna's side, watching her move through the crowd like she belonged, effortlessly mingling with the celebrities and friends who adored her.
And then, just as things began to settle into a rhythm, there was a knock at the door. Jenna, being the gracious host, made her way over to answer it, and when the door swung open, two familiar faces appeared.
Louis and Millie.
Jack felt his stomach drop just a little.
Juniper froze for a moment before her face lit up with pure joy. Without a second thought, she rushed toward them, practically leaping into Louis's arms.
"Oh my God! You guys are here!" she squealed, wrapping her arms around his neck. Louis caught her effortlessly, spinning her in a circle as Millie laughed, joining the hug.
"We wouldn't miss it!" Louis grinned, setting her down gently.
Juniper beamed and pulled them toward the group. "Guys, come meet everyone!" She gestured to the circle of friends around her. "You already know Mason and Jasmin," she said, nodding toward the two, who exchanged familiar smiles with Louis and Millie.
Mason gave Louis a brotherly hug. "Good to see you, man."
Jasmin leaned in for a hug too. "Been too long, Louis!"
Then, Juniper turned to Jack, who was standing a little awkwardly beside Jenna. "And this is Jack," she said, her voice softening as she introduced him. "My boyfriend."
Jack stepped forward, extending a hand, trying to mask the nervous energy simmering beneath the surface. "Hey, nice to meet you."
Louis smiled warmly, shaking his hand. "You too, man. I've heard a lot about you."
Jack nodded, feeling an odd tension mix with the easy charm Louis carried. "All good things, I hope?"
"Only the best," Louis laughed lightly, glancing at Juniper with affection.
Millie chimed in, her eyes sparkling. "We've been dying to meet you."
Juniper, smiling from ear to ear, looked between them all. The introductions felt smooth, but Jack couldn't shake the slight awkwardness settling in his chest—the feeling like he didn't belong.
As the night wore on, Jack tried to shake the feeling, but it only grew stronger. Louis seemed to be everywhere, laughing with Jenna, chatting with Conan, and joking with Devyn. Jack found himself lingering on the outskirts of conversations, trying to insert himself but feeling more and more like an outsider.
The imposter syndrome began to creep in.
Who was he to be here, in this world? What did he offer compared to Louis, who had known Juniper for years, who had a shared history with her that Jack could never compete with?
As Jack watched from a distance, Juniper and Louis moved easily through the party, catching up with friends and reminiscing about old times. Louis was charming, charismatic, and completely comfortable in this space. Jack felt like a ghost, hovering on the edge of something that wasn't really his.
Louis must have noticed, because at one point in the evening, he slipped away from the group and approached Jack, who was nursing his drink by the kitchen island, trying to keep his cool.
"Hey, Jack," Louis said, his tone casual but his eyes full of concern. "You okay, man? You've been kind of... distant tonight."
Jack glanced up at Louis, his initial instinct to brush it off, but something in Louis's sincerity made him pause. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I guess... I guess I just feel a little out of place. You seem to know everyone here so well, and I'm just... trying to keep up."
Louis nodded, leaning against the counter beside him. "I get that. But you don't have to feel like you're on the outside. This is Juniper's world, yeah, but you're part of it now. Whether you realise it or not."
Jack let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "It's hard not to feel like the odd one out when you've got this whole history with her. I see the way you two are together, and it's like... I don't know. Like, maybe I don't measure up."
Louis frowned, his expression softening. "Jack, listen. I've known Juniper for a long time, and we've been through a lot together, but that's in the past. What she has with you? It's different. I've never seen her this happy. And that's because of you."
Jack looked at Louis, surprised by the genuine kindness in his words. Louis wasn't trying to one-up him or make him feel small. He was just... being real.
"I guess it's just hard not to feel like I'm competing with the past," Jack admitted quietly.
"You're not competing with anyone," Louis said firmly. "Not with me, not with anyone else. Juniper likes you, Jack. She's chosen you. And as someone who cares about her, that's all I want—for her to be happy. And trust me, she's happy with you."
Jack exhaled, the weight of his insecurities starting to lift, if only a little. "Thanks, man. I appreciate that."
Louis smiled, giving Jack a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Anytime. And hey, if it helps... I'm awkward as hell at these kinds of parties too."
Jack couldn't help but laugh at that, some of the tension finally easing. "You don't seem awkward."
"Trust me," Louis grinned. "I'm faking it."
The two shared a brief moment of camaraderie, and for the first time that night, Jack felt a little less out of place.
Louis gave him one last reassuring nod before rejoining the group, and Jack took a deep breath, feeling more grounded. Maybe he didn't have the years of history that Louis did, but he had something just as important—he had Juniper's heart.
And that was enough.
The night was already filled with so many surprises and moments of joy that Juniper felt like she was floating. She couldn't believe how many of her friends and family had come together to celebrate her, and how everyone seemed genuinely happy to be there. The warmth of the laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the sight of her loved ones mingling in the space had her heart so full, she thought it might burst.
