[jjirons69]

Here's what I'd say and I'm pretty sure it's the same thing I would've heard at that age. Me speaking, "The agreement was you and your friend were going for your birthday present. I have no problems with that. That's what we agreed on. I have a feeling Slug doesn't like the idea of you going off without him or something like that, but him going was not part of our initial agreement. You have the same choices as you had last week, you and 'Emily' can go and we'll be happy to take you two or you can stay home with us and we'll celebrate your birthday at home. I'll support either decision."

I think that's fair. At 16 I would've thought it sucked, but at 16, I'd be happy to go with my best friend.

It was never said at my house and I don't plan on saying it to my kids, but you knew it was their roof and the final decision for anything was in their hands (their = parents).