Part 3)

It was 6:00 in the evening and the sun was beginning to set, covering everything in an eerie dimness. A blue van drove up to a curb at the end of Franklin street and Lincoln stepped out of it. His face and arms were dotted with scrapes, his shirt was dirty and one of his pant legs were torn. He lifted an arm, gave a small sniff and recoiled in disgust.

"Aw Man." Lincoln said "I reek."

"Did I say I was sorry about that?" Maggie said.

Lincoln shrugged. "You along with everyone else." he said. "It's no big deal. I already called my parents to tell them I'd be running late, I can just tell them can just tell my parents I ran into some trash cans on the way home."

Maggie's frown deepened. "Technically you were thrown into the trash cans" she said

"To-may-to, To-mah-to" Lincoln said. "Bottom line, I made contact with trash cans. They don't need to know the specifics."

Maggie sighed heavily. "Scrapes and bruises." she said. "A black eye, and now this. I'm starting to have second thoughts about you joining up."

Lincoln shrugged. "I've already gotten comfortable with you guys." he said. "Getting a little roughed up isn't gonna change my mind."

The corners of Maggie's mouth twitched a bit, moving upwards just long enough for a smile to be visible for a single second before moving back into her trademark frown. "If you're sure about it, then..." she reached into her pocket and pulled out a small silver disk on a thin chain. "...I want you to have this"

Lincoln held the chain up to his face, staring at it curiously. On it was a silver pendant that was decorated with a blue, sad-faced emoji. He looked over at Maggie.

"What's this for?" he asked.

"It's our sign." Maggie said reaching down the front of her shirt and pulling out an identical pendant on a chain. "We all wear one. And since you're one of us now, so do you."

Lincoln smiled at it before putting it around his neck and tucking the pendant inside his shirt. Maggie's mouth did that familiar twitch before becoming a frown once again. She reached out for the car door handle.

"Get some rest." Maggie said. "We've got something special planned tomorrow."

And with that she shut the door to the van. He waved as Maggie and her mom left before he turned to head down the street to his house. As he got closer, he saw Lynn out in the driveway, near the garage. She was dribbling her basketball and running away from the garage where the hoop was set up. The sound of her voice providing her own commentary reached Lincoln's ears and she shook his head. He honestly wondered if there was any sport she played when she didn't do that.

Lynn turned to face the basket and took a moment to figure out her shot. The ball flew from her hands and through the air, hitting the rim of the basket. It bounced back up in the air, just a little, but then fell down right through the net. Lynn cheered, pumping her fists into the air as she let self-praise flow freely from her mouth.

"And she makes a three-pointer with only two seconds left on the clock! The crowd is going WILD! The Royal Woods Rabbits win the championship!"

Lynn mimicked the sound of a roaring crowd of fans. She spotted Lincoln while doing so and turned to face him, taking immediate notice of his current appearance.

"What happened to you, little bro? You look like you lost a fight." she commented, her eyes suddenly narrowing. "Are you being picked on?"

"No." Lincoln said quickly. "I was just in a hurry to get home and I fell into some trash."

The athlete's serious expression turned into a smirk. "Seriously?" she asked, resisting the urge to laugh. "How the heck did you manage that one, Linc?"

"My shoelace was untied and I found out the hard way." he said, continuing to head towards the front door. "Now if you'll excuse me, I really should head inside to get cleaned up."

"Okay, have fun explaining to Mom and Dad why you're so late. They might not accept your excuse. Y'know, because it stinks." Lynn said, chuckling.

"Please don't. We have enough puns in the house between Luan and Dad." he said with a small groan.

"Whatever, but you should hurry up before dinner gets cold. Most of us already finished eating."

"Dang it! Am I really that late?"

Lynn shrugged. "Maybe. I dunno. Dad made dinner early today. But still, you did take off without letting anyone know. Mom and Dad weren't happy with that. ~You might be in trouble.~" She singsonged teasingly, spinning her basketball on her finger. "~Linky might get grounded.~"

Lincoln groaned again. He was not in the mood for his sister's teasing. Even if it wasn't the worst he ever had to put up with, it was still too much for him after the day he had. He was sore, tired, and in desperate need of a shower. Not to mention hungry. Lynn's nonsense was not going to go ignored like usual.

"Lynn." he said, glancing at her over his shoulder. "Do me a favor and just shut up for once? Thanks."

He saw his sister's jaw drop, the ball also dropping as she lost her focus. Satisfied, Lincoln went into the house, leaving her out on the driveway, trying to process what just happened. She picked up her ball and went to follow her brother inside, muttering to herself.

"I don't know where that came from, Lincoln, but you are SO getting a dutch over for it."

Lincoln slung his backpack off his shoulders and onto the floor. He craned his neck around, the joints popping loudly as they moved. He moved his shoulders up and down, which popped and cracked just as loudly. Lynn raised an eyebrow at the sounds her brother was making.

"What's going on?" Lynn asked "Why are your muscles so tense?"

"I think I might've pulled something in gym class." he said. "But I can sleep it off after dinner."

Lincoln walked into the dining room with a spring in his step. "I'm home everybody."

Lori, Lucy, Lola, Lana and Luna were still at the table, picking at thier servings of turkeyloaf with disinterest. His parents looked over at him in surprise.

"Lincoln, are you alright?" Rita said as she rushed over to her son. "You're a mess!"

"I know, I know." Lincoln said. "I tripped and fell over into some garbage cans. I'm a klutz."

"Are you sure you're ok?" Rita asked.

"I'm OK." Lincoln said with a smile. "Kinda smelly and kinda hungry, but I'm OK."

"Well, wash up then." Lynn Sr said pointing to the sink. "I'll put your plate in the microwave"

Lincoln went over to the sink as his father reheated his dinner. As Lincoln began to wash his hands, Lori came over and put her dishes in the sink. Lincoln looked up at Lori, her eyes scanning him like a hawk.

"What's up, Lori?" he asked.

"You usually don't come home so late." Lori said as-a-matter-of-factly.

"It's OK though." Lincoln said. "I made sure to call mom and dad to let them know I'd be late tonight."

"Uh-huh." Lori said as she narrowed her eyes at him. "And... where were you exactly?

Lincoln shrugged. "Nowhere."

The microwaved beeped loudly to signal his dinner was ready. Lincoln walked over to the machine and removed his plate, only for Lori to step in front of him.

"Nowhere?" she repeated. "That's the second time you've been nowhere this week."

"I know, right?" Lincoln said "I've been so busy lately."

Lori frowned at him as Lincoln walked over to the table. "Is it OK if I eat dinner in my room tonight?" he asked.

"I don't see why not." Lynn Sr said.

"Just make sure you don't leave your dirty dishes in your room." Rita added.

"Thanks." Lincoln said as he headed to his room.

As he made his way up the stairs, he felt a hand tightly grip his shoulder. He looked back to see the a look of annoyance on Lori's face. He put on his best look of confusion.

"What's wrong?" he asked

"What's wrong is that you keep dodging my questions." Lori said hotly. "Why won't you tell me where you were tonight?"

Lincoln shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno." he said. "Maybe I think it's none of your business."

Lori's face went red at Lincoln's sudden attitude. She clenched her teeth tightly, the sight of which made Lincoln nervous. He sighed in defeat.

"OK, OK." he said. "I was hanging out with Rusty. He let me ride his new bike around the block and I lost track of time."

Lori let go of Lincoln's shoulder as her face returned to it's normal color. "Now was that so hard?" she asked.

Lincoln shrugged and made his way further up the stairs, further away from Lori. "Rusty?" said a deadpan voice from behind her. "That can't be right."

Lori turned back to look at her creepy younger sister. "I saw Rocky after school today." Lucy said. "He walked home with Rusty and Lincoln wasn't anywhere around."

Lori turned back to see Lincoln, who by now had reached the top of the stairs. "Oh did I say Rusty?" he said. "I meant Liam. They both have red hair and buck teeth so I get them mixed up sometimes."

Nervous beads of sweat gathered on Lincoln's forehead as Lori's face began to go red again. "First, you're dodging my questions." she said. "And now you're just flat out lying to me? Lincoln what is going on with..."

"Uh...sorry" Lincoln said "I can't hear you...you're breaking up..."

"WE ARE NOT TALKING ON CELL PHONE!" Lori shouted at her brother.

But the only reply she got was the sound of the door to Lincoln's room slamming shut. Lori glared at the piece of wood that now separated her from her younger brother, but then she heard Lily begin to cry and she stepped to the side to check on her. Lucy followed her, remaining silent until after Lori had picked up their baby sister.

"Is something going on with Lincoln?" she asked.

"I literally have no idea." Lori said, taking a moment to hush Lily. "But I'm finding out whether he likes it or not. Just as soon as I calm Lily down. What's the matter Lily? Do you want your blankie?"

Lori looked around for Lily's little, purple blankie. But she couldn't spot it anywhere. Lucy began to help her and they still didn't find it. Meanwhile, Lily only continued to fuss and whine in Lori's arms. The search soon covered the entirety of the room and Lori and Lucy had to move on to look elsewhere in the house. As they left Lily's room, the sound of her crying caught the attention of Leni and Luna who were on their way up the stairs.

"What's wrong with the Lilster? She got a diaper rash again?" Luna asked.

"No, I don't think so." Lori said. "I think she just wants her blankie. Any idea where it is?"

Luna shrugged. "Search me."

Leni grabbed Luna's arm and lifted it up over the girl's head and looked at her side. Then she stepped behind Luna and patted her back from the base of her neck down to her waist. Luna turned around and gave her older sister a questioning glance.

"What are you doing?"

"Searching you. You said to do it."

"No Leni, it's just an expression." Lori explained. "Here, why don't you take Lily downstairs and see if you can find her blankie in the living room? I need to have a little chat with our brother."

"Why?" Leni asked, taking Lily from her older sister.

"Because he came home late again and now he's lying to me when I ask what he's been doing. Just ask Lucy. She helped me catch him in a lie."

Luna and Leni looked at their spooky little sister. Lucy gave a short nod to confirm that Lori wasn't mistaken and the two teens looked towards their brother's room. Leni furrowed her brow and then held Lily out to Luna, who took her unquestioningly.

"Well if you're going to talk to him, then I'm joining you. He tricked me yesterday and, like, that's the same as lying,right? So I need to talk to him too."

Lori didn't object to it and together the blondes approached their brother's room. Lori pounded on the door, calling out for their brother. After a moment, Lincoln opened the door and looked up at his sister a bit irritably.

"Do you mind? I'm trying to eat my dinner."

"Oh I mind alright." Lori said. "Me and Leni both mind that you've lied to us and I want to know why!"

"I didn't lie to Leni about anything." Lincoln said.

"Uh, yeah you did. Don't think that dressing up like Dad yesterday doesn't count as lying!" Leni returned. "Because you did it to trick me so you could get of of talking to me yesterday! You said that you would, but you never did!"

"Well...maybe I don't want to talk! Did you think of that?"

"Whether or not you want to talk isn't the point, Lincoln." Lori said. "We're your big sisters and you should listen to us."

"NO!" Lincoln spat angrily. "I'm not a baby anymore, Lori! I'm old enough to be able to make my own decisions without you breathing down my back! I don't need to tell you about every time I need to blow my nose! So just let me live my own life and stop being such a PAIN IN THE BUTT!"

Lincoln slammed his bedroom door again, leaving his sisters gawking with their mouths hanging open. Even Lily's mouth was agape in awe of her big brother's attitude. Lori was the most shocked, as well as a little hurt. For the second time that day, she was staring at her brother's bedroom door after it had been shut in her face. And just like before, she became angry with it, a vein throbbing on her forehead as she got ready to tear the door open and give her little brother what he had coming to him.

But just as Lori reached for the doorknob, someone grabbed her wrist. Lori found Luna standing beside her, still holding Lily in her other arm.

"Hold on a sec, sis." Luna said. "I'll talk to him. If you go in there all fire and fury, it won't get him to tell you anything."

"So what do you propose we do?" Lori asked.

"For starters, you can take this..." Luna said handing Lily to Lori. "...and you can go calm down. Just leave it to me, sis. I'll talk to to him. You just Take it Easy"

"But I.." Lori began to protest.

"C'mon Lor." Luna went on. "Being mad at him isn't gonna make him wanna talk to you more. Let me handle it."

Lori groaned and shook her head. "Fine then." she said. "C'mon Lily, lets go find your blankie."

The eldest Loud sibling carried the youngest one away, leaving Luna with Lucy and Leni. She looked at them both.

"I'm gonna need you guys to am-scray too." Luna said.

"You need us to am-scray?" Leni said. "Oh, I thought you were gonna ask us to leave."

Luna rolled her eyes at Leni's literal minded nature. "I should handle this by myself." she said "So if you guys could..."

"Sounds good to me." Lucy said pulling out her book of poems and beginning to write. "That last outburst of his left me with some very strong emotions I need to express."

"I'm worried about Lincoln." Leni said with a nervous look on her face "But I don't wanna get yelled at again. So bye bye bye."

Luna's jaw lowered a bit as Leni turned to leave. "Hey!" she shouted after Leni. "Song lyrics are my thing!"

"There's a song called "I don't wanna get yelled at again?" Leni asked

Luna shook her head in annoyance "Never mind" she said

Luna watched her sisters retreat into her rooms before turning back to Lincoln's door and knocking softly.

"Linc." she said. "It's just me, you know. Lori's not out here. Open up so we can talk for a bit."

There was no answer. Luna frowned and knocked harder.

"C'mon little bro." she said. "I wanna talk to you."

There was still no answer from the other side of the door. Luna bit down on her lower lip in irritation for a moment until an idea struck her.

"Hey Lincoln." Luna said. "If you don't want me to come in just say so."

Once again, there was no sound from inside Lincoln's room. Luna smiled deviously.

"Your silence says it all." Luna said as she grabbed the doorknob.

Luna opened the door to see Lincoln sitting in front of his dresser. His plate on his lap and his earphones plugged into his laptop. He moved his head from side to side as he ate. Luna slowly crept up behind him and peeked over his shoulder to look at his computer screen. He was on the MyTunes website and was listening to a song from a long playlist. Luna looked at the bands on list curiously. She was expecting to see SMOOCH, but couldn't find it among the several bands on the list.

"Basic Scheme." Luna read. "Purple Night, Bad Charlene, My Synthetic Passion? Since when does he listen to this stuff?"

Lincoln shoveled the last bit of turkeyloaf into his mouth as he took his earphones out. Luna spoke as soon as they were out of his ears.

"What's happening brother?" she said.

Lincoln jumped in surprise, making his plate fall off his lap and clatter to the floor. He turned to face his sister, a brief look of confusion on his face when he had found that it was Luna who had been the one to startle him for a change. Luna offered him an apologetic smile, feeling a little bad for giving him the scare.

"Sorry little dude. Wasn't trying to sneak up on ya, honest."

"That's okay." Lincoln said, retrieving his plate from the floor. "But it was a pretty good impression of Lucy. I had no idea that you were even in the room until just now."

"Can't be helped. It's something that happens when you get lost in your tunes. Speaking of which, since when were you into this kind of music?"

Lincoln's eyes flashed to his laptop's screen and then back to his sister. He smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yeah, it is a bit different than what I usually listen to. But a friend recommended these bands and I figured, why not? If she likes them, then why wouldn't I?"

"Too true, little bro...wait. Did you say 'she'? " Luna asked, a wide grin breaking out on her face. "So, a lady friend of yours is getting you into this genre, eh?"

"I know where you're going with this and I'm going to have to stop you right there." Lincoln said flatly. "She's just a friend who has similar interests as me. Nothing more."

"If you say so. Anyway, I just wanted to check on you. You kinda flipped your lid on us and I was worried. Is everything okay?"

Lincoln sighed and he sat up a little, looking Luna in the eyes. "If you really want to know, it's just been a bit of a rough week so far. To put it simply, school sucks sometimes."

Luna knelt down and put her hand on his shoulder. "Trust me, Linc, I get ya. But having a bad day isn't a reason to push away family. You were right, Lori can be a major pain in the butt, but she's only like that because she cares. Snapping at her isn't gonna fix anything that's bothering ya."

"I know. But I only got mad because she wouldn't stop bugging me about it. I can solve my own problems. And if I need any help, I know I can ask you guys." Lincoln said, placing his hand on top of Luna's. "I promise."

"I know, bro. But it makes a huge difference to hear you say it." Luna replied, kissing his forehead. "I'll be getting out of your hair now. Enjoy your tunes and give Lori a quick apology after you've had enough time to unwind. 'Kay?"

Lincoln nodded and put his headphones back on. Luna took his plate and left the room. She went down into the kitchen to put it into the sink. Lori entered, having followed her after she saw Luna passing by.

"Well?" she asked expectantly.

"He's gonna be fine, sis." Luna said. "He just needs a little time to himself. Nothing to worry about. You just gotta let it be."

"Fine. But he better not pull any more of that attitude he gave me again. I won't let him get away with it twice."

"Relax. Since when has our little bro been the type to be like that?"

Meanwhile, back up in Lincoln's room, the white haired boy saw a new message had been sent to him via Skope. He clicked on the icon and a window opened up, the new message catching his attention immediately.

Nottagoth:Thanks a lot for the nosebleed, jerk.

Lincoln frowned. Luckily the sender, one of Maggie's friends, happened to be online so he could send a reply.

SoloSon6: I'm sorry, okay? It was an accident!

Nottagoth: You tripped me!

Soloson6: You were coming at me! I was trying to get out of the way! I just didn't move fast enough, the rest was unintentional! It's not like I made you land on your face!

Nottagoth: Whatever. We'll just call it even for the shiner I gave you.

Soloson6: Fine with me. And if you want, tomorrow you and I can do some one on one practice.

Nottagoth: Only if you don't whine if you get hurt again.

SeldomlySmiles13 has joined the conversation.

SeldomlySmiles13: Hey.

Nottagoth: Hey Mags.

Soloson6: Hi Maggie. What's up?

SeldomlySmiles13: Nothing interesting. But I have something I want to give you. Can you meet me after school tomorrow? Before we go to meet up with everyone else?

Nottagoth: Taking your new boyfriend out on a date?

Soloson6: I'm not her boyfriend!

SeldomlySmiles13: Shut it Dennis. He's not my boyfriend.

Nottagoth: Could've fooled me. You've been treating him nice enough. Having your mom drive him home, giving him stuff and kissing his boo-boos for him.

SeldomlySmiles13: Jealous?

Soloson6: For the record, she's never 'kissed' my 'boo-boos'. She just helps me clean any cuts and scrapes I get.

Nottagoth: No stinkin duh. I'm teasing you, man. But for what it's worth, you know how to take a hit.

Soloson6: I get pulled into fights with my sisters all the time. You get the hang of it after a while. Anyway, what is it that you want to give me, Maggie?

SeldomlySmiles13: You'll see.

Soloson6: Can I have a hint?

SeldomlySmiles13: Nope.

Nottagoth: Hey, I g2g. Dinner. L8r lovebirds.

Nottagoth has left the conversation.

SeldomlySmiles13: Do me a favor and trip him again tomorrow.

Soloson6: If you insist. LOL. JK. I should probably be signing off too. Homework.

SeldomlySmiles13: Ugh. IKR? Teacher's are such slavedrivers. Enjoy kiddie school while you can. Middle school is worse.

Soloson6: No promises.

SeldomlySmiles13: L8r Lincoln.

SeldomlySmiles13 has left the conversation.

-The next day at the Royal Woods Mall-

Lincoln looked around nervously as Maggie ushered him inside the store called Cold Subject. It was like walking into a dark closet the where the only illumination was from blue light bulbs. Unhappy looking tweens driftend between the shelves and racks, some looking and others buying. Shirts and pants were on several racks around him, racks that Maggie pulled clothes from and then piled on top of Lincoln.

"A makeover?" Lincoln said. "You brought me here to give me a makeover?"

"That's right" Maggie said. "If you're gonna be seen with us then, you should look like us."

"Oh really?" Lincoln said. "So you don't want me around unless I fit your mold? So you're ashamed of me now? Is that it?"

Maggie's frown deepened. "I didn't say that!" she said as her voice took on an unusally whiny tone. "It's just...well...you don't exactly look like one of my friends so this way we can all look the same."

Lincoln lowered his head. "That sounds a lot like being ashamed."

Maggie began trembling with frustration. "I'm not ashamed!" she said in that same whiny tone. "I just want you to look...I mean...I thought that you would fit in better if..."

"Maggie." Lincoln said flatly. "I'm just teasing you."

Grinding her teeth at the smug look on his face, Maggie grabbed Lincoln's hand, dragged him over to a changing booth and shoved him inside. "Just hurry and change already." she said with a huff.

Lincoln changed into a new set of clothes and stepped out of the booth several times. And each time Maggie gave her opinion on his outfit.

"Too tight."

"Too loose."

"Too many stripes."

"Too many studs."

"Not enough studs."

"Not dark enough."

Lincoln shuffled around inside the booth as Maggie threw more clothes over the side of the booth. As she did so, a cheerful looking woman in purple came into the store.

"Ready to go sweetie?" she asked.

"Almost mom." Maggie said holding up a small pile of shirts. "We're getting these."

Her mother removed a credit card from her purse. "Thanks again for this, mom" Maggie said. "I can't have this kid looking too cheery around us."

"Oh you know I can't resist a sale." Maggie's mother said with a giggle. "But I just can't believe you're buying clothes for this boy." she said. "That just seems so...well..."

Maggie narrowed her eyes. "Seems so what?" Maggie asked. "What are you getting at, mom?"

"Oh nothing." she said. "I'm just surprised. I didn't think you'd buy clothes for just anyone. Maybe someone special..."

Maggie blushed. "Mom, please don't start." she said. "He's only eleven!"

"You were twelve just a few months ago." she said. "And your father is three years older than I am so...I'm just saying..."

Maggie stared at her mother in disbelief just before a terrible sneeze flew from her nose. "C'mon mom." she said as she wiped her nose on her sleeve. "Not here."

Maggie snorted thickly as her nose ran. She muffled another sneeze with the crook of her elbow as her mother pulled a tissue from her purse and handed it to her.

"Bless you, dear." she said as she patted Maggie's shoulder. "Don't use your sleeve, please. And there's no need to get so anxious, it's just a thought."

Maggie wiped her nose as Lincoln came out of the booth. "What do you think about this?" he asked

Maggie looked him up and down, and her mouth moved into a half smile "I think you're leaving the store with that outfit on." she said.

-Back at the Loud House-

Lori paced the floor, one hand clutching her phone and the other clenched into a fist. She held her phone up and checked the screen again, finding nothing new. A soft growl escaped her as she kept walking back and forth in the kithchen while Leni and Luna were standing by the counter and blending a smoothie to share.

"Dudette, you gotta chill." Luna said. "Linc gave his word that he'd let us know if something was up. Let our little bro do his own thing."

"He's late again!" Lori spat in return. "No call or texts! He wasn't anywhere at his school and we waited twenty minutes for him to show up! I don't care what he says, Luna! This is not gonna stand! He can't worry us like this!"

"But you're the only one of us who's worried." Leni said. "Luna's right. You have to calm down. Come on, join us for a smoothie. It's got chocolate!"

Lori took a deep breath. "You're right. I can literally go for a smoothie about now. I'll deal with Lincoln when he finally gets home. He just better hope that it's before Mom and Dad get back from their Tango lessons. Because if I get in trouble for not knowing where he is, I'll literally make him regret it."

She joined her younger sisters as Leni poured the blended beverage into three cups. As they enjoyed the concoction, Lola entered and approached them. She tugged on Leni's arm, gaininer her sister's attention.

"Leni, could you hand me the box of cookies from the cupboard?" she asked.

"Like, okay." Leni said.

"Uh, like, no!" Lori said. "You aren't going to have that many cookies before dinner."

"They're not just for me! Lucy and I are having a tea party." Lola explained.

"Lucy does tea parties?" Luna queried. "Never pegged her for the type."

"Well that just shows what you know." Lola said snobbily. "Lucy happens to be an excellent guest. She knows almost as much as I do about tea party ettiquette. Almost. Now, the cookies, if you would do me the kindness, Leni."

Leni complied and handed a box of snickerdoodles to her little sister. Lola greedily snatched them from the older girl and turned to leave, a complacent smirk on her face. She went out into the living room where a little table had been set up for her, Lucy, her many stuffed animals and...Lucy's...guest.

"Sorry for the delay." Lola said, taking her seat beside her spooky sibling. "But good help is just so hard to find these days."

"That's fine." Lucy said. "Edwin and I were just talking about your selection for today's party. Earl Grey is surprisingly good with O positive blood."

"So glad that he approves." Lola said with a faux smile. "It is a strange concept to me, but it is refreshing to have someone with such...unique tastes at my party. So, have you any new gossip to share?"

"Nothing new, I'm sorry to say." Lucy admitted, refilling her cup with fresh tea.

"You?"

"Well I did just happen to hear our dear sisters talking about Lincoln's behavior lately. Lori is all flustered about how he's running late, again! You would think he were up to something!"

A faint smile came to Lucy's face. "Not likely. Our brother isn't the type to get away with anything without someone in this house finding out. He's not nearly as sneaky as he thinks. Whatever he's doing, I'm sure it's nothing to worry about."

The sound of the front door opening caught their attention. Lucy turned to glance at it as it opened, the sound of Lincoln's voice reaching her ears as he announced he was home.

"See? There he is now." she said.

She took a sip of her tea, only to spit it out immediately afterwards into Lola's face. The goth's jaw dropped as she gawked at her older brother in pure shock.

"Gasp! Lincoln?"

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