Taking a sick day

The beginning of the day started off pretty good for Lincoln Loud. Sure nothing was out of the ordinary for the most part, but one simple fact managed to give Lincoln a big sense of ease. That was the fact that Ronnie didn't go to school today.

Lincoln didn't hate the girl, but she was the cause of a lot of daily stress for him. With the constant death threats, beatings, and tendencies to exaggerate small problems Lincoln found himself with at least one daily problem surrounding the girl. In fact Clyde had once joked that Lincoln's hair was white because of the Tsundere. Then again that wasn't so different from his sisters.

So when she failed to show up for attendance, it took everything in him to avoid jumping up and doing a silly dance in joy. Was it mean? Yes. However it wasn't like she made it any easy for him too like the girl. Sending mixed signals seemed to be her specialty, like visiting his house as a friendly gesture then calling him a 'baka' (which either meant idiot or cow, he wasn't sure which she looked meant) when he said something nice. It was a stress free day, and Lincoln made sure to capitalize.

When lunchtime came about, Lincoln and Clyde happily sat with their (on-and-off) friends Rusty, Liam, and Zach. Of course the trio voiced their disapproval, until Clyde revealed Ronnie Anne was not in school. It took no more convincing on their end and they happily ate lunch together without the fear of 'the hispanic terror' breathing down their necks. Sure it was probably a one-time deal, but Lincoln took what he could get. If only Ronnie 'tolerated' more than just him and Clyde.

When Lincoln was walking home from school, he instinctively flinched when he heard somebody approach him. However it was just Clyde, offering to walk home with him. Another bonus, considering Ronnie sometimes would walk him home and Clyde was often forced into being the third wheel.

Now home, he topped off the day by reaching into his hidden ice-cream supply (Lisa owed him a favor) and pigging out in the safety of his room. What a truly great day to be Lincoln Loud.


Lincoln couldn't believe his luck. He had not one, but two days with no Ronnie Anne breathing down his neck! He couldn't wipe the grin off his face for the whole school day. He even went to Clyde's house after school. Since they had a massage chair, Lincoln enjoyed himself.

When he returned home, he couldn't help but overhear Lori's phone conversation with her 'boo-boo bear.' Almost as if she wanted to be heard by the whole house, she was practically shouting into the phone for where she sat on the sofa. "Really? Is it bad?" He heard Lori ask as he took a seat next to Lana, who had the remote. Luckily the little technician had put on Tom and Jerry, which he wasn't going to complain about.

Lori gasped. "The doctor? But, she's ok right?" She asked. Lincoln was having a really difficult time watching the show, and by the looks of it so did Lana who looked more annoyed than entertained. "Oh Bobby, I'm sure it's nothing. She's going to be ok." Lori said.

Lana sat on the floor in front of the television and pressed her ear on the speakers. "Please don't cry boo-boo bear! I'm literally sure everything will be ok!" Lori said as she stood up and paced around the room. Lana held her arms up in defeat and tossed the remote at Lincoln. "I'm going to fix the volume on the television tomorrow" Lana muttered as she went upstairs.

"No, no, no! Bobby! Listen to me! No, just listen!" Lori yelled, making Lincoln cover his ears. Deciding he'd rather just go to his room rather than face Lori if he interrupted her, he dropped the remote and headed for the stairs. "Bobby, repeat after me! Ronnie is going to be ok." Lori said.

Lincoln stopped mid-step. "What?" He asked, not intending it to be said out loud. He realized his mistake and covered his mouth as Lori turned to him. "Lincoln! It's rude to eavesdrop!" Lori yelled, making Lincoln sink back. "Huh what? No not you Bobby, just my brother Lincoln." she said, turning back to staring at the wall as she talked.

Lincoln sighed in relief. "Could've gone worse" he whispered to himself as he took a step towards the stairs. "Are you sure? You know how Ronnie can get to Lincoln…" he heard Lori say. His eyes widened. "Well… ok, if it means so much to you." Lori said.

Lincoln sprinted up the stairs, past Lana who spun in place from the force of the wind behind him, and into his room where he slammed the door shut. "Lincoln" Lori said, standing in the middle of his room. Lincoln wanted to say he was surprised, but knowing how good he had it yesterday he knew he was due to some bad luck. How did she even get there so fast anyways? "I have a very important mission for you." She said.


"Don't worry Lincoln, the time will flu by before you know it. Haha get it?" Luan said, handing Lincoln her bag of medical supplies. Why she has one you may ask? Let's just say being a comedian who often juggles and performs things made Luan, especially in her earlier years, learn a few things about patching up and treating wounds. "I made sure to pack some chicken soup and other things to help. I didn't think bandages would help with a sickness after all." Luan added with a smile.

Lincoln gave her a nervous smile in return. "Thanks Luan, but um… do YOU have-" he began but halted when Luan pulled out a first-aid kit. "Of course Lincy! Can't have my number one assistant die on me." She said too happily. "Remember, I'll be downstairs practicing for my next gig. If you need any help give me a call. Now go knock em dead." She said, rubbing his head before wrapping him in a much needed hug.

Lincoln nodded as he pulled out of the hug and gulped down his fears. Turning to face the door, he slowly raised his hand and knocked. A second later, the door flung open. "Lincoln bro! Thanks goodness!" Bobby said as he grabbed him and dragged him upstairs. "She's been bedridden all day! Doctors say it's just a bad flu, but I can't stop worrying! What if they're wrong!? Please bro, go talk to her! She's always brighter after she pummels you no offense." Bobby said quickly as he dropped him off in front of another door. "Thanks you're the best! I'm going to make her some soup!" Bobby said as he sped out the hallway.

Lincoln blinked a few times. Swallowing his nerves, he slowly pushes the door open. The room was dark, VERY dark. He couldn't even see the walls. "The universe must love taunting me" Lincoln concluded as he felt the wall for a light switch. "Lincoln-Kun?" A hoarse voice called from the darkness just as Lincoln felt the light switch.

He flipped it and the lights came on. Lincoln couldn't even blink. "Is that… a shrine of me?" He asked, noting what looked like a picture of him hung on the wall on top of a candle which was lit. Ronnie stared at Lincoln from her (purple) bed, her nose completely red and her hair a mess, before she looked away. Was her cheeks red from the flu? "Of c-course not! I use it to… play darts!" She said.

Lincoln wasn't sure how he felt about that. "What are you doing here anyways!?" Ronnie yelled. Lincoln carefully approached the girl, pulling out his medical bag. "I'm here to watch you" He said simply.

"You make it sound like I'm a weak girl in need of a handsome white haired knight in armor!" She yelled, practically shaking the whole room. Lincoln had long grown accustomed to her volume and didn't need to cover his ears. "You ARE weak Ronnie" he said, hoping she'd pummel him.

Ronnie gritted her teeth. "I'm not weak baka! You're weak!" She yelled, the room shake again. Lincoln, knowing he'd be in for a world of pain, began taking her temperature.

In the past whenever he initiated any physical contact, be it from a friendly pat on the shoulder or a hug, he was always met with a face full of fists. He knew this, using the back of his hand to measure how hot her temperature was. After a few seconds of nothing, which greatly surprised him, he backed away.

"Stupid baka" Ronnie mumbled. Lincoln decided to bring out the heavy artillery, taking her hand. "Can you squeeze as hard as you can for me?" He asked. Surely hand-touching, if the Sadie Hawkins dance was anything to go by, would earn him a pummeling.

Instead, she mumbled out more threatening nothings as she squeezed his hand. His eyes widened. "That's it!?" He exclaimed. His heart stopped the moment she sat up. "Here it comes" he whispered to himself as he braced for impact, bringing up his free hand to his face as a shield.

However, nothing happened. Instead he heard the unmistakable sound of a head hitting a pillow. He peaked an eye open and saw Ronnie, looking defeated, laying on her bed. "Well? Go on." She said quietly.

Lincoln slowly lowered his hand from his face. "What?" He asked. Ronnie didn't look up to him. "Go on and laugh. I know you want too." She said. Lincoln watched as she clenched her eyes shut. "This must be so funny to you right? Well this is your one chance to laugh, so laugh."

"What do you mean?" He asked. Ronnie lightly squeezed the hand she was still holding. "I know you hate me. I bullied you everyday since we knew each other. I'm no better than them..." She said. Lincoln looked down at their hands and then back to her. "Who's them?" He asked.

He flinched when he saw tears going down her cheeks. "They were like me. They bullied the weak and targeted anyone who didn't do the same. They made everyone pick in me, because I was the weakest. I had to get strong before I transferred, or else it would be the same. But now, I'm just like them aren't I…" she said. She hiccuped, making Lincoln flinch again. "So, you got a chance to laugh at me today ok? I'm weak and helpless like before, so go ahead I deserve it! Just please…" She turned to him with tears in her eyes.

"Please don't stop being my friend."

Lincoln said nothing as she continued to try and wipe her tears with her free hand. She was a mess as she continued sniffing. Then without a word Lincoln put his hand back on her forehead, prompting her to look at him. "Wow you really must be sick. It's making you delusional!" Lincoln said.

Ronnie pulled her head away. "But I'm not. I-" Lincoln held his arm up. "I don't wanna hear it. Yes you're rough with me and yes maybe you're a little mean at times, but deep down I know you only do it because it's the only way you know how. Besides I'm used to it! I live with Lynn right?" Lincoln said.

"It's not the same." Ronnie said. "Well no, but I don't see the difference." Lincoln replied. He then gave her hand a soft squeeze. "Sorry to say Ronnie, but you're not getting rid of this 'baka' so easily."

At first she said nothing. Lincoln took this as a sign to resume as he reached down into the bag Luan gave him, not letting go of Ronnie's hand, and felt around for chicken soup container. Before he could find it, he felt Ronnie tug him towards her. What resulted was Ronnie catching him in a hug, burying herself in his chest.

Lincoln had activated big-brother mode as he hugged her back and gently caressed her hair. "I'll hurt you again." She mumbled. "I know." He said. "I don't want to hurt you again, but I know I will" she said. "I know" he said. "I'm sorry" she said. Lincoln ceased his gentle strokes and instead wrapped his arms around her with a strong yet gentle hug. "I accept your apology, Ronnie." He said.

Nothing was said for a while as they both got lost in each other's embrace. Eventually Ronnie gently pushed him away, leaving Lincoln with a slightly embarrassed smile. "Heh, you've never hugged me before" he said. She gave a small smirk. "Don't get used to it." She said. The two smiled. "So Lincoln-Kun. Wanna go play on my game console?" She asked. His eyes widened and he gave a toothy smile that made Ronnie blush slightly. "Heck yeah! Let's go!" He announced.


"I can't thank you two enough for this" Ms. Santiago said with a small smile. "My little girl always gets so happy whenever she sees her 'Lincoln-Kun' as she says." Luan waved her hand dismissively. "It's no big deal, Lincoln and I are always happy to help!" Luan insisted.

"Mama! Dónde está el caló de pollo!?" Bobby yelled from the kitchen. Ms. Santiago rolled her eyes, keeping the smile. "I told you Bobby, Lincoln already has chicken soup" she yelled back. More clattering in the kitchen ensued, making Luan and Ms. Santiago giggle. "Sorry about that, he's always so nervous about his little sister. I'm sure you know of her… condition." She said.

Luna smiled sweetly. "That she's a Tsundere? Yeah I know, kinda hard to miss it to be honest." Luan admitted. "What do you mean?" Ms. Santiago asked. Luan chuckled nervously. "Well no offense, but she comes across as a bit violent." She admitted.

The mother seemed a bit worried. "Oh dear. She isn't hurting your brother is she?" She asked. Luan seemed a bit conflicted. "Well… she does tend to punch him through walls?" She said. The mother of two sighed and rubbed her temples. "I was hoping she'd make some friends in this new school. I didn't wanna have to move so quickly but-"

The sound of distant laughing caught their attention. Both Luan and Ms. Santiago gave each other a look of confusion before making their way to Ronnie's room. Peeking into the door, Luan's jaw dropped while Ms. Santiago widened her eyes for a moment before smiling sweetly.

"Hey no fair! I saved him so I should get that!" Lincoln whined as his character continued shooting enemies with a pistol. Ronnie snickered. "You snooze you lose" she said simply, her character shooting from a newly obtained machine gun. Lincoln groaned as his character was gunned down by a helicopter. "Oh look, I gotta revive you again Lincoln-Kun." Ronnie taunted. "Only because you're hogging the power ups!" He replied.

As the two continued to banter Luan sunk to the floor and was effectively knocked out from the scene in front of her. Ms. Santiago however smiled at the duo as they continued to play. For a while the mother was worried her daughter would never have any true friends, but those fears were quickly put to rest. "Thank you Lincoln" She thought as she closed the door behind her. The sound of Bobby shrieking in fear and a bunch of plates crashing prompted the mother to sigh before heading downstairs.


Lincoln sat at the edge of his bed, his face in his palms. "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! You almost did it again!" Lincoln thought to himself as he lightly punched his forehead in frustration.

He sighed and fell back onto his bed. "You were THIS close to losing another friend. Heck you didn't even know she was a friend until today huh! You were even celebrating her absence! You're such a jerk Lincoln!" He thought, berating himself for how poorly he thought of the girl not a few days before. He looked towards his window, only able to see the night sky from his angle.

He closed his eyes. "I'm not going to hurt anyone like that ever again. Last time I neglected a friend…" Lincoln cringed at the memory. "Well not anymore! I'm going to make sure Ronnie and I are the best of friends! Starting tomorrow!" He thought, a small smile forming. He turned over, trying to get comfortable. Certainly being tired wouldn't help his odds.

"Just wait Ronnie. We're going to be good friends even if it kills me." He thought. With that, he dozed off.


Author's Note = The first draft of this chapter ended differently. I was originally going to have Lincoln activate big-brother mode when he saw Ronnie crying and (after a few comforting words) he'd plant a kiss on his cheek. You probably guessed what happened after that (and the medkit wasn't wasted). I changed it because this one felt more right.

Anyways now the plot will finally get rolling. I know the first few chapters have been more of the same, but after this we will see some actual new things! I think I'll take this time to note how my description says 'most things are the same' and not all. Wonder what that means? You'll find out in like 3 chapters! I've prob made it obvious with the hints I've been writing in a to what'll happen though. xD

Thanks for reading! Please drop a review. Constructive criticism is welcomed (cause I wanna improve). Enjoy the remainder of your summer!