And now here's a little Valentine's Day story

Loosely inspired by the Chowder episode Chowder's Girlfriend.


It was a beautiful morning in the Loud house, but not just any beautiful morning, but a morning that could put anyone in an upbeat mood.

Even the young princess herself, Lola Loud woke up feeling cheerful.

"A beautiful morning to everyone!"

But her twin on the other hand was still snoring like a bear.

"Wake up Lana! It's the morning!"

"Lola, can't I sleep just a little more?" Lana groggily requested. "I'm exhausted."

"How can you be exhausted on the day before Valentine's Day?"

"Few simple words: too many repairs, too little time." Lana continues to lie on her bed, until she remembered what day it is. "The day before Valentine's Day? That changes everything!"

"I knew you couldn't bear to sleep through it."

The first room she ran into was the oldest sisters' room.

"Lori! Wake up!"

Lori was still a little grouchy (as most people are when they get woken up too early). "Lola, it's too early to get up. It's hardly even light. Go back to sleep."

"Don't you know what day it is? It's the day before Valentine's Day!"

That's what got her up and at 'em. "Oh! Well that's different! Why didn't you tell me before? We've got so much to do!"

Then Leni was the next to wake up. "So much to do for what?"

"Valentine's Day."

"Valentine's Day?"

And soon all the other girls woke up immediately.

"VALENTINES DAY?!"

"O M Gosh!" Leni shouts. "I can't believe it's finally here!"

"I know dudes!" Luna agrees. "I gotta get in touch with Sam. We've got a song to plan."

"And I gotta get my balloons ready," Luan said.

"Oh I'm so excited!" Lana shrieked. "Me and Skippy got it made this year!"

"Same with me and Winston," said Lola. "Who wouldn't be hyped for tomorrow?"

Well, Lola was about to get her answer when the last person to wake up was their one and only brother.

"Hi Linky!" Lola greeted sweetly.

But surprisingly, Lincoln wasn't in the mood. "What are you so happy about?"

"Don't you know what tomorrow is?"

"Friday?"

"It's Valentine's Day!"

"Ooooohhh, right. Well in that case, I'm not interested," Lincoln sighs.

"It's going to be so romantic and graceful and…" Lola paused at what her brother just said. "Wait, what?"

"I said I'm not interested."

This made the other girls gasp with horror.

Especially Lola. "How could you not be interested in Valentine's Day?"

"That's just the problem. I don't have a Valentine."

"How could you not have a Valentine?" Lynn asked.

"Yeah dude," Luna agreed. "You're the most loveable person we know."

"After me, of course," Lola bragged.

"You guys are just saying that," Lincoln moaned. "None of the girls at school see me that way."

"What about Christina?" Luan asked.

"Or Paige?" Lynn suggests.

"And don't forget Ronnie Anne," Lori teases.

Lincoln groaned. "How many times do I have to say it? Ronnie Anne is NOT my girlfriend!"

"Oh yeah?" Lola teases. "If she's not, then how come you keep a picture of her on your dresser?"

"That's for…...sentimental reasons. And who said you could mess around with my stuff?!"

"Hello? This is Lola Loud you're talking to. What do you expect?"

Lincoln rolls his eyes. "Anyway, it doesn't matter. I'll never find a girl who loves me."

"We love you Linky," said Leni.

"Leni, you guys are my sisters. You're supposed to love me. I mean someone outside of my family. I bet no one's going to want to be my Valentine. Besides, the other kids will laugh at me."

"Aw, they're just jealous," Lynn assures. "They wish they were as lovable as you."

"Well, just the same, I've already made up my mind. You girls can have all the fun you want, but for me, Valentine's Day is just another day."

"Well whether you care for it or not, you still need to get ready for school," Lori ordered.

"Alright already."


Of course, things weren't any better at school either, as Lincoln still maintained his bitter mood.

But little did he know, things were about to change that day.

And it all began when his teacher Mrs Johnson made an important announcement. "Everyone, I have an announcement to make. I'd like you all to meet a new student today, Ashlyn Miller."

The girl was about five feet tall with dark skin. She was wearing a blue sweater with an orange zigzag line in the middle, some long baggy pants and a pair of light brown boots. She also had short black hair with a little patch of white in it in the shape of a heart. She was very shy.

"I know it's not easy being a new student, so I hope you all make her feel right at home. Ashlyn, why don't you take your seat over there?"

"Okay."

So she did. And surprisingly enough, that seat was right next to Lincoln and his friends.

"Now class, since tomorrow is Valentine's Day, I would like you all to finish your projects for that special someone."

So they all began working, including Ashlyn. But then she also noticed something off. Somehow, one of the kids she was sitting next to wasn't as enthusiastic as everyone else.

And I think you can all guess who that person is, right?


After class, Lincoln and his friends, with the former leaning against the lockers.

"Aw don't sweat it, Link," Zach assures. "Lots of people never got a valentine in their life, and they turned out okay."

Lincoln was still depressed. "It's not just not having a Valentine that bothers me. But it doesn't matter anyway. Tomorrow's just another day for me."

"Well even if you don't have a valentine, at least you have us," stated Clyde. "And friends are better than nothing."

"I guess so."

Just then, the new student joined in. "Hello there."

"Oh, you must be Ashlyn. My name's Stella, and these are my friends, Clyde, Rusty, Zach, Liam and of course, Lincoln."

Ashlyn waves. "Hi. Nice to meet you all."

"Hey."

"Hello."

"Howdy."

"Hi."

But there was one who didn't say a word.

"Lincoln? Aren't you going to say hi?" Stella asked, nudging his shoulder.

"Oh yeah. Hi."

"Hi." Ashlyn smiles and kept on staring at the white haired boy.

Lincoln was a little confused and disturbed. "Why are you staring at me?"

"Oh no reason."

"Do I have something on my face?"

"You're cute." She giggled. Which made Lincoln blush. Then she took out a small paper bag and pulled out two heart shaped cookies. "You know, my dad packed two cookies in my lunch today. Here, you can have one."

Lincoln's mind was still weirded out, but he knew it would've been rude not to accept her offer. So he ended up taking the cookie. "Okay, thanks."

"You're welcome. Well, I gotta get going. It was nice talking with you." And she took off.

But once she did, Lincoln noticed his friends were staring at him very slyly. "What?"

"Lucky," moaned Rusty.

"You my friend are one heck of a ladies' man," Liam pointed.

"What makes you say that?"

"Well why else would other girls be interested in you?" Zach questions. "I mean Christina, Paige, Girl Jordan, Ronnie Anne."

"Okay, first of all, that relationship with Christina wasn't even a thing. And second, Ronnie Anne is not my girlfriend!"

"I'm just saying," Zach urged. "You're one lucky guy."

"Just because she offered me a cookie? So what? I only took it because it would have been rude not to take it."

"Sure you did, Romeo," taunted Rusty.

Then Stella decided to step in. "Alright, lay-off the poor guy. I'm sure Ashlyn was just trying to be nice."

"Stella's right," Lincoln agrees. "Just because she's cute, polite and offered me a heart-shaped cookie doesn't mean she loves me."

"Well it doesn't mean she doesn't love you either," Clyde states. "But on the other hand, at least you get a free cookie."


That night, Lincoln kept tossing and turning as thoughts started to swirl in his head.

"Oh it's no use. I just can't get to sleep. I don't get it. Why was Ashlyn being so nice to me? It's only been one day and already she offered me a cookie. Does she feel sorry for me or something?"

But it wasn't just that thought that bothered him.

"Or maybe she…...Nah! It couldn't be."

Or could it?

"Is it? Aaaahhh! What am I going to do? I'm not ready to be a boyfriend! I'm only eleven! And if she says she loves me, all the kids will tease me forever!"

Then he sulked on his bed.

"Why does everything have to be so hard for me?"


The next day was Valentine's Day, and the Loud kids were all getting ready.

Lori was texting Bobby (as usual), Leni was working on a new dress, Luna was busy writing a new love song, Lynn was practicing moves that could impress others, Lucy was revising her poems, Lana was making mud pies, and Lola was hanging streamers while Lisa was developing a new love pheromone.

And finally, Luan was making heart shaped balloons with Lincoln's help.

"Okay Lincoln, just needs a little more air."

So Lincoln pumped more air as Luan began bending the balloon.

"That's it. That's it. And voila! We have a heart. Now on to the next one."

But once Luan put the next balloon onto the air pump, Lincoln wasn't paying attention and ended up pumping more air than what was needed.

"That's enough, Lincoln! Lincoln!"

But Lincoln was too distracted to listen and the balloon was filled with so much air that it popped, surprising everyone.

"Okay, what's up with you Linky?" Lola asked. But she noticed he wasn't listening. "Linky!"

So she snapped her fingers in front of his face to get his attention. "What?! What happened!? What?!"

"You were spacing out again," Lana stated.

"You gotta stop doing that," said Lucy. "It's starting to get creepy. And I know 'creepy'."

"Is something wrong, Lincoln?" Leni asked.

"No, nothing's wrong," Lincoln answered. "I just had trouble sleeping, that's all."

While Lincoln didn't say why he had trouble sleeping, it wasn't a total lie.

"Perhaps you might wanna try aromatherapy," Lisa suggests. "It'll help ease your mind."

"I'll take that into consideration, Lisa," Lincoln said.

"Well, how about we take a break," Luan thought. "We can finish the balloons later."

So everyone left the room except for Lincoln. But Lori stayed behind.

"Lincoln, are you okay?" She asked. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you're pretty distracted today."

Lincoln sighs. "Lori, you know a lot about relationships, don't you?"

"Does Bobby run a Mercado?"

"Yeah?"

"Then yes, yes I do. So what do you need to know?"

"Well let's say you happen to meet someone at school who wants you to be her…..boyfriend."

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Stop right there! She wants you to be her boyfriend?! I knew it! So who is it? Is she cute?"

"She's kinda cute. But also a little weird."

"A little weird, huh? Well then, I guess you two would probably get along."

"Maybe. But the thing is I'm just not sure if I want to go that path."

"You're saying you don't want….hold it!" That's when Lori got up in Lincoln's face. "You better not insult her in front of her classmates and make her cry like you did the last time!"

"What?! No way. Trust me. I've already learned my lesson from Ronnie Anne. I'm just glad we're friends now," he muttered. "I'm just not sure if she likes me….."

"Are you saying that she doesn't like you?"

"No, it's not that. Sometimes it's just hard to tell if a girl likes me for me or if she's just doing it out of sympathy."

"Well if you want my advice, a true soulmate will like you just for being you. If there's anything girls like in a guy, it's honesty."

"I know that's true. But hypothetically speaking, let's say I really like this girl (which I wouldn't go that far), but you feel like things are happening way too fast, but at the same time, you don't want to hurt that person's feelings. If it were you, what would you say?"

"Well if I didn't want to pursue a relationship, then I'd let the person in question know that I wasn't interested in dating at the moment, but I'd be mature and approach them in a calm manner."

"Approach her in a calm manner?"

"Yep. Speak from your heart and let her know how you really feel. See, they don't teach you this kind of stuff in school, but it can be pretty easy to break someone's heart. So be careful with what you say."

Lincoln nods. "Right."


Meanwhile, at a nearby house not too far away, Ashlyn was getting ready for school herself.

"Mom! I'm off to school!"

"Did you remember to pack those cookies?" Her mother asked.

Ashlyn groaned. "Yes mother."

But just as she was about to head out the door, someone came up from behind her. "Since when are you in such a hurry to get to school?"

This girl was about twice as tall as Ashlyn, but her hair was longer and wavy. She wore a scarlet blouse and brown shorts with white sneakers with orange stripes.

"No reason," Ashlyn defended. "It's just…...my second day and I don't want to start off my year with a demerit."

"Oh, and I suppose you're bringing the cookies just to get out of detention?"

"No! They're for a…...someone I just met."

"Oh really? So tell me, does this person happen to be a boy?"

"What makes you say that? Just because the other day I offered him a heart shaped cookie?"

"Aha! I knew it! I distinctly heard you say 'him'! Looks like my little Ashley's found herself a soulmate."

"Alright! So what if he's a boy? It doesn't mean I like him in the way you're thinking!"

"Then why are you bringing him all those cookies?"

"I'm just trying to be nice. It's tough being new to Royal Woods. I just thought he'd think I'm nice and be my friend."

"Friend Sis? Or valentine?"

"Can it, Catherine! I'm just trying to show a little compassion. Besides, nobody deserves to be alone on Valentine's Day."

"Well if you want my advice, if he gives you something to show his affection, just reward him with a kiss."

"Just to be clear, I didn't want your advice. I'm going to school."

So she did.


At school, Lincoln was in his way to class still panicking in his mind.

"Okay, calm down Lincoln. No need to panic. Nothing will go wrong. Just let Ashlyn know you're not interested in dating. You can do this."

Once class started, Lincoln took his seat next to Ashlyn.

"Oh, hi Lincoln."

"Hi. Umm…...listen, Ashlyn, there's something I gotta say." But that's when something else caught his attention. "Hey, are those cookies?"

"Sure are. Made them just for you."

Lincoln then took one. "Thanks."

"No problem. That's what friends are for."

On his way to lunch, Lincoln was enjoying the cookie, when his friends took notice.

"Man you're luckier than one of my pa's golden horseshoes," said Liam.

Lincoln was exasperated. "Guys I told you, Ashlyn offering me a cookie doesn't mean anything."

"Lincoln, face it," Zach clarifies. "She gave you a heart shaped cookie on Valentine's Day. With pink frosting and sprinkles on it. Coincidence, I think not."

"Why is it you guys are still going on about this? Now I'm telling you for the last time, there's nothing going on between Ashlyn and me!"

And Lincoln storms off to the lunchroom.

"Pfff…...Ashlyn and me? What a joke! It's not like she has feelings for me…..does she?"

In his mind, Lincoln knew he had no other choice but to tell Ashlyn the truth. But something else inside him said otherwise.

"Ugh! I can't tell her. She's too sweet. I need a way to get her off my back. But how?"

Well there was one way.

"I need more advice. And I think I know just the person."

Of course, who better to do it then one of his little sisters, Lana Loud?


Speaking of which, she was just getting her lunch tray over the table when Lincoln came rushing up.

"Lana! I need to talk to you!"

"Sure, bro. What's up?"

"Well, you'd say girls like animals, wouldn't you? You know, like to enjoy their company?"

"Well not everyone is a passionate animal lover like I am, but I should think so."

"Okay. Let's say I was thinking about getting a girl a pet as a present. What would you suggest?"

"Well I'm no expert, but I'd recommend something like a bird. Like a canary, a robin, and blue jay, or even a kookaburra."

"What about other animals?"

"Well Hops and Izzy do have a lot of cousins at the pet store, but I wouldn't recommend them. Trust me Lincoln, a lot of girls aren't as fond of amphibians and reptiles as me."

"You don't say," Lincoln said with a sly smile.


Back in the hallway, Lincoln approaches Ashlyn as she was putting stuff into her locker.

"Hi Ashlyn."

Ashlyn was startled at first. "Oh Lincoln! You scared me."

"Sorry. So….. I was thinking. Since you're new here, I have something for you." And Lincoln held out a box.

"Oh, you really didn't have to."

"Oh, don't be silly. Go ahead, open it."

So Ashlyn opened the box and out popped a green frog. It jumped out of the box and leaped onto Ashlyn's head.

"So what do you think?" Lincoln asked.

"What do I think? I think….."

Lincoln was waiting for an answer.

"It's….."

"Yeah?"

"It's perfect!"

Then Lincoln looked shocked.

"I've been looking for a frog like this forever! Now Jumper has a friend of her own." Ashlyn opened a locker revealing both a frog and a fishbowl. "And I'll call this one Thumper."

Lincoln was still surprised. "You like animals?"

"Are you kidding? I love them. In fact, I wanted to show the class my guppies. I call this one Gil, and the other one's Molly."

"Why do those names sound familiar to me?"

"Anyway, I gotta go. Thanks for the gift Lincoln. You're so thoughtful."

And there she went.

That's when Lana, Lucy and Lisa came into the scene.

"Wow! I guess a lot more girls are fond of frogs than I thought." Lana was both surprised and impressed. "Cool! You sure hit the nail on the head there Linc."

"I'll say you have," Lucy said.

"Indeed," Lisa agreed. "You are quite the, shall we say, charismatic charmer."

"Oh, who am I kidding?" Lincoln thought in his head. "They're right. It's like Lori said, she likes me just because I'm me." Then he got another idea. "But what if I wasn't me?"

With that, he went for a different approach.


In a different part of the school, Ashlyn was met with 'another' boy in a Russian outfit.

"Oh, hello again Lincoln," Ashlyn greeted.

"Um….hello there dear Ashlyn," 'Lincoln' said in a Russian accent. "I am Lincolnovich Loudinski, and I have a message for you from Lincoln Loud, who I am not."

Ashlyn played along. "Oh really?"

"Why yes. Lincoln has moved far away and can not attend class today."

"And just where did he move to?"

"Oh…...uh…...way down south, to the next state….."

"Yes?"

"He's gone. Lincoln's gone."

"Want a cookie, Lincoln?"

"Would I?!" Lincoln took the cookie, but then realized that she said his name. "Dang it! How did you know it was me?"

"You really didn't think you'd get away with that, did you?"

Lincoln shrugs.

"Here's a tip: next time, try choosing a name that doesn't sound similar to yours." And she took off again.

"I should have known Lincolnovich Loudinski was too obvious," he muttered to himself.


Moments later, Lincoln was back in his original outfit when he heard a familiar voice.

"Playing hard to get, Eh? Boy, are you ever desperate."

Turns out that voice came from another one of Lincoln's sisters, who stood right next to his locker.

"Lola! How long have you been standing there?"

"Oh long enough. And I'm glad I have."

"And why the heck would that be?"

"So I can help you impress her. And lucky for you, I have the perfect plan."

"Lola, I really don't need….."

"Tut, tut, I insist. Now if you really want to impress a girl, what you gotta do is give a little razzle dazzle."

"But Lola, I'm only trying to…"

"Up, up, up, up. No use questioning my methods big brother. I'm a trained professional, so I know this by heart. By the time she sees this, she'll be begging for more."

"Lola, this is…."

"A totally awesome plan? I know. I should think so myself. Don't you know how lucky you are to have a sister like me?"

Lincoln rolls his eyes.


Outside at recess, there was a huge stage with a curtain and a giant heart on top made of wood.

All the kids huddled in front of it as Lola shouts into a megaphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, girls and boys, especially newcomers of Royal Woods elementary! What we have for you will not disappoint you one bit! Presenting our grand opening!"

Everyone clapped as the curtains opened, and out stepped Lincoln Loud.

Then Lola arrived on stage dressed up as Ashlyn. "Say your line!" She whispered.

"Oh! Hi there Ashlyn."

"Hello, Linky."

"There's something I've been wanting to say. Maestro, if you please?"

The morticians came in with the violins as Lincoln kneels down on one foot.

"I understand that you're new and it's your first day, but there's something important that I just have to say."

But then all of a sudden, dark clouds came rolling in and a huge thunderstorm raged. Lightning struck the wooden heart and lit it on fire, but luckily the rain came in to douse it out.

Soon all the kids rushed inside for shelter.

"I hope Ashlyn didn't see that!" Lincoln sulked.

"Speak for yourself," Lola points.

It turns out, Ashlyn was standing right next to him. She didn't have anything to say, but she gave him a kiss on the cheek and took off, making Lincoln go red as a fresh tomato.

"Okay, that didn't go as planned," Lola said holding her umbrella. "But hey, as long as it works."

Fortunately, Lola's plan did work, but unfortunately, not in the way Lincoln was hoping for.


Inside the hallway, Clyde was looking for his friend.

But all he found was one of his sisters. "Lana, have you seen Lincoln anywhere?"

"Oh yeah," she answered. "He's outside in a trash can. I don't know what his deal is, but he said he's not coming out."

"Did he look upset in anyway?"

Lana shrugs. "I just go to school here. I don't ask questions. Well, see ya."

And she left.


Outside, Clyde knocks on the trash can lid. "Okay, Oscar the Grouch. We need to talk."

But Lincoln refuses. "No! I'm never coming out again!"

"Come on Lincoln, you got nothing to worry about."

Lincoln pops his head out. "Nothing to worry about? Ashlyn still wants to be my girlfriend and I'm still not ready! Everyone will laugh at me! Just like they did the last time!"

"Oh it can't be that bad."

"She kissed me on the cheek."

"Okay, you might have a problem after all. Look buddy, based on what I've seen, this is a pretty big step."

"Well what am I supposed to do?"

"It looks like you're gonna have to get married."

"Married?!"

"Yeah. Apparently, if a girl kisses you, you have to make an honest woman out of her. Meaning you'll have to marry her. And if word gets out that this girl kissed you and you didn't marry her, her reputation will be ruined forever. Which is even worse than having a broken heart."

Lincoln sulked. "I'm doomed."

"Can I be your best man at the wedding?"

"You're not helping, Clyde."


After school, Lincoln wasted no time getting home.

"Okay! Forget about panicking! Now I'm officially losing my mind!"

It wasn't long before the other sisters came into the living room.

"Woah! Lincoln, what's the rush?" Lana asked curiously.

"I just….Ashlyn gave me….married…...save….reputation…...immediately!"

"Okay Lincoln. Just calm down. Use your words." Lucy tried stoking his back smoothly hoping that would help him relax, which it did.

"Thanks Lucy."

"Now start over," Lola orders. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Lincoln sighs with grief. "I'm gonna regret this. Guys, I need you to…..." However, Lincoln mumbled the last part.

"What was that?" Lynn asked. "Couldn't hear you."

"I said I need you to…." He mumbled again.

"I'm afraid we can't comprehend what you're requesting," said Lisa. "You need to speak up."

"I need you guys to…..*gulp*...help me prepare for a wedding!"

At that moment, all the girls paused and then squealed at the top of their lungs (including Lisa), which made Lincoln cover his ears.

"I just wish I had something to protect my eardrums from that."

Lola was the first to hug Lincoln tightly, as she was crying tears of joy. "Oh Linky! You don't know how long we've been waiting to hear you say those words!"

"I knew this day would come!" Luan said. "And now it has!"

"I'm proud of you little bro," Lynn praises. "I always knew you had it in you."

"Isn't Lincoln still too young to be getting married?" Lisa wonders. "Let alone date?"

"Aw Lisa, this is love we're talking about," Luna said. "It doesn't matter when it comes to love."

"Guys, I don't have time for this!" Lincoln interrupts. "You can praise me later, but right now, I'm kinda in a hurry."

"Right. Alright girls, we've got no time to waste!" Lori demands.

"I'll bake the cake!" Lola squealed.

"I'll go get the suit," said Lucy.

"I'll get my welding torch!" Lana said.

So as fast as they could, the girls got to work on preparing Lincoln for the big moment. Lana and Lisa were welding the wedding rings, Lola was preparing the wedding cake, and finally Lucy and Leni were getting the suit fitted for Lincoln.

"There we go Linky," Leni announces. "All done."

"And so are the rings," Lana said as she came in.

"And the cake," said Lola.

"Great! It's perfect! Now I gotta go!" Lincoln grabbed the stuff and ran right out the door.

"Wait! Where are you going?"

"No time to explain! I gotta get to Ashlyn and fast!"

And so he charged right over to her house on foot as the girls watched from the window.

"You know, he literally could have just asked me to drive him over to her house," Lori clarifies.

"Yeah," Leni stated. "He's not really that bright, is he?"


Over at the Miller residence, Ashlyn was pondering to herself. "What's gotten into Lincoln today? I mean, he's sweet, but I'm just not sure all those gifts are really necessary."

Just then, the doorbell rang.

She opened the door and found Lincoln all in a mess. His hair all messed up and his suit all wrinkled. And most of all, the cake was nothing but mush.

He was also out of breath. "Okay….I'm here…...I'm ready…"

"What are you talking about, Loud?"

"I'm….saving your…...reputation. So….will you…..marry me?"

"Lincoln, even if I wanted to, I couldn't."

"What do you mean you couldn't?"

"Well for one thing, we're both eleven years old. And besides that, you're getting way too clingy. You come around me like every five minutes. What's been going on with you today?"

Lincoln was nervous again. "You really want to know?"

"Yes I want to know. No more gifts. Just tell me the truth."

"Well Lori did say girls like a guy with honesty," Lincoln muttered. "Okay, here it goes. Ever since yesterday after you gave me that cookie, I wasn't sure if you really liked me. So I was trying to know for sure. My friends gave me the impression that maybe you wanted me as a boyfriend and well…. I got scared and panicked. Whenever I get a girlfriend, my classmates tease me and my sisters never leave me alone."

Ashlyn got the gist. "Oh, is that what this is about?"

Lincoln nods.

"Lincoln, what happened yesterday, I was just trying to cheer you up."

"Cheer me up?"

"I saw you looking depressed and I just wanted to make you happy. Not just by giving you a cookie, but by giving you a friend."

"Wait, so you don't have a crush on me?"

"No way. That's for the older kids. Sorry if I gave you the wrong idea."

At that moment, Lincoln felt relieved. But then his happiness was put to a halt when something inside him made him feel even more depressed.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know. I thought I'd be happy, but now I feel even worse than I did before. It's just like when Ronnie Anne moved away."

"Who's Ronnie Anne?" Ashlyn asked.

Lincoln paused for a bit and began to speak. "She was just some old friend of mine."

"Wait! You had another friend who was a girl?"

"I've got a few of them actually. But she was one of the first I ever had."

Then Ashlyn kicked her foot to the ground. "You wanna come inside? We can talk about it."

And so they did.


After a while, Lincoln was wrapping up his conversation.

"You know it's pretty interesting. Some of the friends you have, they're fun to hang out with. Then the next thing you know…..they leave. They go out and do things you might never get to see. I mean, I think it's great she decided to stay with her family, but somehow it doesn't feel the same for me."

"So I guess it's one of those situations where you don't know what you have until it leaves you?" Ashlyn compared.

"Exactly. And it doesn't exactly help either when people try to hook me up with dates just to make me feel better. But what they don't understand is that I want someone who likes me for me. Not hang out with me just because they feel sorry for me."

"Well I don't feel sorry for you."

"You don't?"

"No. I was just trying to be nice. I've never really had a friend before. It felt like nobody even cared about me. When I saw you looking sad, I thought I could cheer you up and we could be friends."

"So, you just wanted to be friends with me?"

"Of course. Just friends, and nothing more. Don't get me wrong Lincoln. You're cute and all, but I'm just not ready for a boyfriend."

"I understand. Since we're both being honest, I wasn't really looking for a girlfriend either. See, my sisters get all hyped whenever it's Valentine's Day, but I didn't really care for it. I wanted to tell you that I wasn't interested in dating anyone, but I also didn't want to break your heart."

"Well I think it was very brave of you to come forward and tell me the truth."

"Thanks. But I guess I'll just be spending another Valentine's Day…..all by myself."

Lincoln started to head out the door. But Ashlyn stopped him for a second.

"You really don't like being alone on Valentine's Day, do you?"

"Not really. What good is a holiday if there's no one else to enjoy it with? I just wanted to have at least one Valentine's Day where I didn't have to feel so lonely. I wouldn't ask for much. Just, you know, share an ice cream soda like they do on TV. But I guess that's never going to happen."

"Well if you want, I think I can accommodate you."

"Really? You wouldn't mind?"

"Sure, I mean it's not like we have to get married or anything."

Lincoln chuckles at that. "Right."


So that night, the two new friends were out at the arcade splitting both a pizza and a small milkshake.

As they were enjoying their time, they were also talking and laughing about what happened that day.

"So, you really made those cookies yourself?" Lincoln asked.

"Yeah," Ashlyn bluffs. "Not to brag, but back in my hometown, I was a straight A student in my home economics class. My mom said that it makes a good first impression."

"So when you were giving me all those cookies, you were just trying to be nice?"

"Of course. I mean, who doesn't like cookies?"

"And that kiss on the cheek?"

"It was actually my big sister's idea. She gets all excited whenever I mention boys."

"Oh believe me, with ten sisters, I go through the same thing. Sometimes I wish my life was a little more simpler."

"Well, you know Lincoln, if you want some simple advice, how about you take a break from dating?"

"Take a break?"

"Sure. Forget about having a soulmate for now and just focus on what's best for you."

"Well…..as long as you're okay with it."

"I'm fine if you are."

Lincoln took some time to think. "You know what? You're right. I don't need to worry about that now. I've still got years ahead of me."

"You sure do." And the two gave each other a handshake. But there was still one thing left to do. "Hey Lincoln?"

"Yes?"

"I know we're friends now and the day's almost over, but I wanna give you something. Just so you don't have to feel alone anymore."

"What's that?"

"Come here."

Lincoln got out of his seat and made his way towards Ashlyn. "What is it you want to give me?"

"This." At that point, the girl grabbed him by the cheeks and pulled his face towards hers. She then pressed her lips against his, resulting in a kiss. A Valentine's Day kiss to be precise. "That's my Valentine's Day present for you." Afterwards, she gave him a hug. "And that's for being a good friend."

Lincoln was amazed. "Wow. That's the greatest Valentine's Day gift anyone's ever given me."

"Don't mention it. Especially to everyone at school."

"I won't if you won't."


Later that night, Lincoln was in his room remembering the day he had. Then something inside of him began to feel weird. Almost as if a heavyweight had been lifted from his chest.

"That's strange. I feel different. Like I don't feel as lonely as I usually do."

Then it hit him.

"Wait! Was that all I needed? Maybe it was. Thanks Ashlyn, for everything."

Just then, he heard a knock at the door and found his sisters came in.

"Hey Lincoln," Lana greeted. "How was your Valentine's Day?"

"Was it fabulous?" Lola asked.

"Was it wicked?" Lucy wonders.

"Was it wonderful?" Leni questions.

Even with all the questions surrounding him, Lincoln had the perfect answer.

"It was….. the best."


Happy Valentine's Day everyone