A/N Hey guys! I'm back, and this time with a new chapter of this story! I guess you guys didn't like the last chapter much... but I hope I did better with this one! I hope you guys enjoy!
R&R!
Chapter Fifteen: What Would Lola Want?
Hours seemed to pass after that, with the sisters simply holding onto each other, allowing a warm, loving heat to envelop them. Yet, as the saying goes, "all things must come to an end," and so they let go, allowing them to look into each other's eyes.
From what Lana could see, Luan's expression had loosened up, a soft, exhausted smile having overtaken her, something she never thought she'd be happy to see again. "Heh… ya know Lana, it's nice to hug ya…"
The plumber blushed slightly. "Thanks Luan."
"Sorry for what I said earlier," She rubbed the back of her head. "I just… I didn't…"
"Hey, I get it," Lana pulled herself closer, pressing her cheek up against Luan's stomach. "But next time, please don't do that. I know Lola's going to wake up soon after all! I don't have any doubts about it!"
Luan nodded. "You got it!" She spoke with a jovial tone, similar to what she used to have.
With that, a warm determination filled Lana's voice. "Now, let's get out of here. Lola's not gonna wake up unless we all work together after all!" She broke the embrace and hopped to her feet, quickly stretching and holding her back. "Man, I don't get how Lucy does it! It's so cramped in there, and she's even bigger than me!"
The comedian pushed herself up, before picking Mr. Coconuts off the floor. "I'm gonna go get to work in a few, go anything in mind for waking her up?"
"The pageant stuff I told you about," Lana held her fists up at her sides. "Right now, I'm getting everyone together so I can put together an act that'll win the one Lola wasn't able to! That way, she's gonna wake up!"
"Well… I guess that makes some sense," Luan nodded in reply. "Got it, I'll see what I can come up with to help ya out, all right?"
And in reply, the plumber nodded. "Got it, thanks Luan!"
"No probs," She gave a small, brace-filled smile, before stepping out of the bathroom and heading into her room, leaving Lola behind to take a breath.
"Welp, that's another sibling down," Lana let out a breath, her hand easing its way over her chest. "Don't worry Lola, everyone's coming together to wake you up. Soon, I'm gonna win that pageant and we'll be able to celebrate together!"
With that, she raised her chin and made her way out of the bathroom.
For a moment, she stood at its door, allowing the strange atmosphere of her home to take her in. Now, it was normal for the Loud House to be relatively quiet despite everyone being home from school for the night, but… it was still rather off-putting.
"The sooner you wake up, the sooner everyone gets back to normal," She took a breath and began making her way back to her room. From what she could see, everyone had their doors closed. She didn't know why, but it felt off to see them like that, though she didn't let it get to her. "They're probably just trying to get things ready and stuff…"
Yet, as she turned to step into her room, her eyes fell upon the door of her older brother. In a moment, the image of him slamming the door and denying her rushed to the forefront of her mind. "Lincoln didn't wanna help…" She slowly found herself turning to face it. "It wouldn't hurt to ask him again, right? Yeah, he said no the first time, but…" she gulped, before simply raising her fist to it.
*Knock* *Knock*
Slowly, the young boy opened up, his weary gaze falling upon his little sister. "Oh, hi Lana… What's up?"
The plumber poked her foot at the floor while holding her arms behind her. "Sorry for buggin' ya Link…"
He raised an eyebrow at that.
"And I know you said you didn't wanna help me with my plan and stuff…"
He could already tell where this was going. "Yeah? What about it?"
Lana held her fists at her side, prodding Lincoln to act. "But almost everyone else is helping me!" Desperation filled her voice as she leaned forward, forcing him to take a step back. "Please Lincoln, I need your help too! I can't win the pageant without you! Even with Lindsey's help!"
"But what would Lola want me to do?" The thought cut across his mind, forcing him to look aside, before shaking his head. "No Lana, I… I just can't," His immediately spitting out. "She'd hate me for life if I let her perfect pageant record go down the tubes! Even if it was to help her… right?"
"But Lincoln," She tried to continue, only for Lincoln to grip the side of his door.
"Lana, I said no!" And with that, he slammed the door shut, forcing her to stumble back and fall on her butt.
She let a breath in defeat, before pulling herself up and rubbing her behind. "Well, I guess that could've gone better…" She shook her head. "I don't get it, I know he wants to see Lola wake up, but why doesn't he wanna help me?! It's not like he's got his own idea for waking her up, right?" She rubbed her chin for a moment, before shaking her head again. "Ya know what, I'll just try again later…" She turned and glanced at the clock. "Lindsey should be home by now. Maybe we can work on the homework together so we can do more prep work. She wants to start practicing soon."
Lincoln held the doorknob, making sure that Lana wouldn't attempt to push her way in to confront him over his choice, though he knew she wouldn't try that… right? After a moment of waiting, he could hear her soft footsteps echo from the other side, signaling that she had given up and returned to her room, allowing him to finally let go and breathe a sigh. "I can't, I just can't. Lola would hate me. She's going to be hurt and the last thing she needs is to find out that the life she knew isn't waiting for her."
He then shook his head and paused. "I know you're there Lucy. What is it?"
Slowly, the young girl pushed her way out of the vent and landed behind him. "I just came to tell you that Lana convinced Luan to help her…" She rubbed her arm. "I still think that you should think about-"
"No Lucy," He glared at her. "I told you think before," A solemn tone overtook his voice. "From what Lisa told me, Lana would be better off if we all just… let nature run its course."
"But you can't possibly believe that, right?" The Goth Child raised her eyebrows in surprise. Truth be told, she sort of believed the same thing. Given what the spirits had told her, all this path would do for her is give her more trouble and heartbreak… Yet, Lana had already shown her determination, and her desire to get everyone together to help her.
"Yeah, I do," He shook his head. "I talked to Ronnie Anne about it earlier."
Lucy looked on in interest. "What'd she say?"
"She agreed with me. Said that there are some things should just be left in God's hands," He turned to face her. "It's better that Lana realizes that there's nothing to be done on her own rather than… ya know…" Yet, the thought crossed his mind. "But would she really be better? If there's even a small chance…"
And So, Lucy simply nodded. "I get it, Lincoln, but you know she's not gonna give up, right?"
"Of course she's not," Lincoln shook his head. "But, maybe if I don't help her, she'll decide not to go into that pageant and she won't get hurt by the other contestants."
"I guess that makes sense," she turned and began to climb back into the vent. "But Lincoln, I-"
"No Lucy, I won't keep thinking about it. That's final."
"Sigh, all right Lincoln," With that, she disappeared from sight, leaving only a whisper in her wake. "Just, please think about it again. It would mean the world to Lana to have both you and Lindsey helping her win."
For a moment after that, Lincoln stood in silence, his thoughts beginning to cloud his mind once more. There wasn't much he could do about his current situation. Lola was as good as gone at this point. Even Lisa said that she was no longer in a coma, but rather a persistent vegetative state- of which her chances of recovery were minimal.
Yet, a part of him did want to help- to say 'forget the odds' and take Lola's fate into his own hands. "But, what would Lola want me to do? It's hopeless, right?" He looked aside, before looking up, out the small, rounded window that filled his room with light.
Soft, sunset rays dripped through as the star began to descend below the horizon. "I finished my homework already… and it's not that far of a walk… it wouldn't hurt…" He hesitated, before shaking his head and stepping out of his door. And a moment later, he was outside, walking along a path he had tread countless times before.
Meanwhile…
"Hey Luna," Sam carefully secured her guitar, before giving a small strum to check its tuning. "I got here as soon as I could, what's going on?" She looked up to her friend and tilted her head.
"Nothing much," Luna shook her head, before she too got herself ready. "It's just, I got an idea for a song and I wanna practice it before I forget," She rubbed the back of her head. "Sorry for the short notice."
Yet, Sam simply waved her off. "Nah, no need. I get it," She smiled. "Start us off, I'll follow your lead!"
And with that, the musician nodded, before taking a breath and strumming. "When you feel it's hopeless, when you think you're lost, oh," She eased her words along, careful to speak softly and slowly- as if trying to reassure someone. "I will take your hand and we'll rise up from the dust, oh!"
Suddenly, her voice began to pick up speed, as she closed her eyes. "Here we go, go, go, let us heal and grown. You won't be alone, we're unstoppable," A warm heat filled her breath, as soft tears began to fill her eyes. "Don't be afraid to show what we're goin' for, this is what we know!"
Luna then spoke up, her voice filled with energy, as Sam went to match it. "Here we come back to life, we're still breathin'. Standing up, everybody's gonna see it," The blonde smiled at her partner, while the brown-haired girl simply looked aside.
"All you need to know is that we're holdin' on, even if we fall, we will rise up and we'll follow the path that we believe in," Luna's strumming picked up, her fingers arguing with what her mind felt. "No we're not gonna stop till we reach it! All you need to know is that we're holdin' on, we'll rise up from the dust and claim the throne!" With that, she took a breath and sighed. "I know you'll wake up, lil' sis. I know you will."
For a moment after that, the duo stood in the silence of the studio, before Sam placed a soft hand on her shoulder. "Hey Luna… who was that song for?"
She rubbed the back of her head. "I dunno really… I was just sittin' around tinkin' of last practice and it sort of came to me."
"Luna, you're a terrible liar," Sam gave her a warm smile, before placing her hand on her chin and turning Luna to face her. "Come on, what's up?"
"Really," Her voice trailed off. "It was just…"
"Was this about your sister?" She cut her off with a soft, caring tone.
For a moment, Luna considered attempting to continue the lie. Heck, after enough time Sam would probably give up and assume that she was telling the truth! After all, maybe creatives do have random bursts of inspiration leading to hyper-fixation! Yet, Luna hated lying to Sam, and Sam knew this.
And so, the musician simply sighed and nodded. "Yeah… I came up with this after Lana asked to help her with a project."
"She asked you for a song?" Sam raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Kinda," She went in reply, before putting on a sheepish expression. "She actually just asked for some song ideas, and when I started singing… well…" She rubbed the back of her head. "I don't know what came over me, but I kicked her out of my room…"
"That doesn't sound like you?" She tilted her head. "Usually, you just… try to make yourself smaller and tell people to go away, not outright kicking someone out…"
"I know," Luna rubbed her arm. "But... I just don't know what came over me…" She face palmed. "Dangit, Lana probably hates me now! I said I'd help her and then kicked her out of my room!"
"Haha, come on Luna, you know that's not true!" Sam placed a hand on the young woman's shoulder. "She knows you well enough to understand," She then tugged her along, motioning for her to take a seat in one of the nearby chairs, which she did.
After that, Luna took a breath. "I know Sam, I know, but… I guess, I just don't think what Lana's doing is gonna work."
"Oh?" Sam raised an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Yeah," The musician shook her head. "After everything that the doctors and Lisa told us, I know that It's not gonna work. I mean, if you really think about it, how does winning some random pageant connect to waking Lola up?" She held her fist over her heart. "But… a part of me doesn't wanna give up. I wanna have some hope that… it'll work, ya know?"
She nodded in understanding, though she didn't know just what to say next.
"Sam… do you think I should help her?" Luna turned to her companion with a begging gaze.
"Luna, you know I can't answer that," She shook her head and spook with a calm, caring voice. "The only one who can do that is you."
Yet, Luna simply looked into her companion's eyes, urging her to answer the question.
"Luna, you know Lana's desperate and that she's not gonna give up, right? After everything I've heard you say about her, she doesn't seem like that type."
"She's not," Luna gave a small chuckle. "I remember one time she fought us all just so she could go dumpster diving even though she had a cold. We had to pull out the straight jacket just to stop her."
Sam couldn't help, but give a small chuckle as well. "That just proves my point," She leaned back. "And since you know that, she's going to try this project of hers until she succeeds."
"True…" Luna went. "And I know she's desperate, but her idea just doesn't seem like it's gonna work."
"Yeah? And?"
"But I still don't know what to do!"
The blonde girl sighed. "My only counter to that is, then why play into it? If it's as hopeless as you make it out to be, why play into it?" She turned and looked into Luna's eyes with a solemn gaze. "Really, the question you should be asking is, if she succeeds or fails, will it do her any good?"
For a moment, Luna hesitated. What harm could come from this project? Not much, right? She was just going to change her life to win… But what would happen to the old Lana? Would she just go back to normal afterwards? And what will happen if she fails?! Lola's not gonna wake up either way, right?
She gulped. And then, if she fails, what's next? Would Lana just spend the rest of her life trying to wake up her twin?
And so, Luna looked aside. "I guess I only have one choice if I want Lana to realize the truth, huh?" With that, she turned to Sam and nodded. "I'm gonna help her. I need to finish this song."
Sam nodded in reply. "All right then," Before she secured her guitar and strummed. "Let's do it!"
Meanwhile…
"Welcome to Royal Woods General Hospital…" Lincoln read as he stepped under the metal canopy that marked the entrance. Despite the small attempt to lighten the mood, the sign did nothing to ease the harsh chill he felt. Instead, he took a breath and stepped forward, entering the building.
For most, this hospital was just that, another place for the sick to get better and for some poor souls to wait out their final moments, hopefully in as little pain as possible. Yet, to those who's loved one's rested here, it was a machine of torment- a place where uncertainties abounded and time seemed to hold still.
And to Lincoln, this place felt like the latter. His gaze couldn't seem to focus on anything as he moved along, making his way through the brightly lit and sterile white halls of the building, on his way to a small room set aside just for a certain young girl.
"Hey Lola," He greeted, hoping to elicit some sort of response, only to be met by the whirring of the machines strapped to her to keep her stable.
He sighed. "Figures… why'd I even come here? She's not gonna wake up…" He stared at his sister, his eyes glossing over her soft features, seemingly locked in time right before him. "Why does she wanna do what you did?" He looked away. "I don't want her getting hurt like you did…"
He closed his eyes and focused, hoping to receive a response, anything to tell him what her opinion would be.
Yet, he received nothing.
"I don't know why I came here," He let out a breath in defeat. "The only thing here are the consequences of my carelessness."
"Thank you for helping me read, Lincoln! You're the best brother ever!" He snapped back to reality. "I'm sorry…"
With that, he turned, allowing a certain young girl to come into view.
"Hey Lincoln," Her voice was meek, no doubt filled with nervousness.
Lincoln narrowed his eyes at the young girl, his voice filling with annoyance. "What are you doing here, Lana?"
"Well, uhh," She rubbed the back of her head. "Can't a girl come visit her twin while she's in the hospital?"
"You know that's not what I meant," He sighed and shook his head. "Shouldn't you be home practicing or something?"
She paused, before raising her finger and opening her mouth.
"The answer is still no," He shook his head.
"But why, Lincoln?!" She outstretched her arms in desperation. "You always help! I know that I'm not Lola, and the last time we did this was to win some Dairyland Tickets…"
"It's not that," He cut her off, shaking his head as he did so.
"Then why are you refusing to help me?" Her voice heated up, filling with uncertainty. "Everyone else is helping me! Lori, Leni, Lynn, Lisa, even mom! But you… you're the only one who said no…"
The boy paused, his gaze softening, before he turned and motioned towards the bed. "She's why."
"B-but Lincoln! I'm sure Lola wouldn't mind! This is to wake her up after all!"
"She didn't get what I meant…" He sighed. Lana and Lola always needed things to be broken down for them to understand. He never faulted them for it though, after all, the same needed to be done for him at that age.
And so, he shook his head. "Lana, I don't want you getting hurt like Lola did."
"But I'll be careful!" She leaned forward, trying to prod him to change his mind.
"The life you're going into has danger in it," He glanced at Lana. "Did Lola ever tell you what she had to do to make sure she would be able to even participate?"
"She tried," Lana scratched the back of her head. "But, I never paid much attention to it…"
"You got Lindsey to help you, right?" He asked, eliciting a nod from the girl. "Lola would have to defuse every single trap she set up, just to be able to compete. Many of which coul've put her out of commission for months!" he mentally kicked himself. "And I just let her deal with them on her own!"
"Lincoln, I'll be careful! Really!"
"How?" He glared into her eyes. "Over the years, Lola made countless enemies, and because you'll be competing as her, their anger and hatred will come for you!" He turned away and shook his head. "They'll see you as another one of them and won't hold their punches!
Lana hesitated at that. Truth be told, she never really considered the other contestants in her plan. She was supposed to beat them in order to wake Lola up, but how? Even with the best training in the world, these girls were crafty, they've had to compete in tough conditions for years! And she, whether or not she wanted to admit it, simply was nowhere near their level.
"Lana, I don't want to help you because I'd never forgive myself if you got hurt," He turned and looked into Lana's eyes with a begging gaze. "Lola was a part of this all. As clean as she made herself out to be, she wasn't afraid to get her hands dirty," He shook his head. "And now look at where she is?" He turned and shook his head. "I should've stopped her. I should've stopped her…"
For a moment, the duo fell silent, Lana unsure of how to answer her brother.
Slowly, the young boy approached the young girl and gripped her hand. "I'm sorry Lola…"
"Lincoln…"
"Lana, why do you think that Lola's gonna wake up soon?"
"I don't, it's just, I feel like she is- that soon, she's gonna jump out of that bed and wonder why we haven't been sleeping by her side while she's recovering.
"Oh…" Lincoln sighed. "She isn't from what Lisa said…"
"Look, I know the life Lola lived was full of hard work and stuff, but I have to win, it's the only way I'm sure she'll wake up!" She helped her arm. "Asking for everyone's help made me realize just how much you all were hurting," Her eyes filled with determination. "I want to help them all, I'll do anything!"
Lincoln hesitated, before sighing. "I don't want you to get hurt."
"I know, but I'm serious about this. I'm gonna wake her up!"
"Knowing Lana, she won't give up…" The words echoed through her mind, causing him to sigh. He knew what Lana was like. When she set her mind to something, very little could stop her, and from what he could tell, she was determined to get his help. "I need a minute."
For a moment, Lana wanted to ask, "Why?" Yet, something urged her against it, prompting her to instead nod in reply, before stepping out of the room, leaving Lincoln alone with her twin.
"What would you want me to do?" He whispered. "I don't want Lana getting hurt like you did, but if she goes on like this, she just might…"
He looked into her closed eyes. Even when comatose, she looked her best. Lincoln couldn't help, but chuckle at the idea. "What should I do?"
"Up to you, Lincoln," A soft voice filled his ears. And when he closed his eyes, he saw her again, clad in the same pink dress she always wore.
"But if I do, she's gonna het hurt!" he looked away, uncertainty filling his thoughts.
Lola chuckled, before stepping over to him. "Lincoln, you know Lana's not gonna give up. She's got everyone else to help her too! Really, what you should be asking is whether or not you wanna be involved with what comes next," She smiled and brushed her hair aside. "Lana will eventually forgive you if you still say no."
With that, Lincoln let out a breath. Everything she said was true, now all that was left, was for him to make his choice.
"One more thing…" Lola whispered.
Lincoln leaned forward.
"Thank you for helping me learn how to read, I love you!"
With that, Lincoln slowly opened his eyes. "I love you too, Lola," With that, his gaze faulted, glossing over his comatose sister's features once more, before going. "Lana, I know you're there."
"I'm sorry, Lincoln…" A tiny voice replied.
Slowly, he turned and stepped over to his sister. "Let's go home, I'm done here."
"Will you help me?" Lana asked, hope filling her voice.
And in response, Lincoln simply nodded.
9-20 12-15-15-11-19 12-9-11-5 5-22-5-18-25 9-19 18-5-1-4-25 20-15 23-9-14, 2-21-20 23-9-12-12 12-15-12-1 13-9-14-4 20-8-5 19-20-1-14-4 9-14 20-8-9-19 20-9-13-5
A/N And there we go! Chapter 15 is done! I hope you guys enjoyed! Heads up, I'm probably not gonna be updating in 2 weeks due to the fact that the update day comes after the day I'm scheduled to take my MCAT exam.
Anyways, as always, feel free to read, review and leave ideas! I always consider the ideas I receive!
Song Used: "Rise Up" By TheFatRat
