A/N Hey guys! We're almost there! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
R&R!
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Riding Along
After that the days seemed to blur together. School resumed, while the Loud family picked back up. The days slowly grew longer as the flowers began to bloom once more.
Spring was upon them, and as such, the Louds partook in something they did yearly: clean up their home.
So, Lana carried her little bucket up to her room, taking a soft breath as she did so. "All right, you can do this! You can do this!" Her heart pounded. This was something she did every year! There was nothing to worry about, right?"
Yet, as she stepped into her room… she shuddered. Her eyes brushed against the paintings she had left untouched since that day. "I can do this, I can do this," She repeated, her steps closer were slow and labored. "Lola would want me to keep her room clean. I know that… but she wouldn't want me to clean it the way I do…" She stopped short of the bed. "I have to do this. It's spring, you're supposed to clean in spring, right?"
She hesitated and turned around. "No, I can't do this!"
"Hey Lana, need help?"
The young girl looked up, only to find Lori, standing in the doorway with a bucket and a roll of paper towels in hand.
"Huh? No… I was…" Her voice trailed off.
Slowly, the young woman approached her little sister. "Hey, it's all right, I get it," Before she turned her around. "I know it's hard, but we'll get through it together."
"Right," She let out a breath. "But… what if she doesn't like what I do?"
Lori ran her hand through her little sister's hair. "Lana, you and I both know that Lola doesn't care about how you clean it, as long as you're careful and make sure to give her a good angle when you hang it back up.
"Yeah…" She rubbed her arm. "But what if I mess up?"
The young woman chuckled, before turning the young girl around. "Don't worry, I'll make sure you don't," before she nudged her forward. In reply, the younger girl took and breath and grabbed a set of paper towels, wetting them in the bucket of water, before climbing on the bed. "It's as soft as I remember it to be…"
She closed her eyes, the memories of all the nights they shared together rushing forward. It wasn't uncommon for her to have bad dreams, and though she knew her twin didn't enjoy the late-night intrusions, she always gave her comfort from the darkness that shrouded her mind.
"Easy now," Lori whispered, as she pushed Lana along, placing her arm over her to direct her little sister.
Lana slowly placed the rag on the first photo. A simple one that just had her standing up straight and smiling into the camera. She carefully pushed the dust off, revealing that sparkling smile she always showed off during her pageants, before she wiped its wooden edges clean. "Just like that."
"Good Lana, now the next," Lori spoke in a soothing voice, urging Lana to continue despite her ever-shaking hands.
And so, she took a breath and complied. Next to the first was her favorite, with her giving off some duck lips while throwing a pose. "Heh, not gonna lie, I always thought she looked stupid like that…" she couldn't help, but chuckle the thought, before taking another breath. "Focus, you can do this! You can do this!"
Her heart raced as she eased her hand over its dust-covered surface. "Not too hard, just enough… and done!"
"See? Nothing to it," The young woman nudged the younger girl. "She'd be happy that you finally got around to cleaning her half of the room," Before she turned around. "Though, I'm more surprised that your side doesn't look like it needs more cleaning than hers."
"It's nothing… I just wanted to make sure she'd be comfortable when she woke up," She hopped to her feet and reached up, taking another painting and getting to work on it.
Lori turned and stepped over, collecting what little dirt remained on her bed, before turning back to the young girl. "Still… not gonna lie, it looks like you really don't have to clean up your room at all…"
"That's because Lola always kept her room tidy… it was me who was the messy one…"
"How about we head out for a bit?" Lori continued. "I already finished my chores anyways."
Lana raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "Err… ok? But where though?"
In response, Lori flashed a smile. "Don't worry about it, let's go get this room tidied up and I'll surprise ya."
Lana nodded. "Ok…" Before the duo turned and got back to work.
A Few Minutes Later…
And soon enough, the duo were in Vanzilla riding down the same familiar roads of their home town, just as they had done countless times before.
"So… what brought this on?" The young girl tilted her head in confusion. "Not that I'm complaining, but I just… I wanna know what's up."
Lori chuckled and glanced back at her sister. "Like I said, it's a surprise. Don't worry it'll be fun," She returned her gaze to the road. "I've seen how you've been the past month or so. You've been… well improving."
Lana shrugged. "I guess," before reaching her hand back, tugging on her red ribbon, the fabric now twisted into a bow. "After all, I wanna make sure Lola has a home to come back to. That way it'll be like she never left!"
"Anyways, I wanted to have some fun with ya," She put on a soft smile, before she pulled the car up to a certain store. It wasn't much, but from the weird bear-fish-mouse thing in the sign, it was no doubt Fantasy Pizza Land!
She tilted her head in confusion. "Uhh… what?"
The young woman stepped out. "Come on, I've got the day off from work so I'm pretty sure that my boss isn't gonna try to get me to work," She snickered and tied her fingers. "Fingers crossed!" Before she lead the way in.
The inside was what one would expect from a place like it. With the place divided into an arcade and a dining section. Lana couldn't help, but chuckle at the random fluids that seemed to stain the ground. "Heh… weird." Nearby, random children played, enjoying the seemingly random amenities set forth for them.
"Ready?" Lori nudged her little sister with a smile.
"Uhh… sure I guess…" Lana shrugged, Before her big sister took her hand and tugged, leading her through the maze of games and over to a console with two sets of joysticks and AB buttons. "A fighting game?"
"Sure," The older girl shrugged. "It could be fun after all."
For a moment, Lana paused at the idea. "Why's Lori doing this? Aren't we supposed to be helping out around the house? I don't even think I finished fixing up Lola's half of the room…" Yet, when she looked up, she saw the soft, welcoming gaze of her big sister, urging her to play along. And so, she shrugged and pushed up to reach the controls.
A moment later, she picked her fighter, what appeared to be a princess in a pink dress and with blonde hair. "Huh… Princess Mango?"
"Heh, course you'd pick her," The young woman chuckled. "She's a feisty one. Always fighting off the weird turtle guy that tries to kidnap her and saving her boyfriend plumber all the time."
Lana glanced away, before shaking her head, while Lori picked her own fighter, a weird man with huge fists. "Punchie McPunchFace!"
With that, they burst forward and fought, the princess easily dodging Punchies' punches, before countering with her parasol. "Ha!" The younger girl chuckled a bit. "It's just like how Lola used to fight when given the chance. She never did wanna ruin her perfect manicures."
"Not bad Lans, but not enough!" Lori then jumped up and bearded down, trying to slam into the princess, yet, Mango easily defended herself, before bearing her claws and swinging, slicing at Punchies' arms, forcing him back.
THen, before Lori could respond, Lana mashed her buttons, causing Mango to pull out her parasol and aim, unleashing a beam of light that obliterated the man.
Mango Wins!
"Yay!" Lana cheered. "I won! I did it!"
Lori smiled and laughed. "Haha, yeah, I didn't see that coming!" Before she ran her hand through her sister's hair. "Good job sis."
After that, the younger girl paused. Truth be told, she was happy. She thought Lori would fight harder! And yet… she couldn't help, but feel a bit… off about it. Why was she doing all of this? What was the point of dragging her out and having her play these games? She wasn't complaining, but why?
And so, she took a breath and looked up. "Hey… Lori."
"Yeah?" The young woman asked.
"What's going on?"
She raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "What are you talking about?"
Lana looked into Lori's eyes, begging her not to try and hide the truth. "Please, I wanna know what's going on."
She took a breath. "I wanted to spend time with you is all," She squatted down and pushed her chin up. "Lana, ever since the accident, you've been feeling down, and then after the pageant, you just locked yourself in your room. But lately, you've been making everyone happy. I know it's not much, but things are starting to pick up again."
The young girl shrugged. "It wasn't much," before she reached back and tugged at the ribbon once more. "I wanted Lola to have the best home to come back to," She sighed. "Yeah, I know that she's not gonna be back for a while, but… that doesn't mean I can just give up!"
"Heh, well, given our family now, I think you've done a good job," She gave her a nod, before standing up straight. "Wanna play another game?"
Lana nodded. "Sure," before Lori took her hand and led her off.
A Few Hours Later…
Eventually, the duo took their arcade prizes and hopped back in the family van, before driving off. They weren't bringing home much- just a stuffed bear with a pink bow on its head, but that was more than enough for Lana.
"You think Lola's gonna like it?" She asked, giving the stuffed animal a pat on the head.
"Course," Lori chuckled. "Remember, she always said she wanted to give Mr. Bear a boyfriend, but never knew where to get one for him."
"Heh, true, true."
With that, silence overtook the van as Lori drove deeper into the town, making her way towards a certain restaurant.
"Hey, Lana…" She spoke up.
"Yeah?"
"Mind telling me something?" She continued, glancing back at her as she did so. "I know you wanna make sure Lola will be happy when she gets back… but what about you?"
Lana tilted her head in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"You've done a lot, I know. I can see it in their eyes. It's been a while since I've seen Luan pun like that before, or seen your friends come by on a regular basis. You've done a lot to bring their spirits up."
"Because that's what Lola would've wanted."
"But what about you?" She turned and pulled into a certain parking lot, before turning around and leaning on her chair.
For a moment, she tried to answer. But what could see she say? She had done everything for Lola, she had pushed herself to learn a skill she cared little for, brought everyone hope and yet… she could only answer. "I guess I'm fine now…"
Lori leaned forward and offered her hand to her sister. "Lana, I think it's your turn."
"For what?"
With that, the young woman stepped out and helped her sister onto her feet, before taking her hand. "Time to bring back a part of you that you've been putting off." Before she tugged, leading her towards a damp patch of grass. When she was younger, springtime was her favorite for one reason, and one reason alone.
Certain puddles of brown semi-liquid would form everywhere, and this year was no different.
With that, they stood before the mud puddle, its brown liquid clean and ready for someone to enjoy.
"But… I'll be dirty…" She whispered.
In response, Lori squatted down and looked into her eyes. "Lana, since when have you been the bastion of cleanliness," She cracked a smile. "I know Lola never really liked it when you tracked mud into your room, and that dress…" She held her shoulder. "But she'd never want you to give up being you."
"But… I cause so much trouble! She's in her coma because I had to mess up her dress in the first place!"
Lori shook her head. "Lola was angry when you did that, but she still loved you." She then squatted down and looked into the younger girl's eyes. "I have no doubt in my mind that she would want you to stay you, and to play in the mud like you always did."
With that, Lana gripped Lori's hand and took a breath. "But… what if she comes back? I'm gonna have to stay clean just for her!"
"Then you will," The young woman continued. "But, if you're gonna help her recover, then you're gonna need to be yourself," She stood up. "After all, how's Lola supposed to go back to normal if her own twin tries to be someone else for her sake?"
Lana thought through her words. It was true. She had done everything she could for Lola, making her family happy so that everything would be cheerful when she came back. And yet, she never truly considered what she would have to do! "Lori's right. Lola will want the real me."
She took a breath and stepped forward. "Lori… can you… go with me."
The young woman nodded. "Of course Sis." Before taking her hand and entering the puddle together. Lana could feel the cold liquid overtake her feet as she sat down in it. Her heart began to race as waves of nostalgia began to overtake her. She found herself lying down in the mud, before waving her arms, getting herself covered in the substance.
Lori, couldn't help, but chuckle, before she slashed her.
"Hey!" Lana quickly rushed to her feet and splashed back, covering her big sister in mud.
"Heh, ok, you win," She laughed as she wiped herself off.
"Aww, but we just started!" Lana pouted.
"I know, I know," she stood up. "But after all, mud was always your thing," She smiled, and offered a hand. "And plus, there's one more thing I wanna show ya."
"Oh?" The younger girl went as her big sister helped her up and turned her to the restaurant. "Dad closed early?"
She nodded and pushed. "Yeah, for one reason."
And a moment later, they pushed the doors open, revealing the rest of the family crowded around, with pink and blue balloons floating everywhere, the lights bright and lit, while a cake and a few presents stood in the middle of it all.
"Surprise!" They shouted.
Lana's eyes went wide. "W-what?!"
Lori smiled. "The reason I decided to take you out today wasn't just to help you out," She ran her hands through her sister's muddy locks. "It's because we saw how happy you've become and well, we wanted to make up for your birthday."
"So we all pitched in to have another one, right here." Lincoln continued, smiling at his sister, while Lynn held up a gift. "Yeah! Come on! I know you'll love this!"
Lynn Sr. Then stepped forward and took a knee in front of his daughter. "Lana… I know it's been hard dealing with Lola being… well gone. But I want you to be happy until she returns."
Lucy then appeared at her side. "Now, let's eat cake, it's strawberry."
Lana couldn't help, but crack a smile. "Lola's favorite," She fought off tears as she nodded. "Thanks you guys. Thanks."
"Enough talkin'!" Luan shouted, before beginning to juggle. "It's time to party!"
And with that, the family went to work, having fun and making up for a party seemingly forgotten in the clouded days of the lost.
A Few Hours Later…
After that, they returned home. The atmosphere was lively, with the Louds rushing out of the van to return home. "Thanks you guys!" Lana made sure to shout, as she lagged behind the crowd.
"You comin'?" Lincoln looked back at his little sister. "The new maps for that trash game came out!"
Yet, she waved him off. "It's fine, Link, I'll catch up!"
He shrugged. "All right, suit yourself!" Before he went inside, along with the rest of their family.
She stood by for a moment, before smiling and letting out a breath. She looked to her left, taking in the spot where she had asked for a bath months prior, before softening her gaze. "Lori's right, Lola would want me to be myself." She then stepped forward, walking along the side of he house as she made her way towards the backyard.
She soon found herself leaning back, against the tree, just as she had done countless times prior, before she looked up, towards the star-filled sky. "I know life is gonna be hard without you Lola… but just know, I'll manage. And I'll make sure that you have a life worth coming back to."
With that, she hummed a familiar tune, before reaching back and clutching the ribbon once more. "I promise I'll never stop loving you, sis. You're my best friend. And nothing will ever change that."
She soon found herself growing drowsy, her eyes urging her to embrace the softness of sleep. In reply, she placed her hand in a small pond of mud, allowing her to feel the soft sensation she had deprived herself off once more, before she leaned back and allowed herself to doze off.
"I love you Lola, now all I have to do is wait for you to come back to me."
2-5-7-9-14-14-9-14-7 1-14-4 5-14-4 12-1-14-1 1-12-23-1-25-19 19-23-9-13-19 9-14 20-8-5 13-21-4
A/N Man, I can't believe we're so close to the end, but here we are. Only 1 chapter remains before this story's over! I hope you guys enjoyed so far!
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