This is a one shot I've been wanting to do about one of my Loud House OC's, Courtney. Hope you all enjoy it.
A loud knocking noise echoed through the small dismal bedroom. "Get up! It's your first day of school! You had better not miss the bus cause I don't want to be looking after you all day! You hear me Courtney!?" Shouted an angry voice.
In a pile of blankets on the floor, a groggy, messy haired 12 year old girl sat up. "I'm coming." She said. Courtney hasn't had an easy life. When she was 10, she lost her mother in a shipwreck and was placed in a foster care center. On her twelfth birthday, a man named Kevin took her in. Courtney thought things were going to change for the better, but she was dead wrong. While Kevin did have enough money to pay his bills, he purposely used the money given to him for caring for Courtney for his own personal worth. Barely giving anything to Courtney.
Soon, Courtney was dressed in a baggy green T-shirt, worn blue shorts, rolled up black socks, and scuffed up sneakers. Kevin never gave her anything new to wear. Not even in her size. She grabbed her backpack and headed for the door, wanting to leave as soon as possible. Before she could get outside, Kevin got in front of her. "You forgot your breakfast." He tossed a single banana at her. "And remember, you try to say anything, you're not gonna like how I'll feel when you get back." Courtney gulped and headed outside to wait for the bus.
Courtney's stomach growled. She hardly got any food and was constantly hungry. "I just want a real home." She thought sadly. A few minutes later, the school bus arrived and Courtney climbed aboard.
She found an empty seat on the right side of the bus. Everyone looked at her as if she had something growing out of her ear. Courtney just looked away. As they headed towards the school, they picked up more kids.
Eventually, she heard someone trying to get her attention. "Excuse me?" Courtney turned and saw two boys standing next to her seat. It was Clyde McBride and Lincoln Loud. "You ok?" Asked Clyde. Courtney shook her head. "I'm Clyde by the way. And this is my best friend Lincoln. We wanted to check to see if you were ok." Said Clyde. "I'm ok. I'm just hungry. I didn't eat much before I left home." Explained Courtney.
Clyde then reached into his backpack and pulled out some cookies. "Here. You need them more than I do." Courtney had never seen anyone be so nice to her. She looked at Clyde and smiled. "Thank you. My name's Courtney. It's nice to meet you two." Courtney invited them to sit with her for the rest of the way.
When they arrived at school, Clyde, Lincoln, and Courtney disembarked and were just heading inside when she suddenly got a call on her phone. It was Kevin.
Courtney nervously answered. "Hello?" "I told you to clean your room before you left!" Kevin was shouting so loudly Courtney had to move the phone away from her ear. "But I don't have a dresser or a closet to put my stuff in." "That's not an excuse! Get your stuff cleaned up by 5 or you're sleeping in the garage!" And with that, Kevin hung up.
Courtney looked back at Lincoln and Clyde. The two boys immediately knew something was wrong. "Courtney, is everything ok?" Asked Lincoln. Courtney wanted to tell them, she really did, but she was worried about what Kevin would do to her if he found out. "I gotta go." And Courtney quickly ran inside. Lincoln and Clyde looked at each other in concern.
"Something's wrong. I just know it." Said Lincoln. "What should we do?" Asked Clyde. "Well, Mrs. Salter said a new student was coming to your first period class. Courtney must be the one she was talking about. Try talking to her. Just don't pressure her." Replied Lincoln. "Will do buddy." And the two friends parted ways.
In first period, Clyde waited for the right moment to talk to Courtney. Soon, Courtney asked if she could use the bathroom. And Clyde asked if he could use the water fountain. In the hallway, the water fountain was right next to the bathrooms. As he watched Courtney enter, he approached the water fountain and a sound got his attention. He leaned closer to the doors and realized it was the sound of crying.
Clyde knocked on the girls door. "Courtney? Are you ok?" Asked Clyde. But there was no reply. Now Clyde was sure the problem was worse than he thought. He began thinking back to his sessions with Dr. Lopez to find the right approach. "It's ok, you don't have to be afraid. You can trust me." That did the trick. Courtney opened the door and Clyde was surprised to see the look on Courtney's face. Her eyes were red, she had tears on her face, and she looked absolutely terrified.
Courtney looked at Clyde and knew there was no use lying. Clyde could tell something was wrong. Courtney stepped out of the bathroom and leaned against the wall with her hands over her eyes. "It's my guardian, Kevin. He hates me! He threatens me, he yells constantly at me, he starves me, and he doesn't want me inside when people come over!" Courtney broke down again as she slid down onto the floor. Clyde got down and put his hand on Courtney's shoulder. This was much worse than Clyde had imagined. He had heard about child abuse on the news, but he never thought he'd meet a victim of said abuse.
"Why didn't you tell the police?" Asked Clyde. "Kevin keeps saying if anyone found out, he'd break my collarbone. Or worse." Shivered Courtney. Clyde was aghast. He looked at his new friend. "I'm gonna help you." He said. Courtney looked at him nervously. "You can't! If Kevin found out, he'd-" "Courtney, I'm not just gonna sit here and let you suffer. We're getting you out of that nightmare palace today!" Announced Clyde. Courtney had never met anyone so determined to help her. It made her feel...wanted. Together, they headed back to class.
Clyde and Courtney had agreed to discuss the plan during lunch. As the lunch bell rang, they walked to the cafeteria. "We'll need Lincoln's help. They don't call him "The Man With The Plan" for nothing." Said Clyde. They found Lincoln and told him there was mission to execute.
Clyde and Courtney told Lincoln everything. Lincoln was very surprised. "We have to get Courtney out of that house and away from that guy." Explained Clyde. "How do we do it?" Lincoln was confused. "Why don't we just take off after school and get help? Why would we put Courtney back in that house if she's already out?" Clyde realized this and so did Courtney. "Yeah that makes more sense." "Even though I'm out, it's still going to be dangerous. Kevin's gonna know somethings up if I don't show up on the bus. We'll have to hide somewhere quickly." Lincoln and Clyde pondered the situation. "We'll go to my dad's restaurant. It's only three blocks from here." Suggested Lincoln. Everyone was in agreement. "Let's do it." Said Courtney.
After school, it was time. As soon as the bell rang, Lincoln, Clyde and Courtney all ran. The bus pulled away just as the gang left the campus. "Not much of a head start." Thought Clyde worriedly. Courtney was worried too. "Think we'll make it?" She asked Clyde. "Oh we'll make it!" Said Clyde with determination.
But just as they passed the first block, Courtney's phone rang, but Courtney didn't dare answer it and continued running. A few minutes later, the roar of a car engine filled the air. The three kids looked behind them and saw a silver sports car rapidly approaching! "It's Kevin!!" Screamed Courtney. "Run!" They turned and ran even faster as the car quickly began catching up. "You get back here right now!!" Shouted Kevin, leaning out of his car window. "The grass! Cut through the grass!" Cried Clyde. Clyde led his friends off the sidewalk and into a park. Kevin tried driving around to cut them off, but the road didn't go to the other end of the park. He hit the steering wheel in frustration. "You're not getting away from me that easily."
Tired and worn, Lincoln, Clyde, and Courtney finally arrived at Lynn's Table. Lola and Lynn were there. Lincoln's sisters always loved helping out at the restaurant, though they couldn't all help at once most of the time. They were serving food to a table when they saw the three friends burst into the restaurant. "Woah, you ok? Asked Lynn. "Who's that?" Asked Lola. "There's no time to explain! We gotta hide!" "Hide? Hide from who??" Asked Lynn, even more confused. Suddenly, a shadow fell over the front door. Lincoln looked back and saw Kevin standing there! Panicked, Lincoln pushed himself against the door. "I'll hold him off as long as I can! Get Courtney to safety Clyde!"
Lynn and Lola rushed to help Lincoln as Courtney and Clyde ran to the kitchen. "Who is this guy??" Asked Lola. "It's a long story, but I'll explain if I'm still alive after this!" Cried Lincoln.
Clyde and Courtney ran into the kitchen and hid behind the cooking counter. "Clyde! He found us! I don't want to go back!" Cried Courtney. Clyde looked at Courtney in seriousness. "Courtney, I promise I will not let him take you. As your friend I will keep you safe." Courtney hugged Clyde as she fearfully watched the kitchen door. Clyde knew Lincoln, Lola, and Lynn weren't going to be able to hold him for much longer. And he was worried about what Lynn Sr would say when he got out of the bathroom. Then, he got an idea.
Back in the dining room, Lincoln, Lynn, and Lola continued to hold the door shut. Customers were very concerned and confused. "I know she's in there! Let me in!!" Screamed Kevin. "Go away!" Yelled Lincoln. Lynn Sr then came out of the bathroom and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw three of his kids fending off a grown man. "Kids! What is goi-?!" But before he could finish, Kevin used his leg to kick open the door! Lynn, Lola, and Lincoln went flying backwards into a food trolley! Lynn Sr was shocked.
"Just what do you think you're doing?!" He asked. Kevin shoved him out of the way and approached the three Louds. Seeing Lincoln was with Courtney, he decided to question him. "Where is she?" He growled. Lincoln wasn't giving in. "Your not hurting her anymore. She doesn't deserve the neglect you've given her! Now back off!" Lynn threw some food at him. "And leave us alone!" Lola yelled. Kevin did NOT like being yelled at. "Ok you little brats. You asked for it!!" He was about to grab them when, "STOP IT!" Kevin looked up and saw Courtney standing in the kitchen doorway with Clyde right behind her.
"There you are! Get on the car, we're going home." But Courtney just took Clyde by the hand. "No." She said firmly. "No?" Repeated Kevin. "What, you lose your hearing? I said no!" Shouted Courtney. "My best friend Clyde helped me get the courage to stand up to you. You can't treat me like this anymore!" Kevin stood in front of Courtney. "And what makes you think you can tell me what to do?" "I can't. But they can." Said Courtney, pointing behind him. "hands up! Step away from the children!" Clyde had phoned the police! Kevin was immediately on his knees with his hands over his head. "What'd I do?" He asked. "Excessive speeding in a residential area and threatening children." Said the policeman. "Stop acting like an idiot."
As handcuffs were put on Kevin, another car pulled up. A smartly dressed woman stepped out. "Can I help you?" Asked Lynn Sr. "My name is Mrs. Clarabel. I'm a social worker for Courtney's foster care system. I've been informed that Kevin had been placed under arrest. What happened?" "We can explain everything." Said Clyde. The kids gave Mrs. Clarabel a full explanation about what had happened over the months. Kevin was in shock. "Like you'd actually believe a couple of kids, right?" He asked. Mrs. Clarabel then slapped him hard across the face. "You disgust me. I'm going to personally make sure your behind bars for a LONG time. Get him out of my sight officers." The police then took Kevin away.
"Sorry about the restaurant dad." Said Lincoln. "It's alright sport. I'm proud of you." He replied. "It's Clyde you should be proud of. He was the one who helped Courtney regain her confidence." Explained Lincoln. Clyde smiled. Mrs. Clarabel them approached the kids. "I'll need to take Courtney back to my office. We're going to have to find her another situation." Explained Mrs. Clarabel. "Please, can Clyde come with me? He's my best friend." Pleaded Courtney. Mrs. Clarabel agreed. Courtney said goodbye and thank you to Lincoln, and after Lincoln thanked Clyde for his prompt action, the two got into Mrs. Clarabel's car and left.
At the office, Clyde called his dads and told them what happened. They were relieved to know their son was safe and were proud of him for defending his new friend. Clyde noticed that Courtney looked upset. "What's wrong? You're free now! He's out of your life!" Said Clyde. "I've been in this same place for 2 years and no one wanted me. He only wanted me for money. I've got no one to go to." She sighed. Clyde put his hand on hers. "You've got me." He said. Courtney smiled at that.
At that moment, Mrs. Clarabel appeared. "Courtney, There's two people here to see you." She said warmly. Then, to Clyde's surprise, his dads appeared! "Dads? What's going on?" Asked Clyde. "Sorry for not telling you right away honey, but we wanted to surprise you." Then they turned to Courtney. "Hi Courtney, I'm Harold, and this is my husband Howard. We were wondering if you would want to become part of our little family." Courtney's eyes widened as did Clyde's. They looked at each other in disbelief. "You mean it?" Asked Courtney. "Of course. There's always room in the McBride family." Said Howard kindly.
Courtney jumped in happiness and hugged Clyde. "My best friend is my brother!" She cheered. Clyde was crying tears of joy. He had always wanted a sibling and now, at long last, his wish had finally come true. Harold put Courtney on his shoulders. "C'mon sweetie, let's get you to your new home!" And they happily left the office.
At Clyde's house, Harold and Howard had a surprise for their new daughter. the guest bed had been converted into Courtney's new bedroom. The dresser was filled with brand new outfits and shoes, and new toys were sitting in a toy box. "What do you think?" Asked Harold. Courtney turned and hugged her new dads. "It's beautiful! I love you guys!" "We love you too sweetheart."
Later, Courtney quickly threw on her new clothes and was beyond happy. It felt great to wear something that actually fit perfectly. She and Clyde spent the rest of the day getting to know each other and watching tv together. Lincoln was very happy for his friends and came to visit with his family to congratulate them.
As for Kevin, he was sentenced to a good six years in prison and was forced to pay for the damages he caused to Lynn's Table.
Courtney's life at the McBride's was even better than she could have ever imagined. She got along well with Cleopawtra and Nepurrtiti, and finds Harold and Howard to be very loving. But Courtney found the best part of her new home and her new family was her wonderful new brother, Clyde McBride.
THE END
Hope you enjoyed my first OC one shot.