Rita kept her big smile on her face. Sure, she had hoped it would happen, but she could hardly believe it: Lars had sought Linka for help. It was mind blowing. Especially since Linka wasn't the type of person who would teach someone for free or stop to consider her own words when doing so.
She turned around and spotted Loni skipping to her. Aww, Loni was always chipper and energetic. She sometimes wondered how he was almost always in a good mood. Even when it got childish, Rita wished her sons, especially the older boys, could be like that.
"Good morning, Loni. What are you up to, sweetie?"
"Hi there! I am looking for Mom! Where is she?" Loni asked with his eyes blinking so fast the mother barely saw them.
"Um... You mean me? I am right here." Rita raised her eyebrow.
"I got a incrediamazing idea! Let's take Linka to the mall to go shopping!"
She never understood why Loni has a tendency to combine words with similar meanings together. She knew it's another tick but still wondered the reasons behind them. Sounding keener or being a teenager?
"Are you sure, Loni? Linka isn't... the girly type. And she has good reasons." Rita pointed out.
"Like, yeah! But she should have back up clothes for fashion emergencies. Any girl needs clothes that are in style! Besides, she can't keep on with just our hand-me-downs: what if she gets to ask out to prom or to be a plus one at someone's wedding? She needs to be prepared."
"Fashion emergencies?" Rita repeated, and she wasn't sure Loni understood Linka had to wear used clothes because she didn't have the money to buy them. Let alone keep them clean. "Well, I am sure that's not a bad idea." She remarked before following her son to the living room.
They weren't noticeable at first glance, but Rita saw them now as she peered at Linka from the corner of her eye. Linka's body was getting close to having a normal amount of fat with no puffy jackets or thick clothing. She didn't seem as malnourished: She was Skinny but not skeletal. Her now cleaner hair was getting softer and thicker. Plus, with no dirt on her face, Linka's skin color became the same shade as the boys, with her freckles more visible.
Seeing Linka looking less like a street child had bought back Rita's smile. She was changing not only emotionally, but also physically. The possibility was feeling closer to her every day! This bought up jingles in her stomach, as she imagined other ways she could make Linka look more girly. Now Rita was even more excited about taking her to the mall, despite knowing fully well that Linka would hate the idea.
"Awww! she's looks so cute when she sleeps!" Loni gushed in a low voice. Rita had to agree with him. " I, like, wonder how I should wake her up." Loni commented as he looked around.
Usually, he takes hours to come up with a simple solution. But he spotted a feather on the couch and picked it up. He rubbed his chin for a bit until his eyes shined as beamed.
Rita realized what's he about to do and tried to speak, "Loni? I don't think it's a good idea to..."
Too late. Loni picked the feather up and tickled into Linka's nose. Her nose twitched, and she moved around. But it only prompted Loni to tickle the feather deeper. Until her body froze, and she woke up in a flash before narrowing her eyes. She jumped off from the couch and slapped the feather off Loni's hand by reflex.
"Loni! What the hell!?" Linka yelled as she rubbed her nose.
"Shut up there! I am trying to sleep!" Lynn Jr. yelled from his room.
"Get your things ready. We are going to the mall." Loni declared.
Linka stared at the teen, "The mall? Why?"
"You totes need a new style. Try some amazing clothes and find out what works for you!"
"Wait, you want me in that crowded place? Full of stupid things and girly clothes that cost more than this house?"
"Exactly!" Loni exclaimed, even though he didn't see Linka's blatant babbling to get him to forget about the idea.
"No way! Not in a hundred... Thousand... What's goes after 'Thousand'?"
"Million? 6 zeros, and 100 1,000s?" Rita filled in.
"Yes that. Never knew there is a number above one thousand." Linka blushed.
"Wait, zero? Zero? There's like more numbers after 100?" Loni repeated with his finger on his chin.
"Anyway, you get the point!" Linka facepalmed.
"It's doesn't seem like a bad idea." Rita shrugged, as she couldn't find any more convincing words.
"What?" Linka blinked several times, and it took her a couple seconds to realize Rita was going by Loni's side.
"Wait, why are they trying to convince me to do this? Are they trying to transform me into a girl again?"
Linka wanted to run away. Never see them again. But she remembered last time her paranoia got better of her. Resulted in a chase across the town and a slap. Plus, the week wasn't over and the fluid's still in effect.
"You agree too? Come on! You should know I'm not into that! We have known each other for two weeks already."
Rita smirked, as Linka doesn't realize the implications behind her words. Yes, she had been around long enough for them to know her preferences. Just like her knowing her sons' likes and dislikes.
"Yes. This could be fun." Rita answered with a playful smirk.
"Iiiiiii! Let's go!" Loni squealed as he skipped to the Vanzilla.
"So I am going with him? To let him torture me?" Linka asked.
"Well, Loni wants to help you get in touch with your feminine side." Rita explained, as she hoped being direct in their motives can help convince Linka to go. No sugary words, especially if Linka doesn't use them herself.
"Oh really? Give me one good reason to believe this isn't the worst idea in the entire world." Linka snapped.
"Sure: The only girly clothes here are my old ones. I can sew to make them fit you." Rita smirked.
Linka cringed, with her skin a little white as she stepped away from the mother, "... I take it back. Let's go." Linka grumbled.
Rita laughed, even though she doesn't like how somewhat inappropriate that was.
"Yes, and no pick-pocketing. I am going to keep an eye on you." Rita warned with a smile. Linka groaned but nodded.
"Ewww! Putting an eye on someone is gross! Who would do that?" Loni shuddered from the distance.
Linka and Rita turned to Loni and said nothing. Linka raised her eyebrow and shook her head with groaning. She hardly believed Loni could be that stupid. It's a wonder he's in high school when he seems to have a preschooler's mind. Rita had gotten used to his son's dumb moments, but gave Linka an apologetic smile. The street child only rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"It's an expression, Loni. Let's go then." Rita kept a smile.
"YAY! Let's go!" Loni squealed as he skipped to the Vanzilla.
"Shut up! We are still sleeping!" Lynn Jr. yelled again from his room.
"What did I get myself into?" Linka thought, facepalming. Rita saw this and gently patted her back. So gently, Linka almost didn't notice it. But the street child found it surprising she didn't feel the urge to slap it away.
Linka tried to walk as normally as she could and kept her pace with the two Louds. Not that she's planning on stealing anything. She doesn't any trouble. The mall ruined the mood, anyway. She was glad to feel that way: Pickpocketing was becoming a hard habit to break. She even did it without realizing. But her hands thankfully weren't itching to go into those clueless shoppers' purses.
Loni was jumping around from one store to another. Sometimes to the point Linka wondered how he wasn't floating up. The two girls almost ended up running to catch his pace. And Rita had to yell for him to slow down.
Rita noticed Linka was staying in between them the entire time. She figured the street child had been here plenty of times before and was trying to avoid getting recognized. So Rita allowed her to walk like that. Besides, she can watch over her with little trouble.
"Oh man! So many places to choose!" Loni did a dramatic hand gesture on his face.
"Loni, please slow down. Neither of us can run as fast as you when you're shopping." Rita called over again.
"How could he even suggest taking ME to mall?" Linka whined as she rolled her eyes up to the ceiling.
"Linka, I know the mall isn't your favorite place to go, but you're stuck with us now. Plus, being at the house alone with me got you bored." Rita said.
"Oh Yeah, and how many times have you gone out to anywhere, besides the supermarket and your boys favorite places?" Linka asked with an unamused expression.
Rita stood silent, as she couldn't find any words to convince the street child. Cheap words like 'give it a try' or 'it's fun' won't work on someone like Linka. The mother will see how things go. As long as Loni doesn't torture the poor girl into wearing a countless amount of clothing and turn her into... Well, a mess.
"I got ideas! Like, how about we go to Reininger's and then the Royal Salon?"
"Why going shopping for clothes?" Linka asked, as she noticed they were walking away from the boys' stores. She was no expert in mall zones, but she swore Loni was taking her to the more girls stores.
"Wow your hair is like very shaggy! Kinda looks like the hair of that guy with the talking dog who always goes on mystery trips with their friends! You could use some trimming."
"Uh, I can barely wash it, let alone have a proper bath. Of course, my hair would be shaggy."
"Every fashionista knows getting trims will ..." Loni started rambling.
"I think she gets the point, Loni dear." Rita interrupted.
"Sorry Mom. Still, like, you have some there are areas of your hair that are far too short, areas where it's too thick and areas where it needs trimming…especially the top of your head wich kinda looks like a lion's mane! You should find a better hairstylist to do your hair."
Loni folded his arms in a professional style, as in pride that he was explaining something he is an expert at. But his explanation was met with mild confusion by Rita and Linka, who honestly didn't think Linka's hair looked that bad. Linka stretched a part of her side hair in front of her eye to examine it.
"I guess I am not good at cutting hair, but do I have to?"
"Of course!" Loni exclaimed.
"Well... Suppose a few trims wouldn't hurt..." Linka didn't have time to finish as she felt Loni's hand on her shoulder as he directed her
The street child remained silent as she stared at the hair salon. Unlike the dull one, it was full of colors. With rather sharp black and white stripes as it front. It brings back memories of how she cut her hair to declare herself as Lincoln. There's still aches on her head from time to time. It's a wonder how she hadn't thought of using scissors instead of her switchblade.
"Do we have to?" she asked again. Linka tried to walk away, but Loni had blocked her without realizing it.
"Please! Pretty please!" Loni begged with puppy ones.
She groaned. Loni was that he is not someone who would give up easily. Obeying was the only option. Not that puppy eyes worked on her... She wouldn't have to give herself another haircut. Sticky used scissors with a bathroom mirror got old.
"Fine, whatever. Let's do it." Linka fake smiled.
"YAY!" Loni squealed before he dragged Linka into the salon.
Unlike the sharp black and white front, inside there's low pink glow. It made her relaxed, despite how she always did her best to step away from everything that was pink. The barber chairs and mirrors remained on the right side. The haircut pictures and equipment on the other.
Linka glanced at the back. But then realized how stupid it is to look for a "used clothes" box. This store was different.
Still, she wondered if there's a used clothes box in the back. And if a street child like her had sneak some themselves. She still doubted any girl would use them as a disguise, even though disguising themselves as boys wasn't an uncommon practice. The street child sat down on a chair close to Loni. She sensed what he will do and didn't want another chattering episode.
"So ready to get like started?" Loni asked as he swiped up a cape. He was so fast it almost looked like a bullfighter.
Loni, in her perspective, was cutting from one edge to another. At such a speed, the street child barely saw the scissors moving around. The street child gave up on trying to make sense of what Loni was doing to her hair. Her eyes became heavier, and she fell asleep.
"Done!" Loni's gleeful snapped Linka awake.
Linka took a deep breath, and slowly opened her eyes, prepared to see a haircut even worse than her own. Because doing something that fast is prone to making mistakes. Terrible mistakes, right? But when she did, her eyes widened. The edges were jagged, with the top being longer. Her bangs remained in the usual right direction whenever she moved it out of her eyes.
"What hairstyle is this?" Linka asked. She turned her head around to examine parts of her hair.
"It's called a pixie haircut! Thought it would like so cute on you!" Loni grinned with his eyes shining.
"And why didn't you cut out this cowlick?" Linka asked when she touched a part of her hair that stood out.
That part was always the hardest for Linka and her mom to cut off. Just another reason for Aaron to beat them. When her hair became dirtier and shaggier, it became harder for her to notice. Besides, it ended up becoming the least of her concerns later on.
"I chose this hairstyle for you because both suits boys and girls! Like, in case you are going to follow girls' trends again! That way you can grow your hair to a girlier style in no time!" Loni grinned.
"Wait, what?" Linka repeated as she turned to the teenager with wide eyes.
"Of course! Is there something like wrong?" Loni blinked.
"No, no. Nothing wrong. It's just I'm not planning on going back to... being a girl." Linka stammered before asking again, "What am I doing here again?"
"You need some new dresses." Loni answered in a matter-of-fact tone, which Linka doesn't hear much from him.
"Aaaaaand why should I care?" Linka snapped.
But no matter how maybe times she tried; The phrase "I give up" wasn't part of Loni's vocabulary.
"Because everyone needs a wardrobe upgrade! Even me."
"You wear the same clothes every day. While I kept changing clothes or wear the same ones for weeks until they either get damaged or are taken away," Linka said the last sentence with a numb mouth.
Loni's smile dropped. He tilted his head to the right, with his eyebrows curling. Linka didn't know how she should respond to the strong eye contact. She could tell if it weren't for his hands being full, Loni would've put it on her shoulder.
"I found the clothes that would be perfect on you." Loni told her as he showed her two pieces of clothing he was holding. But he was speaking in a lower tone than Linka expected him to use.
Linka froze. The clothes Loni showed her were almost exactly the usual clothing she used to wear before the streets. An orange buttoned blouse and a navy-blue plaid skirt, except the latter having no sleeves and the skirt being shorter than what her grandparents would prefer. Linka felt her skin turning almost as white as her hair. Because it was hard not imaging how she would look.
"Why those?" she murmured.
"There's so many options here! It could be the shiny dress. Frilly dress. Lavender dress. Chicken dress. Oh, I wonder how you would look like when you are older!" Loni's eyes shone.
Linka's head started sweating. The street child knew her "Lincoln" disguise wouldn't last forever. Until now, she never thought about it. Sooner or later, it will be harder to maintain it once she hits puberty. That would bring tons of surprised reactions. She just prayed there wouldn't be anyone coming over to her… Especially the shady ones…
"Are you sure I should wear that?" she murmured. Her stomach crawling up in hopes that Loni would just change his mind and forget about the clothes.
"Like, duh! Of course!" Loni exclaimed, but when he looked at Linka's expression, he raised an eyebrow.
The street took the clothing, though her hands were shaking. She took a shallow breath and walked in. Not before looking at Rita and Loni. The fashionista clapped, jumping up and down. Rita rolled her eyes playfully and gave her an encouraging nod.
Linka looked around for escape. But there were no exists. Linka can't climb and crawl through the vents. Or find a back door. Not without Loni and Rita noticing how long she was gone.
The street child took a deep breath and removed the jacket she was wearing. This would not be fun! She just hoped her old enemies never saw her in this. As much as she wished she could run, there's no escape for her.
"Is Linka still in the changing room?" Rita asked as she looked up from her phone. Loni was pacing around with a huge grin. Not even the magazines and the nail polish could calm him down.
"Like, I totes bet she will look like most beautiful girl in the world!"
"Well, pretty sure she will." Rita murmured with a smile. The idea of a child who lived in the streets instantly becoming gorgeous made Rita a raise an eyebrow.
The two heard creaking and soft steps, as in made by someone who is barefoot. They turned around but saw nobody. Only the door creaking out, and a shadow outside of it.
"Come on, Linka. You can come out. Don't be shy." Loni said in a babyish tone.
But Rita sensed that would never convince Linka to show herself. Who enjoys being talked to in that way? She imagined her adopted daughter becoming a tomboy and occasionally being forced to put on a dress. And reacting with displeasure. The idea of the adopted girl not becoming a tomboy sounded impossible when you will live with ten boys.
"You don't have to come out. It can be only for a... dress up."
They heard groaning and then... Linka finally came out. There she was… wearing the cloths… The street child has an red face. Gritting his teeth so hard it's wonder there was no blood coming out.
"OM-Gosh! You looked so beautiful! iiii!" Loni jumped up and down while clapping so hard they echoed across the mall.
"I do?" Linka blushed with a growl. She already imagined the boys eyeing her like this and laughing so much she ends up dying from shame.
"Wow, my. You do look incredible." Rita clapped more lightly before the girls spotted Loni coming back in with a mirror in his hands.
"Just leave me alone." Linka grumbled.
Linka froze when she looked at her reflection. She already knew it, but seeing it right in front of her... She... looks like a girl again. It's been so long since she last looked like a girl. Now here she was, dressing like one. After six months of not giving a care about her appearance, aside from the occasional haircut and new clothes. She never thought she would ever look like this again since taking on her "Lincoln" disguise.
"I am rather surprised... you didn't put me in pink." Linka grumbled again as she lifted up her skirt a little to look at it with displeasure.
"At least he didn't turn her into a pile of clothing." Rita thought.
"You wore an orange T-shirt on like a few occasions! I thought you totes love the color. It looks good on you!"
"Can't be the same for fading orange." Linka thought.
The clothes didn't thrill the street child, now that the sight of her looking like a girl again doesn't scare her anymore. But she has to admit she doesn't hate them either. Wait, what is going on with her? Why was she thinking this after she worked so hard to make sure everyone saw her as a boy?
"So, are you actually going to buy those? It's might not be worth all that money..." nonetheless Linka tried to discourage Loni so she wouldn't keep those.
Before she could finish, the street child saw Loni right at the table, and gave the cashier a huge sack of cash. He almost went back so fast, Linka thought he teleported.
"Bought them! Oh wait! Like, I wanted to do something else? What was it? Oh right!" Loni grabbed Linka and without telling her where they are going.
"So... what's the next?" Linka asked, as she already gave up on discouraging Loni. The best she could do was go along.
"Though some make-up would do you good!" Loni grinned
"Nope." Linka interrupted before she brisk-walked out of the store. Getting a haircut and putting on girl's clothes was one thing, but make-up? No way.
"Like, what do you mean? Oh, you mean I should find hair extensions or clips for your hair instead?" Loni squealed when he mentioned the word "braids."
Linka growled in a low tone. Her right eyebrow twitched several times. Rita cringed when she saw and stepped in between Linka and Loni. As she didn't want the street child to beat up her son out of anger for not listening to her.
"Loni, I believe Linka has had enough." she told him firmly.
"What? But whhyyyyyyy?" Loni whined. Rita looked back at the street child, who was growling even lower, while facepalming.
"I said she has enough. Is that clear?" she said again.
"Yes, mom." Loni answered in a deadbeat voice.
"Anyone want a snack?" Rita asked to change the subject.
"Ohhhh! I would love to have those tiny hot dogs!" Loni grinned again.
"A pretzel would be good." Linka murmured.
Linka's face remained deadpanned the entire time. He glanced at Loni, who was typing rapidly on his phone. She rather not know what he was doing on his phone, but it was fine as long as he wasn't texting his friends about their mall trip. But knowing him, she doubted it.
The girl then saw an opportunity. To say what's been on her mind to Loni. Without Rita stopping her. It's not like she is her… mom.
"I got to admit, you are rather good at pretending to be stupid. Must have been doing this for a long time. Whether scheme you are doing. You may had fooled everyone else. But come on, what are you really up to?" Linka asked with a smirk.
Loni stopped texting and turned to Linka with the eyes of a confused baby. Linka's smirk dropped a little after she thought over her words.
"Like, what do you mean? Scheme? Is that like, some fashion covering or something?" Loni blinked.
"Uhhh… no. It's like you planning on making your clothes purposefully bad so everyone will underestimate you. So, later on, you can do something later on to… I don't know, leave them stuck with the clothes they had?" Linka found it difficult to speak in Loni's language, because she was unconcerned about fashion since she became a street child.
"What? You really think I am that? Like I would never be like that."
"Yeah, but it's… rather hard to believe someone your age would be… ditzy."
"I mean, I know I can be like that. There's more than just air in my head." Loni said somberly. Linka looked at him in confusion, wondering if he really understood what the expression means.
"Guess it's rather hard to be seen as a dumb one..."
"I like kinda wish that my bros can see me as more than the times I was really stupid. I like can still remember all the times I acted stupid."
Linka nodded, and a part of her was itching to apologize, but her mouth clammed up. Again, the marble feeling came in her throat. So, she spoke of what came out easier. The other thing in her mind.
"Loni, can I tell you something?"
"Sure, what is it?" Loni stared at her like a curious baby.
"I know I acted like a douchebag after waking up. It was very unlike me. But... thank you for saving my life."
"You're welcome. What kind of meanie would have the heart to leave a poor girl bleeding?" Loni laughed a little. But he stopped and made an apologetic smile.
Linka thought she would be angry at herself for acting so... What's the word? Vulnerable? Weak? Sappy? It doesn't matter. Instead, it was weight lifted off her shoulders. The more she spoke, the warmer her body became.
Rita overheard the entire conversation, and her heart melted. She felt her body lifting almost the same way whenever his sons won a huge award, or even the times they discovered their talent. It may look simple but compared to how Linka acted when the family first met her, it felt like a major victory for her.
"Here they are. Sorry it took a while." she walked to them.
"Great." No surprise Loni didn't see the hints. But Linka raised her eyebrow as she noted how her voice was a little higher than usual. Even though it's mostly like because her compliment was sincere.
"I... kinda like it." Linka admitted.
She took the pretzel Rita gave her and took a bite. Her eyes widened from the salty but warm taste and she took faster bites. The mother smiled at this, seeing the street child still enjoy food that wasn't easily accessible to children like her.
"Great! There're more stores I, like, want to shop next. But these look perfect on you. Sometimes simplicity speaks for itself." Loni made a smaller smile this time.
"So, Linka? Did you have a good time?"
"Nah, walking from store to store wasn't very fun." Linka tried to keep an indifferent tone. But her facial muscles twitched up and her mouth almost let out a "yes".
"Come on, you must have at least enjoyed some parts of it."
Linka stopped and blinked, "Yeah... Guess I did."
The street child glanced up at the mother and saw her sneaky smile. Linka turned away, not wanting to make Rita feel like she's winning. She just wanted to get out. But sadly, the boys would learn about this soon.
"Wow, that was totes fun! We should do it more often!" Loni punched his fists up in the air, with bags hanging onto his arms.
"We should not do that again." Linka muttered, who was back in her boyish clothes before the mall. Rita shook her head with a amused smile.
"Wish we could?" There's no other way she could find other excuses to keep Linka around for longer.
"Hey, what were you guys up to?" Loki asked, but his eyes were towards his phone instead of them.
"We went to the mall to get Linky clothes." Loni smiled. Linka noticed he was speaking more calmly than usual. But why? Is it something about the mall?
"Wait, Linka? The fake Lincoln boy? Actually, going to the mall instead of stealing from the shoppers?" Lynn Jr. asked with a smirk. He snorted a few times.
"How did you even convince her to go there the first place?"
"Like, I totes have no idea! But all it takes is some compassion and a little nudging." Loni crossed his arms with a confidant smile.
"Still can't believe Loni bought all those when I probably will be back to Lincoln in the streets. Might as well sell them for quick cash." Linka remarked.
"What? Those dresses are too amazing to be put in some other hands. You get what you pay for! Besides, you really deserve them." Loni exclaimed. The boys glared at him while raising their eyebrows but looked back at Linka's haircut.
"Loni. I think she is right. There's no way she would keep them clean for long. She would have the spend all the money she stolen for food to keep those clean." Loki pointed out.
"Wow, gotta admit. The haircut sure looks nice. I still can't still if it's a boyish or girlish hairstyle." Leif commented.
"Rare time I agree with Leif." Lexx backed up. His voice was less dazed, and he paid attention to Linka's hair. But only for a while. Not later, he went back to looking at thin air.
"Yeah, makes me wonder how you actually looked like before your Lincoln disguise." Luke remarked.
"Uhh... I wasn't that much of a... looker." Linka's eyes darted back and forth.
Loni, being the Loud who can't take a hint, brought his phone out of his pocket. " She looked so incredible back at the mall. I took a few pictures of her!"
"Wait, what?" Linka said, as she swore she heard quiet snapping while Loni was away but dismissed it. There's no way she can swipe the phone. With Loni being taller and the others still wanting a look.
The street child grimaced as she watched the boys' various reactions. The twins and Luke's eyes shined and their mouths widened into perfect Os. Loki and Lars titled their heads and nodded with their mouths reading "look rather nice". Lane, Lynn Jr., Leon just wowed.
"Wow, gotta say. I almost didn't recognize her in girls' clothes." Lynn Jr. commented.
"Yeah yeah. Not so much," Linka pushed Loni's hand down without a second glance at his phone.
"Come on! You looked so beautiful."
"You know, Linka. It doesn't always hurt to accept a compliment." Rita said.
But her assurance didn't make it any better. All the words kept floating above her head. Her eyes remained stretched out as she pinched herself in her right arm so she would stop shaking.
"Uh, Linka?" Luke slapped his hand onto the street child's head.
"Auch! What was that for?" Linka rubbed the area Luke had slapped on.
"We were calling your name five times, dude."
"Is something wrong? You can tell us?" Rita's eyebrows scrunched up, and she tried to put her hand on Linka's arm to comfort her. But this time, Linka stepped away.
All the boys stared at the street child. They didn't approach her, as they were unsure of what to say. But Loni, out of all people,
"Why are you so withdrawn and scared? You can tell us. We want you to feel comfortable here."
Everyone's eyes widened. How could he think it was a good idea to express their family's thoughts ? There was a huge chance he just made the worst mistake he could have ever made…..but, there was also a chance he had been the only one brave enough to do the right thing.
"I am fine... It's just that, I would rather not feel like a girl again. I will go back to the streets after two weeks. What's the point?"
"I don't get why she seems so uncomfortable in girls' clothes. Wouldn't she be glad to feel like a girl again?" Lane commented with his arms extended out.
"Unless she was a tomboy even before the streets."
"Hmmm?" the boys murmured as they searched through their imagination, but most of their minds went blank. As they had a hard time imaging Linka as a girl before the streets. Not to mention how they never imagined "Lincoln" was actually a girl before then.
"Not so sure. But I doubt that."
"Guess she was being Lincoln for so long, Linka almost forgot what it's like to be one. And considering what the Fagin said about girls in the streets, she wouldn't risk getting discovered." Rita pointed out.
"But why would she freeze over hearing harmless compliments?"
"Well, it doesn't seem like those are harmless to her."
Linka put her hand on her chest as she felt her heart beating faster and heavier. She also had goosebumps at the back of her neck.
"You are not beautiful… Not beautiful. You are supposed to be a boy." Linka's thoughts floated across her head. She fell down a bit and having to land her hand on the wall for support.
Linka took several deep breaths and tried to make herself think of nothing. Her heartbeat went back to normal. Linka stood back up and glanced down at the stairs. She couldn't see anyone but looked around the house with contempt.
"I am not some trophy they can brag to others about. I am a human being. They can't transform me back." Linka said to herself with a bitter sneer. She was not a helpless kid who wished for nothing more than a family. The kind bystanders can't help but pity.
Linka looked down and realized she was still holding the bag. The girl looked around for a spot to hide it. So, she won't see it again. But it won't take long for one to ask why it's in their room.
She rubbed on the fabric in the blouse, with her arm's skin crawled up. Yet, the fuzzy touch made her hand warm up. A tiny smile cracked up in her face. Compared to all the dirty clothes she wore throughout the six months; it was a delicate touch. Linka wondered if she's worthy of what might be an everyday cloth for normal girls but a dream for those stuck in rags.
"How did Loni figure out this out? That cloth is the clothes I liked the most?" she thought. But then Linka remembered Loni's a fashionista. It must be in his blood. Not that he would understand the expression, but still.
Her entire life was unbearable because she was a girl. She didn't want to imagine how Aaron would have spoiled and encouraged her to mistreat Liena if she were a boy.
Linka thought the rest of the world wouldn't care, but she was wrong. It left her scared every day during the first few weeks in the streets. Not before getting trafficked and that guy's comment about girls. Even by the time she was sure her Lincoln disguise was fully convincing, Linka still couldn't keep her disguise off for one minute.
Afraid of getting discovered and someone doing something terrible to her because of it. "Guess I wish I could have at least one happy memory as a girl." Linka muttered to herself as she put the blouse back in the bag.
What Linka didn't know was that Lynn Sr. was looking at her with a raised eyebrow. Should he talk to her and ask what's going on? No, maybe now's not the best idea. She always stepped away from him whenever Lynn Sr. tried to talk to her.
" I Wonder what's going on." Lynn Sr. remarked.
He turned around and spotted his wife. Looking at Linka with her head tilted to right. She must have been watching her too.
"I don't get what's going on with her, too. But I have a few observations."
"I'm sure it will take more than a few observations to figure out Linka. She's a rather... complicated girl." Lynn Sr. darted his eyes to the left and right.
He had to admit, it still felt odd to refer "Lincoln" as a girl, even though the revelation was already over a week ago.
"Well, the streets are obviously not an easy place for her. It wouldn't go without some trauma..." Rita stopped mid-sentence as she thought of her words. She wasn't sure "some trauma" was a massive understatement or not.
"How did the mall go then?" Lynn Sr. asked.
"Not so sure how to describe it. On one hand, she was less than thrilled with Loni wanting to be her fashionista. That's expected though. But she seemed rather scared when she saw her reflection in the mirror. Linka didn't want to do anything else besides getting her haircut, so we just went to Rita shrugged.
"That's all it? At least Loni didn't spend a thousand dollars on a giant pile on clothes Linka wouldn't otherwise use. We would have to donate or return them... wounds heal." Lynn Sr. stopped when he said the last two words. For a moment, he didn't understand why he stopped.
But maybe... he didn't want Linka to leave.
So strange. Just a few weeks earlier, he would had been relieved. to see Linka out and not butting in with his boys' lives. Why the change of heart?
"On the bright side, she admitted she liked the clothing." Rita answered, even though she doesn't see why it would help their confusion. But Lynn Sr. appreciated how his wife tried to create hope.
Hopefully, things will become much easier. Lynn Sr. sighed as he walked downstairs and to the kitchen. Not without glancing at his sons and shrugging when they gave him questionable looks. But at least they were not glaring at him for slapping Linka anymore. It was nice to have his wife supporting him again instead of treating him coldly. But he didn't need to feel guilty for his treatment on the instant Linka told them she was going to explain the reason why she left.
Lynn Sr. sighed again as he put on his apron. Dinner can't cook itself.
A/N: Hey everyone, I am not dead.
Another chapter that took long to do. It's not that I am running out of ideas. Before, it felt natural writing down the words. But now whenever I do, I would get stuck on how to make the pace and depth I prefer, because I hadn't thought through the bonding chapters well at the beginning. LovelyLily said this kind of writing is called "slow burn." Thankfully, I had set myself ground rules to go through the struggle. Been working on the chapters that are easier to visualize. to pass the time.
When Tristan pointed out it's been over a year since I started, I felt... stunned. Yes, there are thousands of people in this network who had stories lasting even longer. But compared to the short stories I wrote before this, it was such an accomplishment.
Don't worry, I am not giving up. Sure, there are some difficult parts to write but I am still going. The plot moments and ending that is yet to come felt too important to discontinue.
Stay in tune for more. Any advice on writing slow burn is appreciated.