Hello dear readers. Hope you've all been staying safe and sorry it's been almost a month since the last chapter. Been super busy as of late. But enough about that, today I bring you a new chapter in Repairing a bond.
We're getting closer to the end on this story, with probably about five or so chapters left. I wanted to take a quick second and say thank you to all the people who have favorited/followed the story so far. I hope you all enjoy the new chapter.
Step in the right direction
It was a new day in Royal Woods, and for one Loud family member, it was the next day in his plan to move forward. Having got some reassurance from his sister Lisa the day before, Lincoln felt a little better about his future.
And because of his talk with Clyde, he now felt hopeful about being able to actually move forward towards that future, instead of just running in place with his issues. Now that he had the date and time set up for his visit with Dr. Lopez, Lincoln just had to message Lori and let her know when to show up.
Opening up his phone, Lincoln clicked on the conversation he's had with his eldest sister and started typing up his text.
"Hey Lori, I set up a meeting with Dr. Lopez on Wednesday, it'll be after school at Five in the afternoon...I, uh, I hope to see you there". Lincoln only had to wait a minute for Lori to reply, his phone dinging when the message was received.
"Of course I'll be there. I literally can't wait to see how it goes. I hope you have a good few days at school till then. Even though I think you should be home resting for a few more days. Anyways, I love you, and I'll see you on Wednesday". Lincoln finished reading the message with a small smile on his face, hoping that this therapy session is just what he was needing.
"Well I guess I should get my stuff ready for tomorrow, then have the rest of the day to relax. It should be fun to see everyone's faces again". Lincoln said to himself as he limped over to his desk, grabbing his backpack off the floor and making sure all his books and supplies were in there.
Once he was sure everything was set and ready to go, Lincoln booted up his computer to kill some time while he waited for dinner to be ready.
Going through some of his files, Lincoln found a folder he had forgotten about. It held some of his concept sketches for characters he had designed. "Huh, I guess I kinda neglected this stuff over the past year". Lincoln said aloud as he looked through the various drawings he had made, forgetting how proud he was over a few of them.
"Whatcha doing big bro?" Lincoln turned around to see his baby sister Lily standing in his doorway, her hands held behind her back. "Oh nothing much Lily. Just...looking through some old drawings is all". Lincoln told her as he waved his hand at her to invite her in. "See?" Lincoln asked as he pointed to some of the files on his computer.
"Oh wow, I haven't seen these before. When did you make them?" She asked her brother. "Well uh, I-It's been a while. Probably over a year since I last drew anything". Lincoln told her.
"Why'd you stop? You're so good!" Lily complimented him. "You even have a couple trophies for the stuff you did before. You should start drawing again". Lily added, smiling widely at Lincoln.
"I...I think you're right. It's been too long since I did anything with this talent. Not to mention that it was a helpful distraction sometimes". Lincoln said as his hand went to the mouse and he scrolled through a few more files of his art. "A distraction from what?" Lily asked, raising a brow as she looked up at him.
"From...well, just from stuff I didn't want to think about. B-But it became a nice hobby on it's own and I started discovering how natural it came to me. A-And I had actually forgotten about this...but it was something I wanted to make a living off of". Lincoln said as his mind wandered to how much the drawing actually helped him mentally.
After the night Lori attacked him, Lincoln's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, his feelings so mixed up that he didn't know how he really felt. But after some recommendations from Dr. Lopez, the boy had tried out a few hobbies.
One of those hobbies, was drawing. It was a simple distraction at first, not really anything too special. But as time went on, Lincoln discovered he had a penchant for art, and was getting better and better at it as he honed his craft. Pretty soon, the boy was drawing original characters and artwork that resembled his favorite comic series, Ace Savvy. It became a nice form of expression for feelings he was ignoring and gave him an outlet.
On the Doctor's insistence, and that of his parents, Lincoln entered some of his pieces into a competition. He didn't win but he did get second place, and for his first time in a contest like this, that was more than enough for him.
The next time he went to compete it was a bit different than the first. The contestants were required to draw an original character design within the allotted time. And that was what Lincoln had been excelling at for the past few months in preparation. Recalling a design he had drawn a week beforehand, Lincoln recreated his character, a villain to rival Ace Savvy himself and won the competition.
But after that, Lincoln stopped competing, and a year after that, stopped drawing all together. His parents and siblings tried to find out why, hoping that he'd open up to them. But Lincoln had shut down for the most part, started withdrawing himself from the people he was closest with.
Something changed inside him and it was all because of fears about himself that seemed to be unfounded. The anger and fear over possibly being like his sister, it hurt him almost as much as that night.
Lincoln couldn't go to his family with it either, who knows how they'd react. His parents might try to separate him from his younger sisters, fearing he might be a danger to them like Lori was to him. So the ashen-haired child did the only thing he could think of. Held it all inside.
He kept his friends and family at arms length so they wouldn't figure out his secret, in addition to seeing it as keeping them safe. But now, as he sat there with his baby sister Lily, looking at all his previous artwork, Lincoln realized how foolish he was being. Maybe he wasn't like Lori or Bobby, maybe it was just his own fear and worry pushing his mind in that direction. Making him obsessed over nothing.
But now, Lincoln wasn't going to dwell on that subject anymore, instead he was going to focus on getting back to how he was before shutting himself off. At least back then he was making actual progress.
"Y-You alright Lincoln?" Lily asked as as she watched him stare at the computer screen with blank eyes, like his mind was somewhere else. "Huh? O-Oh yea. Sorry Lilybug I just kinda zone out there for a moment. So how're you doing today?" Lincoln asked, changing the subject. "I'm doing great! Now that you're out of the hospital and you seem really happy the past couple days...I-It's nice". Lily said with a big grin.
"Oh yeah? Well I'm glad my speedy recovery helped brighten your mood. So I haven't really asked lately, how's school been?" Lincoln asked her. The girl smiled before going into much detail about her day to day school activities and all the friends she had there.
Across town, Lori was sitting on the couch in Bobby's apartment, mulling over the interview she had the next day. It wasn't anything fancy, hell it was just a lowly stocking position in a grocery store.
But the way her job search has been going, the girl wondered if she'd even get that. All the places she applied for turned her away as soon as they found out what she went to jail for.
How the hell was she supposed to start her life over when no one would give her a chance at a job? Lori sighed as she contemplated whether she should even show up for the interview. Her train of thought was interrupted when Bobby entered the apartment, with more than a few bags of groceries in his arms.
"O-Oh here, let me help you with that". Lori said as she rushed off the couch to his aid. Grabbing a few of the bags, Lori took them over to the kitchen counter.
"Thanks Lori, It's a pain getting up those steps with all these bags, I tell you what". Bobby said as he set the rest of the groceries down behind her. "No problem Bobby. So um, I'm gonna be seeing Lincoln again on Wednesday...With his therapist". Lori informed him.
"Really? Well that's good, I'm glad you and Lincoln are still trying to find a way forward. Shows that he does really still care about you in spite of everything". Bobby told her with a reassuring smile.
"Y-Yeah. Lord knows I don't deserve it either". Lori replied as she sat back down on the couch. "What are you talking about? Of course you do". Bobby said, putting some items in the fridge. "I screwed my own brother Bobby, I don't think anyone believes I deserve anything but a lifetime prison sentence and then a one-way ticket to hell". Lori said, her anguish evident in her tone as she stared dejectedly at the ground.
"Lori you did your time, and I think that it shows. You...you went through nearly the same thing he did while in jail. Don't try to deny it either. And you've shown your remorse ten times over. You deserve this second chance to live your life". Bobby told her, finishing putting the groceries up and sitting by her on the couch.
"What you did was wrong, inexcusable yea. But You've accepted that what happened was wrong, and are focused on trying to make things right. No matter how hard it is". Bobby said as he looked into her eyes.
Eyes which were now filling with tears. "Tell that to all the people who'd rather see me dead or rotting in jail. I-I can't even get a stupid job that kids in high-school do with ease. It's not even worth going to this stupid interview I have tomorrow cause it'll just be another rejection". Lori said, feeling like everything was falling apart.
"Hey don't say that. You don't know for sure...and besides you can't give up now". Bobby told her. "And why not?" She asked back. "Because...Because Lincoln still hasn't given up on you two. I-If he can keep trying after all that's happened, then you owe it to him and yourself to keep going too". Bobby told her.
"Y-You're right, I...I'll keep trying. I'm going to hold true to the promise I made everyone that I'm not that same girl who gave up and took the easy road. I'm going to fight this time, fight so that I can show Lincoln and everyone else that I am in control and I can do this". Lori said, a newfound determination igniting in her just like it finally had in her brother.
It was the start of a new week, and Lincoln's first day back to school since his accident.
Rita had taken a few days off of work to make sure her son got to school all right, not wanting him to have to take the bus just yet. She was also hoping she could get Lincoln to change his mind on the drive over, really wanting him to stay home a couple more days at least.
"It's fine mom, really. The pain's been gone for a couple days now so I don't need the pills and I've gotten used to using my crutches. I'll be good". Lincoln told her.
"I just worry about you honey. I don't want you to overdue everything. there's nothing wrong with taking a couple more days". Rita said, slowly realizing that there was no way to change her son's mind. "I know but I think I really should be back at school, it would help me focus on other things. Instead of being trapped in my own head worrying over things I don't need to be thinking about". Lincoln replied, trying to be more open than he has in the past.
"O-Oh...I didn't think of it like that. I-I understand, and so long as you call me if anything comes up, then I guess I'm fine with this". Rita said, a small smile on her face as she looked over to her son.
A few minutes later and they had arrived at Royal Woods high, and Lincoln awkwardly exited the vehicle. "Bye mom. I love you and I'll see ya later". Lincoln said as he waved bye to her. "You too honey, have a good day". She replied before driving away back to the Loud home.
"Yo Linc!". The teen heard someone call out from behind him. "I didn't know if you'd actually show up or not". His best friend Clyde said as he walked up to him. "Hey Clyde. Y-Yea I couldn't really stay cooped up inside all day ya know? Needed to get my mind off things for a bit". Lincoln told him.
"Gotcha, well let's go chill with the guys for a bit before the bell rings". Clyde said as him and Lincoln walked through the school to meet up with their usual circle of friends.
The two found Rusty, Liam and Zach hanging out close to Lincoln's first class, which he was thankful for. At least now he'd have to walk less to get to it on time once the bell rung.
"Oh man dude! I knew you ended up in the hospital but I didn't know the accident was that bad". Zach commented as he watched Lincoln and Clyde walk up to them. "Eh, it all just looks worse than it actually was. Nothing major besides the busted leg". Lincoln said with a reassuring smile.
"Well I'm glad you're back man, we missed ya last week". Liam told him. "Yeah...um, guys, I...I wanted to apologize". Lincoln said while rubbing the back of his neck. "Apologize for what dude?" Liam asked back.
"For how I've been acting the past few months...hell for the past year really". Lincoln started. "I...I know I haven't really been the best friend, haven't really been hanging out or talking with all of you like I used to. I...I wanted to say sorry for not really being here". Lincoln said, hoping he was getting his point across.
"Oh, well...it's fine Linc. After, well after what you went through, it was only natural that it affected you as much as it did. We figured you'd be open and talkative when you were ready". Liam said. "So...I take it you acknowledging the way you've been, and the vibe you're giving off now. That you're at that point?" Rusty asked.
"I...I am. I know I can't shut myself off from all of the people who care about me anymore. And that includes you all, you guys have stuck by me for all these years and...I couldn't ask for better friends". Lincoln told them, a wide smile on his face.
"Well of course Lincoln. You can't break this group up. We're here for each other, and that includes you". Zach told him. Before the group could get deeper into their 'reunion' the school bell rang through the halls. "I guess we'll continue this on lunch. I'll see you guys then". Lincoln said as he readjusted himself on his crutches and started walking to class.
The days went by and pretty soon, it was time for Lincoln's appointment with Dr. Lopez. The first visit he was going to in over two years, not to mention the fact that Lori was going to be there.
Sure he was the one to set it up in the first place, but now that the time had come, the nerves were getting to him. As he walked through the building to Dr. Lopez's office, Lincoln wondered if Lori was already waiting, or if she was going to show up at all.
Part of him hoped that she wasn't going to be there, as much as he wanted to move forward, his old ways of spinning in place were still a clear and present force.
"Come on Lincoln. You can't go back to that again, if you want to move past all of this and start actually living life, then you gotta go in there and face this". Lincoln told himself as he tried to hype himself up.
A couple minutes later and Lincoln was standing in the waiting lobby of Lopez's office...with Lori sitting in one of the chairs across from him.
"H-Hey Lincoln. You look like you're feeling better". Lori said as she awkwardly waved at her brother. "Um, y-yea. Main issue now is the uh, the leg". Lincoln told her as he moved to sit in a seat on the opposite side of the room. "Sorry I was the one to put you in that situation. I-I...heh, seems like all I do with you now is apologize...". Lori said as she looked off to the side in shame.
"I-It's alright, it wasn't that bad, should only be in this cast about two to three more weeks". Lincoln told her. Lori opened her mouth to reply but the sibling's conversation was cut short when Dr. Lopez walked into the room, inviting them into her office.
The two Louds got up and followed her, sitting down in two chairs set a few feet apart, while Dr. Lopez sat across from them.
"So...it's been a bit since your last visit Lincoln, and it's nice to meet you Lori. I've uh, heard a lot about you". She said as she started the conversation. "I-I'm sure it's mostly been bad..." Lori said as she rubbed her arm. "Oh not at all. I mean, yes Lincoln has told me all about...that night of course. But he's also told me of the way you were before all that. And even a bit of how you were after. Then of course there is another patient who spoke highly of you often..." Dr. Lopez told her.
"I think I already know who you mean..." Lori replied. "So Lincoln, how have you been since our last visit?" Dr. Lopez asked the teen as she got out her notebook, starting a timer on her watch. "Well I've been up and down...if I'm being honest, mostly down. This past month has been the worst of it". Lincoln admitted.
"Well that's to be expected given what was going on. And how has having Lori out of jail and in contact with you been going?" She asked. Lincoln shot a nervous glance in his sister's direction before giving a heavy sigh and explaining.
"Well...It's been confusing mostly. I...I want to move forward in our relationship, maybe try to get back some of the bond we used to share. B-But every time I talk with her face-to-face, I-It all just goes sideways. I...I don't really know how I feel about her half the time". Lincoln said. "Sideways how? As in you getting scared? Or angry?" Dr. Lopez asked.
"Y-Yeah...I don't really have much control over it. My emotions just flare up anytime something related to what happened back then comes up. I-It's how I got in the accident, I lost it and got so angry, drove right past a red light into oncoming traffic while I was lost in my own head". Lincoln told her. "I see". Dr. Lopez responded, writing something down in her book.
"As I've told you before, getting over something like this takes time, and for some, it can be a lot of time. But the fact that you're already talking to your sister speaks volumes I feel. It shows you want to move forward, whether you are actually ready to or not". She said. "Has Lori been remorseful ever since that night? Has she shown you that she's changed or wants to make it all up?" Dr. Lopez asked him.
"I...I mean she's told me time and time again how sorry she is. B-But no matter how many times I hear it, it doesn't change how I feel. It doesn't do anything. And I don't really know what she could do to show me that she's better". Lincoln said, looking down at the ground, his sister doing the same, feeling like she was never going to be back in her brother's good graces.
"Lori". Dr. Lopez called out to get the woman's attention. "Y-Yes?" Lori asked. "I briefly spoke with the counselor in the prison about the progress you've made over the years...but I wanted to ask you about something else". She said. "O-Okay, what about?" Lori replied.
"I wanted to know what prison was like for you? What happened on a day to day basis? How did the other inmates treat you? And in your own words, how has it changed you?" Dr. Lopez questioned.
"Um, okay. W-Well I guess I should start at the beginning..." Lori said.
Sorry to cut it off there but I felt it was a good stopping point for the rest that I have planned. Next chapter will take a look into what jail was exactly like for Lori. And if you know anything about how people like her are treated in prison, then you can expect a heavy chapter to come.
I hope you all liked the chapter and feel free to leave any comments, positive or criticizing. Just keep it all civil. And feel free to check out my other stories if you're new to my stuff. Finally branched out into another fandom and have an avatar story out, with hopefully a new chapter for it soon.
Until next time, stay safe guys and gals.
