Disclaimer: I don't own The Loud House, the brand, as well as all of its characters and settings belong to Chris Savino and Nickelodeon, all rights reserved.

Chapter 17: Joke.

Lincoln's P.O.V:

*beep* *beep* *beep*

I grunt as I lazily open my eyes, then struggle to focus my eyesight to detect the shape of the alarm that I want to smash to bits at the moment.

The time is 7:30AM, Saturday.

Why, just why did I put an alarm this early? Although I guess it's even more unbelievable that I haven't changed it.

Somehow, I feel tired, granted, not as tired as I had been thorough the entire week before at school.

In fact, as I lay my head to rest, I feel the energy coming back to me.

The time now is 7:32AM, I now feel like wanting to get out of my bed.

I finally do it, it feels great! I feel renovated, I stretch my arms and look forward to a fun weekend!

The reason?

Stella, probably, the emotional baggage that a certain dream had caused on me was taking away my ability to focus, more importantly, it was draining me, taking away my desire to sleep at night, and giving it back the moment my butt touched a classroom seat, it was eating me away, it was feeling me with a great deal of pure disgust for my self, I…

I couldn't keep it to myself anymore.

I told her, she listened, she didn't judge me, she didn't think I was a weirdo, she was patient, she was understanding, she was kind, she made me realize that it really wasn't a big deal.

It's just a story, and I dreamed about the story, not about my sister.

It gave me an idea, I should write it down, perhaps my subconscious mind was just giving me ideas to input in the story, yeah, that's something that Lola would like.

I no longer feel insecure, I can see Lola normally, I can continue with the story, regardless of what happens.

I have Stella by my side.

I hear someone rushing through the hall.

*really loud knocking noises*

- Hey Stinkoln! Breakfast – I can easily distinguish the rough, demanding voice of Lynn Jr. through my door, clearly if she was here, that only meant something…

I was very late for breakfast.

- Coming! – I say excitedly as I rush out of my bed to put some pants on, then quickly open the door to get access to the rest of the house, the hall was empty as expected, so I proceed to go downstairs, as I reach the plate, the pride in me commands me to do my star entrance.

- ~Good Morning Family~ - I finally appear in the front of the table, waving my arm in a dignified fashion, closing my eyes in reverence while finding the nearest seat that I could find.

- Good Morning son! – My dad replies in a similarly energetic way, it seems that today I was safe from any questioning about being late.

- Wow sweetie, you're looking way better today! did something good happen at school? – My mom instantly gives me a questioning look, which I can fully understand, as I was pretty aware of the downer mood I had during the previous days.

- It would seem that my carefully administered vitamins and antibodies inserted in my older brother's daily supply of meals had a significant effect on his health condition – Lisa commented proudly while readjusting her glasses at her eloquent statement.

You know, for a genius of her level, she can be quite… naïve… Although I guess I could also attribute that to my acting skills, which I am really proud of.

- Ok Lincoln, you can tell us, just what are you planning today? - … Of course, leave it to Lola Loud to question my happiness, her eyes half-closed in a suspicious frown, then again, I do have to admit that I usually show this behavior around my family when I want something out of them.

Takes one master of the craft to understand another I guess.

- Or you know, I could just be happy for no reason!? – I instantly respond to her in a defensive state, replacing my happy look with a frown matching hers, in a way.

- Yeah right, I think we already know what's going on when you suddenly show up "happily" at the table, just what are you planning today Lincoln Loud? – Lola answered with unmoving conviction while putting her hands at the table in clear confrontation.

You know, I really appreciate the space that Lola has been giving me as of lately, she doesn't stick to me anymore when I am with others, she doesn't try to interject conversations with any other sister, she doesn't try to fight Clyde for the seat beside me in the bus, and now that I also realize it…

She's not sitting beside me in the Loud table, in fact, as of lately, it almost seems like if she was actively avoiding the act of seating nearby me, I appreciate that, really, but…

Now she seems like the old Lola, at least when we are in front of everyone.

- Look Lola, I just had a very rough week, now I'm happy because it's Saturday, that's about it! – I finally snap back at her, putting my arms on the table in the same confrontational stance as hers.

- Oh look! ~Our little married couple is going at it again~ - Lynn Jr. interjects our confrontation with her mocking voice, making fun of us as she starts crossing her hands and kissing the air.

- Hey! – Both Lola and I scream in unison at Lynn's completely off remark, I know my sporty hothead sister is not very well known for her quick thinking skills, but that was just another level.

I noticed Lola's shrinking figure as she resumes her sitting position, with a look that I couldn't really describe, she looked deeply embarrassed, but also… wait is she blushing?

- Ok, that's enough you three! – I hear my dad raising his voice to the distance, a lecture was coming, I resume my sitting position as I await for it.

- First, Lincoln and Lola, we've been through this a million times now, you guys were getting along as of lately, what happened? – My dad voices my exact thoughts, though admittedly, I was getting overly defensive about it, I guess it had just sort of evolved into a natural reaction of mine to Lola's attacks, old habits die hard you know?

- Second, L.J. I need you to apologize in this instant to your siblings, that kind of disgusting and immoral comments are not allowed at the table, or anywhere near this house! – My dad's voice was even more strict and definitive about the inappropriate comment that Lynn made, I could even see that he was legitimately angry at it, serves her right!

- B-but dad, it was just a joke! – Of course Lynn would go on the defensive, "accountability" being too complicated of a word for her understanding.

- Well, not funny Lynn – Luan of all people jumped at the conversation, you know that if it's not funny to her, it's not funny, period.

- Yeah, dude, they're bro and sis, watch out for that, not cool! – Luna then added her thoughts to the mix, exactly what I mean.

- I would have to agree to the sentiment, statistically speaking, a union between genetically alike individuals can significantly increase the probability of inheriting recessive deleterious alleles which could potentially impact the health of any future offspring as a result of said union – Lisa added with may more detail that I could have possibly tolerated.

The little genius can sometimes take things way too literally, but her point stood, regardless, the rest of the family, including myself just watched her with a look of not so deep understanding.

- What I meant to say – Lisa say while readjusting her glasses as she prepared a more easily understood opinion for the better of our puny minds – Is that there is a biological basis to support the reaction of our dear family to your extravagant comment, Lynn. – She finally concluded while joining our faces of discomfort.

- Ok, ok! I get it – Lynn finally crumbled under the pressure – Look Lincoln, I am sorry for what I said, and Lola… Lola? – Lynn directed her eyes to the seat where Lola was sitting.

You heard me right, was.