Disclaimer: The Loud House and associated characters belong to Nickelodeon and Chris Savino

Tainted Love

By Lola Presents

Chapter 5

Lincoln stood there in utter disbelief for the better part of ten minutes, trying to reconcile what had just happened. Lori had finally opened up to him and admitted how she felt, and Lincoln's heart nearly leaped from his chest. But then Lori continued her confession with a list of reasons not to pursue anything, bolstering his recent depression. Finally, she'd ended the discussion with a tease.

If Lincoln was in love with Lori, and she was in love with him, then they were in love. Nothing could be more simple than this, and it confused him thoroughly despite his acceptance of her terms. To make matters worse, she left him wanting to see more of her body. Surely Lori understood the male mind, so why would she do this? Unless it was her way of giving Lincoln permission to pursue her, despite her inability to reciprocate.

Regardless of everything floating around his mind, nearly shutting it down, his body reacted differently. Lincoln sat on the edge of his bed, stared down at the growing erection in his pants, and sighed. He hadn't the time nor desire to do anything at the moment, and he ended up cursing himself. Hunger had slowly crept, like a bandit in a dimly lit home, looking for something valuable.

At that moment, Lincoln wanted nothing more than to appease his mind and body with a hearty breakfast, but he dared not go to the kitchen now. Lori might be there, after all. Not to mention, any sister present would surely tease him, as he'd conclude that the twin's strange behavior was indicative of a sisterly plot. He saw little reason for Lori to do what she did without the support of some of their sisters. It stood to reason that they all knew and took part.

"So?" questioned Luna softly as the three girls scuttled back to Lori's room. "How'd it go, dude?"

Lori stopped near the top of the stairs, holding her hand against her chest, and eeped with a goofy grin. "I did it!" she whispered loudly. "I finally told him how I felt!"

Luna and Leni hooked Lori's arms and hurried her along to her room before someone overheard. That's when the real inquisition began. "Okay, so did you guys kiss again?" Leni barked, insisting on asking the first question.

"Um, well..." sighed Lori, blushing deeply. "Not exactly."

"Okay, then what did happen?" prodded Luna, as she and Leni took seats beside Lori on the bed.

"I did what you wanted me to!" barked Lori. "I told him how I felt!"

"We're going to need more 411 than that, girl," demanded Leni.

"411?" gasped Luna, staring a hole through Leni. "That's old hat, brah. In anything, say deets. But Leni's right." Then turning her attention back to Lori, "Spill."

"Okay, fine-" sighed Lori, her eyes still glazed over from the excitement. "So, first, I told him how much I was in love with him. Then, I explained why I wasn't ready to jump into anything due to possible legal consequences. And then-"

"Yeah?" prodded both of Lori's younger siblings, intently waiting for whatever came next. "And then?"

Lori began blushing. "I showed him my boob," she giggled, lowering her head. "You know, to make up for him missing out on it in the pool that day."

"Oooh-" cooed the girl. "Then what? How'd he react?"

"I don't know," Lori shrugged. "He acknowledged everything I'd said and told me he understood, but-"

"But what, Lori?" Leni asked, slightly concerned.

"I had done what I went to do, so I left," announced Lori.

Finally, the oscillations of his gastric system got the better of Lincoln, and he decided to get some breakfast after. After first peeking out his door and seeing the hallway was clear of sisters, he exited and quietly made his way to the kitchen. After taking a moment to decide what he wanted, he gathered everything he'd need and began.

He popped some bread into the toaster, set it to medium, then prepared a bowl of corn flakes while the bread got toasted. Pouring a glass of orange juice, he placed it on the table beside his cereal. He returned to the toaster just as the timer sprung, buttered his toast, and finally sat down to eat.

There was no turning back now. Either Lincoln's sisters had already eaten, or they would come rumbling down the stair at any moment. He hoped the former was true and that he wouldn't be bothered while he ate. Though, he wouldn't have minded if it were only Lori.

Shaking the thoughts out of his head, he began consuming his meal, attempting to think of other things, and with each bite, his nerves increasingly calmed. More than once, he had to refocus his attention as Lori's big, beautiful brown eyes always seemed to creep into his thoughts.

"You what?!" gasped Leni, followed by Luna's condemnation, "Do you have any idea what you've done?"

"What?" sighed Lori. "I only did what you asked of me!"

"Not exactly," groaned Leni, unfolding her arms and dangling them at her side. "You were supposed to tell him you are in love with him, kiss, and live happily ever after! Instead, you added the part about not being able to do anything! He's probably more confused now than ever!"

"Not to mention you showed him your boob!" Luna reminded them both. "That's not how you follow up a conversation like that!" Then, Luna pantomimed Lori, making her point clear. "I'm in love with you, though we can't do anything. Anyway, here's my boob."

"Luna's right, Lori," Leni continued. "Poor guy, he's probably both confused and excited, all at once. Shame on you, Lori."

Lori pulled her knees to her chest, wrapped her arms around them, and rested her chin on top of them. "So that's he seemed so stunned," she moaned. "Now, what do I do? Geez," she sighed, "I messed up, didn't I?"

"No, dude," admitted Luna, looking down at her lap. "We did. We told you what we thought you needed to do, but we didn't specify anything. We left you to decide what to do."

"Look, guys, it's not that bad," Leni chirped. "At least Lincoln knows she loves him now. And even though he may be disappointed at the result, maybe he'll start cheering up. We can deal with the next step later. For now, Lori needs to carry on as normal."

"I suppose you're right, guys," Lori finally decreed, looking first at Leni, then at Luna, who seemed lost in thought. "Luna? Are you okay? Why are you staring at me like that?"

"Hm, oh nothing," murmured Luna, quickly averting her glance.

"No, what?" demanded Lori. "Is something wrong?"

"No, brah," sighed Luna. "I was only thinking of Lincoln."

"What do you mean?" Lori demanded to know, wondering how her sister could be thinking of Lincoln while staring directly at her.

Luna shrugged. "It's just-" she mumbled. "Now that he's seen one, he's going to want to see the other. You have cute little boobs, and they come in sets, you know."

"Luna!" gasped Lori, instinctively covering her chest.

"No, no!" barked Luna, waving her hands. "Don't misunderstand! Just because I like girls doesn't- what I mean is- I'm not like that, but I can see how Lincoln might be fixated now. That's all."

Luna's piecemeal response was all it took to invigorate the trio into fits of laughter. And before long, all three realized how hungry they were and decided to grab something to eat. Luan joined them in the hall, along with Lynn. Then, passing through the living room, Lola, Lana, and Lisa tagged along. Everyone but Lucy and Lily was present as the assemblage of girls whispered and giggled upon entry into the kitchen.

It was just as Lincoln feared, and his hand went limp, dropping his spoon into the bowl below. "H-hey, guys," he stammered. "Good m-morning."

"Uh, Linc," chuckled Luan. "You're dribbling. Are you sure you're going to get through this?"

"Dribb- w-what are you saying?" muttered Lincoln, wiping the trickle of milk from his chin. "I don't know what you're talking about!"

"I think it's time we came clean," said Lucy, who seemingly appeared out of nowhere behind him.

"Lucy's right," exclaimed Lynn. "The charade is up. Time to play for real."

"W-what are you going to do?" stammered Lincoln with concern.

"Lincoln, if I may-" interjected Lisa. "We are neither visually nor emotionally impaired. We took notice of your mutual affection quite some time ago and have had ample time to process and accept it. While we do not all look upon it in the same fashion, the one thing we do agree on is that you belong together. Together, we are committed to materializing such."

"What the little lab coat means is that we already knew and will support you in any way we can," Lana clarified. "You know, assuming you guys want to go through with this."

Lori immediately twirled as her cheeks began to grow warm, leaning against the counter to avoid Lincoln's gaze. When did her sisters become so deviously clever? She wondered how long they'd known and began to think back on past events, trying to find some hint she may have missed. Though she couldn't think of anything overt, there were many knowing glances thrown, now that she thought about it. More importantly, how did she, of all people, not see how Lincoln felt?

Lincoln's eyes went blank as they flittered between his sisters. How could he have been so self-absorbed? Though he wasn't aware of the moaning at night and sometimes during the day, he was sure that his depression and isolation must have tipped them off. In any case, an apology was in order. "I'm sorry, everyone," he offered. "I haven't been myself recently, and I want to apologize if I put everyone in a bad mood."

"That's alright, Lincy," chirped Lola, peering at him from over the edge of the table. "It's like in my storybooks, where the prince and princess are from opposing kingdoms but destined to fall in love. At first, it's hard, and they pine over each other. Then, one day, something happens, and they get together, even if it has to be a big secret."

"Yeah, but," chided Lana. "In the end, don't one or other end up kicking the bucket?"

"No, you big dummy," barked Lola in defense of her books. "They end up saving both kingdoms and live happily ever after! You uncultured mole!"

"Shhh!" exclaimed Luan, pressing her finger to her lips. "Keep it down, alright? We may know, but Mom and Dad cannot find out! Got it?"

"We're sorry," the twins conceded.

"Lola has the right of it, though," Lucy announced, once more startling Lincoln. "There is no love more potent than that which is forbidden. The fruit it bears is most enticing. I should know after all the novels I've read."

Finally, Lori had enough and spun toward them. "Oh, stop it please!" she begged. "And, for goodness sake, stop talking our fruit. It's weird, okay? Especially when we're both right here! Besides, we've already discussed it, and there are just too many things that can go wrong. I don't want to take that risk."

"What about me?" Lincoln finally spoke up. "I mean, don't I get a say in this?"

"Yes!" Lynn barked. "Yes, you do. And, what's your opinion?"

"Well-" coughed Lincoln, clearing his throat. "At first, I tended to agree with Lori. But, if everyone is willing to help keep it hidden-"

"Lincoln?" Lana questioned. "Are you in love with Lori?"

"Uh, yeah. I thought we already established that," Lincoln responded.

"Lori?" Lana continued. "Are you in love with Lincoln?"

"Duh," Lori said, rolling her eyes, her blushing cheeks growing ever darker.

"Alright then," concluded Lana. "What else is there to discuss? Let's put the 'lover protection' plan into action. What do you say?"

Everyone save Lori and Lincoln nodded enthusiastically.

"There's only one thing left to do!" quipped Luan as she handed Lori her phone.

"Uh, what am I supposed to do with this?" Lori asked, still beet red at her sisters planning her life for her.

"Bobby," Luan sighed. "You have to break it off."

"What?" gasped Lori. "I haven't even agreed to any of this!"

"It doesn't matter," Lola interjected. "It's clear that you love Lincoln more than Bobby. I mean, you've not answered a single call of his since you came home. So, even if you don't act on it, your heart will still belong to Lincoln. And that's still cheating in my book."

"Lola's right," agreed Leni. "I'm sorry, Lori, but this is something you have to do. If not for your sake, then for Bobby's. Set him free, but do it gently, alright?"

Lori sighed and stared at her phone. "Fine," she mumbled under her breath. "But, I need to do this alone. So, you'll excuse me while I step out back?"

"Of course," Lisa said, gently pushing the reticent girl toward the back door. "Take all the time you need. In the meantime, we'll be in here, as one might say, 'pestering' Lincoln for additional information."

Lori struggled to glance at her sisters, eyeing them suspiciously. But eventually gave up and stepped onto the back porch. Once the door closed, she dialed Bobby's number and began wandering around the backyard until he answered.

What would she even say, and should she say anything at all? Maybe doing it over the phone was rather impersonal. Then again, doing it while on a date would be just as unfeeling, especially after he paid for a meal. No, the phone was a better option. At least for Lori. That way, she wouldn't have to see his grieving face.

Of course, she still garnered feelings for Bobby. He'd been a considerable part of her life for several years. On reflection, though, she realized that her involvement with him and obsessive clinginess were born out of a need to distract herself from Lincoln.

"Babe!" Bobby's voice suddenly rang out in Lori's ears. "I was beginning to worry about you. Why haven't you been returning my calls?"

"I'm sorry," Lori apologized. "I didn't mean to ignore you. It's that I've been going through some things here at home and didn't want to bother you with it."

"Like, what kind of things?" Bobby asked. "Maybe there's something I can do to help."

"I don't think so. Not this time," Lori replied, beginning to feel the waterworks advancing. "Listen, we need to talk."

For a moment, there was silence.

"What do you mean?" pleaded Bobby. "I know those words, and they usually mean a breakup is coming."

Lori sighed. "I'm sorry, Bobby. I really am. You've been a wonderful boyfriend. Mostly. The thing is, I'm not the girl you thought I was. And, well, I've realized that while I do -love- you, I'm not -in love- with you. Do you understand?"

"But-" sobbed man on the other end of the line. "Why? Did you meet someone else?"

"Yes," replied Lori before thinking otherwise. "I mean, no," she quickly corrected herself. Then, entirely confused with emotion, "Maybe. I don't know. It's complicated. Look, it doesn't matter. The important thing is that I don't feel right seeing you anymore. But, if you want, we can still be friends."

For quite some time, the phone was silent, save for the light rasping of Bobby's breath.

"No," Bobby replied monotonically. "I don't think so. We've already broken up a few times as is. I can't go through this again. But, I guess I've always known that it'd end one day. I think what I'm saying is that I understand. Wherever life takes you, whatever you do, make sure you're happy, alright?"

"I will," cried Lori. "You too. Bye."

"Yeah, bye," mumbled Bobby as the call ended.

For the first time in many years, Lori was between worlds. Yes, they'd broken up before, but never for long. Now, a difficult decision lay before her. Lori could either embrace her reason for breaking up or find someone else to date.

"God, damn it!" she whimpered as she leaned back against a tree. "Why do these things have to be so difficult?"

There was no turning back now. The termination of Lori's and Bobby's relationship was cemented in time, regardless of anything that might happen in the foreseeable future. Slowly, she lifted her phone once more and opened the phone app.

Her thumb hovered over the 'remove contact' button for a moment, realizing that once she hit it, she had no way of contacting him. Having hit 'dial' for so long, without a thought regarding his number, she hadn't committed it to memory.

Blowing out a long breath of air, she closed her eyes and tapped the button, then opened her eyes to verify that the entry no longer existed. A small part of her wished that Bobby had accepted her offer to continue as friends, but she knew well that such was rarely possible.

After lingering for a few more moments, and several cleansing breaths, it was time to head back inside and face her future, whatever that may entail. Slowly, she walked toward the house and stood before the back door.

"Alright, Lori," she whispered to herself. "Be strong. You can do this."

Then, she turned the knob and pushed reverently, as if she were opening a magical portal that called to her in her dreams. It was a barrier that cloaked her future and promised an unknown future. Stepping through was the easy part. Accepting whatever met her was another.