"Lana..she...she kissed me..."
The shock of the initial moment still had him thinking. Lana, his little sister, had kissed him in the lips and went as far as introducing her tongue inside his mouth. He still remembered the murderous glare of her sisters at the top of the stairs, the pain in some of them, the anger in others, and the deception of one in specific. Even when they all parted towards their rooms he didn't feel safe; he swore he could see the wrath in Lola's eyes, he feared that she would take that old habit back and go straight to their parents' room to tell them what had just happened. But she was smarter than that, she was aware that if she informed them, that would not only affect him and Lana, but it would actually affect all the sisters, including herself. She wasn't risking the integrity of the family for that, but he knew she wouldn't just stay there with crossed arms.
He took a good few minutes to think what just had happened; he stood in the middle of the living room, repassing every move, every word, every event that lead to that outcome. He did nothing special, he just tried to cheer his sister up in a moment of need; he helped her in the same way that he would've helped any other sister. Then why did she kissed him?!
A yawn escaped his mouth, reminding him that he still had a few good hours of sleep before starting her day.
He carefully walked up the stairs, taking shy step after shy step until he reached the top floor. To be honest, he felt like walking in one of those so called 'backrooms' ha had read about in the internet; the sensation of being in constant danger accompanied him, the fear that one of his sisters might come out of one of the doors along the hallway and do something to him was like a rock tied to his body that difficult his walk. Once he entered the safety of his room, he closed the door and leaned against it with a sigh. Lincoln sat on the edge of the bed and covered his face with his hands. Of all the things that could have happened to him, why did it have to be this? He could deal with an angry sister, a sibling argument, hell even a DEFCON 1 level sister fight was better. But this was new to him. Maybe sleeping would clear his mind and give him the answer of how to deal with this.
Have you ever have one of those nights where you're trying to fall asleep but your brain reminds you of the most embarrassing shit that happened to you? Well, for Lincoln, it was one of those nights. But instead of remind him embarrassing things, the scene of the kiss kept replaying again and again inside his head, preventing him from getting the sleep he so much needed right now.
"Is...is Lana in love w-with me?" He said. "How?"
He knew the answer, which was funny and at the same time ironic. While he considered himself an idiot when it came to love related stuff, he was aware of what the girls at college (and even from high school) said about him. Somehow, he was quite popular among women in college; a good bunch of girls had confessed their feelings for him, and a smaller group had even gone as far as try to take him to bed.
But why? This was the question most of the guys in college asked. What do girls find so attractive in him? He wasn't in any sport team, he was average smart, he even was a damn nerd who liked comics and anime, what could they have seen in him?
Well, unlike most of them, he knew what he wanted; a lot of girls had declared their love for him, and a lot of them were really beautiful and had a high status, like cheerleaders and even some teachers at college. And while the vast majority of the guys in town considered him the luckiest motherfucker alive, he didn't return their feelings. Sure they all were sexy (some of them even rich), But it was all they were for him, pretty faces. He wouldn't just accept because a girl confessed her love if she did not evoke any special feeling in him. He was an old fashioned gentleman; he wanted to fall in love with a kind hearted girl, make a life at her side, have children with her, you get the idea. If both parts weren't in love, it wouldn't work.
And that takes us to the situation at hand. Why did Lana fall in love with him? She obviously didn't take into account the fact that he was her brother, she didn't care for the consequences of the forbidden love she had for him, why take all the risks of wanting to be in a relationship that had all odds against. What did he make that was so special that made her fall in love with him?
I never thought it'd go as far as it did... Lincoln thought. Why? I didn't do anything different? I treated them as always; since I can remember I've always treated them the same way. What changed?
Well, since a few months now she had helped them with some serious problems. For example: Lynn's fall, Luna's concert, Lucy's deception... Was it when it all went wrong? Because he was trying to be a good brother?
He rolled on his right side, facing the wall full of posters of Ace Savvy and some animes. You know what was the worst part of this? The faces of his sisters as they saw Lana introducing her tongue in his mouth, he saw the jealousy in their eyes, and even a hint of murderous intention. The moral dilemma and the danger of the deal made him feel worse; he loved his sisters dearly, but he had never seen them under that light...did he?
But that was in the past, and what was worse, he could never see them the same way again, he could never see them as family because now he knew what they all felt. He knew he couldn't treat them the same way because now his actions had a big effect in them, his words had another value to them, even his body language had possibly some other meaning, so he now had to be careful with that.
What had the future set for him? Was he sure he didn't feel something for them? He took that thought away from his mind, fearing he'd eventually fall for them. As minutes passed, he eventually fell asleep.
His sleep didn't do any better to calm him; all he could think about was what they all had for him next morning. He woke up still tired and feeling a little distressed, fearing to find some uninvited guest completely nude sleeping right at his side. After realising he was all alone in the comfort of his room, he sighed with relief and sat on the edge of the bed. The clock marked the 06:30 AM, his sisters were probably still sleeping.
He grabbed some clean clothes and opened his door slowly, trying to minimize the noise of the old hinges. The doors that gave access to their sister's rooms were still closed; he even could hear some snores coming from Lynn and Lucy's room. Taking this as a green light to proceed, he headed for the bathroom where a hot shower waited to treat his tired body. He made sure to lock the door correctly so no unexpected visits would join him.
The lukewarm water fell right onto him, washing away the somnolence and the tiredness from his bones. He was still young and full of life, but the weight he had now on his back made him feel as tired as his later grandfather. You know, maybe he was overthinking all this situation with his sisters. I mean, maybe just as he doesn't give them hopes or reasons to make them believe they have a chance it'll be all right. Of course he must let them know that they didn't have chances with him first, the problem was...hell, not even him was sure how to feel about this problem.
You know what? Let's not thing about that for now, the water it's good and all he wanted was a moment to relax.
After several minutes he came out fully dressed and feeling a lot better. Now a little less paranoid he walked down the stairs and headed for the kitchen; after not resting well last night he really needed something to fill his tank, and what could be better than...
Just as he entered the kitchen, the smell of fried bacon along with the sweet scent of honey spilled over a fresh mount of pancakes invaded his nostrils, and not just that, but the delicious smell of black coffee out from the jar. In the table was the food that made his stomach rumble, pancakes and scrambled eggs with bacon and black coffee to drink; this rose a huge red flag in his head, what if they put something in it that will make him black out and then they'll tie him to the bed where they will perform all sort of sex tricks and...
Realising he was starting to invent impossible scenarios in his mind he took a deep breath. Maybe it was the lack of sleep, but he knew his sisters would never do such things. I mean, Lana did kiss him last night, but that was it, just a kiss.
He debated in his head about eating the food or just letting it there. He was really hungry and that really looked delicious. On the other hand, after the recent events...he thought it was a little risky. I mean, yeah, his sisters are probably trying something to get him to love them (in a no-so-sisterly manner), but that possibility was really smart. Besides, this could be their way to apologize for what happened last night.
Option number one, here I come.
Grabbing a fork and a knife he began to eat. The taste of the pancakes was just as he expected them; Luan did a damn good job. The eggs and bacon was probably Leni's; she tends to use that new seasoning she bought last month, it honestly gave the food a damn good taste. The coffee was Lucy's making, he was sure; she was the one who liked her food very well done (scorched if possible).
The food was delicious, he had no doubt about it. However, he made sure to finish was quick as possible; the less time he spent in the house, the less likely he'd meet with his sisters. And don't make the wrong assumption; he still loved them dearly, but it was better not to meet with them for now.
He took the dirty dishes to the sink, but just as he headed for the front door, the ten headed beast emerged from the bottom of the he really wanted to test the waters, he knew that chances were that it was some kind of trick. Maybe going out from the backdoor would work.
But it was too late. He felt like a hopeless soldier watching the bomb falling down from the sky, unable to do something to save his life, knowing his fate is written in stone and with the only option of saying his last words before he sees the last light.
After last night's events he believed this would turn into a Royal Rumble, with the prize being him instead a World Title shot at WrestleMania; he could already picture Lynn sweeping the floor with the other sisters and claiming him for herself.
But, as opposed to what he expected, they all acted...normal, as if last night events never happened, as if Lana didn't kissed him, as if they never got angry at them.
Yeah...I'm not buying that... he thought. I know all about warfare, and my instinct tells me that they're waiting for a chance, an opening, the moment when I lower my guard.
Well, maybe the fanfics from where he got everything he knew about war weren't the best source of information. But any person with half a braincell would realise that there was something going on.
The girls sat in the table, some of them chatting like everyday, some other applying makeup, some typing something in their cellphones. None of them seemed to have noticed him, maybe this was his chance to...
"Hey, Linky!" Leni called him happily.
Well, his chance was flushed away. "So, girls..." he started, acting as normal as he could, trying not to let them know he was nervous. "How are you today?."
"Oh, I'm totes fine!" Leni replied.
"Fucking good." Luna replied with a thumbs up.
"Magnifique." Lisa said.
"Good, indeed." Lori replied. "Actually, we wanted to talk about..."
"Oh, girls, look at the time," Lincoln interrupted, checking his phone screen. "I really need to go, Clyde needs my help with...with something."
"Lincoln, wait..." Lori tried to say.
"Sorry, girls, it's something urgent."
"Lincoln..." Lisa said.
"I'm out."
"Linc-" Luan couldn't even finish.
"Adios!"
Lincoln walked through the door as quick as he could to avoid hearing their pleads. You know, one man should never wake up and think about how all his ten sisters have forbidden desires towards him. What else could he do? Well, at least for now he could run away like a chicken. That's the first thing he could think of.
Besides, what would their parents say? Their dear progenitors, the ones who protected them when they were kids, the ones who moulded them to be the good citizens they are today, how would they react if they knew their children are engaging in not only sinful, but illegal relationships. They would never approve, there was no doubt about it.
And it was worse because recently he started to understand how his father felt after their conversation at the mall, and he started to help his mother more often; it's been a long time since the last time he talked so openly with his old man, since their last man to man conversations, since their last quality time together. And with all the work around the house, plus his own work, it's been forever since he talked so casually with his mother; being the only boy in the house it was only natural that he was more close to her, but now that both of them had their own things to worry about it's been quite a while since the last time they sat and talked.
His parents had their own problems and occupations, he couldn't give them more worries. It had to remain a secret...
But, what's the point? Lincoln thought. My sisters will probably spit the beans at some point or do something that will compromise the secret. I'll be lucky if they keep their mouths shut.
He was so busy thinking about the consequences of his actions that he didn't realise his feet took him to one of the places he frequented the most: Flips Food n' Fuel.
Call it habit, but whenever he takes a walk and at the same time organize his thoughts, he always ends up in here. Why? He didn't know.
Lincoln walked towards the counter, where he saw an even older Flip filling something that seemed to be a tax form. Why didn't it surprised him that he reported his income to be less than $100 a month?
"Morning, Flip," he said.
"Hey, Loud," the old man replied. "What brings you here so early?"
"I...just needed to take a break, that's all." he replied. "Please give me a strawberry flip."
The old man left what he was doing to serve the order. He grabbed a plastic cup from under the counter and walked towards the flip machine. "It's around nine o'clock, from what could you need a break this early?"
"Well..." Lincoln started, but then realised what he was about to say. "I-It's none of your business, please limit to serve my order." he rudely replied.
"Okay, okay," Flip replied and gave him the ice shake. "It seems someone started his day with the left foot..."
"You could say that," Lincoln said. He took a couple of bills from his backpack and left them in the counter. "Keep the change."
"Well, aren't you generous..." Flip replied with sarcasm, taking the money and going back to that damn tax form.
"Alright girls," Lori started. "The 'acting normal' idea didn't work.
"Dang, I thought it was good..." Lola said, feeling a little bit disappointed.
"Hey," Leni patted her back. "It was a nice try."
"Well, I propose..." Lisa started, but didn't finish the sentence. "You know what, nevermind. It is better if he falls in love with one of us. I don't think using a love potion would be the most optimal."
Lynn playfully punched her on the shoulder. "Hey, that's an improvement."
"Hey girls," Lana started. "Don't you think that...there might be a remote possibility that he's already in love with one of us?"
The room grew silent, in part because they still were mad at Lana, but also because that might be true...
"Well...I don't want to have any expectations, but...that can be true." Luna said.
"I, like, don't think he's been all this time without feeling something for one of us."
"And luckily he doesn't have a girlfriend, so that's an advantage." Luan said.
The room went silent again, but the tension grew up in the air. Yes, they all had a small possibility of becoming Lincoln's love interest. They all knew they had the same chances (which, for them being his sisters, were pretty low). So it all was based in who made the best effort to get his love.
"I think we should stop fighting," Lily took the word. "We all should make efforts to make him fall in love with us, and if one does it, the others will give up on him."
The other sisters weren't too convinced by that plan; it was risky, and Lana was already at the lead. However, it was the only way to keep Lincoln for one of them...and to keep their parents oblivious of the situation.
"I believe this silence should be taken as a yes." Lucy spoke.
"Wait!" Lola yelled. "I think I have a better idea, an idea that might work better.
"Well, then explain already!" Lynn replied.
"Okay. What do you think if we make him jealous?"
They all had something to say, but ultimately decided to remain silent.
"Yeah, like, going out with other people and stuff."
"Isn't that a lot of work?" Lana inquired. "I mean, wouldn't it be better if we fake it and..."
"No." Lori interrupted. "Lola's got a point. We cannot let anyone find out about our plan, and that's the best way to get rid of the unnecessary attention. Besides, it's also the best way to find out if he likes one of us."
"And our dear brother will realise how beautiful we actually are!"
While they all agreed to execute the plan, they all stared at the others with ferocity in their eyes. None of them were letting that chance to slip from their hands, and certainly weren't willing to lose. The risk was high, but the rewards was worth the problems in which they could get.
The competence had started.