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

GHOST0938: I didn't cover their eighteenth birthday because I felt it would have overshadowed the recent graduation scenes.

Graduation

By Lola Presents (Suggested by Rose_the_Changeling)

Chapter 3 - Separation Anxiety

The flight to Providence was long and tedious, but Lana kept busy as she browsed through the campus literature. The last thing she wanted was to get lost on her first day there. She might know her way around an engine, but navigating a town was another thing.

As she perused various maps, highlighting points of interest, Lana familiarized herself with the campus and town she'd be living in. Popular music played over her earbuds, and occasionally, one of her sister's songs would play, making the college student miss home.

Lana had traveled before. Of course, her parents had always been with her. Today was the first time she'd done so alone, and she was terrified. When it came time to disembark the plane, Lana desperately wished her sister were there to hold her hand.

While the young mechanical engineer was legally an adult, Lana didn't feel like one at the moment. Her heart raced, and her skin crawled as she took a cab from the airport to her dorm at Johnson and Wales, and the closer she got, the more she fretted.

It wasn't until Lana stood before the four-story dormitory, gazing up at it with her luggage beside her, that she began to panic. She'd visited her sister, Lori, at college several times, but this was different. Back then, it was all fun and games. Now, she had responsibilities.

Sighing, Lana picked up her bags and walked toward the building, hoping she hadn't made the worst mistake of her life. And as she entered the air-conditioned lobby, filled with students, a young lady wearing a badge walked up to her and extended her hand.

"Hi!" the girl chirped. "My name is Michelle, and I'm the RA here," she announced, shaking Lana's hand after the new arrival had set her bags down. "That means Resident Assistant. May I show you to your room?"

"Uh, sure?" groaned Lana, still overwhelmed.

"Alright," Michelle beamed at her. "Do you know your room number? If not, I can look it up on my phone. All I need is your name."

"Lana," the tomboy replied. "Lana Loud."

"Okay," Michelle replied. "One second..."

Lana fidgeted and looked around at the other students milling about. They didn't seem bad, though most of them reminded her of her sister, Lisa. Not a dirtball in the bunch. Lana's college experience had gone well out of her comfort zone.

"Here you are," announced Michelle. "Room 204. You must be an engineering major."

"Uh, yeah..." muttered Lana, picking her bags back up and following Michelle to the elevator. "How'd you know?"

"The mechanics are all on the first floor," replied the young lady. "And the engineers are on the second."

"How come?" asked Lana as she stepped onto the small elevator.

"Two reasons, really," answered Michelle. "The garages are on the ground floor, and the engineers get better Wi-Fi reception upstairs."

"Oh," sighed Lana before emerging into the upstairs hallway.

"Your room is right over here," announced the RA, hanging her a key. "I believe your roommate has already checked in."

"Roommate?" repeated Lana, growing more anxious than she already was.

"Well, yes," laughed Michelle. "This is a dorm, not a hotel. They put two people in each room at random. Welcome to J and W! If you need anything, you can find me in room 101. Bye!" Michelle chirped before waving and walking off to find another fresh student to assist.

Lana looked at the plain wooden door and took a deep breath. Hesitantly, Lana inserted her key, turned the knob, and then walked into the small room. There were two beds, one along each wall, with a desk near their footboards. A small nook provided a sink and a mirror, while the opposing side of the room formed a joint closet.

"Hi there!" exclaimed a young lady unpacking her things. "My name is Nadine. Are you my roommate?"

"Yeah, I think so," stammered Lana, setting her suitcases on the unclaimed bed. "My name is Lana. It's nice to meet you."

Nadine looked an awful lot like Lana's sister, Lisa. She was thin and had an unruly mass of short brown hair. However, she stood slightly taller than Lana, unlike her shorter sister. Like Lisa, Nadine has a penchant for a more casual dress style.

"Pardon me for asking," Nadine apologized as she adjusted the lay of her glasses. "But are you an engineering student?"

"Yup!" chirped Lana, puffing her chest out. "Mechanical engineering! I want to design high-performance engines someday. Why do you ask?"

Nadine blushed and chuckled, curling her fingers near her mouth. "I'm sorry," she said. "It's just that you don't look much like an engineer. I thought maybe you were a mechanic and got the wrong floor."

"Huh?" Lana sputtered as she looked herself over, remembering her choice in overalls. "Oh, right," she laughed. "I guess I do look out of place, huh? Sorry, but I grew up working on cars."

"I see," hummed Nadine, putting the last of things in the closet. "Well, we're stuck with each other all year, so we might as well get to know one another. Are you hungry? I know you just got here, but I'm ready to eat. Maybe we can talk over dinner at the dining hall."

"Oh, boy!" chirped Lana, her nerves fading at the mention of food. "I'd love to."

"Alright then," replied Nadine. "Grab your card, and let's go!"

"Card?" questioned Lana, not understanding.

"Here, where's your orientation folder?" asked Nadine.

"Uh, in my bag. One second..." Lana requested as she fetched the folder from one of the suitcases, then handed it to her roommate.

"Okay," Nadine narrated as she opened the folder. Then, sliding a plastic card from underneath a loose flap, she handed both items back to Lana. "That card has an allotment from your tuition on it. You'll use that to pay for books, food, and other items on campus."

"Oh, cool!" exclaimed Lana, not realizing she had such a thing. "Alright, let's go!"


Surprisingly, Lola was in much the same state as her twin. Despite being more outgoing and daring than her sister, Lola soon found that doing things alone wasn't as glamorous as she had once thought. There was nobody there to back her up if something went wrong.

Lola had spent all her life building to this moment. For years she'd endured competitive pageants, a modeling career, and even some acting stints on the side. But for all her preparation, the reality was vastly different than what she imagined.

No adoring fans begged for autographs or selfies when Lola got off the plane. Nor were there any limos waiting to take her where she needed to go. Realistically, Lola knew that wouldn't be the case, but the overly dramatic part of her continued to deceive her.

Sighing, Lola entered the terminal and claimed her baggage before making her way outside. She had always been a small girl and felt lost in the vast sea of taller people milling about the airport. However, she had years of experience bossing her siblings around to assist her.

Eventually, Lola made it outside and set her bags down long enough to call for a cab. She then stacked her bags and sat on them like a guard dog until the mustard-yellow vehicle pulled up. Without leaving the car, the driver unlocked the door and trunk, both of which popped open.

Tossing her things into the trunk and closing it, Lola entered and closed her door before telling the driver the address of her new apartment. Then, as the car drove off, Lola took in her surroundings, disgusted at how filthy the interior was. Did nobody in Los Angeles know how to clean?

"You've got to be kidding me..." Lola complained once she stood on the sidewalk, looking up at an old brownstone building that looked like it hadn't gotten washed in decades. A rusty fire escape scaled the side of the building awkwardly, looking like it might fall at any moment. "This place looks like a dump!"

"Oh well," Lola sighed, picking her bags up before someone snatched them. "Beggars can't be choosers," she muttered before heading inside.

The inside wasn't much better, but at least someone had swept and kept the trash bins clear. Trying the elevator first, Lola grimaced upon seeing a cardboard sign taped to the door that read, "Out of Order." Rolling her eyes, the aspiring actress hoofed her way to the third floor.

Finally, Lola stood at the threshold of her new place, room 306. Pulling out the key the landlord mailed her a few weeks prior, Lola inserted it and tried turning the knob, only to have a stray cat run down the hallway, hissing at something unseen.

Once inside, Lola set her things down, locked the door, then proceeded to familiarize herself with her new home. There was a small kitchenette, a living room, one bedroom, and a modest bathroom. Though it appeared clean at first glance, closer inspection revealed decades of paint.

"Welcome home, Lola," she told herself, sitting on the old, rough sofa.

Taken off guard, Lola nearly had a heart attack when someone knocked on her door. When she recovered, Lola walked over, stood on her tiptoes, and peered through the little peephole in the door, giving her a wide-angle view of the hall.

Satisfied that she wasn't about to be abducted, Lola unlocked the door, cracked it, and nearly swooned. The man standing before her was a good foot taller than herself, had evenly tanned skin, and had a head of immaculately groomed dark hair.

"Hello," the man said suavely. "I hope I haven't interrupted anything, but I couldn't help but notice you moving in. My name is Blake, and I'm your neighbor in 305."

"Hi, Lola, I'm Blake," the stunned girl replied. "Wait! I mean, I'm Lola. Hi..."

"Are you here by yourself?" Blake asked, trying to peer into Lola's apartment. "No family? A mother or father, perhaps?"

"No," muttered Lola nervously. "Just me. Thanks."

"Well," Blake sighed, his hands resting comfortably in his pockets. "I'll have to keep an eye on you then. A girl of your stature can get eaten alive in this city."

"What about you?" inquired Lola. "Any family I should know about?"

"Not yet, I'm afraid," sighed the man. "Though, you never know," he said, winking as he flashed his pearly whites at her.

"Okay..." sighed Lola. "I'll see you later. I have to unpack now."

Blake nodded curtly at Lola and smiled. "Very well," he acknowledged. "I'm right next door if you need anything," he said before giving her a two-finger salute and walking off.

Lola quickly closed the door and leaned against it. Her chest was beating so fast she could hardly think. Fortunately, her stomach interrupted her thoughts, reminding her how hungry Lola was. Then, walking to the kitchenette, she opened the refrigerator.

"Oh, right..." sighed Lola, staring at the empty appliance. "No food."

Then, grabbing her purse and ensuring she had some pocket money, Lola left her apartment, searching for something to eat. The grimy downtown street was unlike anything she had experienced.

Back home, Lola had been able to drive her little pink jeep into town as a child without fear. As an adult, she had to keep her eyes open and alert. There were far more people out than in Royal Woods, and most wore a scowl on their faces.

Despite the dreary circumstances, Lola managed to find a deli not two blocks from her apartment. Stepping inside, Lola got taken away to another world. The scents and décor were perfect. Who knew such a place would exist behind such a devious exterior?

"What'll you have, Miss?" asked the waitress as Lola took a seat at the counter.

"I think I'll have the dinner special, please," announced Lola after consulting the menu.

"Very well," sighed the woman as she wrote down the order and stuck it to a carousel behind her.

As Lola waited patiently for her dinner, she considered her plans for the following day. First, she had to finish unpacking. Second, Lola needed to get groceries and supplies. And third, she needed to visit the staffing agency to find employment.

Lola's eyes lit up when her dinner arrived, which consisted of a deliciously plump hamburger topped with melted swiss cheese, buttery mushrooms, and a layer of mayonnaise. A large cola and a side of freshly prepared french fries sat beside the main course.

Biting into it, Lola nearly died. The flavor was impeccable and made her salivate in anticipation of the next bite. For better or worse, as far as her health was concerned, Lola had found her new favorite place to eat. However, the portions were too large for her to finish.

"May I take rest home?" she asked when the waitress returned with her check. "This was so delicious. I can't walk away from it."

"Of course, dear," said the woman, running Lola's credit card through a handheld device before fetching a take-out box. "Please, come again!"

Lola entered her apartment a few minutes later as the street lights turned on. After locking her door and securing the little latch, she ensured the blinds were down, and nobody could see through her windows. Finally, Lola had some time to herself, and placing her leftovers in the fridge, she sat on the sofa and relaxed.


After lunch, Lana and Nadine spent most of the day together, walking the campus. The first thing they did was visit the campus bookstore with their class schedules in hand. After delivering them to their room, they left again, eager to check out everything the college had to offer.

Sequentially, they visited each class, noting the building and room, lest they forget. Afterward, they entertained the library and lecture halls, followed by the student center and staff offices, in case they needed them later.

Their day out ended with another trip to the dining hall, where they got to know each other a little better while they ate. Lana told Nadine all about her siblings and the ridiculous things they used to do, while Nadine let Lana know that she was an only child and wasn't very adventurous.

"I can't believe you took part in a beauty pageant," exclaimed Nadine, laughing as she ate. "Not to mention placing! That's incredible! I'd never have had the gall to try something like that."

"I know, right?" chuckled Lana. "But it wasn't that bad. Seriously. At least you wouldn't have to work as hard at it as I did."

"What?" Nadine gasped, a bite of pizza hanging from her mouth.

"What I mean is..." Lana began, blushing slightly. "You're really pretty. That's all."

"Uh, thanks?" conceded Nadine. "I guess..."

"I'm sorry," apologized Lana. "I shouldn't have said that."

"No, it's okay," replied the stunned girl. "I've just never had anyone say that before. You don't have to apologize."

"No, it's not that," sighed Lana, lowering her gaze. "I have a girlfriend."

Realizing what Lana meant, Nadine began blushing. It was one thing to get called cute by another girl, but another when said girl was a lesbian.

"Oh..." sighed the taller girl, turning crimson and averting her eyes as they finished their meals.

"Well," chirped Lana as she gathered her trash. "We should head back now. I don't want to sleep late on my first day at college," she offered, attempting to redirect the conversation.

"Right!" agreed Nadine. "Neither do I. Shall we?" she inquired.


Lola had just finished putting the last of things away when her phone rang. In desperate need to talk to someone she knew, Lola fumbled while getting her phone out and answered it before looking to see who was calling.

"Hello?" she barked excitedly.

"Lola?" cooed Lana from the other side of the line. "It's Lana. I miss you. How are you doing?"

"I miss you, too, Lana," purred Lola, flopping onto her couch with a huge grin. "I'm doing alright," she told her sister. "I haven't been here long, but I've gotten unpacked and found the most amazing place to eat. What about you?"

"I'm exhausted," Lana complained. "I spent all day with my roommate, Nadine, exploring the campus. She's nice. I like her a lot. I was so afraid I'd get a horrible roommate."

"That's... nice," Lola told her girlfriend while thinking about the guy next door. "I met someone too. His name is Blake."

"I see," responded Lana, sensing that Lola was distracted. "I love you."

"I love you, too, baby," Lola purred. "I can hardly wait to see you again. Especially now that were not under our parent's roof," she said affectionately. "We can do whatever we want."

"As long as you do it with me," Lana insisted. "Not the guy next door."

"What?" queried the stunned girl. "I would never!" she assured her sister.

"Alright," whispered Lana seductively. "I have to get ready for bed, though. I'll call you again tomorrow night."

"Okay! Love you!" Lola chirped before making kissing noises into the phone and hanging up.


Both girls stood, went to their closets, and slowly stripped. Aft ward, they put on their nightclothes and crawled into their respective beds. As they tried to fall asleep, their thoughts turned toward each other. The world was a vast place, and anything could happen.

Phone calls were great for keeping in touch, but they were the same as being with someone face-to-face, and neither girl could help but worry about the other. They were both about to meet many new people, and each feared the other might forget about them.

Lola was concerned about her sister. She'd known how Lana felt about girls for years, and to hear she liked her roommate was unsettling. Lola couldn't help but wonder what might happen if spending that much time alone with another girl. Would it tarnish their relationship?

Likewise, Lana was distraught over her sister's fascination with the guy next door. Was he cute and charming enough to steal Lola away from her? She knew well that Lola liked boys. Her interest in girls, specifically her, was a recent discovery, and she worried it might not stick.

Eventually, both girls succumbed to sleep, as fitful as it was.