It was a busy and stressful night in the Loud house. The last day of summer was coming to a close, and all eleven kids were dreading having to wake up early for classes the following day. Lily would be starting pre school, Lincoln would be starting middle school, and Lori would be leaving for college.
All the kids except for Lori had gone upstairs to get ready for bed. The oldest Loud child had stayed downstairs an extra half hour to watch one more episode of her favorite show The Dream Boat. She would not be able to watch this show while at college because instead of TVs in lounges in the Fairway U dorms, they had putting greens. Stupid golf clichés.
The episode ended and Lori was about to go upstairs when she felt someone sit next to her on the couch, her only brother Lincoln. "Shouldn't you be getting to bed now?" she asked.
"Before I do, can we talk a little?" asked Lincoln.
"Sure," replied Lori.
"So are you excited to be going to Fairway U?" asked Lincoln.
"For sure!" replied Lori.
"Hahaha! Good one!" Luan called from upstairs.
Lori groaned. "Anyways, it's going to be great. I'll have a scholarship, I'll be able to take classes in golf and other subjects of interest, and I'll be close to Bobby."
"That's great. I'm happy for you." said Lincoln smiling. Lori however could tell her brother's smile was phoned in. She sensed sadness behind his smile.
"Everything okay Lincoln?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." replied Lincoln, his voice cracking slightly.
"Are you nervous about starting middle school?" asked Lori.
"N-no," said Lincoln, his voice even shakier. "I'll be fine, I have my friends and Lynn gave me some good tips."
"Good," said Lori. "But you're sure you're okay?"
"Yeah. It's just that… I-I'm really gonna miss you." Upon saying those words, Lincoln's mental dam broke. He did not cry loudly in pants and gasps like his dad would. Instead small tears formed in his eyes as he laid down on the couch sideways.
Seeing Lincoln like this was a rare sight for Lori. Her brother almost always kept his emotions as neutral as possible, he was not one to be open about them. He still had his moments, as did everybody, but usually he would confide in Clyde or their parents if something was legitimately bothering him.
"Aw Lincoln," said Lori. She put a hand on his back and gently rubbed. "I'll miss you too."
"Things are going to be really different around here without you." said Lincoln.
"It will be alright," said Lori. "You guys will adapt. And that being said, I have a big responsibility for you once I'm gone."
"What's that?" asked Lincoln.
"I'm trusting you to keep this place in line," said Lori. "I know Leni will be the new house babysitter, but I personally have more faith in you than I do her. Just don't tell her I said that."
"I don't know if I can fill your shoes," said Lincoln. "I couldn't even walk Cliff to the litter box before."
"That was then," said Lori. "I've seen you these last few months, you've done great. Helping dad cook breakfast, resolving fights between the twins, helping Lynn find her sports equipment, helping Lucy come up with rhymes, changing Lily's diapers. I'm proud of you Lincoln, and you should be proud of yourself."
"Thanks Lori,"
"You've been able to keep the house standing this long," said Lori. "You'll do great, even in my absence."
"I'm still really gonna miss you." said Lincoln.
"Like I said, I'll miss you too." said Lori. "And I'll be back to visit on holidays and a few weekends in between."
After a 15 second gap of silence, Lincoln said "Thanks for being such a great older sister."
Lori was flattered. "And thank you for being a great younger brother."
"I really could not have asked for a better role model." added Lincoln.
"Lincoln, don't give me credit for more than I'm worth," said Lori, her own voice welling up.
"What do you mean?" asked Lincoln, now confused.
"I'm not that great," said Lori. "I do what I can but… I know you have closer bonds with Leni and Luna and…" the blonde teen sniffed. "I would sometimes threaten to turn you into a human pretzel."
"It's alright," said Lincoln. "Everyone does things they're not proud of. Like me leaving that message of profanities in your inbox."
"But I literally deserved it." said Lori.
"No you didn't," said Lincoln. "You bought me a new game after all."
"Yeah, I did buy you a new game."
"Besides, we've had some good times together too." said Lincoln. "That day at the fair with Bobby, or the time I got you a job at Gus's."
Lori chuckled. "Yeah, those days weren't perfect but I did enjoy the time spent with you."
Lincoln did not say anything after this. Lori reached her hand underneath Lincoln's arm, jerked him up, and pulled him into a tight side hug. The two siblings sat together in silence for a couple of minutes.
"S-sorry I was such a mess earlier." said Lincoln.
"Don't be sorry," said Lori. "We all have emotions, and it's okay to express them."
"I know," said Lincoln. "But those who are emotional in this house often get made fun of."
"Literally true," said Lori. Both she and Lincoln had been on the receiving end of such torment multiple times.
Lori stood up and stretched her back. "Come on, let's get to bed now."
The oldest and middle Loud kids walked up the stairs and to the bathroom, brushing their teeth side by side.
Once exiting the bathroom, the two stopped in front of Lori and Leni's bedroom door. "Well, this is the last night I'll be sleeping in this room for a while." said Lori.
Lincoln pulled Lori into another hug. This caught the blonde teen by surprise, but she welcomed it with open arms, literally. "Goodnight Lori. And good luck at Fairway, I know you'll do great."
"Goodnight Lincoln," said Lori.
After another few seconds, the brother and sister broke apart and walked into each of their bedrooms.
As Lincoln laid in bed, slowly drifting off the sleep, he reflected on all the memories he had with Lori over the years, both the good and the bad. The white haired boy knew he and his oldest sister did not have a perfect relationship, he had that with none of his siblings, but he cherished the time they spent together and would not trade it for the world.