"I would greatly appreciate it if we could forsake this stupid trip, but alas, I need to be patient if I want to learn the truth." Lucy told herself, though this wasn't simply due to her desire to finally learn her brother's baffling secret. Taking the Loud sisters, as a group, to a public restaurant had bad idea written all over it and Lincoln did not wish for more chaos. She herself could also do without it.
She doubted Renee was ignorant about the risk either, and only seemed to be doing it out of some sense of obligation to fulfill her job, not out of concern over the kids going hungry.
She walked towards Lisa's room when Lola walked out of it and entered the hall, holding soaked balls of cotton pressed to both of her eyes.
Lucy sighed. "Lola, watch out." She warned her monotonously.
Lola removed one cotton ball and glared at the goth with her bloodshot eye, while hissing and bearing her teeth. Lucy flinched as Lola circled around her, never ceasing her threat display, before storming off to her room. Even Lucy felt her skin crawling from the sight.
"Don't forget. We gotta be downstairs in ten minutes." Lucy reminded her, though she honestly couldn't care less if Lola would land in trouble for being tardy.
"Will you cease flinching, these vaccines were designed to be painless." She heard Lisa's voice.
The princess, meanwhile, entered her room, bitter and dejected. She had never experienced such a long string of humiliation and sorrow, things usually went her way. What had changed?
"That stupid Renee, that's what!" she fumed. "As long as she's here, things will never be back to normal."
She knew that all of them were due to assemble downstairs pronto, and Lola considered going on a hunger strike to spite their accursed babysitter, but something clicked in her mind. A rare lucid train of thought?
"No, she's too powerful and too crafty. She'll punish me more." Lola found herself begrudgingly considering the possibility. "Maybe Lincoln was right?" She felt disgusted as the thought made its way to the forefront. She couldn't be a spineless coward like her brother and submit to that pathetic Lady Tremaine wannabe, but how much more humiliation could she endure? If there was a way to avoid it…..
"No! I can't be weak-willed like Lincoln! I'm beautiful! I'm fair! I'm righteous! I deserve to win!" she stomped her foot in defiance.
"I just….just need to be more careful! Yes!" she rationalized while breathing heavily and looking around her room. "If Renee's cunning then I need to be double as cunning! Strike her when she least expects it! Give her a false sense of security! Yes! Yes!" Lola was soon brainstorming a new tactic, she just needed a weapon.
Her ex-sister's pets cowered after being grazed by Lola's psychotic glare, as she grabbed her box and rummaged through it. She had already used up her most dangerous weapons, and they had failed her.
Hissing in agitation, Lola looked around her room for anything else that she could employ against her dreaded enemy when she noticed a familiar shampoo bottle lying against the wall, and dripping.
She had forgotten all about that, but the sight immediately sparked an idea in her twisted little mind. They were going to travel outside, right? Lola grinned wickedly. Finally! Vengeance would be hers!
"Okay, I get your point, but nobody likes to be used as a pincushion." Luan retorted sardonically. Lucy walked towards the doorway to find Luan sitting on Lisa's bed and rubbing her left arm, while Lisa was at her work table, looking through a microscope.
"I have good news, sister. I have not observed the presence of any abnormalities in your blood cells." Lisa stated with some relief. No sign of any known diseases, but more importantly, no sign of her cocktail-made zombie flue manifesting itself again in Luan's system either.
"Thanks for the prognosis, doc." Luan sighed, the scratches on her face still stinging even after Lisa had cleaned them. "Y'know? I don't get why we have to pay medical bills, when you're more than qualified to be our unpaid house doctor?" she added with more levity.
Lisa rolled her eyes and turned around on her swivel chair, bearing an unamused expression.
"Hey, I meant that as a compliment, really." Luan replied tentatively. The last thing she wanted was to offend one of the siblings that still supported her. Noting her unease, Lisa's face softened.
"I know, I harbor no ill will towards you. You merely advocated my medical skills and I appreciate that, and I'm happy to be of assistance to my family." Lisa sighed and looked away. "I've just been exhausted lately, that's all."
"Rumor has it you're suffering from insomnia?" Luan asked.
"You could say that…." Lisa sighed.
"Hey, Luan." Lucy finally revealed herself and walked in. "Are you still at risk of having rabies?"
"Don't fret about it, Lucy. I had my shots." Luan chuckled in response, still rubbing her arm. "And don't you dare spread rumors about me being sick…." She added in a stern tone before sniggering "….they might go viral. Get it?"
The goth didn't comment. "Well, okay. But we should get down quickly. Renee's going to be upset."
"Why is she in such a hurry?" Lisa asked her. "Wouldn't it be mandatory to give us at least an additional hour for recovery, given our ordeal at the dinner table?"
"Renee doesn't want us to stay past curfew, and we're already lagging behind." Luan sighed and shook her head.
Lisa scowled a bit. "This is most illogical. Why does she prioritize keeping up some arbitrary schedule she has imposed on us over allowing the casualties of the dinner incident to recover? Especially considering that we are nearing the end of June and therefore the yearly peak of daylight hours?"
"Hmmmm….yes, it does seem rather inconsiderate of her, but why do you disapprove of it?" Lucy asked cautiously. "I thought you might value the need to follow a tightly-planned schedule?"
Lisa blinked. "Maybe….but her approach to this is both impractical and highly inconsiderate."
"Yes, but I didn't think you were someone who thought much about being inconsiderate?"
Luan looked at the goth oddly, while Lisa blinked. What was she supposed to say to that?
"Well…." She rubbed her arm awkwardly "…..I believe that I explained my reasons thoroughly at the table?"
"You did…." Lucy said simply. "But why now exactly? Why the sudden change of heart? As far as I'm aware, you have always preferred to stay neutral in family affairs as long as they didn't inconvenience you, and if they did-"
"Lucy." Luan told her somewhat sternly. "It's not very considerate of you to say such things."
"But it is true." Lucy retorted simply. "You and I both know Lisa's stance when it comes to family conflicts. As long as it doesn't involve her, she doesn't interfere, or care about it."
Lisa fiddled, while Luan sighed. "Lucy….. I think she explained why already, and I'm willing to believe her. Sometimes…..sometimes people just have an epiphany." Though her epiphany came in the form of Ryan, making Luan wonder if Lisa has been having some serious conversations with a close confidant, whoever that might be?
"Sometimes you just take a good, long look at yourself and you start to reconsider some things." She continued softly before glancing at the genius. "Lisa, I'm not trying to insinuate that you were ever a bad person, but did you…..y'know…..Lucy does have a point that you're not one to get sentimental or overly helpful. Did something happen?"
Lisa glanced down. "Um….I guess you could say that. I've done a lot of musing regarding the matter of my character." She looked back at the teen, who retained her soft expression, not appearing interested in pushing the matter too far, though her expression also conveyed a sense of knowing, that she was somehow relating to Lisa's dilemma.
"Lisa, we all make mistakes, it's unavoidable." Luan added. "Whatever you did, we won't badger you about it. Whatever it was, it can't have been nearly as bad as my yearly Prankmageddon."
Lisa's face darkened and she glanced down again. "If only you knew….or could remember…."
"Just as long as you learn from it and try not to repeat yourself, that's all that matters." Luan said sagely. "I mean, know I don't have the same IQ points as you, so I'm probably unqualified to lecture you, but still. That's just my two cents. Don't waste time wallowing in self-pity over some old incident; otherwise, you'll just spend more time regretting not having done anything to move on or make up for it."
"I am trying to do something about it, but I worry that my efforts will be too little too late."
"It's nothing that should concern you…" Lisa quickly responded, trying not to shed tears "….and it's nothing serious, just…"
Luan stayed quiet. It defiantly sounded like something was troubling Lisa, but knowing her sister (at least somewhat) she guessed Lisa didn't want to go into detail over it, out of fear of appearing childish and below her self-appointed high standards? Or she thought that her siblings literally couldn't understand what was bugging her?
"Sounds serious to me." Lucy chimed in. "Considering your change in attitude."
"Lucy, we promised not to bother her about it." Luan countered. "I'm sure Lisa will open up once she feels comfortable doing that, we both know that's easier said than done. Let's not be nosy about it. She's on our side as it is."
Lucy considered that and gave in. "Sigh. I suppose you're right." Whatever it was, it couldn't be more important than whatever was going on with Lincoln and Lynn.
"Let's get going." Luan stood up and glanced at Lisa. "Just remember what I told ya. All that matters is that you learn something and better yourself, and apologize if you think you've made someone upset."
Retaining her glum expression, Lisa said nothing at first; for Luan's well-meant advice hadn't changed anything about her plans.
"I'll….I'll keep that in mind." She sighed. "I'm aware that our daily hobbies can have unintentional negative consequences, especially on people besides ourselves."
"I know all too well. Just be the bigger person, even if some people don't care for an apology." Luan added, when she started twitching and scowling. "Like certain back-stabbing gold-diggers who will side with your mortal enemy because apparently one day of terror every year is worse than devoting your whole existence to making one person's life a living hell!"
Once her rant was finished, Luan found herself clenching her teeth and glaring at her curled up hands, while her younger sisters had both taken a step back, carrying worried expressions.
Luan chuckled sheepishly. "Sorry about that….um…shall we get a move on?"
Meanwhile, in Lynn and Lucy's room…
"Just remember, squirt. Behave, don't talk smack to Renee, keep your head down and remember your table manners, and everything will be cool." Lynn lectured the younger tomboy while packing a few essentials in the latter's small backpack.
"I know that, you said it several times." Lana grumbled, sitting on Lynn's bed, as the latter handed her the backpack. "I don't have the memory of a stinking goldfish!"
"Just making sure…." Lynn shrugged, remembering Ryan's saying about how a mere warning would often fall on deaf ears. "Making sure you don't forget about it. You believe me about the situation with mom and dad, right?"
Lana's brow furrowed. "Of course I do, what you told me…..it makes sense." She glanced down and fiddled with her fingers. "And it got me scared."
She sounded completely sincere, and Lynn was happy to hear it. "As long as you listen to me and behave, you'll have nothing to worry about, sis. That's a promise." She reassured her as she placed a comforting hand on Lana's shoulder.
As Lana looked at her, the jock smiled knowingly. "Remember, mom and dad had their first night out in eons, dad won the money the to finance his own restaurant, his long-time dream has come true, mom just recently made a visit to Pop-Pop and the meeting with Bobby's family….." Lynn paused as she felt a wave of unease "…..well, if nothing else, a long, relaxing trip to a city they've never been to before, away from the stress of home life, is bound to do them some good."
"So, you're saying they haven't been as stressed out this week?" Lana asked innocently.
"That….that I can't tell for sure." Lynn replied. "But compared to their usual everyday lives, this week was defiantly an improvement, Luan's Prankmageddon aside. All we gotta do now is make sure that they'll continue to have more opportunities such as these, so they can have fun and relax after a long day, and not screw things up for them."
"Like dad's meeting with that food critic?"
"Exactly, I'm sure a meeting with some snooty, highbrow critic wouldn't have gone as smoothly with a bunch of rambunctious kids bugging him. Sometimes, the best way to help someone is by not helping them and letting them do things on their own. Grown-ups know what they're doing, and it's best to let them do it unless they specifically ask for our help."
Lana just glanced down again and sighed. This was still a lot to process. Would she screw things ups and cause her parents grief no matter what? Even if she didn't try to do it on purpose?
"Just listen to your big sis, and you won't have anything to worry about." Lynn told her.
"I know…." Lana groaned. "You don't have to say it constantly."
"Sorry." Lynn leaned back.
"Lynn?"
"Yes?"
Lana cringed a bit. "If mom and dad go on dates again…does that mean…"
"Oh, no. Heck no." Lynn knew what had her sister worried. "Renee's an awful babysitter, that's one of the few things all of us can agree on. Once our folks get back, all the negative feedback will get them to search for a new babysitter to have on standby."
Just as Lana relaxed a bit, Lynn had to spoil it with a firm reminder. "But if you want a nicer babysitter, remember, we'll have to get the rest of the gals to behave to, otherwise mom and dad won't leave us with a nice babysitter."
"Dangit….." Lana grumbled. "How we will get Lola to behave?"
"We'll think of something….somehow…." Lynn replied with mild confidence, which soon morphed into uncertainty. "But I think you not picking fights with her is a great place to start."
"I don't start fights with her! She starts fights with me!" Lana insisted.
"Then try to stay out of her way more, pint-sized. Given your lack of common interests, that shouldn't be that hard. Even more after we becomes roomies." Lynn suggested.
Lana eased up a bit as Lynn leaned closer to her. "As for Renee, we'll just have to tough it though while she's still here. Now come on, you're just as tough as me. You can pull through."
Lana pursed her lips. "I can….she doesn't scare me." She tried to sound brave. "She's just a big bully and I don't like her."
Lynn wasn't sure how truthful that was but she wanted to boost Lana's morale. "I'm sure you aren't. And remember, once we return, just one phone call later, we will be roomies."
Lana smiled.
"And look, once Renee's just an unpleasant memory….and when I have the time, I'll take you somewhere fun to make up for this, wherever you want."
"Really?" Lana smile even more.
"Yup. The park? The zoo? Dairyland? Your pick. I can also bring Ryan if you want to?"
Lana's smile faltered and she glanced aside. "No…" she grumbled.
Lynn looked incredulous. "Why not?"
"He's a jerk." Lana grumbled.
"That he is." Lynn said with more levity than she probably should have. "And I wouldn't want him any other way." Lana glared at her, which made Lynn's smile disappear.
"You still mad at him for bagging you? And holding you upside down?"
"And for dropping me on my noggin." Lana nodded. Lynn shook her head. "Lana, you and the girls were going to lynch Lincoln when he didn't give you that letter."
"No, we wouldn't have!" Lana protested. "We…we were just going to grab the letter-"
"Why am I having a hard time believing that?" Lynn snorted smartly. "And how was Ryan supposed to know that? He had to save his buddy from his "crazy" sisters. It was Ryan's idea to go through with that prank in the first place, he couldn't leave Lincoln in the lurch once our pranks went haywire. And nobody forced you into joining the Lincoln hunt."
Lana wilted a bit, but so did Lynn, and said sheepishly, "The second one, that's really more my fault. We thought you girls were causing havoc and rushed in to retrain you. Our bad."
Lana muttered.
"Lana, just try to forgive him, this is just a misunderstanding. You called me a jerk a few hour ago, remember? And I'm sure I've done way worse things to everyone here-"
"He could at least apology." Lana grunted.
Lynn laughed. "Good luck trying to claw out an apology out of him. You won't have much luck. Ryan's a wannabe tough guy, he doesn't like showing sentimentality."
"And why is he like that?" Lana asked curtly.
Lynn hesitated. "He has his reasons, but that's confidential between us. If you want to know, I'm afraid you're going to have to talk to him yourself. All I can say is that he has his own weird way of showing affection. Taunts and jabs are his way of telling you you're his friend, I know that better than anyone."
After getting no response, Lynn sighed. "Lana, lemme tell you something right there. Ryan really does like you, even if he doesn't show it. Believe me, I know the guy and I can tell when he has a soft spot for someone."
"How?" Lana challenged her.
Lynn pondered, then smiled. "Just come and see."
In the parents' room, the boys were checking up on the felines. One was taking her situation a lot worse than the other.
"Sorry, Marce, but my hands are tied." Ryan told his cat, while kneeling down in front of the pet carrier she was held captive in. The savannah was already freaking out, she was crouched down, pupils dilated, ears folded and the hair on her back raised.
Ryan sighed as the miniature cage shook again. He didn't want to look like some soft-hearted hippie in front of Lincoln, but he hated seeing his cat like this. She was a free spirit and hated being confined in such tight spaces. It didn't help that these pet carries were designed for regular-sized cats, giving Marceline little room to maneuver.
He looked back at Lincoln, who was making one last check-up on Cliff. The black tom seemed oddly complacent and seemed to be napping inside his cage, showing none of the anxiety that Marceline was visibly displaying.
Cliff opened an eye as he heard the neighboring cage shake again, but he hardly cared. This wasn't the pet spa, but he was very much a happy pussycat. He was finally safe from Marceline and left to relax in his own private quarters. Hearing the she-cat freak out over something so normal and banal as staying in a pet carrier also brought him some joy.
Ryan rolled his eyes, as the other cage shook once more. Frowning, he tried to comfort his cat. "Take it easy, we'll be back soon. And I promise, I'll get my stupid sister to at least lock you up somewhere more spacey."
"Meooooooowwwww…" the anxiety in Marceline's tone was very evident.
"Don't you have a bigger cage? Like one for your dog?" Ryan groaned.
Lincoln was slow to respond. "I'm afraid not. Charles…." he paused for a moment "….Charles was happy to be led by a leash. Cliff's the one who's skittish around the vet."
"See, Lana? He's concerned about his cat." Lynn whispered to her younger sister, both hiding behind the doorway.
"He seems happy in there." Ryan scoffed as he walked over to Lincoln.
"Probably because he feels safe there." Lincoln said simply, standing up. Ryan didn't respond and just glanced at Marceline's cage.
"Let's just go. Seeing you is probably making her more restless." Lincoln gestured for Ryan to go. Hearing that, Lynn pushed Lana forward and got moving.
Ryan grumbled. "Fine. I don't want to watch her banging her head against the bars…."
"At least she's still alive…." Lincoln sighed as he reached the doorway, causing Ryan to stop. So did Lana, and she craned her neck towards the doorway.
"What's he talking about?" she asked, causing Lynn to panic.
"Nothing important, just tell Renee we're coming." Lynn curtly pushed her forward. "I'll get the boys before she blows a gasket." She pointed at herself and ran off.
"Sorry about your dog…" Ryan suddenly said, surprising Lincoln as well as himself. Hearing that, Lynn stopped at the door. Ryan instantly regretted letting that slip, but felt no desire to renounce it. Marceline almost died at the jaws of One Eye, and if that had happened, Ryan didn't what he would have done.
"I mean…" he shrugged awkwardly "….he seemed like a trusty mutt, sure didn't think twice about attacking One Eye to protect Lynn, I can see why she's broken up about it…."
Lincoln didn't know what to say to that, and an awkward silence ensued, until they heard a Lynn talking.
"Didn't expect you two to have a heartfelt moment?" she suddenly popped up, joking sardonically.
"Lynn?" Lincoln asked in surprise.
Ryan's face fell. "How much did you hear?"
Lynn looked unamused. "Drop it, tough guy. We don't have time to get mushy." She made no attempt to dispel what Ryan had said about her, but this was not the time for heart-to-hearts.
"You're right, let's just go." Lincoln pointed at the door. He was glad to leave this awkward conversation be.
Unbeknownst to them, Lana was listening in on them, and rushed off as soon as she heard them coming closer. "At least she's still alive? Sorry about your dog?" fear and confusion welled up inside her.
Renee grunted as she shook the newly-rebuilt kitchen table to make sure it was sturdy. It was.
"My craftsmanship never fails me…." She found some meager satisfaction with her accomplishment. But what to do about the destroyed dishes? She had to do something about it or it would seriously taint her reputation, which was still mostly nonexistent in this new town.
"Renee?" she heard Luan's meek voice from the living room. "We're ready to go?"
Renee rolled her eyes. Fixing this table had taken longer than anticipated. She was not looking forward to this trip, but as the babysitter, she had to do it.
She walked into the living room to find most of the girls assembled, with Lana climbing down the stairs and joining them. She briefly glared at Renee but then looked away, remembering what Lynn had told her.
Renee narrowed her eyes. Naturally, her brother and his two favorite cronies were absent.
"It seems we have three people unaccounted for?" she spoke coldly as the sisters stood at attention.
"They're upstairs." Lana spoke up, trying not to sound too brash. "They were checking if the cats are okay."
Renee gave her a frosty glance. "Is that wrong?" Lana asked simply.
Hearing footsteps, Renee looked up and saw the three missing people descending down the stairs.
"We're here, don't get your knickers in a twist." Ryan quipped.
"Uhhhh! We're all going out for dinner!" Leni squealed eagerly. "Isn't this exciting?"
The rest of the kids did not share the same enthusiasm.
"I fail to understand how attending a banal public eatery is remarkable or warrants getting exhilarated in any way?" Lisa deadpanned in response.
"Well, mom and dad haven't taken us out in a really long time." Luan idly shrugged.
"That is true?" Leni gave her an odd look and tapped her chin. "I wonder why?"
Lincoln took a moment to study Luna and Lola. The former looked as dejected as before, but the latter looked oddly relaxed, which worried the boy.
Renee clapped her hands to get everyone's attention. "Alright, miscreants! Listen up! I believe most of you imbeciles are aware by now that I expect you to be on your best behavior? Especially now that you will be dining at a public place."
"I'll try my best, sis." Ryan quipped. "Unfortunately, my table manners are at zero, so my best might not be to your satisfaction."
Renee just glowered at him, making him raise his hands. "Just kidding, thought I'd lighten the mood?"
Lincoln cleared his throat. "Didn't we have a schedule? Shouldn't we get going?"
"You're right." Renee said grimly. "Just one more thing."
Suddenly, she grabbed both Luna and Lola by the collar and pulled them towards her, lifting Lola off her feet in the process.
"I've been thinking about you two." Renee said darkly to the terrified sisters. "You've given me the most trouble. Now, considering how you have repeatedly attempted to assault me…." She addressed Lola before shifting her glare at Luna, making her flinch. "….and how you have tried to escape twice."
Luna trembled. "I'm sorry, dude. I know I shouldn't have-"
"You've more than earned your third strike respectively. So perhaps I should make an example out of you two and condemn you to a more…..radical punishment: solitary confinement! Without dinner, just for good measures!"
Lincoln's eyes widened, as did Luna and Lola's. The rest of the sisters, even Lynn, Lana and Luan were taken aback. That sounded way too harsh, even for someone like Lola.
"But….they haven't eaten anything today? Isn't that a bit mean?" Leni asked, scratching her head.
"What?" Luna yelped. "But…but….didn't you already lock up the twins in their room? It didn't do much for Lola?"
Renee grew the faint hint of a smile, which chilled the rocker and the princess to the bone.
"No, that was a time-out." She said matter-of-factly. "Why do you think I took an interest in your family's bunker, and requested that you shut off the power?"
The two sisters gulped, when Lincoln rushed to their side, hands raised.
"Renee! Let's not get hasty?" he spoke weakly, the sitter shifted her glare at him.
The boy swallowed a lump. "Maybe granting them mercy is the more logical course of action?"
"And your reasons?" Renee asked coldly. Lincoln froze, having to think fast.
"Eh…um…perhaps the demoralizing burden of having to spend the rest of the day in the presence of the very person who effortlessly thwarted their plans to cause trouble is a more effective way to teach them a lesson than by locking them up in a cold, dark cell?"
Renee narrowed her eyes, contemplating. Lincoln started sweating, as did the two sisters in Renee's grasp.
"Your argument is…..logical." Renee released the two and they dropped unceremoniously.
Renee dusted her hands. "Philological penalties are the most effective means of disciplining brats, and straightforward demoralization is even more potent than the maddening isolation of solitary confinement."
"I knew you were just kidding, Renee." Leni laughed. "You had me there for a moment. Anyone else?" The rest of the siblings made no comment, apart from some deadpan glances directed at her.
Renee rolled her eyes, when something occurred to her. "Which reminds me?" she suddenly walked back to the kitchen.
"You okay?" Lincoln asked Luna as he helped her up.
"Demoralization?" she snapped at him. "I can't go to the concert, and now you want me to tag along just to remind me I can't go-?"
"Hey! Back off!" Lynn stepped up. "He just saved your ungrateful behind!"
"Pffftt…" Ryan scoffed. "If Moon Girl prefers being stuck in a dark room for hours over spending more time with Renee, maybe we should ask her to reconsider Lincoln's proposal?"
Luna's face softened and she looked aside. "I….eh…sorry about that, bro." she stammered. "Eh…thanks for the assist."
"It's nothing." Lincoln exhaled and shook his head before glancing at Lola, who was glowering at the kitchen. No one was expecting a "thank you" from her, not that she could give one in her current condition.
Renee soon came back, carrying a small paper bag. "Here." She handed it to Lincoln.
"What's that?"
"Chocolate chip cookies, sugar-free of course." Renee answered. "It's your reward for being the most well-behaved among your siblings."
Lincoln pursed his lips and his brow fell as he looked as his reward. This was beyond condescending, but he said nothing. Did this at least imply that Renee was finally forming some sort of trust in him?
"Don't look so blue." Ryan slapped his back teasingly. "Coming from Renee, that's a big honor."
"Eh, yeah…" Lincoln muttered while rubbing his back "…thanks."
Renee ignored them both and clapped her hands again. "Alright, let's get moving. But first, pick a buddy."
Lincoln and the older sisters (sans Leni) turned wide-eyed.
"Pick a what-now?" Lynn blurted incredulously. "You must be joking?"
Renee shook her head. "I never joke about the buddy system. How else can I ensure that you children don't get lost during our walk to the nearby restaurant and back?"
"The buddy system?" Leni cooed. "Aww…I remember it from second grade. It was so cute."
"I don't see the big hoot about it?" Lana shrugged, being used to the concept. The other younger sisters shared her sentiment, even Lisa remembered it from the month or so she spent climbing the grades in elementary school.
"Everyone will pick a buddy, except you." Renee pointed at Luna, and whipped out another pair of handcuffs, and chained the rocker to Leni. "Yours has been picked for you."
"Dude!" Luna cried.
"Um….Renee, why did you do that?" Leni's looked bemused. "We can just hold hands."
Renee smiled and humored her. "Why….it's a trust-building exercise. I'm sure you're familiar with it, two people learning to have faith in one another by working together like a well-oiled machine, all while tied to each other?"
"Oh, that makes sense." Leni smiled. "You want us to learn to trust each other more."
"Of course, but let's start with just the two of you. That way we can take your sister's mind off that silly concert she keeps fussing over." Renee patted her back, while Luna silently fumed.
"Aren't you at least gonna cuff Lola as well?" the rocker cried petulantly, making Lola annoyed.
"Oh, no…" Renee replied nonchalantly, glancing at the princess. "Her attempts to usurp my authority are quaint and easy enough to spot. As the dinner incident taught me, I should never grow too complacent and therefore I need a reason to always remain on alert."
That didn't stop her from grabbing Lola by her backpack and inspecting it. She just found a makeup compact, a bottle of face lotion, a mirror and a spare tiara.
"Besides…" she turned back to Luna "….you're way more unpredictable with your actions."
The others stepped back as Lola trembled and her head started making the sound of a boiling teapot.
"We're losing daylight, pick a buddy and let's go!" Renee ordered the rest of them and opened the door, while Luna glared daggers at her.
"Luna, catch." Leni suddenly fell on top of the rocker and they crashed to the floor.
"Luna?" Leni looked down at her disapprovingly. "You were supposed to catch me?"
Luna gritted her teeth. "Just…just zip it!"
"Now, now…" Leni shook her head. "We're totes not gonna make progress with that attitude."
The rest begrudgingly chose their pick. Luan tried to seize Ryan's hand but Lynn beat her to it.
"Ha! Too slow!" the jock laughed and pulled Ryan away.
Luan seethed when Lucy grabbed her hand and smiled at her. Luan smiled back.
The twins glared at each other, before Lola huffed and grabbed Lisa's hand while Lana grabbed Lincoln's.
"I'm flattered….roomie…." Lisa said out of obligation as she was pulled away.
"Let's go!" Lana huffed and dragged Lincoln along.
"Lana, why's your hand so sticky?" Lincoln asked uneasily.
"Banana slug mucus." She answered casually, making the boy gulp.
But he soon relaxed and shrugged, "Meh…could have been way grosser."
Several of the siblings made sure to grab whatever headgear they could from the coat rack on their way out.
Upstairs, the felines heard the door closing, and the house turned eerily silent. Cliff ignored it and went back to catnapping, but Marceline started panicking even more. They were leaving her behind?
She started twirling around in circles, scratching at the walls and meowing despondently. She jumped at the bars, pushing her full weight against them, which made the carrier topple forward.
Suddenly standing on the bars, the confused cat tried balancing herself in the now taller but much narrower cage, placing her paws on the ceiling and causing it to topple over again.
Regaining her balance on all fours, Marceline looked back through the bars and realized that she had moved a considerable distance from the other cage, giving her an idea…..
"This blows chunks…." Luna grumbled while pulling a black beanie further and further down her face.
"Quit bellyaching, at least you don't have to wear this!" Lynn lamented behind her, wearing a pink, green and white horizontal-striped beanie with a big pom pom and ear flaps, which she was similarly using to cover her face as much as possible.
Her buddy could only use his red cap for that, only covering one eye so he could see where he was going. The odd group made up of kids of varying ages walking in a row like some elementary school class trip already caught the eye of some passing onlookers.
"Aw, Lynn, I think it looks cute on you." Leni cooed as she looked over her shoulder.
"How about you try not to trip over your own feet!" Lynn retorted irritably.
Ryan tried to ignore the blonde and looked back at Luan and Lucy, who were following behind him and Lynn.
"You're making no attempt to hide your identity?" he asked the comedian jokingly.
"Not like I have any dignity to lose." She shrugged, somewhat sardonically.
"We don't care what others think, right Luan?" Lucy added. The comedian just nodded.
Behind them were Lincoln and Lana, the former wearing a propeller hat to hide his face, and still carrying his bag of cookies, with Lisa and Lola in the back of the row.
Given the relative quiet, Lincoln thought he might try to make a proposition to Lola.
"Lincoln, can I ask you something?" Lana whispered in a hesitant tone.
"Not now, Lana…." He dismissed her.
"Ptssss…Lola? I have a proposition for you?" he whispered, trying to look over his shoulder.
She looked up at him. "Eh….I think you have her attention." Lisa spoke, trying to be helpful.
Lincoln sighed and continued, "Listen, Lola. How about you promise not to stir any more trouble with Renee, and in exchange, I'll give you all of my cookies?"
"What? No fair." Lana grumbled. Lincoln begged her to stay quiet.
Lola huffed, but thought about it. Given everything that had happened to her today, any consolation would be appreciated at this point. And she did like sweets. Lincoln knew that and hoped Renee's claim that the cookies were sugar-free was earnest.
"Just please, try to stay out of Renee's way. For all our sakes? And you can have all the cookies to yourself. Do we have a deal?"
"Hmmm….I can NOT do what he asked from me but still let him think I will? I get the sweets and sweet vengeance? Win-win!" Lola figured, feeling very smart about it, and then quietly nodded.
"I think you've come to an agreement." Lisa translated.
Lincoln handed the cookies to Lola, though he was skeptical about her keeping her end of the bargain, for she had agreed a bit too quickly for his liking. It was still worth a try and he would have to wait and see.
"That stinking cheater is not going to keep her end of the bargain." Lana muttered, echoing his concerns.
Luna, meanwhile, kept pulling her beanie lower until it covered her entire face.
"Luna, why are you wearing it like that? You can't see?" Leni asked her buddy worriedly.
Luna groaned under her beanie. Leni did have a point. "Eh…it's part of the trust-building exercise, Leni. Y'know, one person being blinded and the other leading their partner? You can be my eyes."
Leni beamed. "No worries, Luna. I'll be your eyes!" she proudly proclaimed. "I won't let you down-"slamming into a lamp post cut her proclamation short.
Lynn and Ryan collided into them, followed by Lucy and Luan, Lincoln and Lana and finally by Lola and Lisa.
Renee ignored the crash behind her as she saw the small and modest restaurant she had been searching for in front of her.
"Were here." She turned to the others, who were lying on the sidewalk in a jumbled pile.
"I'm sorry, Luna." Leni wept ashamedly, as the latter pulled herself from beneath her. "I make terrible eyes!" Luna just grumbled and dusted herself.
"Nice going, klutz!" Lynn snapped at the blonde as she pulled herself out of the pile.
"Told ya, the tutz is a sadist." Ryan scoffed next to her, dusting himself.
"Yeah, right. Lola's the sadist, Leni is just dense." Luan snorted.
"Dense?!" Leni gasped and straighten herself up to check out her hips. "Did I gain weight?!"
"Not if you eat here." Renee interjected and gestured at the restaurant. Ryan read the banner above them.
"Fresh and Fit Food? You kidding? This is some cheap joint that only serves "healthy food"?" Ryan asked her.
"Yes." Renee said flatly. "Part of my job description is to provide my clients with a healthy diet."
"And here I was hoping for cafeteria slop." Ryan snarked dejectedly.
Little did they know, bad food was not their only problem.
"How many more of these Louds are there? It's disgusting." Lyle grumbled, peeking from behind a corner.
"Lyle, why are we still following them?" Maggie asked monotonously. "I thought you and them "settled things" yesterday?"
"Will you pipe down!" Lyle shushed her. "We didn't settle things, they humiliated me."
Maggie rolled her eyes. "You agreed to their terms, and you lost. You even did a spit-shake, you can't backtrack on that. If you break that sacred oath it would seriously hurt your reputation."
"Will you be quiet!" Lyle lamented petulantly. "I'm focusing."
Maggie peeked next to him. "And I'd rather not get involved with people who wear weird hats and handcuff themselves together."
"Shhhhhhhhhh!" Lyle retorted.
"And remember. Do not speak to anyone unless spoken to." Renee reminded the group. "It will spare me and them the embarrassment. Unless you need to use the restroom, stay in your seat. This is an establishment where normal people wish to dine in peace, so you should have enough courtesy to respect their wishes."
"Grrrrrr…." Clenching her teeth, Lynn took a step forward but Ryan grabbed her hand.
"Easy, Freckles…." He told her in a pacifying tone, unsure of how much more of his sister's condescending attitude Lynn could take?
Lincoln patted her other arm. "Don't give in, Lynn…" he whispered to her "…let us prove her wrong."
Lynn calmed down a bit, but Lana was equally agitated.
"Who does she think she is saying-"
"Linc's right, Lana…" Lynn exhaled. "Let's prove her wrong. That oughta sting her ego."
"Are there any questions?"
"Can we just get in there before someone that knows me-I mean us sees us?" Luna pleaded.
"That can be arranged." Renee agreed as she opened the door.
The group was ready to enter when some heard a vehicle coming. They idly glanced at the road and saw a long, black limousine moving towards them. Everyone sans Renee, Lisa and Luna recognized it.
"Not her!?" Luan, Lynn, Lincoln, Lucy and Ryan panicked.
"Alright, let's go. I'm famished! Let's go! Let's go! Healthy food, wealthy mood!" Luan urged the group to rush into the restaurant, quickly catching Renee's attention.
"What's your problem?" she asked her.
"We're just so hungry." Lincoln chimed in. "Let's go-"
"Hey, that's Kathleen's limo!" Leni pointed out happily, earning the others' attention.
"Who's limo?" Luna blurted, while Lola grew a joyous smile.
The limo came to a screeching halt in front of them, much to half of the group's horror.
The door opened, reveling flashy lights, loud music and the sound of people cheering and laughing as Kathleen stepped out, wearing shades and a purple SMOOCH t-shirt.
She lifted her glasses and grew a pleasant smile. "Louds!" she exclaimed happily with outstretched arms and walked up to them. "I'm so happy to have found you. None of you have answered my calls all day and I was beginning to fear the worst."
"Kathy, it's been forever!" Leni squealed.
"Kathleen Tisdale?" Luna recognized her from her former school, and quickly grabbed her beanie to try and conceal the cuffs linking her with Leni.
"Kathleen Tisdale?" an uneasy Lisa mumbled under her breath, unsure how to react to this.
"Kathleen Tisdale?!" Lyle's jaw dropped. "How the hell do these losers know Kathleen Tisdale?!"
"They're full of surprises, I'll give them that." Maggie commented indifferently.
"Kattth….hiin…" an overjoyed Lola croaked as she tried to make a mad dash for the rich girl, only to be grabbed by Renee, who studied Kathleen suspiciously.
"Leni, stunning and fashionable, as usual." Kathleen embraced her and they did a classic la bise greeting.
"And you must be Luna?" Kathleen was quick to address the new faces. "Ah, you're sisters told me so much about you, they say you're one cool dudette."
"Ummm…" the blushing rocker swallowed a lump "….yeah….I…sup?" Oh why did she deserve this? First, she was denied going to the SMOOCH concert with Sam, and now she was being introduced to the coolest person in town under the most embarrassing of circumstances.
Kathleen's gaze moved to the youngest Loud. "Awww….I don't think you and I have met either? What's your name, cutey?"
Lisa blinked. "Lisa." She said simply.
"A very pretty name." Kathleen cooed before turning to the rest, who were less than happy to see her, including Lana, who tried to hide behind Lynn, overwhelmed by confusion and uncertainty.
"Ah, Luan, Lynn, Lincoln, Ryan, Lana…" she greeted them all with a pleasant smile before spotting the goth "….and…eh…Louise, was it?"
"It's Lucy." Luan curtly corrected her.
"I'd rather have her not know my name…" Lucy replied, too quietly for most to hear.
"Ups, my bad." Kathleen apologized. "Love your hats by the way."
Blushing with realization, Lynn and Lincoln tore off their beanie and propeller hat respectively.
"Now, I know what you guys must be thinking, and no. There are no hard feelings over your….abrupt departure from my hotel, or the scathing reviews you left, Ryan."
"Is that so?" Ryan smirked.
"You forgive us?" Lynn asked with an incredulous expression. "Just like that?"
"Most assuredly." Kathleen nodded. "As much as I tried telling myself otherwise, I did come on way too strong and expected too much from you guys, especially you, Lu-Lu."
Luan fumed at the nickname. "I should have tried a different approach, and I just wanted to tell you that I have no intention to try a stunt like that again."
"So why are you here?" Luan narrowed her eyes.
"I told you, I want to mend our broken bond." Kathleen said sincerely. "But let me clarify. This time I've devised a more reasonable approach."
She whistled with her fingers, which her chauffeur, James, somehow heard over the loud music playing in the back of the limo, and he walked out carrying a wrapped gift in his hands.
He handed it to Kathleen who gave it to Luan. "Just a small token of my remorse, I know you'll love it. I hope this can be the early start of a new friendship?"
Luan looked unmoved and glared at her.
"I don't expect a "thank you" or anything, and I'll stop pestering you now." Kathleen assured her.
"Then why are you still standing there?" Luan scoffed.
"Kathhhh…." She heard Lola gasping and turned to find her being held back by someone.
"Lola? Oh, how inconsiderate of me to overlook you. How's my favorite little pageant upstart been doing?"
"Would you mind indentifying yourself, please?" the person holding Lola asked impolitely.
Kathleen looked at her, but before she could draw a breath, Renee turned to her brother. "Ryan, who is this girl? You clearly know her. And why are half of you displeased to see her, while the other half seems ecstatic about her arrival?"
"Oh, pardon me. I think some introductions are in order." Kathleen offered a handshake, but Renee once again ignored the gesture, unwittingly letting Lola go.
"She's my sister, Renee. If you must know." Ryan snarked, joining his sister's side. "And me and her ain't acquaintances, I'm only familiar with her through association." He gestured at the Louds.
"Sister? Oh, well, it's a pleasure to meet you, Renee. I'm-"
"Kathleen Tisdale? Yes, I heard them mention it several times." Renee cut right to the chase. "Tisdale? I heard of that name. He's a powerful and prosperous tycoon in Michigan, isn't he? Owns several lucrative hotel chains in the Midwest, among other things? You must be his daughter? That would explain the clearly exorbitant limousine in which you have arrived?"
Kathleen blinked before smiling. "Eh, yes. You're a sharp one, aren't you?"
"It runs in the family." Ryan shrugged.
Kathleen chuckled. "I don't doubt that. Now, under the risk of breaking my promise to Luan to leave her alone….eh, do you need to hear the reasons behind our turbulent relationship?"
"No, not my business." Renee replied flatly, much to Luan's relief. "We're on a tight schedule, so please state your reasons for seeking us out?"
Kathleen blinked. "Um…okay, right to the point? I like that in a person." She replied, trying to keep a civil atmosphere.
Ryan sighed. "My sis doesn't like idle chitchat, so lemme make a wild guess." He pointed at her shirt. "You're heading to that SMOOCH concert, right?"
"Of course we are." Kathleen laughed. "Who isn't?" Her response made Luna twitch.
"And you were hoping to bring some of your…" Renee paused while looking at the Louds "….friends along?"
"Well, yeah, that was the idea." Kathleen admitted. "I've done good with my recent charity work, so much so that daddy decided to reward me for my efforts with a whole crate of SMOOCH tickets. But even after inviting all of my closest friends…" she pointed at the party happening within the limo "….I still had a few spare tickets, along with a few dear friends that I couldn't contact all day."
Lola turned wide-eyed and rushed towards her, but Lynn grabbed her and clamped her hand over Lola's mouth.
Ryan scoffed. "I'm touched, Kath. But I'm not into rock and roll, and me and Renee were just heading to a dinner date with the Louds."
"And you're making us fall behind schedule…" Renee added scathingly "….one in a long line of unfortunate setbacks."
"I'm with Ryan." Lincoln spoke up. "I'm not really into rock music."
"Same here." Lucy concurred.
"Ditto." Lynn smirked, holding the gagged and squirming Lola behind her.
"I…I'm with my family." Lisa said simply.
"Me too…." Lana said tentatively. "Me and Lynn want to play together later."
"Gee…" Leni looked crestfallen "….if you guys aren't coming then it won't be nearly as fun. I guess I'm staying too. I don't really like SMOOCH either, their music so loud it makes my head hurt." She admitted while rubbing the back of her neck.
Kathleen frowned. "Well….can't say I'm happy to hear that….but I understand."
"Wait!" Luna cried, pulling Leni after her as she rushed up to Kathleen. "I love SMOOCH! I love Pucker Uppenheimer! Please let me come! My best friend is going there but I don't have a ticket!"
"Um….why are you two chained together?" A confused Kathleen stepped back from the manic rocker while pointing at her handcuff.
"It's a trust-building exercise Renee suggested." Leni answered.
"Oh, okay then?" Kathleen shrugged incredulously.
"Please let me go with you!" Luna cried with clutched hands. "This concert means everything to me!"
"Wow, take a chill pill." Kathleen raised her hands defensively. "I can see that you're an uber-fan, so of course I will-"Renee's dark chuckle cut her off.
"Do you have the attention span of an infant?" she walked over to Luna. "Or have you forgotten that neither you nor any of your siblings have a saying in whether or not you can go to that puerile rock concert?"
She jabbed her thumb in her chest. "That decision is mine to make. And I made my stance on rock and roll music quite clear. As your babysitter, I simply cannot allow it."
"Babysitter?" Kathleen blurted. "To…to like…all of them?"
"Yes."
The rich grill blinked, utterly befuddled. "But…how old are you?"
"My age does not matter, these easily influential and hapless children have been placed in my care, and it's my job to provide them with the best care and discipline imaginable." Renee explained.
She stepped closer and glared Kathleen right in the eye, making her flinch. "Which includes steering them away from toxic and unsavory associates, and hedonistic, over-privileged, spoiled brats like you are at the top of my blacklist."
"Don't forget cheerleader." Ryan chimed in, holding his index finger up. "She's also captain of her cheerleading squad."
"Cheerleader?" Renee scoffed. "Well, as if I needed any more reason."
"Oh yeah! You showed her who's boss!" Luan joined her side, holding her present under her arm.
"Up high, sister!" she raised her hand, but only got a glossy glare in response.
"Not in this lifetime." Renee said flatly, causing Luan to deflate.
But she immediately pulled herself together. "Renee's right! We don't care about your dumb concert! So how about you make good on your promise and beat it!" Kathleen wilted at the comment.
"And I don't want your stupid gift either!" Luan boasted when she spotted a bearded hobo passing by with a shopping cart full of junk.
"Hey, Beardo!" She ran up to him and pushed the gift into his hands. "Take this! Consider it my contribution to charity!" she told him and walked away.
"I guess….I guess I'm not needed here." Kathleen said weekly.
"You have a concert, we have dinner. We should return to our respective affairs." Renee said indifferently and headed towards the restaurant, followed by the rest, including Lola, who had to be manhandled by Lynn.
"Renee, wasn't that a tad harsh?" Leni asked worriedly.
"Are you two coming or not?"
"Eh, sure." Leni fiddled with her finger before facing Kathleen. "Um…don't take this the wrong way, Kathy. Renee's like Lori, they both have….unique ways of expressing concern and affection. She's real worried that we'll go to bed hungry because our dinner was ruined in an accident involving our cats."
"Eh…I'm sure she is." Kathleen replied tentatively before glancing at her limo. "Eh…best be going. James, start her up-"
"Wait! Can't you take us two with you?" Luna pleaded.
"Do I need to come back there!" they saw Renee still standing at the doorway. Luna gulped.
"Come on, Luna." Leni tugged her. "We can't leave our family waiting, their tummies are totes hurting."
She smiled at Kathleen. "So long, Kathy. See ya real soon."
"Right back at ya." Kathleen shot a finger gun.
"Wait!" Luna screamed and scribbled something on a small piece of paper. She handed it to Kathleen.
"I'm sorry we couldn't meet under better circumstances, but here's my number!" she said rapidly. "So we can hang out too, like you did with my sisters."
"Oh, sure." Kathleen tried to smile and waved as Leni had to drag Luna into the restaurant. "See you around."
"Miss Tisdale, I would advise discarding that number." James spoke hesitantly. "That Luna person seemed a tad…..crazy, as did some of her assois-"
"Don't be such a judgmental snob." Kathleen dismissed him. "We all have our eccentricities. Now get back to your job."
The chauffeur nodded and obeyed. Once she was alone, she read the note and raised an eyebrow.
"HELP ME! Call the cops! Call child protective services! We are held hostage!"
"Can you believe that? How do they know these people?" Lyle lamented as he and Maggie watched Kathleen enter her limo.
"I can believe one thing." The emo crossed her arms. "If they're allied with Kathleen Tisdale, then trying to get payback on them is a fool's errand. Tisdale's much too powerful and influential, you can't fight her."
"Oh, but haven't you been listening?" Lyle sneered. "Taylor and his whore aren't on great terms with her, neither are his sister, the dork, the buck-toothed bimbo or the goth brat."
"Yes, that seems to be the case." Maggie begrudgingly admitted. "Words is, Kathleen's been mercilessly bullying that Luan girl ever since they started junior high together. If their current exchange is anything to go by, that seems to be the case. And I guess her friends and family didn't take too kindly to that."
Lyle snickered. "I've heard rumors like that. She sounds like my type of girl. Can you honestly blame her for having a little fun with that freak show?"
Maggie exhales. "That's not the point. Tisdale seems….remorseful about that and is trying to bury the hatchet. Sooner or later, Luan will give in and let herself be enticed by the promise of money and luxury like any other weak-willed human being, and she'll submit to Tisdale, as will her sisters. Two of them already seem to be there."
"That is if Kathleen actually means it?" Lyle snorted and folded his arms. "I've heard some brutal stories about her, about what a cold-blooded bitch she is. I have a hard time believing she would just suddenly turn into a freak lover? I heard she likes doing very convoluted plans just to prank someone she doesn't like. Like, have you heard what happened to the last dweeb who tried to court her?"
"Yes, and it's honestly quite fascinating to me, especially the boy's aftermath." Maggie grew a faint smile, which quickly disappeared. "But what about your spit-shake with Taylor? You can't break that."
"Ah, but that's why I'm the brains of my gang." Lyle tapped his head proudly. "I only made the promise to spare Taylor and his clique of friends, I said nothing about the other Louds, did I?"
"So what? Are you going to kidnap the 5-year-old twins and beat them up for payback?" Maggie asked flatly.
"The thought had crossed my mind." Lyle smiled evilly. "That pony-tailed bitch, Lynn, she seems pretty close to that one blonde pipsqueak, that's what you told me after you last scouting mission. Pity if anything would happen to her."
Maggie groaned inwardly. If she couldn't discourage her cousin from this foolish quest for revenge, she might as well direct him towards a more effective plan for hurting his hated enemies.
"Or…you could hurt them without even lifting a finger?" She suggested. Lyle looked at her oddly, so she continued. "Imagine if someone, someone big and strong, got the idea that Taylor was talking badly about him? Maybe that person would so mad they would pulverize him, while you just watch and laugh?"
"Don't get smart with me again, Margaret!" Lyle scoffed. "That's the dumbest idea I've ever heard."
Maggie frowned as her cousin snickered mockingly. Then something dawned on him, he looked up at her and grew a big smile. "Wait a minute? I have a brilliant idea!"
"And what would that be?" Maggie droned.
"Imagine this?" Lyle wrapped his arm around her head and gestured at something that wasn't there. "Maybe I could hurt that creep without even lifting a finger? What if someone, someone big and strong, got the idea that Taylor was talking shit about him? It might not be true, but imagine the trouble Taylor would be in if someone, like me for example, tricked some muscle-bound dipshit into believing that Ghoul Face was slandering him, and I could sic him on Taylor while we just watch and laugh as he gets pulverized?"
"Really? I never would have thought of that." Maggie tried to suppress her "amazement". "How'd you ever think of that?"
"I just used the old noodle." Lyle tapped his head. "Now, listen carefully. I'll go and find some patsy who can do our bidding, while you go to that restaurant and spy on the freaks, we'll stay in touch."
"Do I have to?" Maggie bemoaned. "I'd prefer not getting water-boarded a second time."
"Stop whining. It's not like there's a fountain in there, and we need to track their movement at all costs." Lyle slammed his fist into his palm. "While Taylor gets the beating of a lifetime, the girls will be vulnerable and I can pick off any stranglers that don't have the protection of the spit-shake oath." Lyle explained before cackling evilly.
"This is going to be so good!" he wrung his hands with anticipation before pulling something from behind a dumpster. "And don't sweat it, that retard Lynn won't even recognize you. I've planned ahead!"
He placed a blonde wig on Maggie, followed by a summer hat and sunglasses before handing her a green sundress and purse. "Now get going!"
The emo just sighed.
Lyle is finally trying out a more elaborate revenge scheme than just beating his foes up with a bat. Third time's the charm, right? Poor Maggie couldn't care less about it, but it seems she is just as devoted to her family as Lincoln is to his. The next two or chapters will resolve around Lyle's ultimate attempt to get revenge, though he's not the only character who will cause some serious trouble.
