I'm really sorry for not updating in a long time, I promise I will try to upload all the remaining chapters by the end of December.
After the incident with Allan, the boy's school days had been as predictable as could be imagined. Overnight, it looked like the white-haired boy had become the new bully at school. Most of the students feared him, when he ate in the cafeteria, many boys tried not to eat near him and some even offered to carry his tray, something the boy always rejected and more than once, he affirmed aloud that He was not a new bully. That if no one would dare to try to fight or intimidate him, he would have no problems with anyone. His proclamations seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.
The only ones who hung out with him were his brother Lincoln and Lynn, his twin's friends and Cookie. One day she surprised everyone in the cafeteria, sitting next to Brandon to eat.
...
-Cookie? What are you doing?
-I'll eat my lunch, I think it's very obvious, don't you think?
-Smart girl, you know what I mean. Don't you think it could affect you if they see you sitting with me? Now I'm not exactly Mr. Popularity.
-Brandon, if I cared about that, I wouldn't sit next to you, you shouldn't even ask me that.
-I guess that's true, well. If you don't mind, neither do I. But still why?
-You helped me and you behaved nice with me, as far as I know, we are friends or at least pals.
-Hmmmm, if you say so.
Brandon and Cookie ate their lunch in silence, no one in the cafeteria dared to say anything else, Cookie's friends could only wish she would be okay.
….
Since that day, they ate together regularly while sharing anecdotes from their lives, Brandon never said anything personal. Just how was his life in Hatzeltuki Orphanage, Cookie on the other hand, told a lot about her, it seemed as if she wanted Brandon to know a lot about her. She told her about her parents who worked all day and were hardly ever at home, how she was an only child and that is why she had to be very independent and do almost everything alone, which sometimes because of her short stature could be very difficult. He also told her that he had always wanted a younger brother or sister. She also told him about when her grandmother died a year ago, she felt very lonely at home.
Brandon was quick to empathize with Cookie, like him, she had already experienced the pain of losing someone very close to him, not to mention that she was also an independent girl, she had no problem admitting that Cookie really was a fascinating girl. More than once he was surprised to realize how often he thought about Cookie. It would be possible that. . .
-Nah! That cannot be, as always. You're overacting Brandon- He said that to himself many times
...
After another day of school, Brandon visited the Royal Woods Orphanage, the joy of the children who knew him was obvious, many of the little ones jumped to hug him, Brandon hugged them back.
-Brandon! You came back! - Shouted a small one.
-Sure Cadence, I promised I would visit you right?
-We think. . . that you wouldn't want to come back- Said another boy.
-I understand your point, but it is not like that children, while I am here, I will come from time to time.
-YESSSSSS! - All the children shouted.
Brandon then proceeded to spend time with the children like before, whether it was playing or helping to care for the babies, many even trying to help him so that the work was not so strenuous. Brandon couldn't help but feel happy and proud, it was a fact that none of these boys shared blood ties but they took care of each other, just as he did for many years in the care of Sister Margaret.
After a tired but fun afternoon at the Orphanage, Brandon returned to the Loud house, as usual; Brandon found daily chaos. Each one doing what they were passionate about.
-Hmmmm, I guess Routine is always present in this house - Brandon said and proceeded up the stairs. Already being in his room. He found Lana on his bed watching anime with his tablet. The boy did not mind since he had already given permission before. For many years he had shared a room with dozens of children, of course he knew what sharing was.
Lana seemed to like Brandon company more as the days went by, so much so that she even had shared feelings, on the one hand she was still somewhat annoyed by what happened with her favorite sister but the fact that it had been verified that she had brought it to herself helped to dispel a lot of that anger. She could not deny that when Brandon came to the house, many times she thought of him as a street boy who could perhaps hurt her or any of her family, but with the passing of the days, her point of view changed greatly. Brandon was still a very distant guy, they rarely spoke or spent time together, and when they did, it was just to watch movies or anime together. On a couple of occasions, they had quick talks, she shared with him how she loved to repair things and play in the mud.
By that time, The Little Mechanic / Plumber couldn't help but feel some admiration for her new found brother, she didn't understand why, but for some reason, she wanted to like him. Being herself a twin, perhaps there was a kind of connection that made her close to him for being a twin as well, even that could explain why after Lola, Lincoln was her closest sibling. But sadly it was obvious for her that Brandon did not share the same feeling as her, of course he let her enter his room without getting angry and even using his device but she did not feel that he did it out of brotherly affection, it was more out of obligation or custom. Still, she didn't care, that deal was much better than being rejected by him.
When Lana saw Brandon enter the room, she quickly greeted him:
-Hi Brandon, I must tell you that this series is terrific. Didn't they really release the third season?
-Unfortunately, not, silly producers- the boy said without much concern -And tell me, have you been watching anime and movies all day?
-Yes, my friends are not going to the park today and Lola is rehearsing for her "Miss Adorable Creature" pageant and at this time, surely there is already a war over the remote-control downstairs, I rather to be here if you don't mind.
-Okay Lana, it doesn't bother me. Just make sure you don't get addicted to it, you need to get out and get some fresh air tomorrow. Got it? Or you will force me to confiscate that tablet and deprive you the access to my room.
-You are the boss Brandon, and don't worry. That won't happen, your room is the only place where I can have privacy.
-That's why I like it, just make sure that no one else knows, the last thing I need is more of your sisters coming up here for that.
-My lips are sealed, I'm not a gossip like Lola.
-Excellent, by the way. You didn't try to peek my stuff, did you?
-Of course not Brandon, even if I tried, I need a key and let me add that I congratulate you on your choice, those Winchester locks are of the best quality. I'm sure not even Leni with her strange ability to open locks could overcome them- replied the little girl looking at the metal boxes under her brother's bed, she would be lying if she said she wasn't curious to know what Brandon was keeping there.
-Tell me about it, when I saw that she opened my door while I was gone to leave me more of the clothes she made on my bed, I panicked. I immediately went out to buy them.
Lana frowned a little at that.
-Brandon, you know that Leni would never inquire about your things, right?
-I know- Brandon answered without hesitation.
-But then why. . .
-But others would Lana, and don't even think about saying no, we both know that Lola would be the first to check what I keep if I give her the chance, and I have no doubt that somehow, she would fool Leni or someone else to help her. In fact, do not be offended but many times I have wondered why I trust you.
Lana wanted to say that it wasn't true, that her favorite sister would never do something like that, but she just couldn't, precisely because she was the closest to Lola. She knew perfectly well what she was capable of and did not care who she would have to use to achieve her goal. In a way, her second white-haired brother was right about something, maybe sometimes Lola got a lot out of control for her and Lincoln to handle her. There were many times that even she was afraid of the self-proclaimed princess of the family.
-I suppose you're right and don't worry, I would never help Lola to invade your privacy, I know you're not one of those who forgive like Lincoln.
-Well said girl, are you in the mood for a movie?
-One with mutants? Lola is disgusted by them and I can never see them- Lana asked excitedly
-I suppose that can be arranged.
… ..
Brandon and Lana were in the best part of their movie, the tension was palpable, the culprit would finally be revealed.
-I'm sure it's Jim, it's the most obvious answer! - Brandon spoke.
-Naah! It's Christine! The clues could not be more obvious! - Lana replied.
A few seconds before the great climax, suddenly the light in the whole house went out, including the wi-fi. Leaving both boys with their mouths open. Brandon suddenly got out of bed and started pacing the room while screaming.
-Nooooooooo! - Brandon yelled in pure anger -Great! Just Great! This is. . . uh? Lana? Are you ok?
Even in the dark and with only the moonlight shining through the window, Brandon could hear the playful little girl shiver.
-Brandon. . . Where are you? Please come. . .
Brandon wasted no time to look for his flashlight in a drawer and approached Lana, putting himself in front of her, he said:
-Here I am Lana. What's going on?
-No. . . I don't like the dark ... even worse in the attic ...
-Hey, don't worry, there's nothing that can hurt you here.
Hearing that, Lana whispered something that White haired boy didn't hear.
Did you say something Lana?
Once again Lana spoke but Brandon didn't hear her again, he couldn't understand anything due to the low volume.
-Lana please speak up!
Lana looked at him, not making eye contact with him, it was already embarrassing to ask her sisters or Lincoln for what she wanted at that moment, with Brandon it was ten times worse.
-Can I hold your hand? - Lana said with the reddest face the boy could have remembered seeing in his life.
The boy just stared at her, surprised to see Lana like this, she had always given him an air of confidence and determination, she had an independent attitude. . . but in the end, the white-haired boy forgot that she was a six-year-old girl. Suddenly he saw in her all the small children of the Orphanage who came to him in similar situations or when there was a storm with thunders. He didn't even realize it when he did it, but his hand was already holding the girl's hand tightly but also gently to not hurt her. Lana watched her hand tied to her second brother's. Suddenly she felt all the security she needed, the same security that Lincoln and her older sisters gave her when they hugged her, if Lana ever had doubts, they had just disappeared, Brandon was her older brother as well.
-Thanks brother.
-It is not necessary to thank me Lana, even while I'm not a family member, I'm still living here, it is my responsibility to keep you safe. How could I see your mother and tell her I left you alone in the dark. Let's go; We must know what happened and fix this, I want to see the end of the movie.
Lana nodded and still holding hands, both siblings went downstairs to meet the others, just as they came down from the attic, they both heard the other Loud sister and brother having an argument.
-Lucy! Why did you reconnect that old TV? Don't you remember what happened last time? - Lori told her goth sister.
- Lana told me she had repaired it; it wasn't my fault- Lucy defended herself.
- Now we have to go down to the basement again! And even worse, Luan's camera has no charge this time, how will we see if it is so dark? – Lynn said
-Oh, are you afraid of the dark? - Lola said to Lynn
-I am not afraid of anything! – Lynn answered
Little by little the discussion got louder to see who was going down to change the fuses, moments later Lana and Brandon arrived, even in the dark, all the boys saw them coming and even more, they noticed their hands together, just seeing Lana's scared expression was enough for everyone to connect the dots but Lola decided to speak:
-Wool! Where were you? Well, it doesn't matter, even more so! What are you doing with that Jer. . . with Brandon! What did we agree on?
Lana couldn't help but feel a little angry for Lola.
-Thank you, Lola, I'm also happy to see that you are ok.
Before Lola could speak again, Brandon spoke to everyone:
-What happened here? Do you know why the power went out?
Quickly, Lori told Brandon what happened and how someone should come down to the basement to change the fuse. The boy was relieved that it wasn't complicated at all. . . In theory, just by seeing all the indecisive Loud siblings, he knew that the matter could take longer than planned. It didn't take long for another sibling argument to kick off, including a comment about ghosts in the basement. Lana immediately hugged Brandon's stomach. The boy did not have the heart to reject her but it was clear that he had to resolve the matter quickly. Carefully, he released Lana's hold and spoke:
-Lana, I'm going to do something, wait for me here Ok?
-But I'm scared, what if the ghosts come?
- (Sigh) They won't come Lana, here; take this.
Brandon put on his silver crucifix around his sister's neck.
-This will protect you while I'm gone.
Lana looked at the amulet for a moment, her family was not very religious but very occasionally they went to Church, even she used to pray for the wellbeing of her family and pets. Her body moved almost instinctively, giving the white-haired boy a warm hug.
-Thanks again Brandon.
-Ok… don't get dramatic. Now wait here.
The Loud siblings, still immersed in their discussion, didn't even notice when Brandon stepped behind them and went down the stairs to the basement, a minute later, all the lights in the house came on, greatly surprising everyone
-But how? - Luan said, her question was quickly answered when she saw Brandon come out of the basement, she along with everyone except Lana, observed him without blinking, the boy just stood in front of them and said:
-Do you really have to make a drama about everything? It was only to change a blessed fuse for God's sake!
Brandon walked over to Lana and extended his hand, Lana immediately understood and not very excited, she handed the crucifix back to her brother. Before he left the kitchen, The Little Plumber asked:
-Brandon. . . Weren't you afraid of the dark?
Without turning around, the boy replied:
-. . . It's not that I'm not afraid of the dark, but I think there are more important things to fear.
Without saying anything else, Brandon went up to his room to finish his movie, Lana accompanied him a second later, no matter how much Lola yelled at her. The next hour passed normally and finally when the parents arrived, all the siblings went to sleep.
It was around midnight when Brandon heard a small knock on his door, many times he really hated being a light sleeper, the boy got up and opened it, in front of him and on her pajamas, there was Lana, raising and eyebrow, the boy asked:
-What's wrong Lana? A little late for movies or anime, don't you think?
-No... It's not that, what happened is that ... I had a nightmare.
-Uh ?. . . ok, I understand that and I think I already know what this is all about but don't you have other nine sisters and a much closer brother to go to?
-Lincoln had a last-minute sleepover with Clyde and all the others locked their doors, I tried to sleep with Lola but she told me not to bother her, I think she is not very happy with me at the moment. . . Can sleep with you, pe… please?
Brandon watched Lana carefully, she was shaking and trying to put tender eyes that unfortunately worked very well, he couldn't imagine seeing a dirt-loving girl in such adorable way.
-Hmmmm, okay, but just one night. You better not snore.
Lana smiled and shook her head, suddenly hugging Brandon once more.
-Thanks brother! You and Lincoln are the best.
-Listen Lana, I'm not. . .
Before he could finish, Lana ran to the bed and jumped on it, giving Brandon enough space to settle in next to her. Brandon seeing her, he just rolled his eyes and walked to his bed, the little plumber did not take long to fall asleep, Brandon looked at her, he was not going to lie, Lana was really adorable and cute. The white-haired boy brought her closer to him, the girl; Even in her sleep, she gave a smile at the safe feeling. It didn't take long for Brandon to join her in the dream world.
-If things would had been different. . . you and I could have been great siblings- the boy thought before dreaming.