Chapter 5
The next morning, Linka was sleeping in. Her door opened, revealing a much better and dressed Luke. He smiled cutely at his sleeping sister. Aw, almost makes me not want to wake her up, but the rents asked me to. Luke entered the room, sat down beside her on her bed and gently shook her awake. "Morning, little sis."
Linka wearily woke up, smiling upon seeing her big brother. "Hi Luke. Morning." She sat up and regained her vision. She also received a surprise kiss from Luke to which she laughed a bit. "Looks like you're over your cold."
"You know it," Luke then noticed his sister's left hand, still bandaged, "How's the hand?"
"Better I think. It's not as painful as yesterday."
"Mind if I take a look?"
"No, go ahead."
Luke carefully unwrapped the gauze and inspected where she got hurt. "Hmm…I see the bruise marks, but they're faded, so I'd say you're on the steady road to recovery."
Linka let out a small sigh, "It may be healing, but yesterday really took a toll on me."
"Not gonna disagree with you on that one. That bomb of anger must've really blown up inside you, sis."
"It did. After three weeks of holding it in, I just couldn't take it anymore."
"Umm…Link?"
"What is it?"
"I hate to dampen the mood as is, but I got some bad news to share."
"Go on."
Luke explained, "Well, when the rents' came to check my temp this morning, they asked me if I heard any voices last night."
It didn't take long for Linka to figure it out. "And let me guess, you told them about last night's talk and my injury."
"Sorry, brah," Luke said sheepishly.
Surprisingly, Linka wasn't really annoyed. "That's okay, the good news is that I've been sleeping on it, and I've decided to open up to the whole family."
"That's rockin' you considered, because…our brothers overheard me and the rents' talking, so they got word on it too," Luke said with a hint of guilt.
Linka calmly sighed and shrugged, "Well what can you do? They're our family."
Luke laughed at the remark, "Too true sis. Too true."
"Right. Now can I have some privacy to get dressed?"
"Don't have to ask me twice," Luke got up and left the room. After 5 minutes, Linka came out and met up with her brother. "Ready to go? The whole gang is waiting downstairs."
"Let's go," she responded.
The sibling made their way downstairs to see their whole family waiting in the Living room. The parents stood to the left side of the couch while the siblings either sat or stood around it.
Luke and Linka took their seats on the couch as everyone exchanged 'good mornings'. Linka started talking, "So, Luke told me that all of you know about my situation at this point. Is that right?"
"Yes, we know the whole thing, including your hand," Rita answered, pointing to said hand, "May I see it?"
Linka complied and showed her. The mother inspected it closely, "Oh, definitely some bruising on the knuckles, but they're faint, so that means it's healing."
Lynn was left confused, "That's weird, because yesterday at dinner, I didn't see any bruises."
"That's because while I was at the Mall, I bought some makeup samples to cover up the damage."
"So Linka, you've been sad and anxious for three weeks?" Lynn Sr. asked.
"Yeah, I was."
"And to this day, you still don't know what's been causing your despair?" Lars asked next.
"Unfortunately, no I don't. And I'm sorry for the way I've been acting towards all of you…and for not coming to you for help. Not gonna lie, I was really uncomfortable with the idea of opening up about my issues."
Lynn goes over to her and messes her hair playfully, "Ah, no worries, sis. No one really likes to talk about what really pains us on the inside."
Loki went next, "But it's literally okay to come to us for help, Linka. Especially if you know you need it from the bottom of your heart."
Rita agreed with her oldest son, "Loki makes a very good point, honey."
Linka perked up a bit, "Yeah, you're right. I promise I'll try to be more open if something is bothering me."
"But for today, no more sneaky acts?" Lexx asked.
"Not today, Lexx. And after what happened to my hand, I doubt I'll ever do that again for a long time."
"Good. Don't push us away like that," said Lief.
"Understood," she got the message.
"Linka, I know you said it already, but are you sure you don't know why you've been having those feelings?" Lane asked.
"I'm afraid that's still a mystery," Linka answered, "No recent fights with you guys, and it's not School related."
"Linka, perhaps I can provide you with a potential hypothesis," Levi offered.
"I'm listening," Linka was ready to hear the genius' thoughts.
"Based on your past events, my conclusion is that the emotions you've been experiencing could very possibly be just a part of your human development."
Linka thinks for a bit, "Levi, do you mean growing up?"
"That is correct."
"I mean I knew I was in for some changes as I got older, but I didn't think whatever I've been feeling would be a part of it."
"As new hormones develop, it's common for them to trigger sudden emotions inside your brain. Feeling sadness, confusion, and anxiety is typical, as well as decreased appetite and irregular sleep patterns."
Linka took another moment to consider, "Well, I know I haven't been eating much, but I don't think I'm losing sleep." She took a deep breath and smiled, "But you know what? Today's Saturday and the weather is nice. Right now I kind of want to put all this aside, and spend time with you guys."
Luke was the first to smile and pulled her in for a brief one side hug, "Now that's a good attitude, Link." The rest of the family soon agreed at the thought. Luke then noticed Leon trying to climb up the couch, "And looks like Leon wants a cuddle from his big sis."
Linka picks up the baby and gives Leon the aforementioned cuddle. The family went avoid as they looked at the cute sight. "Inka back?" Leon asked.
"Yeah, I'm back Leon," Linka simply told him. Then something came to her.
"What's up, sis?" Luke asked.
"I got an idea," she said, "Has anyone eaten breakfast yet?" The family responded negative. "Well, how about we go to the park and have a brunch picnic there?" Without second thoughts, the whole family was on board.
"Literally the best idea!"
"Sounds cool!"
"Rad!"
"Wicked."
"Perfect!"
"Totes fun!"
"Aw yeah!"
"Picnic it is. Everyone in Vanzilla," Rita announced.
Once the family got to the park, the parents wasted no time setting up on a large picnic table.
Meanwhile, the kids were doing their own activities. Lars, Leif, Lexx and Levi played a friendly game of duck duck goose. At the moment, Lexx was chasing Leif. "You can't catch me, Lexx," the latter taunted.
"We'll see about that, Leif," Lexx said with a smirk and continued to chase his down-and-dirty twin.
The four oldest boys and Leon were sitting at individual tables. At one table, Loni was filing his nails, and Loki was on his phone, texting Bebe.
At another table was Lane and his ventriloquist dummy, Ms. Coconuts. The latter made a whipped cream pie and threw it at the former in the face. "Well I guess all pies are on me now," Lane joked and laughed.
At another table to the left of Lane was Luke strumming his acoustic guitar with Leon sitting next to him. He looked for a moment to see Lynn and Linka playing.
"Hey yo Linka! Go long!" Lynn yelled, tossing a football.
"I got it," Linka managed to catch the ball. "Your turn!" She said throwing it back and Lynn tracking it.
Seeing the two playing made Luke smile as he continued to watch from a distance. "Good to have you back, Linka," he said to himself, pleased to see his favorite little sister was having fun.
"Kids! Lunch!" Lynn Sr. called. The whole family gathered around the table as they enjoyed eating sandwiches, and drinking lemonade and root beer.
Linka suddenly felt her shoulder being tapped. She turned around to see her mother. "Linka, since you suggested this picnic, want to propose a toast?"
"Tempting…" Linka considered.
"Come on, you know you want to," Loki said with a playful smile.
"Do it, Linka!" Loni encouraged her.
"Come on, sis!" Luke added.
Then everyone joined in, "Do it! Do it! Do it!"
Linka gained the confidence and smiled, "Okay," she raised her cup of lemonade, "To a great Saturday!"
"To a great Saturday!" Her family repeated and clinked cups and/or root beer bottles. With the toast done, everyone continued to enjoy the rest of their picnic with the white haired girl they know and love.
The End