Chapter 3

The next morning, Luna took a sick day on the couch with a pillow and blanket while her siblings were at school. *Ah-Achoo!* she sneezed in a tissue, blew in it and threw it out in a trash bin next to her. Rita with a digital thermometer in hand, came into the Living room and sat down beside her. "Open," she instructed. Luna opened her mouth as her mother stuck the device in and closed it. Rita takes it out and reads, "100.5, definitely a fever, but not an emergency which is good."

"Cool, but shouldn't you get to work, Mom? *Achoo!*" Luna asked with another sneeze.

"I called Dr. Feinstein and he said I can take the day off to take care of you while another dentist fills in for me."

Luna lets out an exasperated sigh, not wanting to let her mother miss work, "Mom…"

"Don't worry about me, sweetie," Rita reassured, "Someone has to stay behind and take care of you. And besides, this is only until you get better."

Luna showed a small smile of gratitude, but then it turned into a concerning frown. Rita knew what was the trouble, "You worried about Lincoln?"

Luna confirmed, "He's my little bro, I should know what's bugging him, especially if he's upset." After the vent, she sniffled a bit.

Rita took her hand and rubbed her daughter's head gently to comfort her. "I know you're worried, we all are. But the good news is that since Lincoln knows we're on his case, he'll consider opening up sooner or later."

"You sure?"

"Positive. Now get plenty of rest."

A while later, Luna watched T.V and ate some of the soup from the night before. Her phone rang, so she paused the program and pulled out her phone to turn it on to video chat. "Guess who," Luna's friend, Sam greeted, along with Sully and Mazzy.

"Yo dudes. *Achoo!*" Luna greeted back with a sneeze.

"Gesundheit," said Sam, "Anyway, we're all on lunch break, so we thought it was a good time to check in on you."

Luna smiled at the thought, "That's a mighty generous gesture of you, dudes."

"So, been doing anything since you're under the weather?"

"Nah. Just laying around, watching some T.V and eating my dad's leftover soup from last night. Any weekend plans?"

"Not much on my end," Sully answered.

"Me neither," Mazzy added.

Sam went last, "As for me, I'm volunteering at the Animal Shelter with Simon as my assistant." Luna's face suddenly went sad, hearing Sam talk about her little brother. "Sorry, did I say something weird?" Sam asked with slight worry.

Luna sighed, "Sorry, brah. Since yesterday, Lincoln's been acting off and I don't know why."

"Have you and your fam talked to him?"

"We tried, but he won't budge."

"I say give it some time. Lincoln will talk eventually," Sam tried to reassure her ill friend.

"That's what my mom said, but…hold on a sec-*Achoo!*," Luna sneezed, "Sorry, this cold wearing me down. But back to the point, I hate to think something bad happened to my little brother," Luna finished her explanation with worry.

Sam saw the worry in Luna's eyes and gave her a sympathetic smile, "As a big sis myself, I get it. Simon's in my mind 24/7. Things will work out. I know it."

Luna smiled, "Thanks Sam."

"I hate to cut this sweet moment, but the bell's about to ring. Mind if we sign off?"

"Not in the slightest, I think we caught up enough, plus my bod's been telling me to take it easy," Luna waved goodbye to the group, "Later dudes."

"Later," said Sam's group and both parties signed off. Luna grabbed the remote and continued to watch her program.

A few hours later, Luna was seen taking a nap. She groggily groaned and woke up, slowly regaining her vision. Then the door opened revealing her sisters.

Lori noticed Luna and had a slight guilt look on her face, "Oh, sorry Luna. We didn't disturb you, did we?"

"Hey dudettes," Luna greeted, "And, it's cool, I was already done with my z's."

"Feeling better?"

"About the same," Luna then noticed- "Where's Lincoln?"

"He and Clyde went to the comic book store in Downtown," Lana answered, "Clyde's dads will drop Lincoln off here, later."

"Did he look any better than yesterday?" Luna asked.

Lori answered, "I asked him, and he said he was fine. But in any case, the comic book store is literally Lincoln's happy place, so it might be safe to assume he's doing better."

"Okay, just making sure," Luna took her brother's recent behavior in consideration.

"You can ask him when he gets back," Luan pointed out.

"I know. I haven't seen him since last night, that's why I asked."

"Lincoln's tough, he can take care of himself," Lynn commented.

"He'll be fine, Luna," Lori reassured her ill sister, and turned to her group, "Come on girls, let's leave so she can rest." And so, the rest of the sisters go upstairs.

"Feel better, Luna," Leni wished her good health.

"Much appreciated my wayward dudes," Luna thanked them.

An hour later, Lincoln came home and closed the door, holding his left hand by the knuckles. He faces the door and sighs.

"Hey bro." Lincoln hears a voice, so he turns around to see Luna resting on the couch.

"Oh, hi Luna," he greeted, "Sorry, didn't see you there."

"No worries. Anyway…" Luna patted a seat as if she was signaling him. "Can you come here for a bit? I want to talk to you."

Lincoln was taken aback by the request, but complied and walked to his sister and sat down. "So are you feeling better?"

"About the same," Luna replied, "But how are you since yesterday?"

"I'm fine," he responded, trying to sound sincere.

But, Luna was a little skeptical, "You sure? When you came home, you looked bugged."

"I'm fine, Luna, really. Just another crazy day at School."

Luna then noticed- "What's up with your hand?"

Lincoln quickly answered, "It's just asleep."

"Oh. I already asked, but you sure you're doing better than yesterday?"

"Yes, I am," Lincoln answered, trying to remain calm.

"I know I'm pressing you with all the questions, but everyone's been worried about you, dude," Luna told him.

"I know," Lincoln then showed a small smile, "But I know you're just looking out for me, which I appreciate."

Luna smiled herself, "We always will, Linc," she took a breath, "I think took up enough of your time here, bro; you're free to go."

"Okay. Get some rest." Lincoln starts to leave.

"Actually, hold on," Luna stopped him.

Lincoln turned around and looked back at her, "Yes, Luna?"

"If you want to talk…you know where I am, right?"

Lincoln nodded, "Yeah I do."

"Just making sure."

"Later, Luna."

"Later, bro."

The siblings waved goodbye as Lincoln went upstairs. He goes into his room and closes the door, still holding his left hand. Lincoln winced in pain, so he tried some deep breathing. He opened his right hand, revealing bruised knuckles on the left. Phew! That was close, he thought to himself, Good thing Luna didn't ask if I was in pain. Lincoln emptied out a comic book and some make-up samples from his backpack. Also a good thing I dropped by the Mall. He opened a sample packet and gently applied the powder to the bruises to camouflage the damage.