The four of them entered the school building. Walking in, they were greeted by a couple of teachers, who showed them where to go. Upon entering the lunch hall, they saw a small refreshments table, so they walked up to it, accepting the free drinks available- coffee for the girls, and orange juice for Lincoln. While his sisters looked for the rest of their family, Lincoln spotted Clyde, Rusty, Zach, Liam and the girls at a nearby table. Looking up to his sisters, he told them, "I'm gonna go chat with my friends for a bit."
"Alright, Lincoln," Lori encouraged, "we'll let mom and dad and the others know."
Lincoln nodded, before he walked over to join them. The three girls smiled on as they watched their little brother, feeling a wave of relief as he began happily chatting with them.
"Is it just me, or does this feel a little weird?" Leni pointed out. "Like, not bad weird, but good weird?"
"I'd say it feels… new," Lori answered. "I mean, it has been a while since we went to a 'first' show."
Leni scrunched her eyebrows together, confused. "What do you mean, 'first' show?"
"You know, like Lola's first pageant, or Lucy's first poetry reading, or Lynn's first hockey game."
"Yeah, only this time, it's Lincoln's first gallery," Luna pointed out. "And, yeah, it does feel new, which makes it a little bit funky, but at the same time, I can't help but feel proud."
"I know… Who knows? If things go well, Lincoln might be inviting us to more of his shows in the future?" The three of them giggled at the prospect, but stopped before they got too far ahead of themselves. "But, still, even if this doesn't work out for him, then he can at least enjoy tonight."
With that, the three of them joined their family. Everyone continued talking amongst themselves, until a single voice could be heard over it all.
"Excuse me, everyone!" The crowd turned to see Mr Thompson, with a microphone in his hand. There were a couple of men near the door with cameras, but the crowd was more interested in what the teacher had to say. "Thank you all for coming! I know that you are all excited to see what works of art the students have created, so please follow me to the gymnasium." Everyone who was sat down stood up, as the crowd of teachers, students, parents and family members followed the art teacher through the hallway until they reached the gymnasium. Once there, everyone could see the large number of displays available, including one near the entrance with a single painting covered in a red curtain, and began to murmur amongst themselves. "Now, I know that you are all excited to see the art on display, but if I may talk to you quickly before you do so. First of all, I would like to introduce someone to you all."
After he said that, a forty-something-year-old woman with blonde hair and brown eyes behind glasses, wearing a grey cardigan over a white shirt, grey trousers and black heeled shoes, stepped forward. She shook hands with the art teacher, before taking the microphone. "Thank you, Mr Thompson," she told him, before turning to the crowd while he joined them. "Hello, everyone! My name is Sarah, and I am the curator at the Royal Woods National Gallery. It's my job to acquire pieces from artists, both famous and local, to go on display. We will soon be opening a youth exhibit to showcase the best art from promising young artists in the area, and as a former student at Royal Woods Elementary, I just knew that I wanted to display the best this school had to offer. Now, while only one piece that you see in this gallery," she pointed at the red curtain, "will become part of that exhibit, I can happily say that all of the pieces on display tonight are marvellous! So, please, give a round of applause for those talented young artists!"
The crowd, as well as Mr Thompson, all applauded. Lori, looking over at Lincoln, saw that he was a little more relaxed, which made her smile, before returning to look at the curator. "Now, without further ado," the art teacher announced, "I can announce that the student, who both myself and the entire faculty at this school, believe produced the best piece of art… from the 5th grade, a young man by the name of Lincoln Loud! Lincoln, would you join me up here?"
The crowd applauded, while Lincoln just stood there in shock. 'Did… did he just say…' was all his brain could muster before he felt something pushing him. Snapping out of his daze, he turned and saw Clyde trying to usher him towards the curator, with his friends also beckoning him on. He gulped, before putting on a somewhat nervous smile as he passed through the crowd, who parted to allow him to reach the curator. Sarah smiled at the boy, extending a hand which he graciously shook, before she turned him to face the crowd. He could hear some of his family cheering for him, which gave him slightly more confidence.
"Congratulations, young man!" She spoke into the microphone, yet looking at him. "How do you feel?"
She held the microphone to him. "Uh… a bit confused?" He nervously admitted, eliciting a collective chuckle from everyone in the gymnasium. "I mean, obviously I'm happy, I'm just… well, confused."
Sarah chuckled softly. "You're too modest. The second I saw your piece, I fell in love with it, and knew it was perfect for the exhibit." She ushered him towards the red curtain. "Behind this curtain is your work, so would you care to do the honours of unveiling it to the crowd?"
He looked back at the crowd, who were encouraging him to do so, before nodding. "Sure." He took a hold of the rope attached to the curtain, and took a deep breath. 'Three… two… one…' With a gentle yet swift pull, he revealed his painting, and squeezed his eyes shut… only to open them when he realised that the crowd was applauding it, with his friends cheering him on, and his family looking on in amazement.
His painting was, in fact, a comic book styled piece, with him and his sisters each in their own frame- Lori at the top, smirking confidently with her arms crossed, phone in one hand; Leni in the top left with a sewing needle; Luna in the top right, jamming out on her guitar; Luan below Luna, preparing to throw a cream pie; Lynn below Leni, preparing to throw a football; Lana below Lynn, with a wrench in her hand, Hops on her head under her hat; Lola below Luan, performing a ribbon dance; Lucy in the bottom left, reading a crystal ball; Lisa in the bottom right, mixing chemicals; Lily at the bottom, sucking her thumb while holding her blanket; and Lincoln in the middle, smiling happily. Each of their frames was in their favourite colours, with their skins being a lighter shade of their respective background colour, plus distinct blank lines for their outlines. Below the painting was a small plaque that read '"The People Around Me" by Lincoln Loud'.
Lincoln, seeing the positive reaction he was receiving, smiled while the two men with cameras took some pictures. Once the acclaim he received had died down, Sarah turned to him again. "Lincoln, if you don't mind, would you be willing to tell us a bit about your piece?" She asked.
"Sure," he replied. "Well, this was from the most recent project we had, called 'The People Around Me'. When we were told about the project, one of the first things I decided was as to who my piece would be about," he looked over at my family, "and that's my sisters."
"I can imagine ten sisters would be a handful, huh?"
Lincoln chuckled. "More than you could imagine! And sure, we drive each other crazy from time to time… but they're the greatest sisters a guy could ask for. They mean the world to me, and I love them dearly."
The crowd swooned at the statement, and Lincoln noticed his sisters trying to fight back tears. "So," Sarah continued, "tell me, Lincoln. What inspired this style choice?"
"Well, I'm a pretty big comic book fan, with my all-time favourite series being Ace Savvy. I've probably read every issue made since I was five years old. Anyway, when I was at home reading the newest issue of Ace, it reminded me of the time I entered a contest to design an original comic based on the series. For it, I designed original characters known as the Full House Gang, who I based on my sisters. Thanks to that, I realised that it was the best way to show off my sisters' individual personalities. As for the colour scheme, well those are our favourite colours."
"I see. I must add, I love how you've arranged yourself and your sisters- not only does it out a new twist on the title of the piece, but it really shows the connection between you and your sisters." He didn't know what to say, so he smiled meekly, rubbing the back of his arm. The blonde woman's smile grew. "You know, Lincoln, I like you. You seem down to Earth, and real. Not all artists are like that these days- hold onto that." He nodded, while she turned to the crowd. "Not only will mister Loud's work go in my gallery when the youth exhibit opens, but also, I believe Mr Thompson has something to give this young man."
Lincoln turned and gasped, his eyes widening, almost unable to hear the applause as he saw his art teacher approach with a mahogany shield-shaped plaque, with a slightly smaller black metal shield with a golden outline on it. There were two gold paintbrushes in an 'X' shape at the top, and the shield read, engraved in gold:
Royal Woods Elementary
Young Artist Award
Lincoln Loud
5th Grade
Lincoln looked up at the man in shock, the teacher proudly smiling at the boy. "Well done, Lincoln," he told the boy over the applause.
"Th-thank you, sir," Lincoln was able to get out, a tear welling in his eye as he accepted the award.
"Now," Sarah announced, "just because there's one amazing painting doesn't mean there aren't more, so by all means! The Royal Woods Elementary School art gallery is open! Go and enjoy yourselves!"
While the majority of the crowd dispersed to view the rest of the art, his family watched on proudly as Lincoln posed for a couple of photos with Sarah and Mr Thompson, his face positively beaming. He looked up at them, exchanging a few more words, before the woman took her leave. The teacher walked up to Mr and Mrs Loud, still smiling proudly. "Mr and Mrs Loud! So glad you could make it!"
"We wouldn't miss it for anything!" Lynn Sr. replied, shaking the teacher's hand.
"And I see that his 'muses' have come as well!" The sisters all blushed at the use of the word 'muse', much to his amusement. "Well, if there's anything either of you two would like to ask me about Lincoln's work throughout the year, feel free to ask!"
While the three adults talked among themselves, the nine sisters (sans Lily) surrounded their brother, all smiling from ear to ear. "Lincoln, that was literally incredible!" Lori commended him. "Your speech nearly made us cry."
"Really?" He asked. "You think so?"
"Lincoln, your painting is awesome!" Lana practically shouted. "I love it!"
"Yeah, bro!" Lynn added. "How have you hidden this from us all this time?"
Lincoln gently rubbed his foot on the floor. "Well, most of the other projects haven't really suited me as well. You've all seen my mugs for Mother's Day." They all laughed at that. "But, yeah. I guess I just did better than usual this time!"
"Lincoln, you need to stop selling yourself short, dude!" Luna encouraged. "I'm gonna have to ask you to design my album cover one day!"
"Yeah! It's a real 'stroke' of genius!" Luan added as she laughed her signature laugh. "Get it?" Their sisters groaned, while Lincoln chuckled. "Seriously, though, we all love it!"
"And we're, like, totes flattered that you did it about us!" Leni told her little brother. "That was so sweet of you."
"Well, you guys are the closest people in my life! I couldn't really think of anyone better to do the project about!"
"While I am by no means a connoisseur of the arts," Lisa spoke up, "I can at least appreciate the subjective nature of art's appreciation." Lincoln blinked, looking at her blankly. "In more common terminology, to each is their own. As for myself, while I still don't understand the appeal to the medium of comic books, I really admire your work, elder brother."
'That's probably the best compliment she's ever given me,' Lincoln thought. "Thanks, Lis'."
"I must agree," Lucy spoke next with a modest smile, surprisingly not scaring everyone for once. "Even I need a break from the darkness on occasion, and your painting has brought me great joy."
"Hmm… couldn't I be prettier?" Lola asked, causing her nine sisters to glare at her before she rolled her eyes and smile at Lincoln. "Relax, I'm kidding! It's perfect, big brother."
Lincoln allowed a couple of tears to escape, causing Luna to frown. "Link, what's wrong?"
"You guys…" he started, his voice wavering slightly. "I still can't believe all this is happening, but I'm glad it is. And, more importantly, I'm so glad you came. You guys… you guys are the best…"
"Aww!" They all cooed, before wrapping their arms around him in a big hug, all happy in the embrace, with none more so than the white-haired boy. They held the hug for a good few seconds, before releasing when their parents and Lily came over.
"Lincoln," Rita spoke as she approached her son, "I could not be more proud of you right now."
"She's right, son," Lynn Sr. added. "Did you know any of that was going to happen?" Lincoln shook his head, causing Lynn to chuckle while patting his son on the shoulder. "Well, you should be really proud of yourself."
"'Inky!" Lily called out, reaching for her brother. Lincoln handed his plaque to his father, before accepting the baby from their mother, with Lily hugging him.
"Do you like my painting, Lily?" He asked, taking the following giggle as a sign that she did. "I'm glad you did."
"Why don't you kids go and look around at the rest of the art?" Their father suggested. "We'll keep your plaque safe, and when we get home, we'll let you put it in the trophy cabinet."
"That sounds great, dad." Lincoln turned to his sisters. "Is it okay if I go and find Clyde and the others?"
"Of course, Lincoln," Lori told him, taking Lily out of his arms. "It's your night- enjoy it." He nodded, before heading over to his friends, who immediately began to commend the 'artist'. While Luan, Lana and Lola went off as one group, and Lynn, Lucy and Lisa went off as another group, the three eldest siblings and Lily stood there for a few seconds, watching their brother proudly. "I literally couldn't be any happier than I am right now."
"I totally agree," Leni responded. "He looks so happy, and that outfit looks great on him."
"I think this will be good for the dude in the future," Luna spoke up. "Not only does he have something that he can be really proud of with what he's achieved, but maybe he can use this to find out… who he is."
The two blondes nodded. "Well, no matter what comes of this," Lori told her sisters, "he can always look back on this with a smile. And we will always love him."
"Without question," Luna agreed.
"Our little Linky…"
