Two more chapters. And then, Lincaige will be a thing of the past, left to rot among the millions of Lincoln shippings!
Because let's be honest, whenever Lincoln gets a new love interest, everybody will drop their previous ship and support the new one.
Cristina, Ronnie Anne, Paige, they're all proof of this idea. It almost makes me hope he starts becoming celibate, or just settles for Stella.
Speaking of her, maybe I should write a fanfic all about her eventually...
What do you mean I already did that?
Anyway, let's stop rambling and head on to the next chapter!
Hello everybody, It's us, Paige and Lincoln.
To clarify, Lincoln said the last line, while I, Paige, am saying this one. Next will be Lincoln, then me, and so on and so forth.
Anyway, back on the main topic, today we're going to go tell Clyde and his parents about our relationship, and ask for advice on how to make it work.
Both our families were receptive of the idea, although my sister wasn't that happy about it.
I didn't know you had a sister.
Between gathering the courage to come out and trying to stay calm after talking with her, I forgot tell you about it. Sorry.
It's okay, for now, let's just focus on telling the news to the McBrides, okay?
Alright...
Outside of the McBride Residence...
Lincoln and Paige stood in front of the house, their hearts beating in unison as they prepared to go inside, and do the craziest thing they've ever thought about:
Reveal Paige's secret to them.
Naturally, Paige himself clutched his chest, feeling a little nervous.
"It's okay, Paige, everything will be alright," Lincoln told the boy, grabbing his free hand. "Clyde and his family are very supportive people. And even if they have a problem with that, they'll have to go through me if they want to hurt you!"
Feeling his confidence resurface, Paige smiled, nodded, and the boys promptly walked inside, with Lincoln saying as soon as they set foot:
"Clyde, there's something I need to tell you-"
"He already knows."
The boys flinched and turned to see none other than Girl Jordan sitting at a chair next to the couch,where a worried Clyde sat.
"I'm sure you had a lot to tell him, but sorry, I got here first," Girl Jordan shook her head. "You should've been a little faster, brother."
Naturally, Lincoln was shocked. "Girl Jordan's your sister?!"
"Yeah, welcome to the club," Paige turned back to the girl. "What are you doing here?!"
"Saving you the trouble of explaining everything to Lincoln's friend," Girl Jordan sternly answered. "And for good measure, I told his parents as well."
Lincoln glanced at Clyde, who said, "If it makes you feel better, I'm willing to hear that a second time."
Lincoln sighed, "Paige is actually a boy, and I want to make our relationship work."
"Yeah, that's exactly what Jordan said," Clyde said somberly. "And I'm assuming you want advice?"
Paige put a hand on Lincoln's shoulder. "Go look for the parents and ask for advice in private, I'll talk with Jordan."
Lincoln frowned. "Are you sure?"
Paige nodded, then turned to Clyde. "And if it's not a problem, I'd like you to leave too."
"Actually, I have some words to tell her too," Clyde folded his arms. "Mind if I join you?"
Surprised at the statement, but seeing no problem with it, Paige nodded and Lincoln went looking for the parents, leaving Paige and Clyde with Girl Jordan.
"Before you start snapping at and scolding me for what I did, let me make it clear one thing," Girl Jordan replied. "I'm not doing this out of jealousy, or because I'm homophobic, or because I want Lincoln for myself. I did this, because I'm worried for Paige and his train of thought!"
"That still doesn't excuse what you did," Clyde stated. "This is a sensitive topic, and It's between Lincoln and Paige. You don't have to get involved."
"Paige is my brother!" Girl Jordan yelled. "Of course I have to get involved! Especially when he's putting his current status in danger!"
Paige raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"
"Did you forget already that people still think you're a girl?" Girl Jordan pointed out. "If you and Lincoln start dating, in fact, if you start getting seriously intimate with anybody, the beans will spill, and who knows what's going to happen then!"
"They'll be spilled anyway, just wait for his body or voice to start changing, and then, the cat's out of the bag for him," Clyde remarked, throwing a worried look at Paige. "Sorry for bringing this up."
"No, I'm actually glad you did, because you brought up a good point," Paige looked at his sister. "No matter what we do, people will find out I'm a boy. The question isn't how they'll find out, but when they'll find out-"
"So?! People think you're a girl right now, and you've already gone through the trouble of keeping up the façade!" Girl Jordan narrowed her eyes. "If you date the living jinx that is Lincoln Loud, that image will crumble, and the only thing you'll have to look forward to is the ensuing controversy!"
Paige frowned. "What did you call Lincoln?"
"A living jinx," Girl Jordan rolled her eyes. "And can you blame me? That guy has worse luck than a broken mirror!"
"Okay then, answer me this," Clyde raised an eyebrow. "If Lincoln had better luck, and Paige's real gender was common knowledge, would you then be okay with the relationship?"
Girl Jordan flinched. "What kind of trick question is that?! Either Lincoln has better luck, or Paige's gender is common knowledge, both can't be possible at the same time!"
Clyde remained silent for a moment, then bluntly replied:
"I've come to the conclusion that there's no point in talking with you. So, I'm going to ask you to get out of my house, and please leave Lincoln and Paige alone."
A few moments later, Lincoln, Paige, and Girl Jordan left the house, with the siblings sternly staring at eachother while Lincoln watched nearby with worry.
"So, uh, you're Paige's sister," Lincoln said, trying to maintain a friendly, if nervous, tone. "That's, uh... Not something I saw coming-"
"Listen up, Lincoln Loud!" Girl Jordan snapped at the boy, giving him the pointer finger. I don't know what you did to my brother, nor what you're planning to do, but you can bet your sorry face that I'm not going to let you use my sibling as some plaything that you can discard later!"
Girl Jordan leaned closer. "Touch a single strand of his hair, skip a couple bases, or lord forbid, you actually decide to make it public, and you will be in a world of pain!"
Then, Paige separated the pair, surprising his sister once more.
"Please leave us alone, sis!" Paige requested sternly. "The last thing Lincoln and I need is a warning!"
"That wasn't a warning, that was a promise," Girl Jordan narrowed her eyes. "Keep that in mind."
The girl walked away, and as soon as she was out of view, she hid behind some trees and eavesdropped on Lincoln and Paige as they kept walking.
Paige rubbed his temples. "I'm so sorry for the way my sister acted."
Lincoln waved his hand. "It's okay, I think I know how it feels."
Paige raised an eyebrow. "You think?"
"My head's been all over the place recently, so I can't remember clearly right now," Lincoln answered. "However, I have ten sisters: I'm sure one of them must've acted like Girl Jordan did once."
Paige looked away, prompting Lincoln to pat his back and say, "It's going to be okay, Paige. Don't worry about it."
Paige smiled and gave the boy a grateful look. "I'm really happy you're as understanding as before."
"Without mumbling my words and making myself look like an idiot as well," Lincoln quipped.
"If I can be honest with you," Paige smiled smugly. "I found that kinda hot."
Lincoln gently jabbed Paige's shoulder. "Take that back!"
"Never!" Paige shouted.
The boys laughed out loud and walked back home, with Girl Jordan watching them from the shadows and narrowing her eyes as they left her view.
Well, that could've gone better.
And it could've gone worse.
Yeah... Hey, Paige?
Yes, Lincoln?
Would you like to go out and do something?
Like what?
I don't know, watch a movie, play a videogame, that kind of stuff. It's just that I don't think doing so in our houses is a good idea.
Lincoln Loud... Are you asking me out on a date?
What?! I, uh, eh, I didn't, I was just, that wasn't my intention, I was just-
There's the mumbling I like. And the answer is yes. How about we go out for pizza?
Sounds good to me. How about next week?
Perfect. Well, see ya then!
Yeah, see ya then...