As Lynn ran out of the hospital, she bumped into and passed Brandon. After taking her to the hospital to see Lincoln, he waited for her. However, he could already see the signs as she didn't answer him while she bumped into him. He'd worry about Lynn later; right now he went to go see Lincoln for himself.
"Excuse me, do you mind if I come in?" He asked, peeking through the door.
"Do I know you?" Lincoln inquired with confusion.
"No; my name is Brandon, and I'm one of the guy's from the opposite team that your sister faced off with. Your sister and I met days ago." He offered Lincoln a handshake. He seem nice so Lincoln accepted his gesture. He set some flowers down beside him. "I'm sorry for what happen to you, believe me, I was just as horrified as your sister."
"Will she be okay?" Lincoln wondered looking back at her.
Brandon took a sigh. "I hope so dude, she's let this whole attack on you get out of hand. But all we can do is just hope she will work this out for herself, no matter how stubborn she is."
Lincoln agreed, "Yeah Lynn can be pretty reckless at times."
"Either way, I must cut my visit short. I just wanted to see how your recovery. And in a way, I do feel partially responsible for what happen to you since it was from my team." Brandon waved to Lincoln.
"Like I told Lynn before, this isn't your fault, nor do I blame you in any way."
Brandon smiled as he left. "I hope you get better soon."
At home Lynn focused her time on her punching bag. Armed with her boxing gloves, she pounded away at the huge sack. With every punch, she envisioned the face of her foe even if he was still unseen. She could only image how her attacker would look like, especially since there was zero leads and evidence to go on.
She could only remember the words of the attacker. "We had a lot riding on the game and you ruined it, so we're going to take it out on you." the voiced echoed inside of her head.
As she heard the voice, she took the final jab, causing the bag to be knocked back. "You think you're so tough!" Lynn exclaimed. She stood there breathing heavily after hard training. Both anger and rage overwhelmed her well being as she still could not let go. When she turned her back, Luna was already standing behind her.
"I was going to practice my jam sessions until I heard you." Luna said.
"Well the garage is free, so knock yourself out." Lynn grabbed a towel and started to head out.
"Dude, this situation is starting to get to you."
Lynn took a chuckle, "Your almost starting to sound like Lincoln."
"I'm serious dude; the skipping school, the lack of visits to bro, being distance from your family, and lashing out unexpectedly and unnecessary. You are acting like a real bonehead. What's wrong with you dude?" Luna grabbed Lynn's shoulder, but shoved her away.
"Leave me alone!" Lynn retorted.
"This new side of you is not cool sis. I'm worried about Lincoln too, but you're really letting it get the best of you."
"Keep your advice to yourself."
"We're going to see Lincoln again today; he can really use your support."
Luna didn't bother to stop her as she made her way to the kitchen. After an intense workout, she fixed herself a nice protein shake. This aggressive nature of Lynn's caused her siblings to worry a great deal as the sisters could not take their eyes off of Lynn's bitter behavior. At this point, they were more worried about her then Lincoln.
So many thought went into their minds as Lynn walked out of the door. When she was gone, the girls talked amongst themselves.
"I think it's very clear dudes, Lynn is really losing it." Luna stated.
"I'm worried about her." Leni said.
"Me too, and it's not even funny anymore." Luan agreed.
"Yeah, she's always been reckless and impulsive before, but this is way beyond what she normally acts like." Lori added.
"Indeed, anger temperance of hers has been rising every day since the accident. I fear it may go beyond any overload." Lisa confirmed show a diagram.
"We should tell mom and dad." Lola suggested.
"No Lola, if not even Lincoln could get though to her, then maybe it would be best to let her work it out for herself. I think this is a time where our meddling is not needed."
"But what if she really goes off the deep end?" Lola asked.
"Well, let's just hope she doesn't."
While she didn't have practice today, it did not stop her ongoing pursuit. In a hooded sweatshirt, she watched from a distance of the other team practicing. From a nearby park bench and hotdog, she was on lookout. She was already looking suspicions enough being in plain sight, but it did not stop her. While the competition was still delayed due to the investigation, it did not stop the other team from keeping their strength up.
By her glance, one group were practicing normally on the field, other texted on their phone, another group sat back with a water bottle, and the final group rested on the bleachers. Among her sight, she discovered Brandon practicing with the rest of his team. Since he had practice, he could not see Lynn today as always, which may have been a relief to her. He hit the ball with pinpoint accuracy, almost identical to her skills. The sweat he displayed showed the amount of hard and dedication he had for sports. Perhaps she had the guy all wrong as she witnessed his skills.
She then noticed the group from before, still poking fun of Brandon. Even if she could not hear it, she could tell by the pointing and laughing, yet Brandon did not let it get the best of him as he ignored it. This was already enough to tighten her fist. The amount of no remorse that was displayed in this teasing made her suspicions.
Then something went arise, as Brandon made it home safe. The teasing still would not stop. Soon Brandon reached his limit as he comforted his bullies. Fearing that a fight might go on, the teammates held him back. The couch for the Pirate team was not pleased as he scolded Brandon. The conversation ended with him being sent home.
As he walked this way, Lynn hid her face inside the sweater. "You know, you already look suspicions sitting alone like that." Brandon alerted, not in a good mood.
Lynn revealed herself. "Hey Brandon, I'm guessing it did not go so well."
Brandon took a sigh. "I just don't like people comparing me to my dad, thinking I'm just a pale imitation. I'm my own person. Malcolm doesn't get that, so he seems to say whatever he wants." Brandon walked away from Lynn, much to her shock.
"Your pretty tougher then you look with you can put up with crap like that every day. I would have laid those idiots to rest if they every insult me like that."
Brandon faced Lynn, "So it did not upset you about what happen back there?"
"Nah, when I was young I defended my brother from bullies even people who insulted or even assaulted him."
"How is your brother doing?"
"He's doing fine, if not handicap now."
"Ouch, I'm sorry to hear that. Well, it's not forever."
"Maybe, but it still bothers me even till this day." Lynn replied holding her head down. "Have you had any luck, finding the guy?"
"Nope, since the investigation no one talks about it without looking like a suspect, but I'm still keeping my eyes peeled. In fact, most of my teammates were just as shocked as you were."
"Really?"
"Yeah, not all of my teammates are cutthroat." Brandon had said. "Take a look at this." Brandon showed some videos on his phone. It was old videos of his father's baseball days, dated ten to twenty years ago. Together they sat on the park benches, watching the videos. They browse through video after video of Travis glory days. Throughout this experience, Lynn both observed and got pointers from his pitching and batting style.
This event even led to a couple of awes, laughter and oh's in the game. Lynn even could not believe that she was with someone who related to someone famous or could have been famous. Even though it was enough to lighten her mood, her priority was still the same. But for now, she just had to buy time.
After a few hours have passed, a black Lexus pulled up at the park. A man got out of the car, but he did not walk straight as he had limbed a couple of steps. Brandon looked up to reveal his father. Brandon noticed as he said, "Dad."
"Hey son, how did practice go?" The father greeted.
"Fine as ever." As he eyes caught Lynn, he quickly introduced. "Dad, this is Lynn Loud, the girl from the opposite team, we lost against."
Lynn was really honored as she shook the man's hand. "Awesome to meet a professional athlete like you Mr. Winchester." She almost felt like she was going to faint. It was the same reaction that any normal citizen would meet someone legendary or famous.
"I'm former professional, but yeah, you too Lynn. Now and days, I run a Deli across town, starting off as minimum wage worker then made my way to professional in that level. Now I'm an owner, even catering to parties and public events."
"Do you ever miss your days of glory?" Lynn asked.
"Off course I do, everyday, but it does not mean I still give couching advice every now and then."
"Excuse Mr. Winchester, I know you're not well known, but do you think I can have your autograph?"
"Lynn, you're drooling." Brandon noticed.
"Sure, anything for a fan." He replied, writing on her baseball.
"You'll still be a pro to me."
"Thank you, you ready to go Brandon?" Travis asked. Travis gave Lynn a business card and a coupon. "Oh and Lynn, come to our Deli sometime."
"Yeah pops, I'll see you later Lynn." Brandon left the girl.
"Come on be honest with me son." Travis whispered. "Did you already make a girlfriend?"
Brandon blushed and replied. "Come on dad, it's not like that."
"Not yet, it isn't."
"Hey, what's that suppose to mean?"
As nightfall hit Royal Woods, Lynn returned up. Now that the stream was lifted, she felt the need to relax. Upon opening the door, she was quickly ambushed by her siblings. She thought she was getting an earful, but instead she got their happy expressions, and would not let their eyes off of her.
"OMG Lynn, so that's what you've been up to this entire time?" Leni said.
Lynn was confused, "What are you guys talking about?"
"We mean, why you didn't ever tell us you had a boyfriend." Lori announced.
"My friend from the beauty shop gave me the 411 on your situation." Leni boasted. "I could not believe it myself."
Knowing there was no way around it, Lynn decided to explain. "Fine, his name is Brandon Winchester, and he's a guy I met from the team I beat. Me and him are not like what you think."
"Not yet!" all the girls said in unison.
"Time for a makeover!" Leni screamed.
Lynn was afraid something like this would happen as there was no avoiding it. Now she was starting to get how Lincoln had felt as his siblings had meddled in his love life with Ronnie Anne. Personally, she thought they were making a big deal over nothing.
Knowing her tomboy nature, she didn't know how to really make of this. Just like with Lucy and Rocky, all of them wanted the best for their sister love life. She then found herself back in her room as Leni and Lola started straightening her up. Leni blow-dry and dyed her hair as Lola started working on her nails.
"Don't worry Lynn, by time we are though with you, all the boys will come crawling." Leni cheered.
"Don't be scared sis, we are professionals." Lola added, applying the finishing touches.
"Poo-Poo." Lily chirped with a happy glare.
Lynn groaned in disbelief. "Why me?"
Even if she greatly appreciated her sister's help, Lynn didn't like the large amount of makeup on her face as she washed her face. Although she didn't want to admit it to the others, she did like the pink line in her hair. And the red and black sports outfit really did suit her best with wearing a dress of any kind.
So she did admire herself in the mirror. A knock came at the door as she rushed down. To her surprise, it was Brandon at the door. He was the first to notice her new look.
"Wow, I like the hair." Brandon complimented. "And do you smell like strawberry?"
"What are you doing here Brandon?" Lynn was the first to ask.
Brandon cleared his throat and responded. "I wanted to talk to you, you got a minute?"
Lynn left out of the house with Brandon as her sisters rushed towards the window. They were dying to know the results of Lynn's makeover. Fortunately, they could not hear them though the closed door.
"I'm sorry for coming this late Lynn. But I've been doing some digging and I may have found the person who attacked you and your brother a week ago." Brandon explained.
Lynn's eyes widen. "Then tell me everything, and don't hold anything back."
Author's Note: "Time for a makeover" idea came from CoyoteRom of deviantArt, check out more of his awesome artwork.
Also working on the next and final chapter right now, look forward to it soon. Without spoilers, I can tell you for sure that, shit is going to go down real soon.