It wasn't even noon and the blazing summer sun was already scorching the land. Most would have stayed inside or in the shade but for the losers of yesterday's Loud sibling duel, that was not an option.
Standing on ladders on opposite sides of the tree, Lori and Luna, drenched in sweat, were pretty much done constructing a basic platform for the treehouse, supported by several wooden planks beneath it. The girls were decked out in simple gray t-shirts and denim overalls, neither of which seemed to have been washed in a while. Luna didn't care much about it but Lori desperately hoped that none of her classmates lived anywhere near the Taylors' house, otherwise they would share snapshots of her looking like some country bumpkin all over social media and she would become the laughing stock of her school overnight.
Nearby, their warden was watching them like a hawk, occasionally wiping her forehead and taking a sip from her water bottle. Hailing from Cape Town, the Taylor siblings were quite used to scalding heat.
"Can I at least get a freaking hat and shades?" Lori pleaded for the umpteenth time.
"No."
"But-"
"No." Renee repeated.
"Lori, if anyone sees ya, just tell them you were building a treehouse for your little bro. It ain't a lie." Luna told her begrudgingly as she began constructing one of the walls. She hated helping Lori in any way, but she also hated listening to her yammering.
"Are you literally insane?" Lori stared at her incredulously. "And make people think I'm some loser with no social life who mollycoddles their baby siblings? My reputation would be ruined!"
Luna rolled her eyes and ended the conversation as she hammered in the first nail. If she wasn't so pissed at her older sister for getting them in this predicament, she might have felt sorry for her. She saw no shame in doing something for your younger sibling. If anything, Luna felt she owed this to Lincoln.
"If it's any consolation, I doubt your current reputation is anything to brag about." Renee said blandly.
Lori sent her a bitter glare. "You're enjoying this? Aren't ya!"
Renee didn't deny it, or dignify it with a response. That just riled up the blonde even more.
"And how dare you get off telling us what we can and can't do!" Lori continued. "The twerps are our masters, not you!"
"I know. Pity then that they have taken a leave of absence and left you in my care." Their warden replied matter-of-factly.
"Leave of absence?" Lori narrowed her eyes. "For what?"
"Not your concern." Renee stated. She didn't know what their meeting with Mr. Loud was about either, mainly since she didn't care.
Lori fumed and grumbled while Luna wiped her forehead and panted.
"Dude, can't I at least get one bottle of water?" she begged. "I can feel my skin sizzling!"
"I can still find use for the hose."
Luna's pupils shrank. "Nevermind, I'm good." She resumed her work, securing another board next to the first one.
Renee smirked slightly until an obnoxious voice made her frown again.
"Hey, Renny? Can you explain to me what I'm supposed to do again?"
She turned to Leni, who was stirring paint in a small barrel. Renee had to use all her willpower to keep her cool.
"Oh, your task is of utmost importance." She explained as she picked up a bucket of yellow paint and poured it into the blue paint.
"You just keep mixing the paint until it's a vibrant purple color, so you can paint the treehouse."
Leni's brow furrowed. "Are you sure Ryan will like it? I thought boys were more into blue? Or-"
"Ryan's a free thinker, he has unique tastes." Renee insisted. "Now, just keep stirring until the paint turns purple, then it will be your job to paint the treehouse."
Leni blinked and looked at the barrel of now green paint, but then smiled and saluted Renee.
"You got it! I won't stop until I get the color just right! You can count on me."
"Of course we can…" Renee started before muttering under her breath, "…you disgusting degenerate."
"What did you say?"
"I said, you have merit." Renee deadpanned. "Too bad you didn't rub off on your sisters."
Lori grumbled under her breath again and continued building the wall. That bitch was going to pay! So were the twerps! They would all pay for demeaning her!
"And no grumbling about revenge on the job!" Renee barked, startling her.
Lola watched them from inside the living room. She saw them being put to labor. Being degraded. Being denied basic human rights. Being forced to wear drab, eye sore-inducing wardrobe! Oh, how she wished she was out there with them.
Instead, she had been forced into a maid's uniform and was carrying a glass of orange juice to her master, who was sitting atop a makeshift throne made up of various chairs.
"I'm parched, slave girl. What took you so long?" Lucy scolded her from atop the throne.
"I was gone for two flippin' minutes!" Lola growled in response as she handed her the glass, being barely able to reach Lucy's hand.
"Unexpectable!" Lucy scoffed. "I expect you to work faster than what's humanly possible."
"What sense does that make?!" Lola lamented. "A wannabe-lich like you may not see it, but I am just human!"
"As usual, no sense of irony." Lucy laughed inwardly.
"And yet that didn't stop you from having unreasonable expectations when you blackmailed me or the others into serving you." Lucy smirked. "Or do you simply derive pleasure from berating your servants for the most inane of reasons? Because I certainly am?"
She took a sip from her glass before faking a nauseated expression and spitting it out, making sure to hit Lola in the face.
"What is this dishwater? I asked for blood orange juice, not regular juice! Are you color-blind?"
Lola fumed. "It IS blood orange juice! It's red!"
Lucy scoffed and poured the remaining juice onto Lola's head. "It wasn't bloody enough."
Lola growled. "Just keep doing it! But know that I will make the rest of your life miserable for this!"
"I doubt Ryan will let you live for long if you try it even once." Lucy retorted smugly, making the princess grit her teeth in frustration.
The indignity! The humiliation! Oh, no. She was not going to let the goth freak have the upper hand.
"Hah! Actually, I'm disappointed in you, Lucy!" Lola changed her tune, trying to save face.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, I was expecting a mind as twisted as yours to come up with better ways of torturing me than just acting like a spoiled brat." Lola grinned. "If that's the best you can dish out, then it might not be so bad."
"Oh, you misunderstand. I'm preoccupying you with menial labor while I narrow down the five best ways to enact my vengeance." Lucy said in a casual manner and pulled out a notebook labeled "Lucy L.'s Torture Catalogue", which cracked Lola's façade of confidence.
"Here are my most recent ideas." She showed her a few drawings, which depicted Lucy, wearing a lab coat and goggles, pulling the lever that activated Lola's electric chair, another that showed a tied-up Lola crying as all her hair had been shaven off and one where Lucy was forcing her to watch The Loud House Movie... Clockwork Orange-style.
No, not while she was still breathing.
"You're sick….and twisted!" Lola cried out while her eyes desperately scanned the room for any weapon she could use. Treaty or no treaty, she had to escape!
"Thank you." Lucy nodded. "Now, be a good little servant and fetch me the newspaper so I can yell at you again for being tardy."
Lola barely registered that as she spotted something on the desk, which sparked an idea.
"Oh, and do it while groveling…" Lucy added while rubbing her chin. "… and keep your hands behind your back so I know that you're only using your mouth. Then I might play fetch with you, so no hands whatsoever!"
"Sure, sure…" Lola replied absentmindedly before shaking her head and walking off. "I mean, you'll rue the day you messed with Lola Loud."
"Oh, this is beyond wicked. This is maleficent!" Lucy chuckled to herself, dangling her legs. Getting revenge sure made you feel like you were on top of the world. Though the throne probably helped.
Lola soon returned, crawling on her knees and with her hands behind her back, holding the newspaper in her mouth.
She dropped it in front of Lucy, but the goth couldn't reach it and cleared her throat.
"Give it to me."
"But master?" Lola looked up with innocent eyes. "I thought I wasn't allowed to use my hands?"
Lucy frowned. "Just give it to me. I can't reach it."
"Can't reach it?" Lola gasped as she stood up. "Then lemme help you, your heinousness!"
Before Lucy could react, Lola slammed her body against the stack of chairs, causing it to fall over. Lucy cried as she hit the floor with a thud.
Groaning, she saw Lola lunge at her. She was pinned down and Lola delivered a swift punch. Acting fast, Lucy grabbed her by the head and the two started rolling around, fighting, until Lucy wound up on her belly with Lola holding her in a chokehold.
"I told you! You'll regret making a clown out of me!" Lola yelled as they struggled but Lucy managed to get on her feet and elbowed her attacker in the face, causing her to back away.
Rubbing her sore cheek, Lucy faced her. "If you think you can defile our sacred treaty, you're sorely mistaken."
"Oh, really now?" Lola pretended to be shocked and held up a roll of duct tape, at which Lucy felt something tugging her.
She realized that Lola had wrapped it around her waist and with incredible speed, Lola ran circles around the goth, taping her mouth, her arms against her waist, and finally, her legs, causing Lucy to crash to the floor.
"Mmmmphphp!"
"My, my, looks like our scuffle's wrapped up." Lola bragged. "Get it! Wrapped up? Oh, Luan wishes she was half as witty as I am."
Wiping the tear from her eye, Lola grabbed the struggling Lucy by the feet and pulled her behind the couch.
"Mmmmphphp!" Lucy sent her a death glare as Lola opened the nearest window.
"I wish I could cause you more harm, but I have places to be!" Lola sneered before climbing over the window frame. "See ya later, loser!"
Once outside, she spotted the others. With her eyes fixed on Renee, she tippy-toed her way along the bushes, and jumped up. Barely managing to grasp the rim of the wooded fence, she pulled herself over it and landed on the sidewalk. Once she was outside, Lola felt exhilarated, like a convict escaping from Alcatraz. Knowing that it was smooth sailing from here, she made a mad dash towards freedom.
Unfortunately, in the process, she had dropped a single hair on the lawn and the moment it hit the ground, Renee grew alert and looked over her shoulder, knowing something was amiss.
"We have a runner." She whistled with her fingers and suddenly, two Doberman with spiked collars jumped out in front of her, standing at attention.
"Killer, keep an eye on those two. Maul if you have to!" Renee pointed at the treehouse architects, who climbed onto the platform as the guard dog ran under the tree, teeth barred and his back hair bristling.
"Okay, okay, we'll work faster!" Lori cried as they continued building the walls, now as if they were on fast forward.
The other dog sniffed out the hair and Renee picked it up, examining it. Blonde. Thick outer layer of overpriced hairspray. Figures.
"How pathetic." Renee curled her lip. "Let's go, Fiffy! We have a fugitive to hunt down."
"I'm home free, baby!" Lola laughed like a lunatic as she ran over a street, not caring about which traffic light was on, and nearly got run over by car, which halted at the last second.
"Hey, watch it, you good-for-nothing Loud!" Principle Huggins yelled from the driver's seat and shook his fist.
Running along the sidewalk, Lola weighed out her options. Go back home? No way! They would find her there immediately!
"Kathleen!" She grinned. Yes, Kathleen, the big sister she never had, the coolest and most understanding person in the world would shelter her. She already offered to hide them from their parents, she can still take up her offer! Just her, those two-faced bozos could fend for themselves as far as she cared.
"Tisdale Manor, here I come!" she exclaimed as she ran around a corner but came to a screeching halt after seeing who was on the other side of the street, huddled together around a table at a small cafe.
Lola hid behind the building, but then took a cautionary peek. Luckily, none of them had noticed her. To her surprise, it wasn't just her so-called masters.
"Lana? Dad? Pop-Pop?" her brow knitted in confusion. "What are they doing here? And why is dad sleeping?"
Another splash to the face and Lynn Sr. was starting to stir.
"It's working!" Lincoln exclaimed. "He's waking up."
"Another round of ice water, garcon!" Ryan told the waiter, who stared at the odd group before giving them what they asked for.
Lynn took it and splashed her father in the face again, making him cough.
"Wha…where am I?" he shook his head and realized that he was surrounded by Lana, Albert, Lincoln, Lynn, and Ryan, with passing onlookers giving them weird looks.
"Lynn, thank heaven you're finally awake." Albert was very relieved. "I was worried we would have to tell Rita her husband fell into a coma on their anniversary."
"I suppose that would have motivated your mom to stay?" Ryan whispered to Lynn jokingly, only to be elbowed in the ribs.
"Anniversary?" That one word made Lynn Sr.'s memories of last night surge back with a vengeance. "Oh, no! Our anniversary!? And the girls? They were conspiring to…"
"I know. Are you mad at us?" Lana asked in a small voice and shuffled her foot while Lincoln patted her shoulder to calm her.
It took their father a few seconds to organize his thoughts but once he did, he glanced at the little tomboy with a look that was somewhere between utter horror and unadulterated anger.
"Mad?" he said in a shaky voice. "Oh, no. I'm not mad. I'm-"
"You're furious, we know. That joke's old hat." Ryan cut him off, not wanting to waste time on this. "You already decided to punish them by giving them summer jobs."
Lynn Sr. Blinked before scowling. "But that was before I knew-"
"The kid's right. Your original plan goes hand in hand with this." Albert nodded. "The next step would be military school, and that would be a tad too harsh. As for Lana….give her some slack. She's only five and she came clean about it."
"And she never agreed to their stupid plan anyway. That's why she ran away." Lynn spoke up for her little sister. "Trust us, she was in tears when she told us about it. She really is sorry."
"I…I…" Lynn Sr. didn't know what to say to that and ultimately just exhaled before giving Lana a stern look. "We'll talk about this later, Lana."
The older kids knew that Lana's chance to try out for the Blue Bell scouts could be in jeopardy. It was good progress for Lynn Sr., but it still sucked for Lana.
Lana wilted with shame and Lynn put her arm around her. "Don't worry, we all have your back."
"They're right, dad. That can wait. We really need to talk about your anniversary." Lincoln pointed out, which made his father hyperventilate and clutch his head.
"The anniversary! Oh, my god, the anniversary?!"
"Dad, just chill out." Lynn raised her hands. "The day's still young, you haven't bungled it yet."
"Haven't bungled it yet?!" he asked incredulously. "Today's our 18th anniversary and I have nothing to give her?!"
The others exchanged concerned looks, but Ryan chuckled lightly and grabbed Lynn Sr.'s shoulder.
"Don't freak out prematurely, Mr. L. Maybe you have nothing to worry about?"
"Nothing to-but it's our-"
"Yeah, it is, but consider this? If you forgot about your anniversary…" Ryan shrugged "…maybe Mrs. L did as well? I mean, how many people bother to remember random dates anyway, especially if their lives are as busy as your-"
"Not Rita, I'm afraid." Albert shook his head.
"Wait, maybe Ryan has a point?" Lynn spoke up. "Not all girls are so finicky about anniversaries and such junk…" she said indignantly "… I oughta know. Let's not stereotype girls as-"
"I'm not, LJ. I know not all girls obsess about such things." Albert sighed. "But that's not the case with Rita. She was very upset when your father forgot about their anniversary the last two years and lamented about it to me."
The kids looked at him in shock. "I take back what I said…" Ryan gave in "…this is pretty bad."
Lynn Sr. paled and looked at Albert with a hopeless expression. "Two years? I forgot our anniversary two years in a row?!"
"Actually…it might have been three?" Albert scratched the back of his head, trying to remember. "Yeah, first time she was upset? Second time, she was angry. And last year, she was absolutely livid."
Lynn Sr. went agape and his right eye twitched.
Shaking his head, Ryan turned to another waiter. "Yo, flunkey! Get the man a glass-no, a bottle of whiskey! Pronto!"
"Is dad gonna faint again?" a worried Lana asked her siblings.
"Dad, this is still fixable." Lincoln said as he grabbed his dazed father and shook him. "Just listen to me."
"Fixable?!" Lynn Sr. was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. "How am I supposed to do anything at the eleventh hour?!"
"Just…just buy her some flowers and chocolate." Lincoln spitballed. "It might not be much but it's the thought that counts."
"Yeah, and tell her how much you love her and all that mushy stuff." Lynn added.
"Maybe a card too?" Lana chimed in.
The waiter arrived and gave Lynn Sr. a small bottle of whiskey, which he chugged down in one go.
Wiping his mouth, the man paused to consider it. "But will that be enough after I was so thoughtless and neglectful for years?"
"Well, something is better than nothing." Albert shrugged. "As the tykes said, it's the thought that counts the most. Either way, chocolates and flowers are a major step up from blanking on it entirely?"
"Yeah, I mean, she knows you're flat broke." Ryan quipped. "I'm sure she's not expecting a second honeymoon at a fancy-schmancy resort in Tahiti?"
Lynn and Lincoln sent him annoyed looks, but tackles as he may have been, he was right. Their mother couldn't possibly be expecting expensive gifts from her husband who was always strapped for cash, much like her.
Albert actually chortled. "Yeah, couldn't have said it better myself. That sounds more like a Bobby and Lori situation."
Lynn Sr. thought about it and actually started to relax, or maybe that was just the alcohol kicking in. He doubted flowers, candy, and cheap greeting cards would wow his wife, but he knew in his heart that Rita would understand. She knew he wasn't made of money. Maybe organizing a small grill party would help sweeten his humble deal? Yes, that could work.
He briefly looked at Lynn and Lincoln. Those two had helped him so much this week, he could hardly be prouder of them. He needed to repay them somehow, and he knew how.
Letting out a weak, shaky chuckle, he stood up. "Yeah, I guess that would do it? What else am I supposed to do? Even if I had known in advance-"
"It will work, dad. Trust us." Lincoln tried to assure him. "Better to keep things simple and avoid creating another disaster when there's no need to."
"Yes, yes, the last thing we need is another disaster." Lynn was quick to agree. "Look, how about I help you and Pop-Pop pick out the best possible gifts for mom that are within our budget?"
"Certainly, LJ." He nodded. "Maybe we could also go buy a few steaks and patties, so I can organize a little get-together with mine and Rita's friends?"
"That's a great idea, dad. And better yet, the girls won't bother you there." Lynn smiled before turning to her brother. "Linc, do you want to help out? I think we'll get things done quicker if we split into two teams."
"Sure, you and Pop-Pop get the stuff for the grill party, me and dad will get the gifts for mom." Lincoln agreed, making his father feel even better. Maybe things were finally turning around.
After planning out their tasks, Lincoln looked at Ryan. "You and Lucy stay and keep an eye on the girls, Lana will help you."
Ryan wrung his hands and chuckled evilly. "The best job of them all."
"Wait, does that mean I get to torment Lola?" Lana grinned ear to ear.
"Most certainly, squirt." Ryan patted her back. "Consider yourself an honorary member of Team Lynn."
"But remember." Lincoln whispered into his ear, his tone stern. "Be tactful with you-know-who. It's up to you to play middle man now."
"Oh, right? Woopty doo, I can barely hide my excitement." Ryan deadpanned in response. Leave it to Twinkle Toes to spoil his fun.
"Okay then, let's move out, people. We have no time to waste." Lynn Sr. said enthusiastically and the three pairs went their separate ways, with Albert and Lynn taking the van.
Little did they know that they were being watched. Lola had been eavesdropping the whole time, her blood boiling and she clutched the wall in anger.
She stepped back as her father and Lincoln passed by her, the former typing on his phone.
"Just copy and paste your invitation and send it to your closest friends." Lincoln advised. "Oh, and make sure to point out that all your children won't be attending the party."
"Way ahead of your, sport." Lynn Sr. chuckled awkwardly. He probably shouldn't be using his children's absence to advertise his party?
"That vile little turncoat ratted us out!" Lola trembled with rage while balling her fists as she watched them go. "When I get my hands on her…."
She gasped. Oh, no! Her folks were going to send her away to get a job? They couldn't do that! Parents are supposed to have jobs, not kids! Lincoln and Lynn had turned mom and dad against her too!
DING!
A lightbulb went over her head. Wait? No! She could still turn things around! Mom and dad's anniversary was today? And half of her stupid siblings were blissfully unaware of it? If she got them a great gift? A gift far better than stupid flowers or grilled steak, then maybe, she would be back in their good graces while leaving those traitors to slave away all summer? Win-win!
Yes! There was no better way to weasel your way into someone's heart than with fancy gifts! But how? She had no money to buy them anything? She had used up her allowance and piggy bank for candy and hair products?
"But I know someone who's loaded?" she grinned with excitement and resumed her escape.
This was amazing! Not only did she have the means to become her parents' darling again, but she also finally, at long last, had dirt on one of her siblings and best of all, it was Lana! Lana was a dirty snitch and Lola had caught her red-handed!
Unfortunately, her vengeance fantasies distracted her from looking where she was going and she bumped into someone, which caused her to fall on her butt on the hard concrete.
"Hey! Watch where you're going you big, clumsy idi….ot….ot…ot …"
She squeaked as she was confronted with Fiffy's drooling maw. But even scarier than the bloodthirsty hound was the person accompanying it.
"Words cannot describe how much trouble you're in…" Renee glared down at her, arms folded and holding her baton.
"Renee?! Wait!" Lola crawled back fearfully. "I can explain!"
Barking, the dog lunged, clenched its jaws around the collar of Lola's uniform, and hoisted her up.
"Explain that to your masters." Renee told her captive with an undertone of amusement. "You just exhausted what little pity they had for you."
Lola gulped as she was whisked back to her dungeon.
"And this is my humble abode." Ryan showed Lana his two-story home as they entered the backyard.
"Sure is neat here." Lana soaked in the scenery. "Can I come here with my pets? I mean, just when my sisters are hogging all the space."
Ryan smiled and ruffled her hair. "Certainly. Lynn's favorite sister is always welcome here. Just give me a heads-up, so I can make sure Marceline is too stuffed to eye any of your critters."
"Marceline? Where is she anyway?"
"She'll show up when she feels like it." Ryan explained. "You know cats, they do what they want to do."
"Wow, you have a dog too!" Lana pointed ahead.
"Dog?" Ryan was dumbstruck to find a Doberman sitting under the treehouse that was well on its way to being completed, thanks to Lori and Luna's speedy efforts. Though they obviously didn't appreciate their canine onlooker.
"You need to keep a tighter leash on your servants. Luckily for you, I'm not that sloppy." He heard his sister, as she walked in with another Doberman, who was carrying Lola.
Lana burst out laughing at the sight in front of her. "Well, well, well, if it ain't the powderpuff herself? Looks like it's finally your turn to wear the maid's uniform?"
Huffing, Lola looked away and crossed her arms. The idiot had no idea that Lola had her over a barrel.
"Pffftt…what's the matter? Dog chew off your tongue?" Lana continued taunting her but to no avail.
"What's with the pooches, Ren?" Ryan asked his sister smarmily. "Have you forgotten Marcy? If they cross paths, it might not end well for them."
Renee crossed her arms. "I had to make sure that I didn't repeat my past mistakes. Therefore, I needed additional help and the warden from the local prison was more than happy to loan me two of his guard dogs."
Ryan scoffed. "And how the blazes did you persuade him?"
"Simple, he said these two were lost causes. Untrainable. So I promised to fix that problem. It took me a few hours to assert my dominance."
"Touché." Ryan rolled his eyes. "Guess kids and curs are like apples and oranges?"
Renee ignored the jab and looked at Lana, who partially hid behind Ryan.
"I see you brought her back. The little exhibitionist who made me chase her across town, how quaint." She glowered in disgust.
"The kid won't be a problem." Ryan stepped between them. "For your information, she hates the pink menace just as much as we do. She wants to get in on the fun."
Renee was unfazed but gave in. "Very well, I do recall them being on very hostile terms."
She turned to the dog. "Drop her."
Lola plopped on her butt and Renee threw the Doberman a slab of raw meat.
Lana marched up to and loomed over her twin in no time. "Ha! Looks like the tables have turned, Ms. Blackmail! I'm in charge now! This is gonna be a hoot!"
Lola sent her a venomous glare. She wanted to taunt her back. Tell her she knew her dirty little secret. But why do it now? When you had dirt on someone, you should keep it to yourself until it's most useful. And why share it with the others? Sure, they would want to pound Lana if they knew, but that would just take away from Lola's own revenge. And the blackmail potential? No. This was her trump card and she would keep it on standby.
Also, if Ryan and Lynn knew, they would kill her before could make use of her intel. That would certainly compromise her plans.
"Now, now, Lana. You need to learn about the importance of sharing." Ryan wagged his finger as he lectured her. "Cuz I too want a piece of her."
"Ryan, why is she so quiet?" Lana asked him. "Usually, she can't keep her pie hole shut for five seconds?"
Ryan studied their captive and chuckled wickedly. "Why, she's clearly petrified with fear."
His telephone suddenly rang and Ryan looked up to find a message.
"Ah, shoot." He frowned in disappointment.
"Gotta take care of some business. You work out Lola's torture schedule with Lucy, squirt. I'll join you in no time." Ryan walked off towards the treehouse in a hurry, leaving his sister and Lana confused.
"Speaking of the psychopath?" Renee glowered at Lola suspiciously. "Where is she? I thought she had ownership of you for the time being?"
Despite all the misery that was undoubtedly in store for her, Lola couldn't help but grow a coy smile.
"Oh, I wouldn't know." She shrugged her shoulders. "I just gave her the slip."
"Stupid Lincoln. Stupid Lynn. Dammit, I hate them so much…" Lori muttered.
Luna refrained from commenting. She just wanted to get this BS over with and letting Lori stew in anger was preferable to having her loudly wailing about her woes.
The treehouse was halfway finished as two were in the middle of sawing out two windows. As they pulled the first rectangle out of the wall, they heard a slow clap and saw Ryan looking up at them.
"Marvelous work, ladies. Just look at how productive you can be when you put your minds to something useful?"
"Go to hell, prick!" Lori snapped and turned her back on him as she single-handedly started sawing out the second window.
Ryan yawned. "Been there. It ain't as cracked-up as people make it out to be."
Luna rolled her eyes and was about resume work when Ryan called out to her.
"Not that I don't appreciate your handy work, Moon Girl, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to borrow you for a moment." Ryan snickered. "So hop down."
"What? What for?" Luna grew uneasy. "Lincoln said that if we build you a blinkin' treehouse, we wouldn't have to do anything else!"
Ryan smirked. He could tell her that they were trying to help her, but where was the fun in that? If he had to play counselor between the rocker chick and her straight best friend, might as well have a few laughs along the way.
He shrugged nonchalantly. "Plans change, tutz. This was a mutual agreement between me and the Linc-meister by the way, so you basically have no choice."
He relished the terror in her eyes. "But…but…"
"No butts! Now get movin', gov'nor." Turning around, Ryan strolled towards the house, leaving Luna to sweat in fear.
