Disclaimer: I don't own The Loud House, the brand, as well as all of its characters and settings belong to Chris Savino and Nickelodeon, all rights reserved.
Chapter 13. Ride to School.
The sight was peaceful and normal looking, perhaps, too normal looking, Lincoln had gotten used to the former-bratty sister clinging to him, hold his hand and talk to him endlessly about her latest pageant misfortune or about her many admirers at the Royal Woods Elementary bothering her, whatever she felt like hating more, not even Lana being present was enough to distract her for long, as she was always ready to talk to Lincoln the moment she found her twin's environmental speech a little too boring for her.
That was not the case today, more importantly, he was at a shock at finding Lola interacting with the more serious Lucy Loud, for all he knew, it was statistically impossible to find Lola talking to the reserved goth, over literally anyone else, especially in public, it just didn't seem like their personalities matched at all.
Of course, he knew that wasn't entirely true, as it came to his knowledge that Lola temporarily joined Lucy's Morticians club for a while, which surprised the entire family, not for a lack of reason, but even with that, it just looked… suspicious, a little too suspicious.
Regardless, he was welcoming this new approach, and if he was being fully honest with himself…
… He didn't want Lola around for today.
- So… you sure you're ok buddy? – Clyde McBride carefully approached Lincoln in his side of the seat that they were sharing on their bus ride to the school, inquisitive to find out why his dear friend was so silent and weary-eyed.
- Yes, don't worry I'm fine bud! – Lincoln remarked in an uncharacteristically harsh tone to his best friend, visibly annoyed at the insistent approach of his anxious ebony friend.
- I mean don't take this the wrong way Lincoln, but it isn't very you to just walk into the bus and not even greet us! – said a similarly concerned Stella, while peeking from the front seat alongside Zack, who was also watching intently of figuring out the mysterious demeanor of his pal.
- Yeah, mah lad lookin' like a truck just rolled over yah – Liam added his bit of concern while looking at the scene from the back seat with Rusty following the sentiment.
- … Look guys, I appreciate the concern, I really do, let's just say I didn't get enough sleep yesterday, I guess I got quite caught up in a story I read and didn't realize the time it was when I finished, so I was just trying to get some extra z's at the bus, I mean, remember you guys don't have to deal with Chandler – Lincoln finally declared, getting his point across instantly to the witnesses, the subject was therefore dropped without protest while the group decided to move on with their daily anecdotes.
- So, did you guys watch yesterday's special about the body-snatchers? My parents are certain that there must be one for every school in the US! – Zack announced excitedly at his friends, his wonder for the paranormal barely diminished even after the fake alien incident.
- Dude, no offense but your parents don't really have a good track record, at least here in Royal Woods – Rusty pointed out in a slightly condescending tone, being primary witness and accomplice himself of Zack's antics.
- What is a Body-snatcher anyway? – Answered a curious Clyde to the still proud paranormal researcher.
- That's the scary thing about them, it could be you, it could be me, it could even be Lincoln!- The red-head said while pointing accusatively to the half-dead boy laying his head in the window – They take the form of someone close to you and try to mimic their behavior, and when you least expect them… they DRAIN your LIFE! – Zack finished his explanation with a strong accent and his arms opened wide to increase the creepy atmosphere of his tale to Clyde's dismay, who may now require a new visit to Dr. Lopez.
- Uh, Zack, that really sounds farfetched, even coming from you – Stella quickly remarked with accusatory eyes, after seeing the state that Clyde was in following Zack's story.
- Well I dunno y'all, but it kinda makes sense if we think about the little pink lassie, I mean for one, she ain't no wrestling no more with McBride for the seat with the lad here. – A disgruntled Liam intervened while carefully pointing in the direction of the recently reunited twins, who seemed to be having a happy conversation in a very far away seat from where the main group was located.
- mmm, now that you mention it, it is weird, I mean, I'm happy that I don't have to engage with her, I've lost count of how many times I've had so schedule an emergency meeting with Dr. Lopez to heal from those insults… - Clyde gloomily recalled while cringing at the ferocity that the pink menace could muster when something didn't go her way, although, in the end it was always Lincoln who had to intervene and put her in her place, as a manner of speaking.
- I gotta real bad feeling deep in ma bones y'all – Liam stated, becoming increasingly convinced at Zack's theory upon reviewing the information at present, Lincoln's fatigue, Lola's change of attitude, it just seemed to add on.
- But what's so weird about it? – Stella frowned while stopping the collective paranoia that was starting to generate as a result of Zack's tale – didn't Lana come with you Liam? Maybe they are just catching up –
- Ohhhhh that's right! ~ Didn't know you had a thing for young ladies dude ~ - Said a smirking Rusty in an attempt to tease Liam for the oh-so sudden decision to invite the Loud tomboy to his farm.
- Rusty! – The entire group, sans Lincoln, who was too tired to even pay attention to the conversation, protested in unison to Rusty's insensitive comment while frowning in shame.
- Dude she's like 7 that's gross and depraved as heck – commented an angry Stella.
- Well I mean, little lass got introduced to meh farm by Lynn, so she kind of came on her own y'all – Liam defended his position regardless, his fundamentals getting in his way to even let the smallest of unfortunate implications link him to the tomboy – that said, she certainly knows how to ride a pig I tell ya, ol' Virginia's got a new pal! – The farm boy added with a proud little stare at Lana's direction before facing again to the group.
After that point, the chat of the group turned more mundane and by the numbers, until they eventually reached the end stop to the entrance of Royal Woods Middle School, where the slightly more replenished Lincoln, still unfocused but at least without eyebags as heavy as before, said goodbye to his friends to begin the academic period.
Approaching mr. Bolhofner's blazing hot classroom, Lincoln managed to make a mental note for himself to check for any chewed gum in the base of his seat, he definitely was not ready for Chandler's shenanigans today.
Reaching the dreaded study location, Lincoln winced at the sight of an Impatient Bolhofner and a grinning Chandler, but regardless, he headed his way for his seat and sat with complete indifference to the world, then proceeded to retrieve his materials, if only to pretend that he actually cared about whatever lesson was in for today, his mind just wasn't in the right place, he wanted to share what little time he had with his friends in the bus but was just too tired for it, he though sleeping that extra time would help improve his mood, but it only barely gave him enough energy to not get a detention for sleeping in class, he though getting through a day of taxing class activities would make his mind focus and become absorbed in the routine.
… But he just couldn't get that cursed dream out of his mind.