Author's Notes: Hello everyone, it's me again, i hope you all have a blessed day!
For anyone following the story, i'm extremely sorry to inform that I'll be reducing the frequency of my uploads, I will still try to update diligently and i promise that i will not abandon this project, but i have to admit that i'm struggling to keep up with daily chapters, so from here an on, i'll try to upload at least twice a week, this of course is to ensure that the quality doesn't go down as i get new ideas.
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 31: Fake Date.
- Linky, can we play something else? I'm tired of beating you every time - Lola sassily commented during their heated match at super crash bros, with a very apparent advantage on her part, 3-to-1 at the moment.
- No way, you're just saying that because you're losing this match - Lincoln replied irritated at his sister's bluff.
- Come on, you know who's the better player in this game, besides, you haven't told me how it went ~ - the 10 year old teasingly poked Lincoln with her free index on his side, making the Albino shift focus for a moment from his 45' Flat screen back to his sister.
- Hey! Low punch - Lincoln replied defensively, both from the ticklish feeling of Lola's finger and for the question itself.
- It worked though ~- Lola said while taking the brief chance of seeing Lincoln distracted to send his character through the blast zone, winning her the match. - 4 to 1, in your face! - She jumped out of the floor and pointed her finger at Lincoln's face while doing a mocking victory dance.
- Whatever, doesn't the little princess have something important to do in her room? - Lincoln looked at a side with a pout on his face, having to admit defeat of the former fun-hating diva in a video game was already a massive hit to his pride, doubly so if she was going to rub it in.
- Nu-uh, I am not going anywhere till you tell me ~- The pageant champion sat closer to Lincoln while looking at his eyes with excitement, wanting to see the shy side of her beloved brother.
- …well honestly - The 15-year old began to shyly stroke the back of his head, feeling slightly intimidated at the excitement of the blonde besides him - She said she kind of liked it but… - He continued, trying to find the right words to his romance guide - She kind of thought that I was a little excessive, told me to "ease out" with the tone and the "gentleman" act - He then continued the speech without as much insecurity - And well, I have to admit that I wasn't feeling like myself all the time, so next time we go out, she made me promise for something more casual -
- I see… - Lola replied with a disappointed sigh, her idealized version of a date being overrun by a small dose of reality, on one hand, she appreciated Stella's honesty and low expectations for her brother, but on the other…
- But, did you enjoy it? - She genuinely asked for her brother's opinion, wanting to see if her lessons were at least good enough to boost his confidence.
- Can't say I didn't! - Lincoln replied confidently, boosting a genuine smile - Thanks Lols, you were really helpful - he complimented the intellectual author for today's date.
- Anytime Linky! - Lola hugged the white haired boy, and didn't let go. - But you know, "not feeling completely like yourself" doesn't quite do it for me bro, clearly we still have some training to do" - She whispered to Lincoln's ear while stuck in the wholesome hugging position, making the albino shed a drop of sweat.
- Please no more stretching! - Lincoln quickly warned Lola about the limits of their training regime.
- Oh no don't worry, I have something more interesting in mind~- Lola looked at Lincoln with half-lidded eyes.
- Do i really have to do this? - Lincoln looked at his little sister one last time for confirmation, barely getting over the disbelief of the plan that the small blonde had concocted, he had already been through a rough period earlier in his childhood when dealing with the princess's up close and personal approach in regards to her "training", the awkwardness already seemingly gone, thanks in a big part to Stella.
But this… was the inexperience really worth going through that!? He still had those dreams every once in a while, those… creepy… dreams, if it wasn't for Stella, he would have already joined a mental ward by now, it was a struggle, definitely, but he had thankfully managed to pay them no mind, to tell himself that everything was alright, that they were just… meaningless dreams, as a result of their little tale.
A story that he was beginning to avoid, regardless.
- Linky, i know it sounds weird, but you heard yourself! You need to make it come natural, that's the only way that your girlfriend well feel comfortable herself, so sit down and pretend that I'm your girlfriend, how would you begin the dinner? - Lola demanded in a serious tone while sitting in her precious tea table, which she had kept dearly, even after turning 10, now it had an actual use other than just pretend reunions with Mr. Sprinkles.
- mmm… ok h-honey, p-please order whatever delicious meal you'd like to have for t-today, it is my invitation - The albino tried his best impression as a gentleman for his little sister, stuttering in the process due to the awkwardness of the unnatural exchange, the arranged script being something that he would never imagine actually telling Stella.
- mmm… where do I begin? - Lola facepalmed while looking with a bored expression to her only brother - The tone is unnatural, the expression is really cringe, the hand movement is erratic and unfocused - She began listing the flaws of Lincoln's performance with her fingers. - But most importantly, where is the eye contact!? Is that the way that you talked to her all day? - Lola raised her eyebrows to get her point across.
- Lols, look I appreciate what you are trying to do, but I really can't say all that, it just doesn't fit me, as for the eye contact, of course I look at Stella directly at the eyes! - Lincoln quickly dejected his sister's sincere criticism.
- Is that so? - Lola replied defiantly - Then why don't you prove it? If you want, you can say anything, however it feels natural to you, but please look at me when doing it Lincoln! -
- Lola look, it's not the same thing ok? - Lincoln defended himself -
- Why so? - Lola rose her eyebrow, expecting a clear answer from him
- Do i really need a reason? we… I can't do this Lola - Lincoln looked to the side while lowering his arms, he felt the answer wasn't really what his sister wanted to hear
- Why not!? - Lola rose from her seat, her patience fading by the second.
- B-because you're not Stella! - Lincoln also rose from the little chair, raising his voice to a dangerous degree, forgetting for a moment about their "secret" interactions, whatever of it still remained a secret anyways.
And then, there was silence.
Lincoln saw it, a single tear, falling from Lola's left eye, which was wide open, giving Lola the appearance of a being who just witnessed murder.
And his own heart shattered
- L-lols, what's wrong? I'm sorry ok? I didn't mean to say it like that, I… - He panicked, trying his hardest to figure out the reason for the state of shock that he had left her with.
- No, i get it Lincoln, you're right, this is a little creepy after all - Lola closed her eyes, lowering her head a little, now she had an unreadable expression.
- However, keep this in mind - She turned, her back facing him - Lincoln, you're not making an effort into your relationship, you're complacent, and I'm afraid that she's being an enabler for your laidback-ness, I just wanted to teach you some gentleman habits, not necessarily because she might like them, but because you seriously need them.
Lincoln halted his concern for the blonde, as he listened to her rant, perhaps she was just trying to exteriorize her frustration at her failed "project"? Regardless, he was not going to have it.
- Sorry? - He glared at his sister, despite facing her back - What do you mean she's an enabler? What do you mean I'm complacent, are you implying that I'm lazy? - Lincoln continued his defiant tone.
- Lincoln, let me see… - Lola turned back to her glaring brother, with a dead serious expression to match his own - When was the last time that you spent time with McBride? - She looked at him directly in his eyes.
- How is that relevant? - He raised an eyebrow in confusion.
- How is it that you're just the 3rd best magician in the block? Have you even trained like how you used to? - Lola answered the question with another question.
- Well yeah of course, mr. Facilier is the best, it's not that easy to beat him - Lincoln quickly defended himself.
- mmm? How weird, I mean, I never see you training to beat him anyways… - Lola replied ironically - Also, whatever happened to your redesigned Style Savvy comics, whatever happened to that drive to convince the family for fun plans outside, whatever happened to your "ARGGH!" Expeditions? -
- I, uhhh… - Lincoln struggled to come with an answer.
- Hold it there - Lola quickly interrupted him, she wasn't done - I shouldn't even be the one to bring this up, but… whatever happened to assisting Lily to elementary, whatever happened to helping carry Lisa's machinery, whatever happened to supporting Lana in her environmental movements, whatever happened to assisting Lucy with her poems, heck, whatever happened with going to Lynn's games for flip's sake? -
- Oh you're not going there Lola - It was official, Lincoln was angry - Are you seriously talking about the others now, since when do you care? - Lincoln replied fiercely - The reason why I don't help then anymore is because whenever I'm not hanging around with my friends, you are the one eating away time that I could spend with my other sisters, now they don't even ask me anything, why would they, Lola Loud is always sticking to him. - Lincoln continued his rant, managing to intimidate even the fierce blonde herself - But you're right with one thing, you shouldn't be the one bringing that up. - Lincoln finished his rant.
- So i'm the one eating your time away? - Lola was holding back the tears while trying to keep up with her brother's assault - how curious, here I thought you were the one who asked me to help you with that tall freak, but I mean, thanks for letting me know just how much of an annoying pest I was being during the time we spent together, you know what? Keep being a lazy idiot who can't even fulfill his promise to his little sister to finish a damn story, surely your girlfriend will tell you to keep it up, i'm done! -
Lincoln was about to respond with equal intensity, but Lola suddenly turned around and jumped to her bed, face planting with her soft silk pillow.
*sniff*
He heard that, all sense of pride escaped his body in an instant, Lincoln took a brief second to process what she had last said, then to everything she had said.
He fucked up, didn't he?