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 43: Karma.

Lincoln's P.O.V:

*bzzzt*

Yeah, I know who it is, don't even need to look up my phone, I'm not going to answer, right now, I don't want to talk about anything with anybody, I need a break, from everything.

I was now just walking aimlessly around the town, tired of running away from the restaurant, I was silently hoping to maybe stumble upon a friend, or to see some street show for quick entertainment, anything really.

I needed to forget, I needed to move on, I needed to just learn to avoid the empowering recurring thoughts.

But I couldn't

Just… how did she know? WHAT did she know? Who ELSE knows about it?

Why did I hurt her, why did I steal her drawing, why do I STILL have it? Why haven't I ripped it off to shreds by now?

…why am I still looking at it?

…why are my eyes so wet?

You know? For a simple drawing made by a five year old in crayons, on a napkin, a surprising amount of detail was there, she got the exact colors of my cowboy outfit, she also seemed to understand Lola's attire just like how she described it to me, I don't even know how could it be possible for her to know about these characters, let alone to know about the specifics.

I also just don't get why she would draw us holding hands, with a big heart in the background, what does she know? How DARE she show this to me?

…Did Lola show her?

…and why does it hurt so badly?

I know for a fact that yesterday was probably the last time I would have a heart-to-heart talk with Lola, my mind is now incapable of dealing with being alone with her in a room, in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if this was the last time I ever get to talk to her at all, for all I know, she hates me now, I wouldn't blame her, I did push her off the bed, I did scream at her, jeopardizing the private nature of our reunions, I did nothing when I heard her arguing with Lana on the other room, I didn't greet her this morning, I chose to escape.

She's on her own, and so am I, the story is over, there aren't any wishes to be granted here.

Now I just want to forget it all.

…If only I could.

Aimless wandering was the name of the game, for now, but then I realized that I was hitting a checkpoint: Flip's Food and Fuel, perhaps a Flippee would do it's job at getting my mind off of it for a few minutes, heck, I actually felt like talking to Flip for a change.

I entered the station and was surprised to find a "clean" local, somehow, in his greediness and laziness, Flip had convinced an actual wild Raccoon to work for him for free, the logistics escape me, but knowing about my own hyper-intelligent pets, I guess it came with the overall weirdness of Royal Woods.

- Hey Flip my man, how's it going? - I pretend eagerness from my side of the counter, hoping to at least get this waste of a human being to talk for anything other than business.

- Heya Fam, ya here to buy a flippee? - The balding man answers with zero enthusiasm.

What was I even thinking?

- Uhhh, yeah, how about the new flavor? - I reply back with any leftover of energy.

- Sure, that'll be 5 chief - He simply answers while extending his greasy hand, without any further delay, my own enthusiasm is gone as I hand the money.

- now now Loud, let's also collaborate for my foundation - Flip then brings out a bucket full of pennies, expecting me to drop some in it.

- What is this "foundation" about - I look suspiciously to the stinky man.

- It's for, uhhh, child welfare, now wouldn't ya look bad by not giving ol' Flip here a hand? - He then puts out a disgusting smile.

Yeah, not falling for that.

- Sorry flip, but I wasn't carrying lots of cash today, I gave you everything I had! - That wasn't a Lie by the way.

- Well I suppose you ain't planning on eating at the counter today then - His demeanor takes a sharp turn at the mere notion of having a broke person in his store, I simply accept the indirect and proceed to leave.

As I open the door, still deep in my thoughts, I suddenly get run over by an old lady going dangerously fast in a scooter, dropping my Flippee in the process, which just so happens to fall over my head, great.

Fucking great.

- Watch out where you going Loud, I don't want my precious scooter stained by your shake! - Miss Scoots says carelessly as she reaches the non-existent line to Flip's counter.

I hope that old bitch dies soon.

With my patience drained to Zero, with no money and with no Flippee, I leave the area, hoping to never return willingly.

My day just kept getting worse and worse, why did bad stuff just keep happening to me?

Do I deserve it? Is this Karma?

For what I did to Lily earlier?

… for what I did to Lola?

Now I was feeling like a genuine piece of shit, I thought back, way back, to where this nightmare started.

The day that sickening story started.

The day that I ruined Lola's life.

I could have stopped her, I could have said something, I could have changed the script, I was the older brother, It was my responsibility to set the limits, instead, I continued the story like that, I even began to write like that, I thought I was doing my sister a favor by encouraging her creativity.

But I went too far, now, she's ill.

…and so am I.

*Lincoln Loud, you get back here RIGHT NOW*

1:48PM

*Lincoln, you are going to get in serious trouble if you are not here by 3*

2:11PM

*Lincoln, look, I calmed down, we can talk now, man to man, please just come back*

2:55PM

*Son, please, just tell me where you are, I'm worried..*

3:40PM

*Son? Please I need to know where are you, I already called your mom, we re BOTH worried*

4:38PM

*Champ, I know you are there, please just answer my call, I promise I'm not mad anymore*

5:11PM

*Just give me a callback as soon as you can, I forgive you for everything.*

5:12PM

*Dad, I just want to let you know I'm ok, I decided to stay at Clyde's today, tell Lily than I'm really sorry for what happened at the restaurant*

5:45PM

- Lincoln? - At last, the person I wanted to see, Clyde was now standing in front on me, a clear raised eyebrow becoming a prominent facial feature.

Now is where I realized I wasn't exactly in a normal looking situation, sitting at the front of the entrance of his house with my phone in hand without even a heads up, most likely with an apparent frown or my pupils lost, with fresh stains of Flippee in my hair and shirt.

I most likely looked like a mess, from the outside and the inside.

I mean, I was a mess, but I wanted to not look like one as well.

- Hi pal! How was your day? - I forced a smile as I quickly got up, hoping to leave everything behind.

- Well I did ok buddy, how was your day? - I guess it was expected, my buddy would definitely NOT let this one slip by, now to create an excuse.

- Sorry bud, I just had a terrible day, accident at flip's and all, I'll tell you later I promise - Hopefully by then, I would have a solid lie.

- Well no crap pal, how long you've been waiting here? - Clyde continued the assault.

- ehhh, about 30 minutes? - It was actually like 2 hours.

- Why didn't you ask my dads to let you in? - He kept going.

- Oh really, I didn't realize your dads where here hehe - I actually did, but didn't feel like talking to Mr. Harold or Howard McBride and have them possibly reach out to my mom or dad.

- Ok… aaanyways, now that you're finally here, check this out bro! - To my bewilderment, Clyde actually got a clue and moved on, now I had in front on my eyes an exclusive bonus disc of the lost episodes of season 4 of ARGGH!

Now this is what I was talking about.

- Bud, you're amazing! Where did you get that? - As a fan of the show and a small collector of lost media, Clyde had actually found the equivalent of the Holy Grail, my mood was now officially …improving.

- You wouldn't believe it, I was just walking back from the bakery when I saw this giant garage sale, the dude was really weird looking, but there was a crazy big section of VHS and DVD collections, so I got a little close to inspect, and I kid you not, it was the FIRST dvd on the pile, he said some stuff about it being "cursed" or something so he sold it for like 25 cents, I just can't believe my luck buddy! - Clyde replied excited and proud of his achievement while giving me the cover case, I snagged it without hesitation to watch the art of the cover.

As i suspected, it really was the entire 5-episode anthology of Hunter Spector in his trip to the Egyptian pyramids, supposedly removed from TV for being too graphic and scary, this day was finally looking up!

" And now, for the next mission, Spector and his crew have to solve the puzzle of the head of the pharaoh, but they can't help but feel something watching behind them"

"This is the perfect opportunity, let's install the cameras on this room, if the curse of the Pharaoh is true, we should be watching a legitimate reanimation of a mummy"

"Mr. Spector, i really think we should stop, a crew member disappeared 2 hours ago, maybe we ate more than we can chew with this one"

"Nonsense, she'll be back, remember, if we solve the puzzle, not only do we prove the existence of Egyptian curses, but will also get access to the hidden temple and all of the diamonds that we can get!"

"Ahh, sir, what's that behind you?"

"What do you mea- AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

- AHHHHHHHHHH! - Clyde was now hugging me tightly while shivering heavily, the disfigured face of the crew member appearing suddenly was definitely a good jumpscare, no wonder the show had issues getting this stuff on PG-13 TV.

The scariest episode ever, short-printed to the point where it feels like lost media, on one of my favorite shows ever, with my best friend by my side.

Just, why can't I feel happy? This should be one of the best days ever!

I want to remain focused on my once-in-a-lifetime chance to watch these episodes.

I want to enjoy being with my best bud.

But it's always stupid things, references, anything really, that brings me back.

"Temple"

"Diamonds"

Arggh, indeed, I should be thinking about the adventure, the thrill, the supernatural!

Instead, I think about dreams, unfulfilled promises, and a kiss.

The screen shows screams and adrenaline.

My mind goes to the feeling of her soft lips on mine.

The screen shows ghosts and other jumpscares.

My mind goes to the feeling of her radiant golden hair as I pass my hands through it in our embrace.

The screen shows stuff, I just don't care about it anymore.

My mind flashes me with imagery of her, of all the dreams I had, of all the times she laid her head on my chest as I read the story.

Now I think about it deeply, I check the source of all my grief, I realize the things I hid from myself during all those years.

There was never a "princess DeLola" in those dreams.

It was all her.

Every, single, fantasy I had.

I didn't even realize I had the drawing in my hand, I didn't even realize I was now looking down on it, instead of focusing on the TV, I didn't even realize my eyes were getting wet.

I did manage to realize that Clyde was now looking at me, and to the little drawing as well.

Now I'm fucked.