The Princess and the space cowboy Chapter 74: Intervention, a loud house fanfic

Author's Notes:

SuperLuigiFan18: Thanks! I tried REALLY hard to get into Lucy's character to make that chapter, hopefully the philosophy behind that monologue fits her growth and development thorough the series and the fanfic itself.

ASatanW: Poor Liam indeed, if only Lincoln had been more honest to himself instead of projecting things into others... well at least he still has friends, unlike Lincoln.

Chapter 74: Intervention.

Lola woke up, feeling more rested than usual, it still looked dark through the corner of her eyes, perhaps she woke up early?

Nevermind, she realized that she had slept with the light novel covering her eyes, she quickly removed the reading material and fully opened them, her room was the same as ever, she panicked a little and quickly turned to see her watch.

8:30AM, she was late to school!

Oh, actually, she looked again, it was a Saturday, no school today, yay!

Actually, no school at all, she was being homeschooled again… for… pageant season.

She actually forgot about basic time perception, figures, days passed by without much going on, the same faces, the same greetings, the same activities, what a boring schedule.

- Lola? - As if on command, Lily's voice was heard through her door.

- Yes Lily? - Lola replied politely, she appreciated Lily dearly, always being so eager to talk to her, even though they never had much to talk about.

- Dad made breakfast, wanna come? - Lily said plainly.

- Of course! I'll be there in a minute - Lola answered cordially as she rushed through her wardrobe to put on a pink top, complimenting the jeans that she didn't even bother to take off yesterday, following her experience at the pageant.

Arriving at the scene, Lola took a brief glance at the people currently eating in the table

All 5 of them.

- Hi kiddo, I'm so glad you made it, we made your favorite breakfast, and there's more where that came from so feel free to eat all you want - Lynn Sr. old, tired and balding even further, exclaimed excitedly by seeing the presence of his precious daughter.

- Greetings Lola, if I may indulge your curiosity, I have to announce that I checked all of your assigned extracurricular activities today and I can help you solve them, or if you want, I can just solve them for you so you don't have to worry about pesky homework - Lisa said hurriedly as soon as Lola took a seat by Lily's side.

- Uh, thanks guys, but I think that's fine - Lola rejected the offers politely.

- Are you sure, I-I can also bake you a chocolate cake, or how about some ice cream? -

- Dad, it's ok, I need to adhere to a strict diet - Lola replied a little more rudely.

- What about your current project, I-I can also help you with the research? -

- Ugh, Lisa it's fine, I can do that on my own - Lola was starting to lose her patience.

- I'm sorry for interrupting honey, but what movie would you like to watch today? - Rita was next, standing up a little to send a message to her husband and genius daughter to just shut the fuck up.

- eh, I dunno, have we seen that "49 shades of beige" yet? - Lola replied disinterestedly, having heard a few of her "friends" in the pageant business mention it.

- Lola, I don't think you actually want to see that movie - Lucy said with unequivocal cringe at the suggestion.

- You know that only makes me want to see it more, right? - Lola replied with a smirk to her goth sister, who, surprisingly, smiled back at her.

- I guess I can't stop you - Lucy responded with mild hilarity, what Lola says, goes.

The family continued eating the breakfast in silence, once finished, Lily offered herself to wash the dishes and Lisa ordered a drone to do the rest of the cleaning in the house, Lynn Sr. calmly proceeded to go to work, being the only source of income in the house, as Rita decided to quit hers to stay at home, taking exclusive care of Lola, the economic toll of taking care of 11 children was no more, so this created a space for the mother to focus on her role as such.

Soon after, the mother, as well at the older daughters remaining in the house were laying on the couch, looking for Lola's suggestion, which, by Lucy's warning, was not suitable for either Lisa or Lily (although it wasn't suitable for Lola either…).

That's when a certain visitor marked her arrival, opening the entrance door slightly.

- How is my favorite sister in the whole world! - Leni fully opened the door after confirming her presence in the couch.

- Hi Leni! - Lola took her attention away from the TV to wave her hand at the expressive fashionista.

- Oh em gosh, Lola, I brought you like, my best design, ever! You should totes try it out - Leni rushed in to drop her many bags on the side before sitting on the couch by Lola's side.

- Will do Len, but I want to watch this movie first - Lola was flattered at Leni's excitement and wanted to try out her clothes, but right now her mind was already set to watch this supposedly "controversial" film.

Leni understood her request and sat alongside them to watch the movie. Eventually, Rita found the movie in the catalog and played it.

One hour into the movie and most of the people sitting in the couch were already expressing clear signs of discomfort to the heavy sexual content in the film, Rita was twitching her eyes from time to time and Leni preferred to simply cover her eyes during the more "violent" scenes, all members of the family were switching their attention in-between the movie and the person who wanted to see it in the first place.

Lola was… overall unaffected by the contents of the movie, simply sitting in a laidback manner while watching attentively without changing her unamused expression.

A few minutes of suffering later and the heavily panned film was over, Rita and Lucy allowed themselves to release a breath they didn't even know they were holding, now it was the time for their opinions.

- Well… that wasn't a very healthy relationship… - The mother went first, expressing her discomfort at the heavy themes of sadomasochism and harassment in the movie.

- Yeah, like, that guy was cute but very creepy! - Leni went next, in one of her rare times of seriousness.

- Agreed, the protagonist was clearly presenting signs of low self-esteem, that man didn't really appreciate her for who she was - Lucy commented next, surprisingly communicative of her disapproval - What do you think Lola? - She then directed her attention to the neutral girl in the couch.

- Eh, I dunno, if the guy was hot and rich and the girl was ok with it after a while, wouldn't that be enough? - Lola shrugged, staring at Lucy with a bored look - I mean, when it comes to love, I don't think we can judge what they do in their private time as long as its consensual - She commented sassily, boosting a confident smirk at the people around her - I kinda liked it! -

- Well, I honestly didn't think about it like that before, you may have a point Lola - Lucy admitted while lowering her head.

- Same thing honey, films and novels like this do have a right to exist, I'm glad that you enjoyed it - Rita went next, smiling at her daughter, but with visible trails of sweat coming out of her forehead.

Lola frowned visibly at their comments, but she managed to hide it just in time as she directed her attention at Leni, the special invitee of today.

- Ok Leni, I feel like trying your new dress, let's go - The teenager asked her older sister with a renewed grin, taking her hand and guiding her to her room upstairs.

After the exchange, both Lucy and Rita remained sitting on the couch, their heads lowered in frustration.

- … what was I thinking! - The daughter and the mother thought simultaneously.

- Do you think I can actually win the next pageant? - Lola was now looking at herself in the mirror, as she modeled the dress that Leni had designed for her, the question did not come from her actual opinion on the clothing itself, which she thought was stunning, but rather, from her own abilities as a beauty queen to pull off the victory.

- Oh you totes will Lols, you have everything going for you! - Leni simply replied excitedly with a genuine smile as she continued brushing Lola's hair - You're, like, way prettier than anyone of us, and you also have the brains - She concluded with an unseen degree of seriousness in her assertion.

This caught Lola's interest.

For Leni to say that she was prettier than her was already a massive boost to her ego, secretly, Lola always thought that Leni was the prettiest Loud girl, and her immense likability was always a cherry on top, despite her… lack of focus on things, Leni was incredibly popular with boys, even more than her, and most of them genuinely loved Leni for who she was, rather than for who she pretended to be.

Old Lola was somewhat jealous of her, but new Lola…

New Lola was actually annoyed at getting praise at all, even from her, boys were not a consideration anymore in her mind, she was already… at ease, with her place in this world, but…

- Lola… - Leni spoke again, this snapped the princess out of her thoughts, she didn't even realize that she was frowning - … Why did you lie about liking that movie? -

Of course, there was always this other thing about her, Leni may be unfocused and not exactly the definition of "Book Smarts".

…But she was always perceptive of people's feelings, sort of like her youngest sister.

- … I'm tired of these people agreeing with me on everything - Lola answered, she was cornered.

- But, like, do you want them to argue with you? - Leni was confused at her sister's mindset, but she wanted to help.

- No, it's not that… - Lola looked to the side, contemplating whether or not to tell Leni about her thoughts, she was sweet and supportive, but she was also honest to a fault and quite… imprudent at times.

- Then what is? - Leni was curious, she wanted to cure her sister's sadness.

- … Leni - Lola retracted her view from her mirror to look directly at her older sister - … What do you feel when people struggle around the subject of your "smarts" - Lola asked with a raised eyebrow, no strings attached.

This actually made Leni stop for a moment to think.

- … I get sad - She said with melancholy in her eyes, but retaining her smile - Like, I know I'm not smart, and I know that some people take advantage of me because of that - The fashionista started to frown - But somehow, that people don't make me as sad as the ones that always try to speak with, uh, I forgot the word -

- Pity? - Lola tried to complete Leni's sentence.

- Yeah that! - Leni exclaimed - Like, I know when I'm being slow or clumsy, but aside from Miguel and Fiona, almost everyone starts talking to me like if I was a baby or something and I don't like it, if only there was a name for that…

- Condescending? - Lola continued completing Leni's sentence.

- Conde…nsing? - Leni tried to repeat the word to no avail.

- Ah, nevermind, don't worry sis - Lola waved her hand away, it wasn't important information for Leni anyway - The point is… that's what I feel when I'm around them - Lola finished while looking crestfallen.

- But you're not dumb Lola! - Leni actually got slightly altered by her sister's confession.

- No, eh, I was not referring to my intelligence Leni - Lola clarified - I mean, I also feel sad when they treat me like if I needed special care all the time - She confessed with evident sorrow in her voice.

Leni did not say a word, she continued listening while brushing Lola's hair.

- They never disagree with me, they never ask me for anything, even if its something as simple as washing the dishes, they are always offering themselves to do everything for me, they treat me like If I was this fragile flower that can break at anytime! - Lola continued talking about her frustration, a certain degree of anger starting to show.

Leni kept listening.

- I know what they think, just because I use those… pills, to remain normal, they think they need to keep the illusion that everyone is fine with me, so everything I do is good, therefore, nothing I do is ever "special", I'm somehow "handicapped" and they feel guilty - Lola continued with her rant, her frown deepening - So let's treat Lola Loud like the weak baby that she is, because she can't do anything right anymore, she loses all the time and she's just a worthless little bitch that needs people to tell her 24/7 what to do so that she doesn't kill herself at night! -

- LOLA STOP! - Leni abruptly ended their session, turning Lola around so that she could have direct eye contact with her and quickly enveloping her win a warm hug.

Lola didn't even realize that some tears were starting to fall.

- Sis, nobody thinks of you like that, they don't want to care for you just because they feel pity, I know, I can tell - Lola looked back at her sister's face, spilling some tears of her own - I'm gonna speak for me - She said next, after calming down a little - The reason I always come here on Saturdays isn't just to bring you my designs or help you in your pageants, the reason I come here is because I really like talking to you while I prepare you to our photo sessions - Leni continued looking directly at her cynical sister with a teary smile - Like, I don't get what those pills are for, I could never understand Lisa's explanation, but I know that they are good for you and I don't see what's wrong with you taking them, I just like seeing you smile, that's all! -

Lola took a time to process her sister's words, but by them, they had already been called downstairs, Rita ordered pizza for everyone, as always, Lola's favorite (salty) food, except that it had to be prepared without much oil and cheese, as to comply to her diet.

A few rounds of Soulless conversation later, they were done with the pizza, Leni announced her departure with a wholesome hug to everyone and left quietly.

With not many more things to do as a family that day, Lola chose to return to her room to read her light novels in peace, she could perfectly do this activity until well into the night.

A few thoughts were getting in the way of her reading session, most notably among them.

An intense need of hitting her head in a wall for being so rude to Leni.

Her sister tends to react poorly to strong words, yet she went ahead and said things like "Bitch" or "Killing herself" in front of her, releasing her frustration on her was not a good idea, Leni's words are sweet, and knowing about her sincerity, she probably meant them, she was a good sister, and it felt good to know that she enjoys her presence, but they were doing little to help her.

A few things did stick though, she got her right, she hated that movie, being unable to feel love may have made her more analytical, she didn't know for sure, but she just couldn't withstand the attitude of that egotistical millionaire, she wanted to quite literally slap his face, and the protagonist was beyond stupid, her mom, Leni and Lucy were right, that relationship was toxic and wrong, the sex was disgusting.

But at least Leni did not change her mind as soon as she tried being controversial.

Why is she trying to be controversial?

(Why do you want to be hated?)

She ignored her thoughts once again and focused on her reading.

After a few hours, she was already getting quite exhausted of the aggressive "tsundere" attitude of the little sister in the light novel towards her brother, what started as a simple comedy was starting to turn very serious in nature, the dumb boy just kept rejecting every single female that approached him because his sister acted like a real brat about it, only because, in reality, she was trying to get into his pants.

(Fuck, not again).

Lola threw the book to the side and instead, decided to go for her pills, she was about to turn the doorknob.

But then someone entered her room first.

- Lola? - Lily found herself surprised at the fact that she found her big sister standing in front on the door.

- Oh, eh, Lily, h-how are you? - Lola trembled a little, but tried to compose herself.

- I'm… fine, thanks Lola! - Lily hesitated for a moment, but quickly turned her frown around to a warm smile, making Lola relax as well.

- Allow me just one moment, I'll get the camera - Lola excused herself as she tried to walk to her closet to find the object in question.

But before she could move, Lily grabbed her by the hand.

- Um, don't worry big sis, I'm not here for the superhero photoshoot hehe - Lily remained calm, but pulled hard enough to stop her sister in her tracks.

- Oh, really, then, what do you need me for? - Lola raised an eyebrow and asked cautiously.

She needed her dose quickly.

- Well, I was reading through some books I found the other day, and I found this one that has me totally hooked! - Lily said excitedly while reaching over her backpack.

- Really? Which one? - Lola made a half-smile, interested in the contents of Lily's baggage.

- Well, it's sort of an incomplete one, I had trouble understanding the last part because it kind of ended on a weird cliffhanger, but I think you can help me to figure out the end of that part - Lily said while focusing on finding the object on the backpack.

- But, if the content is missing, I can't really help you to figure out the end, we can only speculate - Lola commented wisely.

- Yeah, but I'm sure that only you can guess what happens here! - Lily finished conclusively, as she managed to extract the "book".

Lola took one look at it.

And her face contorted into one of pure terror.

Lily remained attentive, but there was little else she could do, she mustered a frown of concern.

- L-Lily, please, stand aside one moment, I need to go to the *ugh* bathroom - Lola started trembling uncontrollably, her system even threatening to make her puke while saying that.

- Lola, please, only take two! - Lily stood aside, but not without voicing her concern.

Lola could barely hear what she said, her logic circuits were currently overwhelmed, fear was now governing her entire body…

… As well as an immense rush of disgust.

She was now rushing to the bathroom, leaving her collected sister behind, she opened the door, entered and closed it with a quick thud; as soon as she was in, she went to collect her pills.

(What's the matter, too many memories?)

Her hands were shaking, she managed to get a hold of the vial.

(About how you made him sinful?)

She was turning the lid, earning access to its contents.

(About how you ruined his life?)

She was now retrieving the pills… one fell, then two, then three….

(About how you made him lose everything?)

She was trying her hardest to listen to Lily, as she filled a glass with water.

(Why not eat them all?)

She managed to stop, breathing heavily, she took three, she couldn't back down from her increased dosage.

After a few minutes, things were stabilizing, she got out of the bathroom.

Lily was still waiting there, exactly were she left.

Lola had something to say.

- Lily, I'm sorry, I can't continue that story… it's a really painful reminder of something that I regret deeply - Lola chose to tell the truth, crouching a little to match her sister's height and looking at her directly in the eyes.

- I'm sorry sis, but I'm not going anywhere - Lily insisted, crossing her arms and increasing her frown.

This answer left Lola in a trance, for the first time in years, someone was being confrontational to her, and she knew, that Lily was not easy to deal with once she disagrees with someone.

This actually gave her a mysterious rush of relief.

- Lola, i heard what you were saying earlier; Leni was right, we don't just want you to get better out of pity, we are not underestimating you, we know what you're capable of, we only want to help you with your dreams, because we love you - Lily prefaced seriously.

Lola kept listening.

- But I guess, you're also right sis, I don't like the way Lisa or Lucy or mom try to do it, they are afraid of making your depression worse if they say something you don't like or if they go against you - Lily continued her speech - But, I mean, can you blame them? -

Lola raised an eyebrow, unable to understand what her sister was implying.

- Look at how you got just because I showed you the story, if this is what happens when someone shows you things that make you uncomfortable, then how can they not be afraid? -

The pageant competitor was now wide eyed, as Lily's words continued touching something within.

- … How many? - Lily asked next, lowering her head for a moment.

- … three - Lola mimicking her behavior.

- See? - Lily looked back at her sister, a clear sign of concern, but also impatience - Lola, you want to hear a different opinion? Something that you don't want to hear? -

- … -

- Then I'll give you one, I think that you're choosing to ignore things in your life because you're not brave enough to face them -

- Like what? - Lola also mustered a frown, prepared to get defensive.

- Like a simple love story between a princess and a space cowboy - Lily remained still, bravely facing whatever could come of Lola's wrath.

- Don't mess with things that you can't understand, Lily - Lola was beginning to express anger.

- Try me! - Lily was now also in confrontational tone.

And the teenager growled audibly.

- You will NEVER understand what it feels like being the reason why your family is a disaster, you will NEVER understand what it feels like to have a giant hole in your heart that nothing can fill, you will NEVER understand what it feels to be numb to love because of a chemical and you will NEVER understand what it feels like to live a life that you don't even know if you want anymore! - Lola had it, she didn't care about LIly's age or mental maturity, she wanted to get into heavy shit?

She was going to get it.

- No, I did not live through that, I don't fully know exactly what happened back then, but you know who did? - Lily remained unamused at Lola's outburst.

- Who? - Lola said while remaining confrontational.

- The person who gave this notebook to me - Lily said with a poker face.

- Didn't you "find" it somewhere? - Lola raised an eyebrow.

- I lied - Lily said without a hitch of shame.

- Then who gave it to you? - Lola was beginning to fear the answer.

- … Lincoln Loud - Lily finished with slight sorrow in her voice.

Lola was now paralyzed, referencing him was one thing, but actually hearing his name brought an explosion of repressed emotions, she didn't know what to think anymore.

- Lola… - Lily spoke again, this time with a softer tone - I don't really know what you have been through but I do know something - She placed her palm on Lola's cheek, making her focus on her empathic smile - Keeping all that baggage in your head must be exhausting, why don't you try to exteriorize it in some way? -

- … Exteriorize it? - Though still lost in her own head, Lola was still listening to Lily's words.

- Yeah, you know? Like how Lucy does with her poems? Or how mom does it with her novels? Or how I do with my drawings? - Lily's expression changed to a more optimistic one - I can tell that every time you had an argument with him, you used to express your frustration in the story, isn't that how you confessed your feelings to each other? -

Lola was unable to come up with an answer, but her eyes looked less foggy.

- I won't pretend to know everything that bothers you big sis, that's on you to figure out, but let me also tell you another thing: You're an amazing writer and I still re-read the story from time to time, maybe, if only for fun, would you be ok with writing something more for it? - Lily went back to her happy demeanor, making the person in front of her lower her defenses.

And the struggling performer took a quick glance at the notebook that lied on Lily's arms, then looked to the side, bitting her bottom lip.

At last, she centered her attention again and took it from Lily's hands.

She focused her sight on the aging notebook for a few minutes, then, after awhile, she looked back at her insightful sister.

- …Consider this a favor to you Lily, for being the only one that dared to confront me - Lola rose from her spot, looking at Lily with a conflicted frown, after that, she went back to her bed, grabbed the pen that she was using to circle her favorite parts in that Oreimo novel and started reading.

That was enough for the little girl, as she simply exited the room to get to her own.

Later that night, Lily was laying on her bed, watching a Wonder Girl film on her 45' flat screen, which used to belong to her brother, now that that room had been repurposed as a walking closet like how it originally was.

She had since moved away from Lisa's room and adapted the old room belonging to Leni and Lori as her own, currently, she was trying to focus on the film while carefully hugging the plushie bunny that was originally gifted to Lincoln by Luan, that is, until a slip was heard on her door.

She turned her eyes to identity the object; it was the notebook, she got up to retrieve the reading material, then turned the pages to go to the last section.

The story was updated, success!

She then texted a quick message on her phone:

*She did it Luce :D, I'll send the photo to Lincoln*

11:34PM

*Ok Lily, i trust your judgement*

11:35PM

*Lola was pretty agitated, did she take it alright?*

11:36PM

*Well it wasn't easy :p, but I really did see her happier when I left*

11:37PM

Lily was proud of her efforts, she continued holding the little plushie with the same eagerness that she would have if she had the chance to see her big brother again.

She hugged it so tightly in fact, that she felt something inside the little bunny break inside.

…weird.