It was that time of year where Fairway University's having their college homecoming for students on campus. Only difference this year is that students get the chance to run their own campaigns to showcase their honor to what they want to be upon graduating. In the parking lot, Lori parked her car as she immediately got out, ready to show new students what she's capable of.
"This is gonna be sweet!" Leni also gets out of the car. "Almost all of our friends are going here, including our boyfriends!"
"Feels like a date, a holiday, and improving our future." Lori smiled.
"You sure it's a good idea for my friends to attend here?"
"They could have second thoughts. Nothing against what they're doing right now but it's never too late to give a college an impression."
Meanwhile from the back of the car, Lincoln slowly came out, but unlike his two older sisters, he wasn't in a good mood. He followed his sisters to the library of the university where all of their friends were waiting. The only friend he has is Ronnie Anne, who's willing to support her cousin if she chooses to attend Fairway University.
They made their way inside the library where they saw all of their friends. Carlota was showing Gavin, Jackie, Mandee, Miguel, Fiona, Chaz, and Scott her fashion talents. Upon arrival, one of Lori's college friends took notice as they walked up to them.
"Hey Lori." Ewan walked to her.
"You're here just in time." Marisa smiled. "All of your friends are waiting for your golf performance."
"Then we're gonna give them a tour?" Raj asked.
"We will." Lori answered. "Everybody!" She called everyone's attention. "Welcome to Fairway University!"
Most of her friends cheered while her boyfriend got out of his chair as quickly upon hearing her voice. "Babe."
"Boo-Boo Bear." Lori gave her boyfriend a hug. "I'm thankful you're here to support me."
"I couldn't say no because all of your old friends from high school are here, since some of them are my friends too." Bobby breaks the hug.
"It's true." Dana added. "I'm a little nervous but I'm trying to make a first impression."
"I'm definitely gonna make more than just a first impression" Whitney commented.
"So are we gonna head to the golf course?" Teri asked.
"In a little bit, we just got here and my golfing equipment is in my dorm." Lori answered. "Besides, it's amazing we're finally meeting again after such a long time."
"Hey, High School was like yester-year when graduation happened. I already missed you when that day ended." Karla said.
"Then again, college is like High School, but living here temporarily until graduation." Becky added.
"Trust me, it's anything but easy from here on out." Lori giggled. "I'll show you the Fairway flier." As she heads to hang out with her friends and so does Leni, Lincoln remains still. During the whole three hour drive, he knew most of Lori and Leni's friends are here to support her, but they're not into golf like she is. But he refuses to ruin the moment they're having for how hard they worked to have them be here.
Then Ronnie Anne took notice of Lincoln, but she couldn't help that he didn't wanted to be here, especially after the many times he went to the university in support of her sister. "You don't look excited." She walked up to him while he lifted his head up.
"I'm not in the mood or in the Fairway mood." Lincoln responded.
"Did Lori want you to come along?"
"Yes, you see she wanted me to be like her by attending college when I'm her age but…"
"No no, I understand what you mean?" Ronnie Anne cutting her off. "Carlota didn't want to be here since she isn't into golf, but this is the closest we're ever gonna have a friends reunion."
It wasn't the answer Lincoln had but like time after time, nothing changes between him and others in his life. "Look, I would like to hang out with you, but today just isn't the time. I only thought about supporting Lori and nothing else."
Ronnie Anne felt confused from Lincoln's tone. "Do you need to be accompanied at least?"
"I can try."
When Ronnie Anne turned to the friends of Lori and Leni, she may have found a way to make her friend feel better. As she headed up to them, Lincoln sat down on a chair that's next to the exit door.
"Lori." Ronnie Anne walked up to her. "Should some of your friends keep your brother occupied?"
"Ronnie Anne, I want them to see what this university has to offer." Lori showing Roger and Ted the filer.
"Actually, he's into Ace Savvy like me and Chaz." Becky pointed at Chaz. "And I have new Ace Savvy comics."
"So do I." Chaz added, taking out his Ace Savvy comics from his backpack.
"Okay then. Lincoln," Lori turned to her brother. "You can read Ace Savvy with Becky and Chaz outside of the cafeteria. It's where the golf course is located."
Lincoln got off the chair while Becky and Chaz walked up to him. "We'll meet you there then." Becky smiled.
Becky and Chaz take Lincoln out of the Library and straight to the cafetera. Even during the walk, Lincoln couldn't keep up with them for how his mood isn't doing him any favors. They took notice, as if something bad happened in his life.
"Lincoln." Chaz came to Lincoln's aid. "What's wrong?"
"Don't you wanna read Ace Savvy with us?" Becky replied while walking up to the preteen.
"I do but…I haven't read Ace Savvy in a long time." Lincoln answered.
"You gave up on the series?"
"Technically not, because I still have the books. I didn't sell them but, it just hasn't been the same."
"What do you mean?"
Lincoln refused to tell what happened after what went done from the cosplay contest from the Ace Savvy convention a while back. No matter how long ago it was, he got left out with everyone moving on, not caring about his feelings even with the intentions he had.
"You do know my sisters aren't into Ace Savvy right?"
"Yeah but, don't you have your friend to keep you occupied?"
"He's in the same boat as I am. My point is, no matter when I get back into stuff like Ace Savvy, it's not gonna get me invested nor make me feel better."
Despite just arriving inside the cafeteria, Chaz knew what it felt like. "To tell you the truth Lincoln, I kept up with Ace Savvy with me being connected to the characters. I'm sure you're having a hard time connecting."
"I still like the characters like before, but it has nothing to do with it. It's just hard being supportive towards the people around you."
"Oh…" Becky catching on. "That kind of explains a lot."
"Speaking of that, I was close to feeling that when I learned that Leni's…finally in a relationship with Gavin." Chaz felt upset thinking he'll never have a relationship with a heart of gold woman. "But I don't hate him, it was Leni's choice."
"You wanted to be Leni's boyfriend?" Becky turned to Chaz as he nodded.
"I don't blame you for feeling that way. My sister is so much more charming, that Scott wanted to meet her again since she sees him the same way." Lincoln slowly smiled. "Then again, Scott lives in Scotland, so Leni had no other choice."
"If I lived in Scotland, I would be less happy knowing I can't date someone who lives on the other side of the planet." Chaz lowered his head.
"I'm sure you'll find a girlfriend before it's too late." Becky padding the back of Chaz.
From down the hallway, there were two college students, but they're not from Fairway. They're the same students who pranked on Lori and her college friends. When they turned their attention to the kid with the white hair, they knew he's Lori's brother when they were setting up pranks in her dorm.
"Well, well, well." Brooke smirked while walking up to Lincoln from behind. Lincoln took notice as he turned around. "Is this Lori's future fairway loser."
"Seems like it, if anything, he's not qualified for competition." Chet commented.
"Who are you two?" Lincoln reacted.
"I'm Brooke and he's Chet." Brooke answered. "We're from Sand Trap University."
"We're only here to prove to any newcomer at this University who's the better University." Chet said.
This causes Becky and Chaz to roll their eyes. "Are you this college's enemy?" Becky wondered.
"I don't know Becky, I can't tell due to their purple outfits that Fairway doesn't allow students to wear." Chaz added rhetorically.
"Mock all you want, let Lori know we demand rounds of golf once she comes out." Brooke added.
Lincoln had never met these people before but by the looks of it, he caught on that they're Lori's rivals. "In case you need to know, I didn't want to be here, but it wasn't because I hate my sister."
"Oh please." Chet responded. "We don't care if you hate your sister or not, if anything, from the way you look today, you must've had no life even as a young kid."
"Hey, you were his age once, how is your life as a kid better than his?" Chaz chiming in only for Chet to grab his Ace Savvy Comic book.
"Not reading these toddler comics, that's for sure."
"We've made better contributions in improving our talents instead of wasting our lives on this waste of money." Brooke replied.
"Everyone isn't equal like you two okay? I would say the same thing about golf but I'm not like you." Becky commented.
"Neither do I," Lincoln added. "Look, I'm not gonna support Lori like before, but it's none of your business to take it out on me. My life is how it is and if I had the choice of picking a different college when I get older, I doubt I'll pick Sand Trap, even if I'm into golf."
Becky and Chaz were impressed by Lincoln making a stand for himself, however it caused both Brooke and Chet to stoop to his level. "Your life itself never makes you special, because no one looks after you." Chet taunted.
"It's always our business to let any loser like you be aware of who we are. Besides, I doubt any college would want you." Brooke added. Lincoln had no words with his heart pounding. He backed away from the two which only made them laugh. "Bet your soul is trapped in your waste of space, or in this case, your heart failure as a human being."
"Okay, you two just leave us alone!" Becky said curtly, defending Lincoln.
"Don't act like you're the only ones who never cry because- '' Chaz gets cut off by Chet.
"Cry me a river until you officially start raining." Chet and Brooke left them as they headed outside to where the golf course is located.
"Unbelievable!" Becky signed. "I know which college I'm never going to."
"So do I, when Lori comes to us, we're telling her what just happened." Chaz replied. "Bet she's gonna accept the demand from these two."
"Wouldn't deny it anyway." The two looked at Lincoln who was breathing heavily, but not crying. However it didn't help what just transpired, as if his stand meant nothing as a result. "Lincoln, you're not what they told you."
"And hey, would you want to see your sister beat them?" Chaz lightning up the mood.
"No…" Lincoln responded which surprised Becky and Chaz. "I need to go to the bathroom."
"Lincoln, you know you don't deserve it." Becky trying to stop the preteen.
"Come on, you can't just give up like that." Chaz followed Lincoln to where he headed to the bathroom.
"I gave up more times than you think, okay?" Lincoln responded. "Just please, give me some space, that's all I need."
The two stopped from heading inside the bathroom as they looked at each other in confusion. "What's that all about?" Becky wondered in concern.
In the bathroom, Lincoln sat down on the ground next to the sinks. He couldn't even attempt to think of the positive side of things with the same result happening every single time. He refuses to look at his reflection in the mirror, knowing how he'll always get the short end of the stick. He wanted to feel not only special but also good and happy. He may have nothing against his sisters today, but they're still part of his problem right now.
"If only someone in this world would help me." He said quietly to himself. "And know more about everything I've gone through…and care about me closer."