I do not own Loud House

Monday morning arrived very quickly, at least it did for Lincoln. His weekend was spent trying, and mostly struggling, to read more books. Maybe it was because of his focus on Chandler's homework, and his recent behavior, but he could barely finish at least one. His brain just felt fuzzy every time he tried to read, like it kept turning on and off every other paragraph. Now one would argue that he could just try a different activity, but reading was the only thing he felt content with.

Anyway, he got ready for school doing the same routine with a few small changes. For instance, he kept wearing orange long sleeve button shirts instead of his usual polos. Also, he didn't help his sisters with their problems for getting ready, well the sisters that acted that way today. As a result, the siblings were late to school and Lincoln had to deal with a scolding from his teacher

Other than that, everything went by fine today as usual. His focus was entirely on his homeroom teacher, completely missing the certain looks people were giving him. A couple from his friends who kept glancing at Lincoln like something was off. On the other hand, Chandler was giving him a glare as if trying to burn a hole in Lincoln's head.

Not that any of it mattered though, because he was having another problem, which actually was no surprise to him. Even though his focus was on his teacher giving a lecture, he had trouble understanding what she was saying. There were certain moments in her talking that were muffled, making it seem as though someone was turning the volume up and down. It was like his eyes and ears were trying to listen, but his brain wasn't letting him. He was frowning the whole time, he felt very disappointed in himself.

When the bell rang, everyone got out of their seats and headed for lunch. Lincoln was a few steps away from the door when someone stopped him.

"Lincoln." He turned around and saw Mrs. Johnson was the one who said his name. "Can I have a word before you go to lunch?"

Lincoln walked to Mrs. Johnson's desk and she turned in her chair to face him.

"Lincoln, do you know why I asked you to stay?" Mrs. Johnson asked, a concerned look on her face.

"Because I was late." Lincoln answered. "I'm sorry, that was my fault. I didn't help my sisters get ready for the day and we ended up falling behind schedule."

Mrs. Johnson found that response confusing, was he trying to tell her he was the only one who got that many girls ready for school? She decided to move past that, there was obviously no way an eleven-year-old had that much responsibility with older sisters around, he'd be exhausted every day. Besides, she decided to move on because of another issue.

"Well, there is that, but something else." Mrs. Johnson leaned in. "You seemed to be having trouble in class today. Is there something you want to tell me?"

"That's my fault. I had a hard time focusing, I wasn't able to understand what was discussed today. I think I can ask my friends for notes when I go to lunch."

"That seems like a good idea." Mrs. Johnson nodded in approval. "Thank you for being honest, have a good lunch."

Lincoln nodded and made his way to the cafeteria. Once he arrived, he saw the table his friends were sitting at, who noticed him at the entrance and waved him over. Just as he was about to join them, an arm was thrown over his shoulder and stopped him. He looked and saw it was Chandler who although had a smile on his face, his eyes had annoyance in them.

"Hey Loud, we need to talk." Chandler said.

Before he could say anything, Chandler dragged Lincoln over to one of the corners of the cafeteria. When they stopped, Chandler removed his arm from his shoulder and stood face to face with Lincoln.

"So, what gives Larry?" Chandler said with a fake smile.

"I'm sorry?" Lincoln asked, confused.

"You forgot, didn't you."

"Forgot what?"

"The thing we discussed last time, about meeting out front before class."

Lincoln's eyes widened for a second then he lowered his head then looked back up at Chandler.

"I'm sorry, that's my fault. I usually help my sisters with their tasks but-"

Chandler interrupted him by raising his hand.

"Yeah, I don't really care for the reason." Chandler lowered his hand. "I'm just a little upset because when I tried to tell my teacher I didn't have it on me and I'd bring it later, they didn't believe me. So of course, I failed the assignment, the one you said you'd do to make up for the smoothie incident."

"Well, I have it with me. It's in my locker so I could give it to you and your teacher could change your grade."

"Yeah, that could happen if I turn it in now." Chandler then smirked. "But on the other hand, they might get suspicious that I handed it in later rather than before. They might even assume I did it last minute and still fail me anyway. So how about this, I'll turn it in, and you make up for being late by doing my homework for two of my classes this time."

"That's fair." Lincoln agreed instantly.

"Great, see ya after school." Chandler patted his shoulder and turned to leave, but stopped then turned back. "Oh, by the way. I think we should keep this between us. We don't need to tell everyone, right?"

"Yeah, you're probably right." Lincoln nodded.

"Awesome, see ya later Larry." Chandler finally left and Lincoln sighed in relief. He was glad they could work this out because he felt bad for forgetting to help Chandler. Looks like he'll have to work harder to show how serious he is.

Lincoln realized that his friends were probably still waiting for him, so he finally made his way to them. He reached the table and took his usual seat.

"Hey guys." Lincoln greeted. He put his lunch on the table and opened the box. Just as he was about to eat, he looked up and saw that something was wrong. All of his friends were giving him strange looks, as if they were expecting something from him.

"Is there something wrong?" Lincoln asked them.

"I mean, a few things to be honest." Liam said. "Clyde said you didn't want to hang out with us. Also, what's with the new shirt, what happened to your polos?"

Lincoln looked down at the shirt he was wearing, he looked back at Liam without sharing his concern.

"I just thought of trying something new. Do you not like it?"

"No, no. It's just surprising to see you do something different, that's all."

"I understand."

"Speaking of understanding, what was going on between you and Chandler?" Stella asked. "Was he threatening you or something, I don't understand?"

"No, he didn't threaten me." Lincoln shook his head. "I just made a mistake with him on the weekend and I'm trying to make up for it since it was my fault. We were just discussing how."

"Oh, well that's nice of you buddy." Clyde said in support. He smiled at his best friend, but Lincoln didn't return it.

"So, what did you do?" Rusty asked.

"I'm sorry, I don't really think I should share. Chandler wants this to stay between the two of us."

"Why?" Zach asked.

"Well, I, uh, I guess, I, uh-" Stella put a hand on his shoulder.

"You know what, if you don't want to share you don't have to. Like you said, it's between you and Chandler."

Lincoln nodded in appreciation. After that discussion, the group ate lunch and talked. They did their usual thing by swapping specific lunch items with each other. But once again, things were different because of Lincoln. Whenever someone asked if he wanted to switch with them, he'd do it in an instant, but when they asked him if he wanted something in return he always said no. He was starting to take the fun out of it, so the friends gave it a rest.

Once lunch was over, the rest of the day went by quickly and before Lincoln knew it, it was time for gym class. Unfortunately, it was dodgeball day and it was safe to say that everyone was dreading it. Despite this though, Lincoln and his friends were already prepared with their scorpion formation. They all got in their usual positions, each with dodgeballs in their hands, and determined looks on their faces.

The whistle blew and it became all-out war, everyone throwing and hitting each other. Balls were thrown everywhere and there was a lot of yelling and cheering. Everything was happening so fast and there was so much adrenaline in the air that everyone was actually getting excited about this. Even the six friends, who usually hate dodgeball, were starting to enjoy themselves. However, five of those friends were so caught up that they didn't notice the lack of response from their white-haired friend. For him, it was just like back in Mrs. Johnson's class.

Lincoln held a ball and watched everything going on from his position in the scorpion formation. By watching, that meant staring off into space and standing perfectly still and unaware of his surroundings. So unaware that he never saw the dodgeball hit him in the side of his head, not that he had any response to it other than rubbing the spot that was hit. His friends noticed it and winced at this, but were surprised at Lincoln's non reaction to the pain.

"Hey man, you alright?" Rusty asked while staying on his toes.

"Yes, I'm fine." Lincoln said. The others were looking at Lincoln expecting him to step out, but he was staying still and not looking at any of them.

"Uh, Lincoln?" Clyde asked.

"Yes."

Before Clyde could tell him, a whistle blew and they turned to see coach Pacowski pointing at Lincoln.

"Loud, what are you doing, you're out." Coach said.

Lincoln nodded. The game resumed and as everyone was back to playing,Lincoln dropped the ball and walked towards the bleachers. Just as he was halfway there, a dodgeball struck him in the head. Only this time the ball was thrown much harder and faster, causing Lincoln to fall face first into the ground.

Everyone stopped playing and winced as Lincoln hit the floor. His friends broke the formation and walked over to him. Zack glared at the person who threw the ball.

"What the heck, Girl Jordan! He was already out!" Zack yelled at her, who at least had the grace to feel bad.

Lincoln's friends helped him sit up and he looked at all their concern faces, which then turned to shock. Lincoln didn't understand why until he felt something on his nose. He put a finger to one of his nostrils and felt something wet, when he looked at his finger he saw blood. Apparently, he hit the floor so hard that he got a nosebleed.

"Sheesh, are you ok buddy?" Clyde asked, worried about his friend.

"Yes, I'm fine." Lincoln said. Instead of reassuring everyone, his plain response actually made them more worried. He didn't seem like he was in pain, his blank, emotionless expression made it seem like he didn't understand what was happening.

Before anyone could say anything, Girl Jordan approached them. She stopped in front of everyone and had a guilty look on her face. She looked Lincoln directly in his eyes.

"Hey Lincoln," Girl Jordan said, rubbing one of her arms. "I'm sorry for hitting you that hard, I didn't mean to hurt you. I guess I got carried away."

"It's fine Girl Jordan." Lincoln reassured her, looking up at her from where he was sitting. "It was my fault, really."

Everyone looked at Lincoln dumbfounded, even Girl Jordan was not expecting this answer.

"What?" Girl Jordan asked.

"Lincoln, she hit you with a dodgeball." Stella told him.

"I know, but I was out and I moved slowly. I should have moved faster and paid attention better."

Everyone was too stunned by what Lincoln was saying. They definitely did not expect him to pin the blame on himself. Anyone else would be angry at Girl Jordan, and yet he was treating this like it was no big deal. Right when they were about to argue, Coach Pacowski came over to them and faced Lincoln.

"Loud, are you able to head to the nurse's office on your own?" Coach asked him.

"Yes coach." Lincoln said.

"Good, head over there now. You're excused from gym for the rest of the day."

Lincoln nodded. He got up and walked out of the gym, heading to where the gym teacher told him to go. They all watched him leave, mixtures of concern, fear, and sadness were on all of their faces. It didn't stay that way for long as the coach blew his whistle and snapped everyone out of it.

"Alright everyone, back to it."

The kids did as he said and got back to where they last were. As the friends picked up their dodgeballs, they couldn't help but wonder one question. What was going on with Lincoln?

Author's Note: So now Lincoln is back in school and he's fallen so low that even his classmate has noticed. His friends are obviously more concerned than his sisters and we've already seen how his behavior has affected the Loud sisters. Will Lincoln tell someone about how he's feeling or will he keep hitting rock bottom? Will he be confronted about the way he's been acting? What plans does Chandler have for Lincoln?

Find out next time.