Relationships were a complicated thing. Lincoln Loud at the age of 21 was coming to terms with this. Him and his his girlfriend Ronnie Anne were so in love to the point everything was turned into an argument. When Lincoln hung out with his friends too much, when Ronnie Anne made fun of Lincoln in front of her friends, every small thing offended them and led to arguments.
Lincoln Loud checked his phone for the 5th time hoping to receive a text from Ronnie Anne.
"Man stop worrying about that." Clyde said to Lincoln. Clyde and Lincoln were on their final year of college and shared a dorm room together. Whenever Lincoln and Clyde weren't studying or hanging out with friends they'd spend time working on comics, they even had some relatively popular amateur work online, but nothing major.
They considered maybe studying for art and design but opted to study for degrees that'd guarantee actual jobs.
"Let's just focus on getting this W." Clyde told Lincoln. They were currently online playing with Rusty and Zach.
"Yeah, ok." Lincoln simply said. The last few months haven't been the best for Lincoln, it's almost been impossible for Lincoln to focus on his work.
Three months ago Lincoln and Ronnie Anne got into a big fall out. Why you ask? Well to keep it to the point, Stella. Lincoln had been friends with Stella since the 5th grade, Stella had been apart of Lincoln's main friend group ever since.
Out of nowhere Ronnie Anne started questioning Lincoln's platonic relationship with Stella which lead to a huge argument. Lincoln had known Stella for a decade, pretty much the same length he's known Ronnie Anne, why now make this an issue? Lincoln was also insulted by the idea Ronnie Anne thought he'd cheat on her with someone he had introduced her to and had her shake hands with. Lincoln would like to think he'd never cheat, and that if someone tried to seduce him he'd reject their advances, but Lincoln has never been put in such a situation to fully understand what he'd do, but him and Stella? He had no doubt in his mind that he'd never stoop that low.
The argument reached its climax when Ronnie Anne pretty much offered Lincoln an ultimatum. It was either Stella or her. Lincoln was dumbfounded, she couldn't be serious.
"There's no way you can expect me to choose." Lincoln responded.
"Are you seriously telling me she means more to you than me?" Ronnie Anne snapped back at him.
"Of course not!" He said defensively. "But-"
"No buts!" Ronnie Anne didn't bother letting him finish. "This should be an easy choice." Ronnie Anne told him.
"No it's not, you asking me to cut off a dear friend!" Lincoln whined. The arguing carried on. Lincoln tried everything he could to appease his girlfriend, he even offered her full access to his phone and social media accounts, but this wasn't good enough for Ronnie Anne. Lincoln told her she was welcomed to come whenever he hung out with Stella and the guys. Ronnie Anne refused, not wanting to participate in their "nerd" activities. He told her that Stella was talking to someone else at the moment, but Ronnie Anne said that didn't matter. Ronnie Anne's unreasonable nature started pissing Lincoln of which lead to a screaming match until Ronnie Anne got fed up with Lincoln and kicked him out of her dorm, exclaiming that they were through.
It's been three months and not only has Ronnie Anne not spoken to or messaged Lincoln, she has him blocked on everything.
What made matters even worse was his sisters besides Lily seemed to take Ronnie Anne's side.
"You need to see things from her perspective."
"You're being kind of selfish, bro."
"If my man was that close to another bitch I'd be mad too!"
"Your number one priority should be your woman, not friends."
"Didn't you have a crush on her in the fifth grade?"
Lincoln couldn't pretend he was surprised, he didn't bother even trying to argue cause he knew they wouldn't bother listening. They were more concerned with getting Lincoln and Ronnie Anne back together.
He wasn't oblivious to Ronnie Anne's perspective. Stella was a rather attractive young woman, most Ronnie Anne's male acquaintances weren't that attractive, and Lincoln did admittedly have a crush on her in the 5th grade, but Lincoln felt he deserved more credit. His crush on Stella was a decade ago, he didn't even know her like that at the time. Lincoln had now grown to love Stella, but in the same way he loved his other friends, and the Casagrande's. He couldn't imagine giving any of them up.
Also, it's not like him a Stella spent much time alone, whenever they hung out there were at least two other people around.
"She's the one being unreasonable, I've done nothing to make her this distrusting of me. If she wants to apologize to me then I'll consider talking to her!" Lincoln finally lost it and argued.
Lincoln wasn't an idiot and understood this situation was bigger than just a simple breakup. Lori had just given birth to a baby boy by Bobby Santiago named Leon. Being the first boy in their family since Lincoln the Loud family were thrilled, and so were the Casagrande/ Santiago family. Through Bobby and Lori the two families more or became one even bigger extended family. Both Lincoln and Ronnie Anne adored their nephew, usually babysitting the infant together as if it were their own child. Lincoln knew he and Ronnie Anne would have to speak again, and since she had him blocked it was up to her when that'd be, which is why Lincoln kept checking his phone.
The whole group minus Stella knew about the situation. Lincoln told the guys to not inform Stella as he didn't want her to feel bad or responsible, and it could even lead to her avoiding the group altogether out of guilt.
Stella meant a lot to Lincoln, she meant a lot to the group in general. Throughout grade school Stella was undeniably popular, that's more than what could be said about Lincoln and the rest of the guys. Lincoln and Clyde after puberty grew to be pretty decent looking men, the same couldn't be said about Rusty, Zach, & Liam. Rusty was a unattractive red head with all kinds of acne problems, Zach was short, and Liam wasn't bad looking but always sported a horrible wannabe military cut and spent most of high school fighting family incest allegations.
Despite all that Stella still choose to hang out with them. Stella could've spent most her time hanging out cute boys, but she stuck with Lincoln's group. When Lincoln and the guys were getting bullied Stella stood by them and also took the lumps. Stella like her group of friends and didn't care what anyone else had to say, this is why the group was very protective of Stella, she was a true friend and as real as they came.
Lincoln couldn't simply cut her off, even for Ronnie Anne. It was almost like asking him to cut off one of his sisters, how could he?
"You're with the bros! Stop worrying about that shit." Rusty told Lincoln over the headphone mic.
"Yeah man I'm sure she'll hit you up eventually." Clyde told Lincoln who simply nodded.
"You guys are right.." Lincoln focused back on the game.
Clyde looked at his controller. His mind was just as fogged as Lincoln's. Clyde knew something that Lincoln didn't and he's been debating whether or not to tell his day one best friend.
Ronnie Anne had not only blocked Lincoln but his whole friend group. When Lincoln found this out he thought it was weird, but chalked it up to her being petty. Rusty, Zach, And Liam, this made sense, but Clyde was pretty cool with Ronnie Anne and had always been nice to her. He figured she was drawing her line in the sand and since Clyde would obviously be on Lincoln's side she'd have to cut him off as well.
'Whatever.' Clyde shrugged. He wasn't interested in talking to Ronnie Anne while her and Lincoln were in the middle of a messy breakup.
Lincoln was using the weekend to study for an important end of the semester exam. Clyde, Stella, and Liam had already done their studying, and Rusty and Zach simply were fuck ups who didn't care about studying, if it weren't for Clyde. Liam, Stella, and Lincoln they'd probably have flunked college. These five nonetheless decided to celebrate the end of the semester by going out and getting drunk, 'Man it's great to be 21.' Clyde thought.
They stopped at a popular hang out for students who attended their college. Around 11:00pm the group decided to call it a night due to Rusty. When Rusty gets too drunk he starts acting, for lack of better words, a damn fool. The group decided they should get him home before he gets accused of sexual harassment. They came outside hoping their Uber would be there by now, but no luck. They looked around trying to spot it, but what they would see would leave them speechless. The group didn't spot their Uber but noticed a different Uber, but more specifically the person hopping in that Uber.
"Is that?" Stella squinted her eyes.
"That's Ronnie Anne!" Rusty said.
"Who in the world is she talking to?" Liam asked?
They tried to get a better look at who was escorting Ronnie Anne into her Uber. From what they could see it was a brown Hispanic boy that looked familiar.
"I know that isn't Richie?" Clyde said.
"No way!" Zach said.
"I know that's not her." Stella said.
"Ah hell nah!" Zach and the entire group reacting to what seemed like Ronnie Anne giving Ritchie a good night kiss.
All their hearts dropped at once. The group was drunk and really questioning what they were seeing. They were all drunk and confused, but no one was more confused than Stella. As far as she new Ronnie Anne was Lincoln's girlfriend, so what's going on? Why is she her getting drunk with Ritchie, out of everyone? Ritchie was Chandler's best friend, Chandler and Lincoln didn't get along, everyone knew this, so to see these two together irritated Stella.
Stella was doped up on liquid courage, she had half a mind to confront Ronnie Anne but Clyde told her to relax and not jump to conclusions.
Stella really did care for her friends, they were nerdy but they were also super funny and kind individuals. Had people took the time to get to know them they'd see what she saw in them. Stella had no siblings, these guys were the closest thing she had to brothers, and she watched these harmless boys she considered brothers get fucked with since elementary. To say she wanted to have a word with Ronnie Anne was an understatement.
The next morning when they were all sobered up Clyde convinced Stella it was a misunderstanding and the matter had been resolved. Stella wasn't 100% convinced but let it be. Stella had a "bros over hoes" mentality, it was their job as friends to always be there for each other, even if it's against a love interest.
Clyde focused his attention back to the game with all this information still running through his head? What was Ronnie Anne doing? And with Ritchie of all people? Even Ronnie Anne couldn't be this petty, right? Clyde inwardly sighed, this was far too messy for him. Clyde really wants to tell Lincoln what's going on so that maybe he could just move on. It'd hurt him but at least he wouldn't have to keep looking at his phone every 30 minutes to see if Ronnie Anne texted him. Lincoln was probably still expecting him and Ronnie Anne to work things out, but that might be off the table.
'Maybe this is just her way of trying to get back at Lincoln, or grab his attention?' Clyde thought, but then why did she block him and their entire friend group on all the socials? Yep, this was too much drama for Clyde.
While waiting for everyone to ready up, Clyde scrolled through his phone. What Clyde saw left his eyes wide open.
After a few more games they decided to call it a night. At this point Lincoln has decided he'd stop looking at his socials in hope for a message from Ronnie, it was occupying too much of his mind. He laid on his bed wondering if Ronnie Anne was thinking about him as much as he was thinking about her. They started officially dating at the end of senior year, Ronnie Anne even decided to go to college in Royal Woods in order for them to be together again. 'Could it really be over?' He wondered.
The next day was a Saturday, usually Lincoln would spend his Saturdays goofing off with the guys, but this Saturday Lincoln wanted to visit the Loud House to spend time with his remaining younger sisters, especially Lily. Lily really had been helping Lincoln get through these last three months. He had spent more time with her than usual, and Lily welcomed it. 'At least you'll always be by my side.' Lincoln thought. He also spent more time with Lucy, Lana, Lola, and Lisa. Even if they more or less sided with Ronnie Anne they were still HIS sisters. Lucy went to the same college as him so hanging out with her was easy. Lana. Lola, and Lisa were teens so he didn't want to occupy too much of their time, but every now and again they'd nag him about how he never calls, or spends time with them.
Lincoln made his way to the Loud House, ringing the door.
"Oh sweetie, hi!" Rita hugged her son happy to see him. "Come in!" She demanded.
Inside were Lana, Lola, Lisa, & Lily sitting in the living room, Lola and Lisa on their phones. Each of the younger siblings noticed Lincoln coming in, following his mother in the kitchen, probably for a drink.
"Hey!" Lola demanded his attention. "Aren't you going to greet your little sisters? How rude can you be!?" Lola lectured Lincoln. Lincoln couldn't help but sheepishly smiling as Rita made him a drink. Typical Lola. Always demanding his attention.
"Sorry Princess Lola, I didn't notice you." He smiled as she scoffed at his remark.
"Hi Lincoln!" Lily said hugging her brother.
"Hey Linc!" Lana jumped hugging the side of Lincoln, hanging off his neck.
"Lana," Lincoln struggled to stand with her hanging onto him. "You're getting too big for this." He said.
"How have you been elder brother?" Lisa asked.
"Can't complain i guess." Lincoln shrugged.
"You talk to Ronnie Anne yet?" Rita asked handing him a drink. Lincoln was caught off guard, he was not expecting to talk about Ronnie Anne so soon.
"No mom I haven't." Lincoln said.
"Aren't you two too old to be giving each other the silent treatment?" Lana asked.
"Apparently not." Lisa said.
"Why don't you just call her already and apologize?" Lola asked.
"Look guys I don't want to talk about Ronnie Anne right now okay." Lincoln told his family. "And besides I couldn't talk to her if I wanted, she has me blocked on everything." Lincoln informed her. This caught Rita's attention.
"Now wait," Rita said confused. "I thought Ronnie Anne had tried to reach out to you?"Rita finished.
"Who told you that?" Lincoln said legitimately curious, as his younger sisters just watched.
"Ronnie Anne was over here not too long ago to drop off Leon." The Loud mother explained.
'Okay.' Lincoln thought, nothing too out of the ordinary. Sometimes if Lori and Bobby had serious business to handle and the Casagrande's couldn't watch little Leon, Ronnie or Lincoln Loud would watch him, or drop him off to be watched by the Loud parents or one of his younger sisters.
"I asked her if she had spoken to you and she said she's been trying to." Rita finished.
Lincoln looked through his phone to show he was blocked from all of Ronnie Anne's socials, but to his amazement he was no longer blocked.
"The hells going on?" Lincoln thought out loud, as his sisters and mother looked confused.
Before Lincoln can even think about why he's all of a sudden unblocked, he notices a bunch of notifications that came from a group chat. It seemed to be the college group chat that him and a lot of guys on campus were apart of. There were so many messages Lincoln couldn't even find what they were reacting to.
Soon he saw a message that said " LincL don't even trip she for the streets."
'What?' Lincoln thought. There were even some messages making fun of Lincoln. He was confused, what could be going on? He kept scrolling and eventually found what everyone was reacting to and his heart sank.
Lincoln starred at his phone with a disgusted look for a moment too long before one of his sisters asked if he was okay.
"Sorry, I got to go." Lincoln quickly chugging his drink and leaving.
"Wait! You just got here." Lola pleaded.
"Yeah!" Lily also whined.
"I'm really sorry guys." Lincoln said with not much emotion as he left, leaving Lily, Lola, and Lana disappointed.
"I wonder what our elder brother saw on his phone?" Lisa said out loud what everyone was wondering.
In the car Lincoln sat there for a minute with the car in part still in front of the Loud house staring at the pictures posted in the group chat. What he saw was a picture of Ronnie Anne, Christina, Syd, Chandler and his gang of friends. There were a bunch more pictures, all posted by Chandler. Another picture was one of simply Ronnie Anne and Ritchie. Lincoln's blood was boiling.
Lincoln didn't get along with Chandler, EVERYONE knew that. Chandler for some reason just didn't like Lincoln, he'd go out of his way to do whatever he could to make Lincoln feel like a loser. One time a rather pretty girl in high school had told Lincoln he was cute. Every now and again you need a compliment to keep you from feeling like complete shit and this would keep Lincoln from feeling like shit for the rest of the year, if Chandler didn't exist.
Chandler saw how happy that girls comment made Lincoln and just couldn't let it stand. When Lincoln was walking out of the classroom Chandler thought it'd be funny to pants Lincoln. Chandler pantsed Lincoln, with most the class looking and laughing, including the young girl who had complimented.
There or went, the euphoria that was going to give him the courage he needed to navigate this social jungle for the year, gone! Lincoln pulled up his pants and tackled Chandler, Lincoln managed to get one clean punch to chandlers face then it turned into a wrestling match. After that Chandler still would taunt Lincoln, but he'd never pants or prank him again. Who said violence was never the answer? Who knows, it might be the answer again.
What was Ronnie Anne doing with these people? He thought angrily, 'is this her way at getting back at me for not abandoning my friend?' Lincoln got even more angry.
Ronnie Anne never hanged with or been cool with Christina. Christina still held a grudge against him for embarrassing her in elementary school.
'What were they doing? Forming a league of doom to get revenge of me!?' Lincoln thought to himself 'fuck.' Lincoln finally put the car in drive and drove off. There has to be some explanation, Ronnie Anne wouldn't do this. He wanted to believe that but photos don't lie. All that was left was for him to figure out how he was going to explode on her.