Mono No Aware
Season five of The Loud House premieres soon and it's going to do something surprising: everyone ages up a year. Lori also leaves for college, and allegedly the show altogether or at least gets a much more minor role. Shocking; but it does provide great inspiration for stories!
I thought I was original with the concept, as if, but as it turns out LoudDefender has had a similar idea and too made a story of it. I hope to stand out from their fic, though; from what I've read and what I'm planning, this story is going to be much more episodic in nature so it's something! Still... I hope they don't mind.
I can't say that every chapter will be as meaningful, or contribute to the greater plot but I hope that instead you enjoy the little moments of sibling bond that'll be featured in them.
For the record, I haven't seen any episode of the second half of season four, so for convenience's sake I'm ignoring anything established in those episodes.
Also, again, I'd like to thank Your Saving Grace Is Here for beta-reading. He sure lives up to his name!
That's all. Enjoy!
The graduation ceremony was exactly like Lori's rosy daydreams: the school band proudly played Pomp and Circumstance in the school courtyard, glowing not just from the evening sun in a picturesque dreamy sky covering the event in warm hues, but also from the families and the loved ones of the graduates in the seats. She sat at one of the first rows with fellow students surrounding her everywhere. Her robe and graduation cap made her seamlessly blend into the rest of the group. Being in the middle of it, she only recognized her friends Carol Pingrey and Roger Dlamini sitting both sides of her in a collective silence listening to principal Rivers giving a impressive speech.
''And through your diligence and hard work, you've proven all ready for the next big step in your lives! Come up for your diplomas, graduates; you've earned them!'' The principal concluded her speech, to a applause of the audience and students alike to honor their achievement.
''When you're called, please make your way to the stage to receive your diploma.''
Lori was excited and anxious, though Lori didn't understand what she was supposed to be nervous for. It seemed like something bad would happen, but perhaps it was only a bit of stage fright. The prospect of being a part of this ceremony helped her endure through studying and finals as well as the tense, uncertain days leading up to that one phone call telling her she had passed where fear and uncertainty made way for pride and joy.
Her fellow graduates were called to the stage alphabetically, five at a time. Underscored by the school band playing another uplifting composition, they'd sign their diplomas at desks set up on stage and receive the acknowledgement of finishing this part of her life. Seeing others be called for the stage and walking past Lori with shaky grins, the wait for her name to be called was painful in either sense; her gut was being wrecked from the nerves. Her world shrunk as her bubbling innards extorted a lot of her attention. Moments like these made her grief she wasn't born as Abby Alderman instead.
''Lori!''
With a hushed call and a firm shake of her shoulder, Carol had pulled her out of her thoughts. Lori's dazed glance was enough of a question what for.
''You're up!''
Lori froze, feeling her stomach now churn in her chest somehow. It must've gone quicker than Lori realized and now she wasn't certain if she actually ready for it.
Another light shake on her shoulder and supportive grin from Carol reminded her to stand up and head for the stage. Her hands trembled and no one could see under her robe, she wobbled on her legs. Lori balanced between anxiety and elation, this was what she had looked forward to, but the images running rampantly through her imagination made her feel like everything could go wrong and ruin her precious moment. As she gingerly climbed the steps onto the stage and the coveted paper was mere feet away, Lori finally allowed herself to dismiss the neurotic suspicions.
Looking into the crowd while heading for the desks at the other of the massive stage, walking past those who had already received their paper, Lori didn't need long to spot her family among the audience. It was pretty much impossible to miss a family of twelve, plus her aunt Ruth, and her grandfather, and his girlfriend. They even set up a live feed so her boyfriend Bobby could watch. Still, if Lori somehow missed their heads in the crowd, then her father's clear, emotional sobs were a dead giveaway.
Lori gently returned the waves she got from them, more concerned with that instead of watching where she went until a thud in her lower stomach alerted her that she had walked into one of the tables. A faint rumble of laughs went over the school courtyard that left Lori with a slight blush and a sheepish grin on her cheeks. She quickly overcame the embarrassment aware that this was by far not the worst that could've happened. Lori sat at the table and a unsigned certificate was put down in front of her.
''Sign it, sweetie!'' The administrator kindly instructed, handing Lori a pen.
''O-okay.''
It was not the time to do so, but Lori took a moment to read through her diploma. Noticing her credit for being part of the school golf team, which she was honored for more elaborate in a separate, more private ceremony earlier. Lori hovered the tip of the pen over the dotted line when she suddenly retracted it. What was her name again?! Oh right; Lori Marie Loud. Keeping her wobbling hand steady, she marked the document with a graceful signature.
Having done her part, the administrator stamped the document with a firm press, neatly rolled it up before holding it out to Lori.
''Well done!'' Her warm reassuring grin seemed like she could see how nervous Lori was; but granted, it couldn't escape even a blind person.
Seeing the linen scroll held out to her, now within easy reach felt mystical. Taking the thing that she had worked so hard for the past few months. She imagined she'd scream with joy, but she remained quiet. Instead, it was more closely like feeling intimidated.
''Thanks.'' She squeaked.
Lori was sent to stand with the other alumni on a elevated platform as the rest of the seniors soon followed. Lori again spotted her family in the crowd, and stiffly raised her arm up to her neck to show off her diploma. They responded with all kinds of appreciate gestures.
''We finish the ceremony with a photograph of your final moments as high school seniors before we let you celebrate reaching the next big step of your life with your loved ones!'' The principal announced right when a photographer walked onto the stage.
''Get a little closer together, show us those diplomas, and smile, everyone!''
Lori could only muster a faint, burdened grin when a flash and a click followed. The photographer checked the result, and seemed a little flustered.
''Hold on, I did something wrong.''
In the brief time the photographer adjusted his camera and fumbled with the settings, Lori looked around her and saw the other students having brought out their best smiles that outshone Lori's; it made her feel inadequate. She thought that she'd get over her anxious, uneasy feeling, but then it returned as if it never went when the principal finished her speech. Looking at Carol, she stood tall and proud, holding the diploma on her chest exactly like how Lori imagined she'd be like right now, so why didn't Lori feel the same way?
''It's all good now! Smile everyone!'' The photographer called.
Instantly, Lori resolved her brooding. She grew a smile to match with the rest of the group. What was she worrying about? If there were 30-something graduates around her, all beaming triumphantly, maybe the problem was just Lori feeding her own, ungrounded worries. She had made it, she had finished high school and ahead of her was a promising college education! It'd be a whole new life, and she was ready for it! After the photographer gave them the clear, Lori took her graduation cap off and under the sound of a applauding crowd, threw it high up in the air.
The future had just started, and it looked bright!
Oh Lori, naive Lori. If only you could read the summary of your own story. But she'll figure it out soon!
It might seem a little insignificant, but it's just the prologue. Next chapter is when the story should really start.
There you have it: a new story from me... while I could equally well work on the stories I already had posted.
Still, I hoped you and enjoyed it, short as it is, and hope and continue to enjoy it with every update. I thank you for your time and attention!
:D,
-Q.W.