Time to Talk Chapter 7

"Wake up, Lily," a mysterious voice whispered. Stirring, Lily's eyes fluttered open, her vision blurred from sleep. She groaned, rubbing her eyes, and took in her surroundings—her bedroom, where her younger sisters Lucy, Lana, Lola, and Lisa were gathered around her bed, heads bowed in slumber, expressions etched with worry. Lucy clutched Lily's right hand, Lana gripped her left, Lisa held onto her right arm, refusing to let go, while Lola embraced Lily tightly, not just any hug, but one that resembled a daughter seeking comfort from her mother. Confusion clouded Lily's mind; she remembered being at school, yet here she was, back in her room. Unsure of what had transpired, she resolved to rouse her sisters, starting with Lola, who was nestled closest to her.

Lily: "Lola, wake up," Lily urges, her voice still weak. A few seconds later, Lola's eyes flutter open, and she gazes up at Lily, relieved to see her conscious. Embracing Lily tightly, Lola exclaims, "Lily, are you okay?" Tears stream down her face. As Lily's sisters notice her stirring, they begin to wake up, crying out Lily's name in unison, overwhelmed with emotion. Lucy, Lana, and Lisa: "Lily..." They gather around her, expressing their deep concern. Lisa: "You're going to be okay, my older sister," Lisa whispers, her voice laden with sorrow. Lucy: "I feared you would be lost to the darkness," she confesses, holding back tears. Lana: "You're going to be fine," Lana comforts, while tears carve trails down her cheeks. Lola: "Take care, Lily, Please" Lola urges, her voice cracking. Tears cascade down her face, marking her dress, but Lola's sole concern is for Lily's safety. Her emotional outpouring surprises even her sisters. Lana, Lisa, and Lucy have never witnessed Lola so overwhelmed. Lily, just as shocked, seeks to comprehend the events that unfolded and her return home. She looks to her sisters, seeking an explanation. Lily: "Can you guys tell me what happened? How did I end up back here?" They share a look, then start to piece together the story for their older sister. Flashback

Three hours ago, Lucy, Lisa, Lana, and Lola were in their third-period classes. Lana and Lola were taking notes in math class, Lucy was composing poetry in her favorite class, and Lisa was programming her robot while her classmates listened to a story. Suddenly, they heard Cheryl's announcement over the intercom. Cheryl: Will the following students please come to the principal's office? Lucy, Lana, Lola, and Lisa, please report to the principal's office. Confused but compliant, the four made their way to Principal Hugging's office. Once there, they waited anxiously, trying to recall any missteps. Moments later, Principal Hugging and Cheryl entered, their expressions grave. Lana was on the verge of speaking when Principal Hugging interjected. Hugging: You four are not in trouble. The sisters exhaled in relief but were still curious about the reason for their summons. After a brief pause, Principal Hugging began to speak. Hugging: I suppose you're all wondering why you're here. Loud sisters: Yes, Principal Hugging.

Huggin: OK, after the third period began, I was checking the hallway to make sure it was clear when the bell rang. Before I could return to my office, I sensed something—or someone. The Loud sisters were becoming concerned. When I looked to see who was on the floor, it was your older sister, Lily Loud. After saying that, Lucy, Lana, Lola, and Lisa became worried and scared. Huggin sighed and continued speaking. Huggin: After seeing her on the ground, I ran to her to make sure she was OK. I tried calling her name, but she didn't respond. So, I called the nurse to come and check on her and take her to the nurse's office. After finishing his story, he hung his head, and Cheryl got some tissue to wipe her teary eyes. The Loud sisters were all shocked to hear this. Lucy looked down, placing her hand on her face, trying to hold back her tears. Lana and Lola held each other as tears started to fall, and Lisa began to cry; even as a 4-year-old genius, Lisa is still human. After some crying, the Loud sisters wanted to know if she was OK. Loud sisters: Is she OK? Huggin looked at them and spoke. Huggin: Yes, she's OK. Your sister is in the nurse's office. I went on to call your sister Lori and explain everything. She is on her way here to pick all of you up. Huggin stopped talking and let Cheryl speak, knowing he was too upset.

Cheryl: "You girls can go back to class to get your stuff and wait for your sister to pick you up." They all nodded their heads and started heading back to class to gather their belongings and then wait at the nurse's office. Their friend wanted to ask what had happened, but they weren't in the mood to talk. After collecting their bookbags and ensuring everything was inside, they headed out of the class and waited for their sister, Lily. End of Flashback After they finished explaining everything, Lily was surprised but also felt guilty for causing her little sisters to worry. She looked at them and said, "I'm sorry for making you guys worried." Lily attempted to sit up, but pain in her stomach and head made her wince.

Lily, wincing in pain, exclaims, "Ouch!" Lola, concerned, looks at her and asks, "Lily, what's wrong? Are you okay?" Her other sisters react similarly. Lily reassures them, "Yes, I'm fine. It's just that my stomach and head hurt." Lisa offers an explanation, "I think you felt weak and dizzy because you hadn't eaten for a while, which caused you to faint and hit your head and stomach on the floor." Realizing she has caused her sisters to worry, Lily, seeing their tear-stained faces, apologizes, "I'm sorry." Lana, puzzled, responds, "Sorry for what? You didn't do anything." Lily sighs, looks at them, and says, "For making you all worry. I've just been having a bad day." Lily tries to explain to her younger sisters.

Lucy: Yes, it's a gloomy day. We were all worried after Hugging filled us in. Lucy was about to finish, but Lola interjected. Lola: We thought you had left us. Lily gazed at them, choosing her words, even if they might sting. Lily: Well, if I had disappeared, you all would have carried on just fine. As if I never existed. After saying this, Lily observed her sisters. Their expressions were a mix of anger and heightened upset. Soon, they all shouted in unison. Loud Sisters: NO, IT WON'T BE THE SAME WITHOUT YOU!

Lily was taken aback when, before she could respond, Lola laid her head on her chest and sobbed, "It won't be the same without you. We need you; I need you." Lana, with tears streaming down and her voice quivering, added, "You've always been there when we needed help." Lucy, barely able to speak through her tears, whispered, "It's not the same when you're not here." Lisa, crying as well, managed to say, "You're the smart one, but even you need to rest." Soon, they were all crying together. Regretting her words, Lily embraced Lola and opened her arms wide. "Come here," she beckoned. One by one, her sisters rushed into her arms, weeping. "I won't leave. I'll always be here, so don't cry," Lily soothed, "Your big sister will always be here for you."Lily," said one, trying to comfort her. "Please don't leave us," pleaded the Loud Sister.

Lucy: "We..."

Lana: "Love..."

Lola: "You..."

Lisa: "Very..."

Loud Sisters: "...Much."

Lola: "You are the best thing that ever happened to us."

Loud Sister: "YOU ARE THE BEST THING THAT HAPPENED TO US, SO PLEASE DON'T LEAVE US," they all said through tears. Hearing this, Lily began to cry as well and said, "I LOVE YOU TOO. YOU ALL ARE THE BEST SISTERS ANYONE COULD EVER HAVE."