Bad Day Chapter 6
As Lori neared the entrance of Royal Wood Elementary School, Lily gazed wistfully at her school, yearning for the day to conclude. Upon reaching Lily's school, she swiftly collected her bag and exited the van without a word. Her sisters, concerned by her atypical silence, quickly followed to catch up with her. Once they did, Lily's younger sister Lucy began to inquire about what was troubling her.
Lucy, with a tone laced with concern, inquires, "Is everything okay?" Lily glances at her and responds, "Oh, hi Lucy. Yeah, I'm just a bit tired." As she finishes speaking, Lola and Lana draw near, their faces etched with worry. "Are you really okay, Lil?" they ask, their voices tinged with sadness. Lily, not wanting to cause them concern and knowing they might not grasp the full extent of her feelings, sighs heavily, offers a strained smile, and reassures them, "I'm fine, just tired at the moment. Let's get ready for class so we're not late." Despite her feigned cheerfulness, Lucy, Lana, Lola, and Lisa can tell that something is amiss with Lily. They enter the school and make their way to their classroom, yet they pause at the door, reluctant to go in. They observe Lily as she continues on to class, then linger outside. Lily, upon entering the vacant classroom, lets out a deep sigh and murmurs to herself, assured that she's alone.
Lily bemoaned, "Why do I always seem to create more issues for my family? I wish this day would just end." Unknown to her, her younger sister Lola was within earshot and heard everything. Shaken by Lily's words, Lola fought back tears in her classroom, her face reflecting deep concern. "What does she mean by 'I always cause more problems for my family'?" pondered Lola, determined to talk it over with her twin later. As the seven-hour school day concluded, students started to leave, putting on jackets and popping open umbrellas to shield themselves from the rain. Shortly after, Lucy, Lana, Lola, and Lisa exited the school, waiting for their ride. Lucy surveyed the surroundings, noting Lily's absence. "Hey, have any of you seen Lily?" she queried. The sisters shook their heads; there was no sign of Lily. "Perhaps she's still inside," Lana proposed, looking back towards the school. As they contemplated going back, they noticed Lily's friends, Clyde McBride and Ronnie Anne, who appeared equally concerned. Lucy walked up to them. "Clyde, Ronnie, have you guys seen Lily?" she asked, her voice calm but filled with worry. Surprised, they flinched, then turned to Lucy and her sisters, wearing expressions of both concern and bewilderment.
Clyde: Oh, hi. Ronnie: Don't scare us like that. Lisa observes them, sensing their unease. Lisa: It seems you two are troubled. I must ask about your friend and our sister, Lily. Ronnie Anne and Clyde nod, acknowledging Lisa's perception. They hesitate to reveal the truth but know they cannot lie. After pausing, they start to explain. Once they finish, shock registers on everyone's faces. Lola: What? Lola cries out, visibly shocked. Lana: I feel bad for her. Lucy: It looks like our older sister is having a gloomy day. Lisa: Where is Lily? Lisa inquires, concern lacing her steady voice. Ronnie Anne: She usually heads home after the school bell. I hope she's alright. Loud Sister: I hope so too. Clyde: Could you guys check on her for m... I mean, for us? Clyde requests, correcting himself. Lisa: We will. Following this conversation, Clyde and Ronnie Anne depart. As they leave, Vanzilla arrives. Climbing in, Lori notices Lily's absence, and the others soon realize it too. Lori: Oh, guys, where's Lily? Lori asks, confused. The four sisters exchange looks before Lisa starts to explain the situation.
After finishing, Lori and her sisters appeared confused, shocked, and worried. "I hope she's home," Lori muttered, starting the drive home in hopes of finding Lily. Roughly four minutes in, they witnessed a car speed into a large puddle, sending rainwater and mud flying. "That's quite the splash," Lynn Jr. observed, amazed. "I've never seen anything so cool," Lana chimed in, her face glowing with wonder. Before anyone could respond, Leni noticed someone. As Lori drove closer, the source of their shock became clear. It was Lily Loud, soaked and muddy, her expression forlorn. Covered in mud from head to toe, with Shervie shivering beside her, Lily looked pitiable. Lori quickly got out of the van and ran to Lily's side. "Oh my gosh, Lily, are you okay?" she asked, her worry intensifying. "I'm... I'm..." Lily tried to respond, but her voice wavered. Lori wrapped her jacket around Lily and helped her into the van, then drove home swiftly.
Her sisters were eager to speak with her but recognized the need to quickly get her home for a shower to ward off any sickness from the rain-soaked mud. Once they arrived, they all left the van and guided Lily into the house. Lori looked over Lily's muddy and drenched state with concern. Lori said, "Lily, you should shower before you fall ill." Lily acknowledged with a nod and headed upstairs. After thirteen minutes, Lily returned, now clean and wearing fresh clothes. She lay on her bed, appearing listless and despondent. Shortly after, Leni and Lori came into her room, keen to see how she was doing. Leni asked, "Hey Lily, are you feeling alright?" Lily replied, "I'm okay."
Lori: Lily, make sure to rest and wait for us to pick you up from school, okay? Lori reminds her to avoid repeating the previous mistake. Lily: I promise. Leni: Yay! Leni exclaims, radiating her usual joy. Lori: Lily, are you hungry? We'll be having dinner soon. Lily: No. Lily denies it, although it isn't true. Lori: Are you certain? Lily: Yes, I'm certain. I'm just tired, not really hungry. Lori and Leni exchange a glance and say: Lori and Leni: Alright, but be sure to eat something later, okay? Lily: Okay. Subsequently, Lori and Leni exit the room, and Lily changes into her pajamas, yearning only for sleep. Despite feeling hungry, she is too distressed by the day's events at school to eat.
All she longs for is rest. It's been three days, and Lily's uncharacteristic silence has worried her sisters, friends, and teachers alike. She hasn't eaten in the same amount of time. Growing more famished, fatigued, and frail by the moment, she begins to feel sick. While in the third period at school, awaiting her next class, an overwhelming weakness takes hold. "What's happening?" Lily murmurs faintly. Abruptly, the room starts spinning, her sight dims. "I don't feel so..." she tries to speak, but before she can finish, she's swallowed by the darkness.