It was unfair what power her classmates had on her.
All under the guise of heading the group too.
"Get ready to ruuuuumble!" Principal Huggins yelled, and she tried to be excited, she wanted to be, but—
Luan, where's the script?
What're we Gon wear tmrw?
She growled, navigating through her settings.
Applications Messages.
Mute.
Luan shut her phone off and snuggled it into the pocket of her backpack. Life was good for once.
Winter wasn't as packing and aggressive as it was on other days, suppose it was fate foreshadowing some hope for her. Her sigh was a wisp of fog floating through the air, and she shoved her phone into the pocket of their school jacket, made special for this event. A wool hoodie—maroon with the initials 'RWHS' embedded in front with gold. Through the puffy lumps of snow covering the grass, their football field roared with good cheer as hundreds of districts amongst Royal Woods decorated the bleachers. Blue and yellow, silver and purple, so many colors. So many different uniforms. So many people all at once. She sighed ecstatically. For someone who's lived with more than a dozen all her life, you'd think this was a sight she was used to.
But these were a bunch of strangers, all in different districts. How cool was that? To just be exposed to so many people at once!
Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. And if they managed to win and make it to the regionals, even better.
All participants for the Royal Woods' Festival of Talents were up and seated across the field bleachers. Cheerleaders were dawning the Burpin' Burger colors, performing a strikingly similar routine to the ones they did in normal games, special guests like the head of the State's department of education himself, his secretaries—people she didn't care to know about. For a moment, she just sat there, listening to the thespians chatter and talk behind her. Felt Benny brush his hand against hers, and that's when she snapped out, met his gaze… With a small flush creeping on his face.
"You're blushing." She teased him.
"Hey, I'm just nervous." Benny turned away, his curly hair bouncing perkily as he did. "This is the day. Win or lose."
"Take it or leave it." Luan continued. "We did more than well, though. Sure, I don't know how these things work and how good the others are either," because it's a play for only four— "But think positive! If we just believe hard enough, it might just happen!"
"Or if we joke about it," Benny had a playful glint in his eyes. "Call it karma. Good karma."
She giggled, simply basking in the warmth of his hand. She was here, right now. Not anywhere else. Screw what her group mates thought. "That could work."
The minutes turned into an hour as they announced the winners and their categories. All ten categories. And that was for the individual contests.
Not that Luan cared. She was caught up in the flood, talking and giggling while she and the thespians recalled their feelings arising while waiting. Parvana joked about how during the play, she could've sworn she saw one judge shoot another with an approving look. Rex agreed and cockily swore that 'yes, they love us. We're gonna win this thing.'
"And it's all gonna be thanks to the best director this club could ever ask for!" Amy gushed, nudging Luan's arm.
They all agreed, and all she could do was giggle awkwardly. "Awe, you guys!" Luan scoffed sheepishly, waving them a dismissive hand. She wasn't into clichès and sap. They all knew they played a part in this too. Save the mush for when they were declared whatever.
"Now, onto the group categories! Cheryl has the mic!" Principal Huggins roared and they all shrieked in anticipation. Luan felt her feet drop cold. This is it. This is gonna be it.
Was she nervous? Well, maybe? But whatever, their performance was amazing, and she followed every single little thing written in the rubrics, making them practice to perfection—choreography, singing, lyrics, plot, plot twist—everything!
"Thank you, Mr. Huggins." Cheryl cleared her throat. "Starting with… the music division!"
The thespians deflated but Luan grinned, knowing whose time it was to shine.
Or in this case, rock!
She peered over to the other side of the bleachers, where from top to bottom were shades of different colors. Her gaze landed on the group wearing maroon, and from the distance, made out a distinct, brunette pixie cheering amongst her band.
Nice.
Bzzz…! Bzzz! Bzzz!
The harsh vibration in her pockets snapped her out of the clouding shrieks, the announcement of the winners. Her smile morphed into an annoyed scowl. Who was it this time? Mom? Dad? Checking up to see if they'd won? Leni?
She pulled her phone out and oh—wait… how did Whitney get her number…?
Luan ended the call in a heartbeat, rushing to text her. "Bz."
"...Fifth place!" She heard Cheryl scream. "Detroit's very own, 'Flying to the Sun!"
Great. I still have time. Luan thought as her eyes hovered over the brief text Whitney sent her before calling. She got the number from the school board, which had not only their numbers, but their parents' numbers listed down.
That sounded like a breach of privacy…
"I know you are," Whitney replied. "But I'm just checking in. All of our group mates are bombarding me with questions. Where's the script? Costumes? Everything?"
She gritted her teeth. Should she just ignore this—
"Fourth place!"
No, no. They deserved an explanation. Even if it was a brief one. "Look. I'm not in a place I should talk rn. Tell them not to worry about it." They would nonetheless. It was tomorrow already, and… and…
"Third!"
Luan's knee bounced frantically. Grgh! They were gonna flop tomorrow if she didn't get this done, but who cares!? Who cares now!? "I'll update later 2nite."
"Ok."
She huffed out a foggy dust of air, before reclining back to the rigid bleachers, warm phone on her stiff hand. Now she could relax a little… screw that script. Let 'em wait.
On stage, enormous boards marked the spots where each winner stood. Detroit glimmered in silver for fifth; Wyoming followed in purple for fourth; Flint in green for 3rd…
No sign of them yet.
Second wasn't them either. Her stomach churned into knots. Luan wasn't as much of a rock fan as the next guy, but she knew The Moon Goats were quite the dozy for their age. The next-gen Wink182, or Paramour if you will. Luna dominated in the Battle of the Bands last year, broke news after her epic show in America's Next Big Hitmaker, was featured on TV for an exclusive by Mulligan, and got herself recruited for a professional band, all at sixteen!
This was just another concert to her. Another one she'd be rooting for all the way.
"This is the last, but it is the first!" The crowd laughed at Huggins' joke. Dad would burst into tears with that one! "Contestants number 13—" They could all hear shrieks building like tsunami waves. Luan's heart skipped and she peered at Luna again—their whole band stood up jumping in joy. A tingle burst up her spine and spread to her cheeks.
Yep, it's them! "May I call on the champions of collaborative song composition and presentation, this young and astounding rock band from the very host, Royal Woods, 'The Moon Goats!"
The bleachers roared with renewed vigor. The thespians cheered along with her, and she skipped around, yelling with her hands on her mouth; "That's my sister! You go, Lunes!" like it was she who went up on stage.
They climbed up on stage, received medals and plaques each, and a huge trophy. She couldn't help but feel a little bug in her belly, and envy was back. Luan kept her grin anyway, punching the air at victory claiming its first Loud. It's as she expected, after all.
It was fast, then suddenly it was their category.
Her butt was literally on the edge of the seat. Her knee bounced and she and the thespians, Mrs. Bernardo exchanged looks of anticipation. This was it. This was it. Luan felt her hands through the gloves. It was cold. Tingling. Numb. Who's it gonna be?
"Fifth place!" Cheryl leaned to the crowd, and opened her mouth, before pulling back to laugh. "Seriously, who!?"
The crowds screamed, "Us! Us! Us!", their yells drowned by the blare of the background music. They gave it their all anyway, like letting the air hear would gravitate fate to their favor.
It was like a prank trap just waiting to unwrap. Each moment built up to now like the gift ripping itself, only to have another layer beneath it. They did well. They did more than well. Luan leaned forward to see the stage clearly, grinning tightly as they all murmured. We can do this.
Fifth turned to fourth. Fourth turned to third. Her hope only diminished with each passing name. With each team that climbed on stage. It was either second… or first.
Luan wasn't superstitious, but she crossed her fingers; and tucked her arm behind her back. Keep it cool, Luan, keep it cool. Fate likes those who don't do desperate.
Dang it, Mr. C.
"Royal Wooooods High!" Luan shot in her seat. Was this a dream? What?
From behind her, Mrs. Bernardo shifted and hopped to the ground, and knew. No. This was real.
She squealed, jumped along with the rest of them, and ran to the stage. Cold air kissed her face, slipping through her silly grin. We did it! We did it!
Out of all active 50 school participants, they were second. Second-best but still part of the top-five-best!
She grunted as she stepped onto the stairs, the snow surrounding her step heavy. The echoes of shrieking, and clapping brought an electrifying tingle through her spine and cheeks. Mayor Davis hung their medals on her arm, grasping one in her hands— a maroon sash over a silver plate. "Get in line," She gestured.
And they did as the music played and the people watched. She'd never been in a crowd this big, applauded, under the spotlight of the winter sun. All medals in, she was pulled into a suffocating group hug. Luan barely caught a glimpse of Mrs. Bernardo wiping her tears, a glimmering plaque in her hand; caught a glimpse of the neighboring winners and exchanged with them a beam.
The highlight of high school, indeed.
Mrs. Bernardo gave them a speech dripping with sap, a thank you for their hard work and their determination— though cliche, it didn't demean her sincerity.
They took an organized photo together as a club, courtesy of a random kid they called out. When it was over and some of the thespians separated ways, Mrs. Bernardo spoke to the remaining members, including her and Benny. "If you don't mind, Luan, I'll be keeping this plaque for the time being."
Luan smiled, glancing at Benny who wore utmost support. Her heart was swelling with each beat, and it showed in her voice. "No problem, Mrs. B! This is your credit, after all. Wouldn't be here without you!"
"Aw, spare me the flattery," She dismissively waved, a sheepish grin spread over her cheeks. "It's not because I wanna keep it. I'm giving it to Principal Rivers, along with our club picture."
Oh? "For what?" Benny asked.
"For our school trophy case, of course!" Mrs. Bernardo said incredulously. "This is the biggest achievement we've earned as a club," She patted Luan's head. "And I'll make sure your legacy lives along with it."
Her eyes widened. Whoa… me? Us? In the school's trophy case? For years and generations to come? "Really?"
Mrs. Bernardo nodded earnestly. "Really."
Benny nudged her arm playfully. "That's my director."
Her stunned look morphed into a small smile that grew into a wide grin. She fought the urge to recklessly pull her into a hug, or Benny a kiss. Instead, she stood there holding her mentor's smile, hoping that'd be enough to show her how much this meant to her. "Thanks, Mrs. B."
Mrs. Bernardo nodded. "You kids go have your fun; or should I say, Romeo and Juliet?
They both glanced at each other, exchanging sheepish grins, before parting ways with her. Lost in the tangle of parents, students, coaches and their spouses.
Her chest fluttered like a glimmer in the stars when soft lips pressed briefly onto her cheek. She turned to look at Benny, his eyes proud and his smile cheeky. He shrugged innocently, eyeing her with a knowing look. That was enough of a congrats, she could hear him telepathically.
"What was that for?" She asked anyway.
"Oh, you know," Benny shrugged with a knowing grin. "Just a gesture of appreciation?"
Amidst the people that covered them, she pulled him by the collar and kissed him on the lips. She felt him jolt, but God forbid he pull away. Luan knew it must've been a fraction of a minute when they did it. Yet his warmth, the feel of his lips, the thumping of her heart, and the tingles in her arms and legs were so… vivid. Too vivid to just be less than thirty seconds.
The visible puffs of her breath mingled with his, and she instinctively wet her lips, almost tasting his on them. This one was much longer than their first. More tender than their second. In its way, a little more rewarding… just a tinsy bit more calming.
"You could've just gone straight for that." Luan chided, her hand slowly loosening on his collar.
For a second, Benny forgot how to breathe, and when she spoke, he blinked out of his trance. "Y-yeah…" He sputtered, a lovestruck smile growing on his flushed face. "N-next time."
"I'll keep count." Luan giggled, and for the first time in weeks, a flutter rewarded her heart. She looked behind him, watching the people pass by…
Her blood iced over.
Luna stood from afar, arms and smirk worn. Oh no, Luan sharply inhaled. How much did she see?
Benny looked away before catching her eyes. "My mom's here. Welp, I gotta go." He said.
"So's my sister." Luan eyed Luna and the rocker winked. Oh, she better not tell anybody else! "Bye Benny!"
Benny waved at her as he rushed across the field, her eyes magnetically following him until the crowd carried them away. Today had lots of firsts. First—well, maybe not first, it was their third, but still—first time a kiss had ever felt… so natural. Luan shoved her hands into her sweater's pockets. She looked down, saw the medal shimmering, and grinned. First medal she'd won over theater. Wow.
Luan reluctantly walked over to her waiting older sister, whose smirk grew wider to her chagrin. And the first time one of her siblings got to witness such an interaction with Benny.
Not counting their act. They thought it was all a play.
"What?" Luan grumbled, yet her words carried no grit. Instead, a small smile crept up on her face, the longer she looked at Luna's.
Luna uncrossed her arms and pulled her into a half-hug, catching her off guard for a second. Upon pulling back, that's when she noticed the proud glimmer of her golden medal.
The snow crunched under their feet with each step they walked out of the field. "Was I supposed to see that?"
She scowled and scratched the back of her neck; somehow doing this broke Luna into laughter, and her face only tingled more. She wasn't turning into Lori! Never ever!
Only when her siblings weren't around—but besides the point! "You act like you and Sam don't eat faces when you're both up in our room—ow!"
Luna nudged her on the elbow a little too roughly, scolding her. "You're not making any sense."
"Nuh-uh! You don't get to make fun of me and not let me do the same!" Luan huffed with a forming grin, noticing the slightest pigment of pink on Luna's cheeks.
Luna shot her a dagger. "That's different." She muttered, shoving her hands into her sweater. "We're just two symphonies coming together like one passionate rock song!"
"Ewww!" Luan teased, feigning a gag.
"You'll get there one day sis, just you wait. All in the name of love." Luna bumped against her side playfully, causing her to lose balance. "Next up in the city, in few years, you're gonna be rockin' each other's —gah! Luan!"
Luan unclenched the clump of hair, ruffling it instead. On the street beyond the fence, Vanzilla sat with the windows open. The twins, Lynn, Lincoln, and Leni's heads popped out. "What? I've seen Sam do this to you," She sang-sung. "And you like it~"
Luna growled irritably but shot her a playful smile. "I'm gonna break all your cameras later."
"Good luck with that." Luan encouraged; she wouldn't dare. And even if she did, good luck trying to unlock my safe. I can always buy some new ones.
Their siblings scanned their figures, and a second later, Lynn pulled out a confetti gun and shot it in the air. "Woo-hoo! More victory in the house!"
They both got pulled into the car and surprise, surprise! Mom and Dad we're home off early to celebrate! "We knew you'd win!" Dad bragged, nudging Mom's arm gloatingly. "I had Lisa scan the probability."
"You know I wasn't there, father," Lisa said, deadpan. "I merely stated that with this type of thing, it's a matter of the judge's subjectivity, and Science can only do so much to predict it. However, I did mention that with Luna's musical genius and Luan's knack for world-building, chances of entering the top five would be a close ninety-percent hit."
"See?"
"I don't see what the judges saw in us," Luna shrugged, leaning forward to rest her arms on the seat. "We were just rockin' to these Earthy songs—ya know, all the other contestants looked way cooler than us."
"Oh, don't be so down-to-earth, Luna! I swear, with your talent, you could rock the world with one riff! Get it?" Luan blurted out and she held back a gasp.
Did I just pun?
And in a rare moment of ethereal bliss, the van shook with laughter. She leaned back and smiled to herself. First pun in forever. Wow. Someone pinch me already!
"Who made it first, though?" Lola blurted out, referring to Luan. "Don't tell me it's Hazeltucky again!"
Lana and Lincoln shushed her, considering Luan's feelings about the subject. "Eh, what does it matter?" Luan scoffed nonchalantly. Being second didn't hurt her at all, even if Lola rubbed it on her face. She's a kid. She doesn't mean it. Or maybe she does, knowing her. "I think it was…" She tried reversing back to the stage… with no memory of it, she shrugged nonchalantly.
"That's okay, sweetie, you still did beyond your best. Maybe next year you'll end up in the state finals!" Mom reassured her from the front seat. "Anyways it's your first time!"
"I know, I know, mom." She groaned begrudgingly. Stop embarrassing me in front of them.
"I call dibs on eating pizza!" Lana yelled from the rear of the van.
"Oh, it may not be as glam as our last party—guess I went all in with that, heh—" Dad cleared his throat with renewed determination, his fists clutching the wheel tighter. "But whatever you kids want, we'll get it for tonight! To the performers of the Loud family!"
All their siblings looked at Luna and Luan and cheered.
Vanzilla sped through the near-empty road, wheels rushing in rapids to get the party started.
Luan saw her reflection in the foggy window, her thinking eyes betraying the dark bags underneath. For once, the weeks she spent on loan against herself was worth it. Her debt on time was finally paid off. With all this grandeur applause, attention, and eventually, fame…All for doing what came to her heart. Just playing around.
It was all she wanted and more.
All she could think now was… Best. Day. Ever.