Disclaimer: I do not own The Loud House, or any other property in this work that I did not make myself.

A big family gets even bigger

Chapter Eight: Golfing Gladiators

Lori while dressed to go play golf was carrying a golf bag to Vanzilla as Leni, Lori's best friend and one of her soon to be step-siblings, followed after her. "So you're just going to go practice golf?" Leni asked.

Nodding once, Lori said, "There's a big golf game coming up, with a representative from Fairway University going to be there." Putting the golf bag away into Vanzilla, Lori said, "I literally need to get in as much practice as possible. Do you know why?"

Looking like she was thinking about it, Leni replied, "Because you want to get out of the house for a little while?"

Sighing gently, Lori said, "No, Leni. The representative from Fairway University is going to be at the important golf game for one reason and one reason only." Tapping a fist into her hand, Lori said, "The representative will be at the important golf game to scout for the best player and offer them a scholarship to Fairway University."

"You're going to college?" Leni asked, a look of surprise on her round, plump face.

"I hope to," Lori replied, "I mean I'm in my senior year of high school, and graduation is coming up. Dad literally can't afford to send me to college, not only does he have his restaurant to worry about but also dad and your mom are getting married during the upcoming summer break. Weddings can be literally expensive."

Looking like she understood, Leni said, "Oh yeah, weddings can be pricy."

"That's why I'm hoping the representative from Fairway University will be at the important golf game to find the best player at that game and offer them a scholarship," Lori said, "It'll be my only shot at getting into college."

"Ooh, ooh," Leni said, "Can I come watch you practice?"

Arching a wry eyebrow, Lori said, "I don't object to you coming to support me, but I'm not sure if you'll enjoy watching golf."

"But it's important to you, Lori," Leni said, a hint of firmness in her tone showing she wouldn't be deterred, "And you're my sister or are going to be! What kind of sister or soon to be sister would I be if I'm not there to cheer you on when it's important for you?"

Lori was touched sincerely; Leni had always been so kind and supportive like this. Leni was like that as Lori's best friend, and now she's gonna be like that as Lori's step-sister. Smiling gently, Lori said, "Just so you know, we'll be out in the sun a bit, so we'll need to get a lot of water. We can also use the golf carts at the golf course to get around quicker."

"Ooh, don't you have a funny story about golf carts?" Leni asked.

"Yes, and it ended with Bobby and Aggro having to chase down a runaway golf cart being driven by Sam," Lori replied, "Luna was fretting over Sam for the next few days afterwards." With both girls going to the golf course, Lori had Leni get into the passenger seat. Leni had to set the seat back as much as possible to make room for her considerable self, but that was it.

The two soon to be step-sisters had a golf course to get to.


Later at the local golf course in Royal Woods, Leni watched it as Lori scored another hole in one. "Wait, why is your current score at so low a number?" Leni asked, "The other players here that we've met have higher scores than you. Aren't you worried about that?"

"Leni, in golf the lower the score the better," Lori explained, "It shows how many strokes you've scored, and the fewer the better. Golfers actually WANT their score to be as low as possible."

Leni, looking confused, said, "I don't understand. In the sports games that Lynn plays, she wants her team to have as high of a score as possible. And some of the video games that Linky and his friends play value higher scores."

"Golf works differently," Lori replied. Taking a look at her score on a note pad, Lori said, "Well alright. If I can score a hole in one on the last hole, then I'll have literally played a perfect game today."

"That's good, right?" Leni asked.

As Lori gave an affirmative nod, she and Leni were both surprised to hear the voice of Carol Pingray call out, "Lori, Leni, is that you two?" Lori and Leni both turned to see Carol come walking up to them, carrying her own golf bag. "What brings you girls here?" Carol asked.

"Oh, I'm just getting in some practice is all," Lori said. Although she hid it well, Lori wasn't exactly amused to see Carol here, despite Carol being a good friend. Carol actually always tops Lori when it came to golf, something that frustrated Lori to no end. If Carol was aiming to complete in the same golf game that Lori aims to compete in, then things will get more difficult for Lori.

Looking surprised, Carol said, "Ooh, you heard about the important golf game that a representative from Fairway University will be attending, right?"

Before Lori could speak up, Leni said, "Yeah huh, Lori mentioned that!" Lori was going to have to go over a few things with Leni later.

Sighing, Carol said, "Figures as much. I'm going to be competing in that golf game too. If someone who represents Fairway University is going to be there, then it means they're looking to offer a scholarship to the best player that day. That being said, if it's true then I have to win."

Lori was annoyed that she had to compete against Carol, especially as they both have the same goal, a goal that only one person can earn. "Well, may the best golfer win," Lori replied.

Carol nodded once in thanks before she took off to practice her golf game alone. Lori was seething at the idea of having to go up against Carol, who she's never been able to beat. But Lori had to keep herself calm, she can't allow emotions to affect her golf game.


Lori finished her practice game, but ended up getting one stroke above scoring a perfect game. The presence of Carol who said she was aiming for the same goal as Lori had affected her mental state and threw her off a smidgen. "I literally can't believe it!" Lori vented loudly as she and Leni were in their room at the Loud family residence, "Just who does Carol think she is?!"

"Uhh, she thinks she's Carol?" Leni replied in a confused tone.

"And why does she hope to win a scholarship to Fairway University?" Lori asked rhetorically, "Carol's family is loaded enough so that her parents can pay for her to go to college! Carol literally doesn't need to worry about having to earn a scholarship!"

"I wouldn't know," Leni said, sounding a bit concerned, "Maybe if you-"

"I got it!" Lori said with a snap of her fingers, "I'll borrow Yonfour from Allison!"

Leni looked confused. "Yonfour? What's that?"

"Yonfour is the name Allison gave to her lucky four iron golf club," Lori explained, "It's literally the only golf club she ever uses when she's convinced to play golf, and she always scores holes in one with it. I had done so as well on the two occasions before now that I've been able to borrow Yonfour from Allison."

"I didn't know Allison plays golf," Leni remarked.

"She does, but very rarely," Lori explained, "Mostly because she literally doesn't understand why it's a good game despite always playing flawlessly." Turning to Leni, Lori explained, "I'm going to convince Allison to let me borrow her lucky golf club for the important golf game. That ought to be just the ticket I need to trump Carol in the game!"

Leni looked concerned, although Lori who was caught up in scheming to beat Carol at golf didn't notice the look of worry on Leni's round, plump face. Leni thinks that asking Carol for her reasons might be a valid idea, at least learn the reason WHY Carol wants to potentially earn a scholarship to Fairway University despite her family being certainly able to afford to send Carol to college without the aid of a scholarship.

The plus sized girl in seafoam green worries that Lori may cause some damage if she competes bitterly against Carol without getting the full story.


The next morning, Lori and Leni visited the Ace family residence, as it was a Saturday. Lori went to speak with Allison while Leni plopped her considerable rear down on the sofa in the living room as she spoke with her boyfriend Aggro. "Lori and Carol are set to complete for a potential scholarship, huh?" Aggro said, "Allison and I wouldn't understand that as we're set to go to a local college to help us learn what we need to help with running some of the restaurants our family owns."

"But I'm worried that Lori might, like, cause damage to her and Carol's friendship if she competes so bitterly against her," Leni said, "It's why I'm hoping to at least learn why Carol wants to earn that potential scholarship despite how it's been said affording sending Carol to college is well within the means of Carol's family."

Aggro had a curious look on his face. "Interesting that. I wouldn't expect Carol to have to earn her way." Shrugging, Aggro said, "Perhaps there's something afoot here we aren't aware of."

Looking curious, Leni asked, "What should we do, Aggro?"

"Ask Carol for her motivation, like you had suggested," Aggro replied, "Perhaps then we can unravel this mystery."

"Ooh, one of the books my mom wrote and published is a mystery book," Leni said.

Nodding once, Aggro remarked, "Yes, I know. You know I am still amazed by the fact that your mom is as accomplished of a published writer as she is. It's not everyday one meets a famous author."

With a game plan in mind, Leni and Aggro got up with the intent to go see Carol, although Leni gave a grunt of effort as she heaved herself up from the sofa. It was around the time that Leni and Aggro got up that Lori and Allison came downstairs from the second floor, Lori carrying a four iron golf club. "Allison has literally agreed to let me borrow her lucky golf club for the important golf game," Lori said, "There's no way I can lose now!"

"Just be careful with Yonfour," Allison said, "I still know not why the Allfather has blessed it. But bless it he did, so it wouldn't be wise to misuse it."

"Fair enough, girls," Aggro replied, "Oh, Leni-chan and I need to go do a few things. We'll be back later." Aggro and Leni then made their way to the front door and left, with Aggro letting Leni out and following after her.

Arching a wry eyebrow, Allison said dryly, "Aggro let the seamstress ahead of him so that he could get a view of her behind."

"Well," Lori said as she blushed a bit, "It's similar to why my Bobby Boo-Boo Bear lets me go on ahead of him usually."


The next day which was a Sunday saw the big important golf game, where Lori was set to go up against, among other high schoolers, her friend Carol. Seeing the representative from Fairway University made Lori all the more sure that she was going to have to pull out all the stops if she was wanting to impress enough to earn that potential scholarship.

And with Yonfour, Allison's lucky four iron golf club, among the clubs in Lori's golf bag, the oldest Loud sister was certain that victory today would be hers. Lori had even invited her boyfriend Bobby along to support her, as well as help her as need be like being her caddy. Lori was literally not going to mess things up today, her future depends on it.

...

The game got underway, and it was clear that among the golfers competing, Lori and Carol were the top MVPs. Both had played flawlessly, scoring nothing but holes in one. Carol took note of how Lori never switched to a different golf club but still got only holes in one. Carol was worried, but she was not going to let it bother her. She couldn't afford to let anything bother her.

During a break between rounds, Carol was met up by Leni and Aggro, although Aggro reached Carol first while Leni had to waddle her considerable self over to catch up. Aggro and Leni failed to find Carol yesterday, so today was their best chance. "Are you feeling okay, Carol?" Aggro asked.

"As good as I can, really," Carol replied, "I have to score well here today, even though I might potentially cost Lori her future in college in his process." Carol stomped with her left foot as she let out a very frustrated growl. "Why does my step-mom have to be so stingy?! I have to bitterly compete against one of my closest friends because my step-mom told me that she and my dad won't pay for me to go to college and that I have to earn my own way!"

Leni was about to speak up, but Aggro cut her off. "Leni-chan, I know that you're excited about the surprise we have for Lori, but don't tell Carol," Aggro said, able to tell Leni was about to spill the beans on how she and him were trying to do some snooping.

Leni, knowing that her boyfriend was lying but knowing that he always has reason for when he lies, decided to keep her mouth shut, and even play along. "But I just wanted to gush about the cute outfits I made for Linky, Astrid, and even Ronnie Anne to wear for Lori's surprise," Leni said.

"It amazes me you were able to keep Astrid from freaking out while you were having her stand as you fitted her for her outfit," Aggro remarked, able to tell Leni was playing along with his lie and deciding to keep it going.

Carol couldn't help but smile. "Sounds like you're throwing together a little party to celebrate Lori graduating from Royal Woods High at the end of the current school year."

"Just don't say anything about it to Lori," Aggro said, "It has to be a surprise." Carol nodded in agreement before she took off to get something to drink. With Carol gone, Aggro turned to Leni and said, "Carol is still worried, and yet Lori last I check feels nothing but bitter competition against Carol. I think we need to put things into context for Lori."

"Are you sure?" Leni asked, "I mean, I think that the last hole is coming up, and Lori is, like, totes fired up to win today."

Nodding once, Aggro said, "Lori needs to know." Aggro then had Leni follow him to go see where Lori and Bobby were at.

...

"So you borrowed Aggro's sister Allison's lucky golf club for today's game," Bobby said to Lori, "The same golf club that Allison is convinced is blessed by some Viking god with an eyepatch, and it's the only golf club you've been using so far today."

"Well I've literally gotten nothing but holes in one so far today," Lori said, "So can you blame Allison for thinking that it's lucky?"

Bobby was about to speak up, but he stopped short when Aggro came over, his stride swift and graceful, while Leni came up at a waddling pace behind Aggro. "Yo Aggro, my main man," Bobby said, "You and Leni here to cheer on Lori?"

"Partly," Aggro replied, "But we're also here because there's something that Lori needs to know. You see, Leni-chan and I had been able to speak with Carol-"

"You two talked to her?" Lori cut in, looking and sounding an even mix of angry and betrayed.

Giving Lori an even look, Aggro said, "Let me finish." Continuing, Aggro went on, "As it turns out, yes Carol is also competing for that potential scholarship to Fairway University, despite her family being able to send her to college on their own dime. But Carol's reason isn't out of greed as what you are clearly thinking it is, Lori. Rather, Carol's reason is born of worry and desperation."

Lori arched a wry eyebrow at that, and a little bit of her hostility towards Carol died down. "Worry and desperation?" Lori repeated, "What are you talking about?"

"Carol's step-mom told her that she had to earn her own way," Aggro said, "Carol's parents despite being able to are refusing to cover her college expenses. I believe that there's something about how they earned their own way so Carol's expected to earn hers."

Lori, as well as Bobby, were taken aback by surprise. Lori was competing to earn that potential scholarship to Fairway University because given expenses in the Loud family, it was her only way to go to college. But Carol's folks, despite how it's well within their means to do so, refuse to lift a finger to help Carol. In a way, it's cruel to have the means to help out but refuse to lend said means of giving help.

...Still, it wasn't just Carol's future at stake, it was also Lori's. "...Well I still have to win," Lori said firmly, "It's my only chance to go to college and get a career above working fast food!"

"And you'd willingly doom Carol, one of your closest friends, to that same fate?"

Lori stopped short when she heard Leni's question. "Sure, fast food like burgers are good," Leni said, "In fact I've eaten, like, loads of burgers. But that's not the point. The point is that you're willing to make someone who is supposed to be your friend suffer the fate of working there just so that you can avoid it? You'd send someone to doom just to save your own skin from it?"

Lori's expression relented. "...I know, it's terrible that I have to compete against a friend," Lori said as things sunk in for her, "But what about my own future? Should I have to work in fast food?"

"Your dad's restaurant is above fast food level," Leni said, "And I'm sure that I can, like, totes convince mom to help pitch in for you to do college. My mom and your dad can help you, I'm sure they'd be willing to, and you can work in an actual restaurant part time while doing college classes."

Lori looked like she was considering something. "...There's also Bobby's Grandpa Hector's store, and it's located closer to the local college in Royal Woods than dad's restaurant." Lori let out a troubled, resigned sigh. "You and Aggro literally have a point, Leni. I can't in good faith cost Carol her future just because her dirtbag parents refuse to lift a finger to help her."

Lori then moved to her golf bag, put Allison's lucky golf club into it before pulling out another one that would be appropriate for the final hole of the course. "Carol needs luck more than I do," Lori said, "I'm literally going to go in on even grounds as her. No lucky golf club blessed by the chief of the Norse Gods."

"You mean Odin," Aggro clarified. Lori nodded in agreement before she got ready to go play the final hole again Carol. Leni and Aggro, as well as Bobby, hoped for the best.


Carol ended up beating Lori in the end, and as such placed first. Leni and the boys got it from Lori that she secretly actually let Carol beat her, and seeing Carol jump up and down in joy while crying happy tears when the representative from Fairway University did indeed offer her a scholarship to the college told Lori that she literally made the right choice. Bobby and Aggro were both proud of Lori for putting friendship above personal glory.

Leni was particularly proud, throwing her plump arms around Lori to drag her into a warm, soft, loving hug. "You do literally have a point on how I can't sacrifice Carol's future for my own," Lori said to her soon to be step-sister, "Also, going to the local college in Royal Woods has a benefit over me going to Fairway University."

Looking curious, Leni said, "What is it?"

"If I go to the local college here in Royal Woods," Lori said, "Then I won't have to go away for college. My dad and your mom are getting married this summer, meaning you guys will become my family. But if I got the scholarship to Fairway University, then I'll literally hardly get any time with you and your siblings and your mom as my family before leaving for college. I still need to get to know all of you guys bet-"

Lori was cut off when Carol came running over and threw her arms around Lori in a hug, before crying into Lori's shoulder. "I am so sorry that we had to compete with each other!" Carol cried, "I'd never would have doomed you to go without college if I could have helped it!"

Smiling gently, Lori patted Carol on the back. "...It's alright," Lori said, "I'm going to see if I can do the local college here in Royal Woods. It also has the benefit of keeping me close to my family, which is literally going to get bigger as I'm going to get a step-mom and six amazing step-siblings."

Perking up, Carol said, "Oh yeah! Your dad is marrying Leni's mom! ...Umm, when you said that your family was going to get bigger-"

"I was talking about how there is going to be a larger head count," Lori clarified, "I wasn't making a crack about how Leni, her biological siblings, and their mom are all big boned."

"Our bones are big?" Leni said, looking surprised. Everyone standing with Lori had a good chuckle, and even Leni joined in on it. Sure, Lori was giving up on Fairway University and settling for a college that's located local in Royal Woods, but in the process she helped to save the future of one of her closest friends. Lori's move also helped to ensure that she'll stick around in Royal Woods for a bit longer, time she'll need as she's getting more family members to get to know and love.

Like a step-sister who is bar none the nicest, most kind hearted girl in Royal Woods.


The following day was Monday, but nothing much happened until everyone got back from school for the day. Luan, Lynn, and Lola were watching TV in the living room, Luan sunk into the sofa a bit because she sat down in the spot usually occupied by Lincoln, and Lola actually sitting on the floor. Surprisingly enough, the three Loud sisters were watching the news.

"The traffic accident in Great Lakes City has seen a total of twenty-one vehicles wrecked and at least double that in lives lost," the news anchor said, "We'll bring you more on this story as further developments come in."

As the news shifted to talking about the weather, Lynn said, "Yo Luan, Lola, didn't Lori say that her boyfriend Bobby has some family living in Great Lakes City?"

"I... think so, but I don't remember clearly," Luan said, "We'll have to ask Lori later."

As Lola stood up from where she sat on the floor, Lori came walking into the living room with Leni following along behind her. Surprisingly, Leni was being followed by a maid model Servantbot like the one Lisa made for Ronnie Anne. "Hey girls, what's up?" Lori asked.

"Yo Lori, didn't you say that Bobby has family living in Great Lakes City?" Lynn asked.

"Yes, but that will literally have to wait," Lori replied, "Because I've drawn up more plans for the high school party that we're going to host here."

Looking over to where Leni stood with a maid model Servantbot, Lola said, "And Leni's apparently got one of those Servantbots that Lisa's made."

"Oh yeah!" Leni said, "Rosie here is, like, totes sweet and helpful! She isn't even bothered when I use her as a mannequin to make clothes, and she isn't bothered if my needles accidentally poke her!"

"Your needle pokes are incapable of harming me, Leni," the maid model Servantbot, apparently named Rosie by Leni, replied.

"Lisa had made a butler version for Luna that Luna had named Bender," Lori said, "I'm thinking of a way to use Rosie and Bender, as well as Jarvis if I can get Lincoln to agree to let me borrow him, to help with bringing snacks around to the party guests. Like a high end party with servants carrying around trays of snacks."

"Ooh, I like the sound of that," Lola remarked.

"Yeah well I don't like the sound of how I apparently can't join in on the party," Lynn said, sounding rather annoyed.

"It'll be a while before you're old enough for a high school party, Lynn," Lori pointed out, "In fact, it's a bit early for Luan as well in my opinion, she's only being allowed to come to make up for how her first high school party experience literally was made totally bogus. And since I'll be in charge, I can make sure the party won't be bogus."

Nodding once, Luan said, "Thanks for the consideration."

"Just try to keep the comedy to a minimum," Lori replied.

The younger Loud sisters noticed that Lori had a mild somber hint in her expression. "Hey Lori," Lola began, "Are you alright?"

Letting out a gentle and accepting smile, Lori said, "Oh, I was just remembering how Leni saved me from potentially screwing up big time yesterday is all."

"But you lost the golf game yesterday," Lynn pointed out, "Didn't you?"

Gently shaking her head, Lori said, "More like I subtly forfeited to Carol without letting her know that I was letting her take the win."

"You gave up?" Luan asked, looking surprised.

Nodding once, Lori said, "Leni and I told mom what I did yesterday, the reason behind it. She was touched and said she'd see what she could do for me about getting me into Royal Woods College after I graduate Royal Woods High School. As for what I can do in the meanwhile, I can get a job at dad's restaurant, or maybe at Bobby's Grandpa Hector's store."

"Ooh, you mentioning Bobby's Grandpa reminds me of something I wanted to ask in regards to Bobby having family in Great Lakes City," Lynn said.

"That's literally going to have to wait, Lynn," Lori replied, "Leni and I need to head out to check a few things that we need to make note of for when we get the general plan for the party thrown together. We'll be back before eight at the latest."

"Ooh, Rosie," Leni said to her Servantbot, "Can you go to me and Lori's room and wait there for me to get back?"

"Affirmative, Leni," Rosie replied before turning around heading up the stairs to go wait in Lori and Leni's room for Leni to return.

Letting out a happy squeal, Leni gushed, "Ooh, Rosie is, like, totes sweet! I bet she and Luna's robot and Linky's robot will be so cute helping to serve guests at the party!"

"We should probably warn some of our friends about the robots first, though," Lori said, "I mean, Allison and Aggro literally drew weapons upon seeing Bender for the first time and not expecting him. Granted, given how sturdy Lisa makes the Servantbots, I don't know how much damage that Aggro's katana and Allison's war hammer could have done. And I am certain they don't know about Rosie as of yet."

"Ooh, that reminds me that I need to tell Aggro about Rosie," Leni said, "I don't want him getting scared of Rosie!" The two girls then took off for the store, laughing and sharing a sister moment even though they technically aren't sisters yet. But they're going to be sisters when summer ends up rolling around.

END. CHAPTER EIGHT

Author's notes;

This chapter sees Leni as the featured plus sized sibling, helping to keep Lori from potentially souring a friendship. Lori, same as Lisa, was accepting of the Alverson siblings from the get go, but that doesn't mean that she still can't learn more about how great the Alverson siblings as people can really be. As a result, Lori makes a move to protect the future of her friend Carol Pingray, even though Lori's own future takes a hit as a result.

But Lori has other means, so her future isn't as doomed as the future of, oh, let's say a teen who was born without superpowers but then gains them but then loses them. But that's getting off subject. Anyway, while Luan, Lynn, and Lola watch a news report that may or may not foreshadow a future element in this story, Lori and Leni prepare to head out to go check things for when the teens of the Loud-Alverson group hold their own high school party.

That party still won't be for a while, as the next chapter will see Luan, Lynn, and Lola team up to help Lucy with some boy trouble she's having. Until then, take care.