A Silent Mask

by ShutDaFicUp

Lincoln becomes a mute and wears a mask for years due to Christina nasty lie. Now an outcast from school and home, will he ever be back to normal or will he live the rest of his life behind a mask? First Fanfic so constructive criticism is more than welcome.

10. Chapter 10

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Originally, I intended to include more, but I decided it would be best to continue the narrative in the next installment. I found myself rewriting certain parts multiple times to capture the right story—not due to a lack of ideas, but rather an abundance of them. Looking ahead, I think it's finally time for Christina to frame Lincoln once and for all. Ultimately, I'm satisfied with how this setting turned out. See you all soon!

Chapter 10 Scornful Antics

Lynn Jr. had said her peace about the aftermath following their departure. Now from both Girl Jordan and Christina's perspectives, the story skips ahead to Lincoln's return from suspension.

It was the start of a new week, and Lincoln, the white-haired boy, was as nervous as ever. He stood at the front door of the school, taking a deep breath to prepare himself for what lay ahead. With a resolute push, he swung the door open.

As soon as he stepped inside, the lively chatter in the hallway ceased. Students who had been engaged in animated conversations fell silent, their eyes turning towards him. Whispers began to spread, barely concealed behind cupped hands and sideways glances.

"Did you hear how badly he busted Clyde's nose?" "Yeah, I heard it was over some girls, like always," they snickered.

He clenched his fists, fighting the urge to shrink away from their scrutiny. If things couldn't get any worse, stepping into Mrs. Johnson's class only heightened Lincoln's anxiety. As soon as he crossed the threshold, he was met with a formal greeting, "Lincoln Loud? It's good to see you again, though you're a little late it seems," Mrs. Johnson said with a composed and professional tone.

Although not as intimidating as he had feared, Mrs. Johnson's demeanor suggested she had heard the news. Usually she greeted him with a warm smile and lighthearted banter. Instead, her voice was laced with disappointment, making it clear that things were different now.

"Just take your seat so we can begin class," she added.

Lincoln did not bother to explain or excuse his tardiness. His focus was solely on reaching his seat, but as he approached, he saw it was already occupied by Rusty. The moment Lincoln drew near, Rusty's eyes darted away, his body language a clear sign of intimidation.

However, it was Clyde, seated next to Rusty, who truly held Lincoln's attention. Clyde's face was a tumultuous blend of emotions—sadness, regret, and perhaps a touch of lingering comradery.

Their eyes locked into a staredown, not filled with animosity but with a heavy sense of shame. Lincoln's gaze was inevitably drawn to Clyde's nose, where an obvious white patch stood out, covering the worst of the damage. Despite the unspoken connection, it was Clyde who finally broke the eye contact, unable to bear the intensity any longer.

Breaking the ice, Mrs. Johnson chimed in, "Forgive me, Lincoln. I forgot to tell you that I've assigned you to a new seat. Please sit behind Jordan." She gestured towards the designated spot, fully aware of the classroom dynamics.

As Lincoln walked past by, he couldn't help but feel the strange uneasiness radiating from Girl Jordan's friends. Rachel nervously played with her hair, pretending as if everything was normal. Molly tapped her foot rapidly, her anxiety evident with each hurried step. Cookie winced slightly, as if he were the one at fault for some unseen transgression. Christina's eyes followed him with a worried gaze, telling him something was wrong.

However, none of their reactions compared to Girl Jordan's mannerisms. She avoided making eye contact with Lincoln, her lips curling into a smug smile. It was as if she were grinning blissfully, completely unaffected by the troubles around her. He sat down behind her, unsettled by her carefree attitude.

As Mrs. Johnson continued with her lecture, Lincoln wasted no time to address their issues. He leaned forward and whispered, "Psst, Jordan?" She remained unresponsive. Again, he said, "Jordan?" But still no response.

Determined, he whispered the familiar words he used whenever they'd been apart. "I miss you, Jordan."

Her immediate murmur cut through the air, "You don't have to keep saying my name, Lincoln. I can hear you just fine. Now what do you want?"

"Isn't it obvious. . .to talk about what happened?"

"And what would that be? Dating Christina, or your freakout against Clyde?"

With frustration evident in his voice, Lincoln said, "Everything, alright. . . I wanted to tell you, I really do. But it's so much more complicated than it seems.

He swallowed, gathering his voice. "Admit it, Jordan, there's always an obstacle that comes between us. Whether it's Clyde, Christina, or my sisters, people would rather see me fail than let us be together."

He chose his next words carefully, making sure he doesn't offend them. "And, of course, your friends, I know they have feelings for me."

The girls were within earshot, surprised by his awareness. "I care about them, just as much I care about you and Christina. So please. . . at least tell me we're still friends?"

"Don't be silly Lincoln, of course we are. In fact, I think I was wrong about you and Christina." He raised an eyebrow, confused in all. "You see, your sister got me thinking, and she's right. We're only friends, nothing less, nothing more, and I'm happy for you.

"Here's the problem, Jordan. Christina and I aren't dating!" Lincoln's exclamation caught Christina's attention, causing her to turn around and look at him. "But I'd be lying if I said nothing happened between us. Look, I'll explain everything in detail, I promise. How about we go to your place like we used to? I'm a week behind on homework anyway."

Throughout their conversation, Girl Jordan kept her gaze fixed forward, trying to maintain the appearance of listening to Mrs. Johnson's lecture. Without turning to face him, she cringed, "Oooo, yeah, I'm kinda busy at the moment. Why don't you just tell me now?"

He stumbled over his words, "I can't because... I, I don't want any bad rumors spreading about Christina. It's just, a lot happened after you left my house. Things I'm really not proud of."

In a cold icy manner, Girl Jordan said, "Here's the thing Lincoln, I don't care what you and Christina did. All I want to do now is focus on me, and I suggest you do the same."

He drooped to a deepened frown, "Oh." he said. "If that's what you want, I won't stop you. I just hope you're happy."

Without another word, Lincoln slumped forward, letting his head drop onto the desk. He buried his face in his arms, shutting out the world around him. Meanwhile, Girl Jordan continued to smile, immersing herself in the class activity to drown out his existence.

Though lost in his thoughts, Lincoln couldn't shake the overwhelming sense of smallness and helplessness. Lynn's advice echoed in his mind, yet it seemed just out of reach. "Follow your gut instinct," he reminded himself. He wiped his face, giving himself a sharp slap in an attempt to snap out of his despair.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of class, students rose from their seats and filtered out of the room. Lincoln, moving slowly, trailed behind Girl Jordan. Just as he neared the door, Christina and the others intercepted him.

"We need to talk, right now!" Christina demanded.

"Can it wait? I need to catch up with Jordan."

"No! Into the hallways, now!" She grabbed Lincoln's shirt and led him out. Once they were in the hallway, Christina turned to face Lincoln, her eyes blazing. "What the hell was that? Why did you tell Jordan we're not dating?"

Caught off guard, Rachel, Molly, and Cookie stared at her. Finally, Rachel spoke up, "Wait a minute, is it true? Are you guys actually dating?"

"No! We're not! Just give me a chance to explain!"

"Explain!?" Christina snapped back. "How about explaining the kiss at the concert? Or better yet, how about our last visit!?"

Molly, equally upset, stepped forward. "Christina, what's going on!? I thought the plan was to set Lincoln and Jordan up! Was it all a scheme to get Lincoln for yourself!?"

"Wait, you planned this all along!?" Lincoln's voice tinged with anger. "I can't believe you would sabotage my friendship with Jordan!"

Christina's eyes bore into Lincoln with a fierce intensity. She shoved him against the locker, the sound of the impact created a metallic slam. "You've got some nerve blaming me!" she spat. "You want the truth!? Fine! We all know Jordan likes you, and you like her, but both of you were too chicken shit to do anything about it!"

She pressed her hand firmly against the locker for support. "My plan was to get you two together by making her jealous. It started small, just some harmless flirting and witty banter. But in the process, I fell in love too!"

Gathering her strength, she then turned away briefly before facing him again. "Don't pretend it didn't happen. You made it official when we were in bed."

The truth hit the girls like a freight train. Cookie had her mouth covered with both hands. Molly stood motionless, fear and shock took over her body. Lastly, Rachel cried a little, appalled by his actions. While Lincoln could only stand there, speechless.

Christina, undeterred, pressed on. "I haven't told anyone about our little adventure, Lincoln. Until now."

She took a moment to catch her breath. "I had hoped that when you returned, we could tell Jordan about us together. But it turns out I was just a passing fling to you. If you want to go to her, fine. Go to her. Maybe it's better you see the truth for yourself." Lincoln, still silence, believe it was best to walk away. As he put more distance between them, Christina's voice rang out, "You're a coward, Lincoln Loud!"

Once he was out of sight, Cookie intervened and asked, "Is it true? Did you have sex with Lincoln!?"

With her shoulders slumped and her head hung low, Christina recounted the events of the concert, leading up to their intimate moment at the Loud House.

The intensity in Molly's eyes grew, her disgust for Christina's actions becoming more apparent. However, her body shook with a mix of fear, rather than anger. The image of Lincoln was now forever tainted in her mind. "It's no wonder you and Jordan have been acting strange this entire time," she said, her voice trembling. "At this point, I can't even blame her behavior. But you, it's a different story." She finished her statement, crossing her arms.

In a hushed voice, Christina began, "I know I've let you all down, especially Jordan. I'm truly sorry for what I've done. I don't expect forgiveness from everyone, but I'm already facing the consequences." She buried her face in her hands, tears streaming through her fingers as she sobbed.

Molly, Cookie, and Rachel shared passing glances. Whether she was right or wrong, they knew that level of intimacy would crush Girl Jordan. So Rachel chimes in, "Jesus Christ Christina! What on earth were you two thinking! The most I've done was touch myself to him.

Wiping off her tears, Christina sniffled and shouted, "Rachel! We haven't gone that far!"

"Oh save the crocodile tears from someone who cares!" Molly's voice flared, "Do you realize what you have done! If Jordan ever finds out, she might do something reckless! That's how much Lincoln means to her!"

"I'm sorry, I don't! I'm hopelessly in love with him!"

Christina's voice wavered as she went on, "This is the first time I've ever felt true happiness. It's real, not like it was with Corrina."

"Corrina?" Cookie repeated, "Who's Corrina?"

"Nobody! I have to go now!" Christina tries to walk away, but Cookie grabs her shoulder to stop her.

"Christina, let him go." she said softly, "Besides, I think it's no longer about him."

But she swatted Cookie's hand off her and rebuked. "Don't act like you know me. Now leave me alone." Just like Lincoln, she trailed off on her own.

Afterwards, Lincoln hurried down the hallway, determined to catch up to Girl Jordan. She walked briskly, focusing on her destination ahead. "Jordan, wait up!" he called out, his voice strained as he struggled to catch his breath. To his surprise, she stopped, clearly annoyed by his relentless pursuit. In a sarcastic tone, she said, "Wow, Lincoln, you really don't know how to respect my boundaries. Very well, let's talk."

Lincoln's eyes beam open with hope, "Jordan thank you for hearing me out." he said elated. As they walked together, he continued on, determined to explain everything. "I just want to start off how important our friendship is."

"Uh huh," she responded. A long streak of rambling poured out from him. While Girl Jordan uninterested, offered only short replies.

"I'm afraid we're growing apart."

"Uh huh"

"I don't want to lose you."

"Right."

"When Clyde lied about the concert, it got me worried."

"Got it."

"If he could break off our friendship like that, what's stopping us from doing the same."

"Funny, when it comes down to sneaking and lying. It seems you and Clyde have that in common."

Fuming with frustration, Lincoln reached out and firmly grasped Girl Jordan's shoulder, forcing her to face him. "I get it!" he snapped, "You're angry, and I messed up!"

This causes them to stop in their tracks. "At least listen to me, then decide if you hate me or not." She gave him an intense glare, but it did get her attention.

With a heavy sigh, he softened his tone. "I made a huge mistake, and I only made it worse after you left my house. If I tell you everything, you might never want to see me again." He leaned in closer, the seriousness in his eyes. "But you deserve to know the truth."

Slowly, he took Girl Jordan's hand, clasping together with both of his. To her surprise, she seemed to relax, and her expression softened. "Before I go on, there's something I need to say. I lo. . ."

His confession was cut off by an unknown voice that called out to them. "There you are!" he said. Girl Jordan's face immediately lit up with a smile. "Chad!" she exclaimed eagerly, rushing towards him. He caught her in his arms, and they spun together, laughter echoing through the hallway. She planted a loving kiss on his cheek, causing Chad to blush and rub the back of his neck. "Babe, not in front of Lincoln," he murmured.

The unexpected interaction made Lincoln's eyes widen in shock. A knot formed in his stomach, his mouth went dry, and beads of sweat began to form on his forehead. While he stood there observing their blissful moment, Lincoln felt himself sinking deeper in pure embarrassment.

Finally, Girl Jordan responded, "Sorry about the wait, Chad. I was going to meet you after class, but Lincoln distracted me." Chad simply tapped on Lincoln's arm and said, "Buddy, I know you two stick together like white on rice, but give me Jordan time to time will ya." he laughed.

Girl Jordan did a soft elbow to his side, "Chad, he doesn't know, remember he had that fight with Clyde."

In response, Chad facepalm and said, "Oh right duh. Girl Jordan and I planned to tell you after your suspension. Thanks to you, we became a couple."

In his confused stupor, Lincoln asked, "Thanks to me? Wait, what did I do? And how do you know we're so close?"

"I'll handle this," Girl Jordan interjected. "Remember when we chatted about our crushes? Well, I wasn't entirely honest. It turns out you actually know him."

The sudden realization was hitting Lincoln all too fast, leaving him dumbfounded more than before. She continued, "I'm sorry for not being truthful. I didn't want you to track him down and give away any hints."

Then she reach out to Chad's hand, holding it tightly, "You told me he felt the same way about me. And thanks to your support, I would never have had the courage to ask him out."

Chad, oblivious to Lincoln's true feelings, said cheerfully, "She explained to me how the two of you are the best of friends. And it was you who gave her the push to confess." He gave Lincoln a friendly pat on the shoulder. "I can't thank you enough, Lincoln. I thought I never had a chance with her."

In his weak mental state, Lincoln replied sheepishly, "Oh. . . glad I could help. Congratulations to the both of you."

Placing her hands over her heart, Girl Jordan coo, "Aw, thanks Lincoln. Hey Chad, how about we invite him to join us for lunch? We can share the story of how we got together!" she said gleefully.

"That's a great idea!" he answered. "Listen, we should all get a move on. We don't want to be late for our next class."

And with that, Chad took Girl Jordan by the arm, heading straight to their next destination. Caught in the rush, Girl Jordan looked back with a warm smile. Her hand lifted in a graceful wave. "Ta, Ta, Lincoln," she called out, her voice fading as they disappeared down the hall.

As Lincoln watched them go, he closed his eyes, his head dropping in silent resignation. The weight of his actions pressed heavily on his mind. He reflected on losing the girl of his dreams, knowing deep down that he couldn't pin the blame on anyone else or the circumstances around him. This was entirely his fault.

He had gotten greedy, thinking he could balance two girls at once, and now he was paying the ultimate price. Girl Jordan, Christina, Clyde—all the people he held dear—had slipped away, vanishing from his life. There was nothing left to fix, no wrongs to right. Acceptance was the only path forward. He clutched his chest where his heart ached, feeling the sharp sting of grief for the first time.

He blinked away the heaviness from his eyes and straightened up, determined to face the day. As he made his way to class, the lively bustle of school surrounded him. Students waved their hands in excitement, sprinted across the gym in P.E., or immersing themselves in elective art.

Each subject passed by in a blur, with Lincoln barely engaging enough to keep up. His mind was a heavy fog of regret and sorrow. Then Lunchtime arrived, and he found himself standing in the cafeteria, scanning the room for an empty seat.

He felt alone, adrift in a sea of familiar faces. The idea of sitting with Girl Jordan's friends seemed desperate and out of place, even though he considered them his friends too. The chasm between him and the people around him seemed to widen, leaving him feeling more isolated than ever.

Without Clyde around, Lincoln sticks out like a sore thumb. Sure he had acquaintances outside his immediate circle, but sitting with any of them would expose his reasons for seeking their company. His pride couldn't handle the pity.

Lincoln's eyes darted around the bustling cafeteria, searching desperately for a place to sit. Then his gaze landed on a familiar table, and his heart sank. Girl Jordan and Chad sat there, laughing and engaged in conversation. Panic surged through him as he tried to find another seat, but the room seemed to close in around him.

Just as he considered making a quick exit, he heard Chad's voice cutting through the din, "Lincoln! Over here!" Chad waved enthusiastically, drawing attention to Lincoln's predicament. With no escape, Lincoln braced himself for another round of awkward interactions, hoping he could die this very instance.

Setting his tray down across them, anxiety washed over him as the two flirted. Girl Jordan's fingers danced up Chad's arm, like a climber scaling a peak. Their soft giggles were an unwelcome soundtrack to his ears.

To break through their bubble, he cleared his throat. Making them snap back to reality. "Oh! Lincoln, sorry about that. We got caught up in the moment." Girl Jordan smiled warmly. "It's great you're here with us. I've been dying to tell you how it all started." Her eyes narrowed slightly, her smile seemed more malicious than it looks.

Leaning in, she rested her chin on her hands. "We began dating right after my visit from your house. It wasn't a grand gesture or anything. I just rang his doorbell and asked him out."

Chad joined in, "Honestly, it felt magical to me. I always had a crush on Jordan, but I was too nervous to approach her. When she showed up out of the blue, my heart skipped a beat."

Girl Jordan responded with a dreamy sigh, clasping her hands against her cheeks. "Aw, Chaddy Cakes." Lincoln internally recoiled at the nickname "Chaddy Cakes," feeling a surge of irritation. His right eye twitched; the ridiculousness of the name igniting a spark of anger.

Chad continued, "Yeah, we went on a date that same day! We rode the new Dairyland attraction, Fly Me to the Moo!"

"Dairyland?" Lincoln echoed, shifting his gaze to Girl Jordan. She offered a soft shrug and a sheepish grin, "Sorry Lincoln. We were supposed to go together, but you were grounded. It seemed like such a perfect date idea, and I couldn't resist. You understand, don't you?"

And Lincoln did, Girl Jordan was purposely rubbing her new relationship in his face. Meanwhile, Molly, Cookie, and Rachel watch from a distance, disturbed by the outcome.

Rachel winced, "Oooo, this is too painful to watch."

Molly added, "Tell me about it, he's getting killed out there."

While Cookie pointed toward a particular redhead and remarked, "Uh, girls, I think it's about to get worse." Christina had just entered the cafeteria, her sharp eyes quickly assessing the situation. She saw right through Girl Jordan's plan and moved in to intervene.

With purposeful strides, she approached the trio's table and made herself comfortable next to Lincoln. She playfully twirled his hair and spoke in a cutesy voice, "There you are, Linky! I've been looking everywhere for you." Her gaze flicked to Girl Jordan for a brief moment, making her tense up.

Turning her attention back to Lincoln, Christina continued, "Remember our talk earlier today? I'm ready to forget it if we come clean right now." She faced Girl Jordan once more, her expression challenging. "Seems appropriate, don't you think?"

Once again, Lincoln was thrown into another kerfuffle he was in no mood of. But this time, he knew exactly what to say. Rising from his seat, he adopted a more serious demeanor. "As a matter of fact, it is." he began, his voice steady.

"Jordan, you deserve someone who respects you, stands by you when you need it, and brings a smile to your face. And I think Chad is the guy who can do all that."

As Lincoln spoke, Girl Jordan's expression softened, her initial intentions dissolving.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I need some time alone," Lincoln concluded. He picked up his tray and walked away, but Christina wasn't about to let him go so easily. She followed him, wrapping her arms around his.

Chad watched the interaction and remarked, "Woah, are those two together? Now it all makes sense."

"What do you mean?"

"Turns out I was wrong." he chuckled, shaking his head. "I always suspected there was something more between you and Lincoln. That's why I never made a move."

He dipped his fry into ketchup and took a bite, chewing thoughtfully before continuing. "Jordan, you're lucky to have a friend like Lincoln. He gave us his blessing and wished us well. That shows true character if you ask me."

Girl Jordan murmured, her voice soft, "Yeah. . . I guess it does."

After leaving the cafeteria, Christina halted and turned to Lincoln. "Why did you stop? You were supposed to tell them we're dating. It's clear she's trying to make you jealous!"

Lincoln cut her off gently, "Christina, I know what she's doing. But there's something I need to tell you too." He shrugged off her grip on his arm, prompting her to release him.

"Meet me in the library after school," he requested.

"Lincoln, I..." Christina started, but Lincoln placed a finger on her lips to silence her. "After school," he repeated firmly. With Christina left speechless, he walked away before things could escalate any further.

Fast forward to their meetup, Christina spotted the white hair boy just as he promised. She silently settled next to him, noticing a bright smile spreading across his face.

"Hey Lincoln," she said, trying to sound casual.

He looked up, "Oh hey Christina! what's up?"

Something felt off about him, he greeted her as if he was pretending nothing had happened. It made her heart beat unnaturally, a sign of nervousness taking over. "Not much. Just, you know, reading. What about you?" She gave an idiotic reply back, of course that wasn't true.

"Same here," Lincoln replied, holding up his comic book. "I love these stories. They always make me laugh."

Christina chuckled sheepishly, playing along to his antics. "Yeah, you always seem so happy. It's nice."

He shrugged modestly. "I just try to see the good in everything, I guess."

Lincoln was masking his true emotions and she was aware of it. His smile seems disingenuous, surface level even. His hands trembled as he clutched his comic book, trying to shield his face. But it was obvious he was crying. The book shook in his grasp like a fragile leaf in the wind. Christina gently reached for it, but his grip was strong. Leaning closer, she softly said, "Lincoln, you could drop the act. It's okay, let it all out."

Finally, Lincoln's grip loosen, exposing a boy overwhelmed with sorrow. Christina slide the comic book away, giving him space to gather his thoughts. His lips quivered, and his breaths came in short, shaky gasps. "I lost her... and it was all my fault... I pushed her away, and all she wanted to do was help."

"Forget about her Lincoln. At least I'm here to pick up the pieces." Christina's heart aches, "Why can't you see I'm doing the same."

"And that's what I don't get? How could you come back to me so easily?" Lincoln clenched his fist in frustration, "I'm crying over her and ignoring you. And yet, you still want to stay with me? Why?"

Christina cupped Lincoln's face, turning it toward her. "Because I know my love for you is real. If you give me a chance, us a chance. You will find happiness."

He closed his eyes, savoring the warmth of her touch, but then pulled away. "No," Lincoln denied, "You're too good for me. I don't deserve you or Jordan." He glanced back at her one last time. "That's why I've decided not to choose either of you."

Furrowing her brow, she reply, "What? Lincoln, you're too hard on yourself. There's still a chance with me."

"I can't choose, Christina," he whispered softly. "Like you said, I can't keep stringing you two along. It's hurting both of you." He stood up, retrieving a cellphone from his pocket and handed it to her. "Here, you forgot this."

As the screen lit up, an unread text message icon appeared. Christina immediately opened the message. The text was from an unknown number, but a glance revealed it was from Rita. It was a heartfelt apology, inviting Christina over for dinner to get to know her better.

Christina looked back at Lincoln, her eyes questioning. He met her gaze with calm resolve. "I think we should all start fresh, you, me, and Jordan. This time, only as friends."

With nothing left to say, Lincoln walked away, ending the love triangle once and for all. Christina found herself alone, with only her thoughts for company. She murmured to herself, "I wonder if we told Jordan about the incident in Lincoln's room? Would we still be friends? Maybe Lincoln and I would've been official?"

Unbeknownst to her, Girl Jordan was hidden among the bookshelves, silently watching. Her eyes were shadowed, her body still. "Who am I kidding? Molly was right; telling her would have been too much." Drowning out the tension, Christina picks up the comic book Lincoln had left, and reads it in peace.

That night, Girl Jordan lie alone, reflecting on her actions. Her mission to friendzone Lincoln had been a resounding success. Though it had only been a day, her scheme to torment him was designed to last much longer. Satisfaction washed over her as she recalled the look of embarrassment and anger on Lincoln's face. It quenched her thirst for revenge.

But as she thought about his sadness and honesty, a twinge of guilt crept in. She shook her head, trying to dismiss the feeling. "No," she told herself firmly, "he got what he deserved. Maybe he'll think twice before ever taking me for granted!"

Still, her worry for him lingered. "Except he did, my plan worked. Perhaps... a little too well," she rambled. Is this what she wanted? She tried to dig deeper, after the initial hurt and sting wore off. She began to acknowledge how hurt he must have been. Despite her own pain, it pained her even more to see him cry. Suddenly, memories of her comforting the white-haired outcast resurfaced. Where their friendship solidified and grew, back when they first met.

Now, she found herself questioning everything. The chaos surrounding Lincoln's supposed cheating had clouded her judgment. In reality, he hadn't cheated. They were never even dating, and it all stemmed from her fear of confronting her own feelings. Luna had been right—she was selfish, keeping Lincoln to herself without considering his needs. All he ever wanted was for her to be happy. Boyfriend or not, she realized her happiest moments were with him. With a heavy heart, she turned off the lamp on her nightstand, hoping there's still a chance to make things right.

The next day, Girl Jordan decided to approach Lincoln with a more affectionate touch. She noticed him down the hall and hurried up behind him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Startled, Lincoln exclaimed, "Christina! You can't be all clingy, remember what we talked about?" He turned and saw it was Girl Jordan. "Oh, Jordan?" he said, surprised. "I didn't expect that. Are you feeling okay?"

She beamed warmly, "Of course I am, now that you're here."

He answered sheepishly, "Oh, that's great." But inside, he feared it was another way to rub her hatred. Sensing his lukewarm reaction, Girl Jordan buckled down being friendly. She rested her chin on his shoulder and pouted, "Is that all you've got? Don't you miss me?" giving him a puppy eye look.

Instead, it struck a nerve, causing his eye to twitch slightly. "Jordan... can we please head to class?" he asked, trying to keep his composure.

"Absolutely!" Girl Jordan said with enthusiasm. She looped her arms through his, causing him to feel a bit uneasy. Lincoln tried to brush it off respectfully, but she held on tighter. As they walked together, Lincoln glanced at her. She smiled giddily, and he forced a wide, toothy grin in return.

Things only got worse when Mrs. Johnson asked the students to pass their papers to the back. Girl Jordan leaned back and rested her head on his desk, handing him a worksheet with a cheerful, "Here you go, bestie." It felt more like a jab than a friendly gesture.

During the continued lecture, Girl Jordan whispered, "Psst, Lincoln."

"What!?" he replied, clearly annoyed.

The response went right over her head. She replied, "Hey, the pool party is still going down. I was thinking, maybe you and the girls want to go swimsuit shopping?" Lincoln's pencil slipped from his fingers, but Rachel quickly interjected, "Uh, Jordan, don't you think it's a bit weird for him to come tag along with us?"

"Nonsense! Just because he's a guy doesn't mean it's awkward. Besides, I want his honest opinion on my swimsuit choice." Her friends exchanged unamused glances. They were growing increasingly annoyed with her behavior towards Lincoln. "Wouldn't it make more sense to bring Chad?" Molly counters, emphasizing, "You know, your boyfriend."

"Sure, let's bring him too. That way, Lincoln won't feel out of place." Molly pinched the bridge of her nose, adding more trouble for Lincoln.

"I'm sorry, Jordan, but I actually can't go to the mall," Lincoln said, searching for an excuse. "I accidentally knocked over some displays when my sister was working. So I promise her I will try to keep my distance for now."

"Lincoln, come here," she said, beckoning him with a wiggling finger. He reluctantly leaned in, sensing trouble. "If you don't, I'll tell everyone you still sleep with a stuffed rabbit," He gasped, narrowing his eyes. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Try me?" she smug politely.

Grinding his teeth and clenching his fists, Lincoln said, "I guess I don't see the harm in coming. Fine, I'm in."

She clapped excitedly, "Perfect! This is going to be fun!" Throughout the day, Girl Jordan continued to be obnoxious at Lincoln's expense. During P.E., she informed Chad about their shopping plans in front of Lincoln, prompting Chad to give him a friendly smack on the back. "Aw man, aren't we the luckiest guys in the world? We get to see girls in their bathing suits," he eagerly said.

At lunch, they found a secluded spot outside. Girl Jordan nestled herself next to Lincoln on one side, with Chad on the other. They chatted animatedly about how Lincoln and Chad should also buy swim trunks. Girl Jordan playfully nudged Lincoln with her shoulder, prompting Chad to do the same. Lincoln's body swayed from side to side, his expression growing more upset.

Their laughter and giggles filled the air, with Girl Jordan genuinely enjoying herself. She smiled softly, her eyelids half-closed in contentment. In the spur of the moment, she rested her head on Lincoln's shoulder and murmured, "Hmm, Lincoln." Lincoln immediately leaned away, raising an eyebrow in surprise. Chad, noticing the interaction, grew concerned. "Jordan, are you usually this physical with Lincoln?"

She shrugged, feigning innocence. "What's the big deal? Lincoln's like my go-to person. Sometimes when I'm feeling down or tired, I just need a shoulder to rest on."

Chad laughed awkwardly. "Shouldn't that be my job?"

"Duh, you're my boyfriend. I only did it because Lincoln was right here. If you want, come over and take his place."

"Oh... ok." Chad quickly wedged himself between Lincoln and Girl Jordan, who now nestled her head on his shoulder. However, her eyes hovered over the back of Chad's head, glancing at Lincoln instead. At this moment, Lincoln didn't know whether to feel mad or hurt. Her previous comment had only added to his confusion.

She snaked her arm over Chad, momentarily washing his doubts away. But in reality, she was purposely caressing Lincoln's cheek. She whispered, "Don't move, I miss you."

A blush crept onto Chad's cheeks as he felt the warm tickle of her breath on his neck. "Babe, we saw each other yesterday. I ain't going anywhere," he replied with a soft smile, completely oblivious to the silent message intended for Lincoln.

Lincoln saw the sincerity in her eyes. They weren't just eyes; they were windows to the grief and longing she felt for him. "You don't need to say anything. Please, just let me enjoy this," she whispered. This wasn't a trick, he finally realized the genuine honesty in her voice. So he lolled the weight of his head onto her hand, feeling the unspoken connection they were having.

She blurted out, "Hold me," prompting Chad to wrap his arms around her, abruptly breaking their intimate moment. Lincoln stood up, brushing off his jeans. "Well, I don't need to stick around for this. I've seen enough lovey-dovey festivals with my sister's boyfriend. I should go."

Once he left, Chad smirked and said, "Babe, we've gotta stop flirting in front of Lincoln. We're making him feel like a third wheel."

"You're right, Chad. . . I should apologize to him when I get the chance." she replied disappointed.

At the mall, the girls wandered through the aisles of Reininger's, each absorbed in their own shopping adventure. By a colorful rack, Rachel stood holding a swimsuit in each hand, her eyes darting between them as she sought Molly's opinion on which one looked best. Across the store, Cookie navigated through the younger section, her fingers brushing the fabrics as she skimmed the aisles. Her petite stature set her apart, making her seem out of place among the standard 5th-grade sizes.

In the changing rooms, Christina and Girl Jordan occupied adjacent cubicles, each concealed behind the small partitions. But to Girl Jordan, this presented a golden opportunity to resolve their conflict.

She stated bluntly, "I was at the library yesterday." Christina paused, halting her dressing "All I'm going to say is, it's water under the bridge."

Christina inhaled deeply and let out a heavy sigh. "Thank you, Jordan. You don't know how much that means to me. For what it's worth, I'm sorry for the trouble I caused."

"Yeah, well, I guess I was kind of a pill to Lincoln too. And before you ask, we're good now." Girl Jordan gave a weak smile, glancing in the mirror. "He said we should start fresh. Don't you agree?"

"Nothing sounds better than that." She grinned, but her smile faltered, leading to a frown. "Listen, Jordan, about Lincoln and I..."

"Save it, Christina," she said sternly. "I don't want to hear it. It's better this way."

Christina nodded remorsefully. "Okay, I won't, but since we're starting fresh, there's something I need to make clear. . . I do have a crush on him."

"Shocker," Girl Jordan rolled her eyes.

"Let me finish. I want to start on equal footing. Where we both have a chance with him."

"Christina, you do realize I'm with Chad, right?"

"Are you?" Christina rebutted. "The way I see it, you're using the poor guy to get back at Lincoln."

Girl Jordan sighed, "I'd be lying if I said that wasn't true. But there's a part of me that does care about him. Maybe not as much as Lincoln, but enough to love him." She struck a few poses, trying different angles for a better view. "But if something did happen between us, I wouldn't hesitate to go after Lincoln."

"What if he's already been taken?"

"Then I'll wish you good luck and hope for the best."

Christina relaxed her shoulders, relieved by the approval. "I'm going to make sure you regret that."

"Whatever," Girl Jordan retorted. "I bet he likes my bathing suit more than yours."

"Oh, you're so on," Christina challenged.

"Hey, are you two still in there? We've found what we needed and we're ready to pay," Rachel informed. "The guys are waiting for us. They're starting to get bored."

"Good, bring them over. Maybe we can put on a little show," Girl Jordan said all excited.

Molly, fed up with her antics, interjected. "Jordan, this has gone on long enough. Whatever argument you three are having needs to end now. Teasing Lincoln is crossing the line into bullying. Just make up already, will ya?"

Christina and Girl Jordan burst into laughter, causing Molly, Cookie, and Rachel to exchange puzzled looks. Christina added, "Don't worry, we've made up, including Lincoln. Now call the guys over; we want their honest opinions."

Cookie rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "Now that I think about it, Lincoln seems a lot happier than this morning. Are you sure everyone's good?"

"Yes!" Girl Jordan confirmed. "Now please, get the boys."

Hearing the commotion, Chad rushed in. "No need! We're already here!"

"Chad, can you cut it out already?" Lincoln said, irritated. "They're just trying on their clothes to check the fit. It's not like they're going to put on a fashion show for us."

"Funny thing to say, Lincoln. That's exactly what we're going to do." With a swift motion, Christina pulled the curtains aside, revealing herself in a navy blue two-piece Rip Curl bikini. The lace straps, closer to her neck than her shoulders, accentuated her figure, drawing attention to her toned shoulders and collarbone. She stood confidently, her posture exuding self-assurance as she held her arms behind her back, proudly showcasing her voluptuous curves. Her skin glowed under the store's lighting, highlighting the smooth contours of her body. The bikini hugged her form perfectly, emphasizing her hourglass shape. Tilting her head slightly, she smirked proudly. "So, what do you think, boys?"

Chad's eyes fully lifted, his jaw dropping as he struggled to form coherent words. The only sound that escaped his lips were, "Pah, Pah, Pah… Pah, Pah, Pah," as if he was gasping for air. Meanwhile, Lincoln's mind was racing a mile a minute. He remembered the sensation of those curves before, and now seeing them was an entirely new experience. A pool of saliva formed in his mouth, where a long strand of drool fell to the floor, making an audible splat.

"Don't forget about me!" Girl Jordan exclaimed as she dramatically revealed herself. She whipped her braided ponytail behind her, revealing a confident, radiant smile. Leaning forward slightly, she placed one hand on her knee and the other on her hip, purposefully arching her back to accentuate her smooth rump and toned legs. She struck an alluring pose in a striking three-piece swimsuit. The yellow bathing top contrasted beautifully with her complexion, while the matching beach cover-up skirt flowed gracefully around her hips. The blue bikini bottom underneath added a splash of color, completing the vibrant ensemble. Though she was less thick than Christina, she knew damn well how to pull them off.

The stimulation was too much for Chad. His eyes rolled back into his skull, and a dumb grin spread across his face. As if on cue, he collapsed backward, fainting on the spot with a thud. As for Lincoln, he had an entirely different reaction. A sudden surge of heat rushed to his head, and a shockwave of nerves ran through his spine. He felt his heart pounding in his chest. As if in slow motion, a trickle of blood began to flow from his nose. Bewildered, he touched the crimson stream, a thought flashing through his mind: This must be what Clyde feels every time he sees Lori. Panic set in, and he frantically shouted, "I have to go use the restroom!" and sped off, leaving a trail of dust in his wake.

The two girls exchanged dirty looks. Girl Jordan pointed to herself, "I won. I made Lincoln's nose bleed."

"Are you kidding? I did. He was literally drooling over me."

"Well, Chad fainted."

"That's because he couldn't handle the both of us!" Christina shot back.

They continued to banter over who looked the prettiest. While the other girls felt annoyed by their behavior.

Rachel scoffed, "Ugh, we're in 5th grade. Do they really need to dress like that?"

"Yeah, just pick a simple one-piece like us! They're going out of their way just to impress some dorky boys!" Molly scorned.

Cookie wore a dry expression, smacking her lips before speaking. "We need boyfriends," she said bluntly.

"Yeah. . . we do." they admitted disappointedly.

From a distance, Leni leaned over a counter with her arms crossed, watching by as Lincoln's friends argued and goofed off in the store. She quickly made a call, "Hey Lori, don't worry about Lincoln. He's in good hands."