Linc asks Lynn out

Linc sighed as he walked on the carpet. He passed by Lily, she was sucking on her thumb. He waved at her. She popped her thumb off and smiled and clapped at him. His walk was slow, he was dragging his feet across the floor. Lily kept clapping.

“Not now Lily.” Linc said.

Lynn ran past Linc and picked Lily. “Hey Lily.” Lynn cooed at her. “Linc is uch a bad brother ain’t he Lily?” She bopped her forehead on Lily’s made kissing noises.

Linc sighed. The dark green couch sat in front of him and she was there gazing at the world absently. On his left Lola was watching her reflection as usual. He took a step and Lola spoke up.

“Move dunderhead.” He blocked her lighting and he moved out of the way. “Thank you.” Her tiara didn’t fall as she bowed.

She was playing on her phone. Beep, boop and boop. LCD phones produced so many sounds today. He dragged feet across the floor his breath shallow in his lungs.

Lynn held Lily’s hands up and slowly pushed them together. As Lily was reaching for her hair Lynn turned around. Linc was halway towards the couch his arms stiff by his side. “Hey,” she called out. “Wait for me.” She ran carrying Lily. Luan was there and she dropped Lily off on Luan.

“Lily~” Luan kissed Lily by her cheeks. “What’s a flower but smells bad?”

He stopped at the base of the couch.

She was fiddling with her phone. “Why won’t this thing work?” She tapped the screen and turned it over. She looked at the small space between the covers. “I bet this is where the radio is hidden.”

“Leni can I ask a question?” Linc’s shoulder sagged. Leni’s feet rested on the couche’s arm. Clean. “Leni?”

“Huh?” Leni looked up from her phone. “Uh, Hey Jon.”

Linc rolled his eyes.

“Hey Lincoln,” Leni smiled playfully.

“I was wondering if you could help me with something,” he said. Lynn stepped up by his left. She was grinning almost smiling. “I was wondering-”

“Oh,” Leni clasped her hands. “I like wandering. Last week at the mall, I just wandered around and kept bumping into these very nice people. They said they’d put me in a movie. I just need to sign some papers.” Leni’s smile widened. “Isn’t that great? So I signed the papers. Aries, Virgo, Scorpio. They left pretty much upset afterwards though.”

Linc turned to Lynn and she shrugged. Linc turned back to Leni.

“No Leni, can you help me with this teeny tiny problem,” He watched Leni play with her hands. “You see I have this classmate-”

“A girl,” Lynn said.

Linc’s right arm went to his left. He moved it up and down in slow motions. “So, uhm, how do you exactly-”

“Linc?” Leni’s brows furrowed.

“A girl’s been bugging Romeo here,” Lynn shrugged her right shoulder to Linc. “He wouldn’t even say ‘Hi!’.”

“She isn’t-” Linc shrugged. “I just want her to leave me alone, okay?”

Leni’s smile turned into a wide grin, her white teeth shining in the afternoon light. “So Linc has crush?” She turned to Lynn. “Do I know this girl?” Is she cute?””

Linc shook his head. “What? No. Eww.” A flush slowly crept up Linc’s neck. “Girls are gross. Ewww”

Lynn laughed. Leni hid behind her hands but a giggle still escaped.

“Okay, not a crush.” Leni waved her hand. “Just maybe, a little love.”

A guitar riff blared from behind a lamp. “Do a little dance,” Luna sang. “Make a little love.”

Leni turned her head side to side as she sang long. “~Needs a little love.~”

Linc froze as even Lynn bobbed along to the tune.

“Get down tonight.” Luna’s head bobbed up and down as she sang out loud. “Get down tonight.”

The guitar rifts stopped. Luna frowned. “Eeped!” She jerked away. “Lori!”

Lori appeared frowning, holding an electric plug connected to Luna’s amp.

“Why are we having a glee sing-off?” She tapped impatiently on her left arm.

“Linc found a girlfriend,” Leni shouted.

Linc unfroze. “Wait-”

“How?-” Lori froze.

Lucy materialized behind the couch. “A girlfriend? A person you don’t like but you can’t live without. You spend your life being emotionally dependent on each other while mooching on each others-”

They heard Lola screech. “Lincoln, you never said you were getting a girlfriend.”

Lynn prodded Linc on the side, eyebrows raised. “Wait, you two hooked up already?”

Linc faced her glaring. Lynn didn’t flinch, well maybe a little. “She’s not, Leni’s just, being Leni again.”

Lori recovered. She turned to Linc and offered a smile. “Wow, congrats little bro. Always knew you had it in you.”

Linc raised an eyebrow.

Lori tittered a little. “Never doubted you for a second.”

“So I think the wedding should be held in December, no March.” Leni counted on her fingers. “It should never be held in a month where it gets cold before it gets hot.”

Linc stared as Leni kept yapping and yapping on. Words were coming out of Leni’s lips but Linc just watched. Then he snapped out of it and grabbed Leni by her shoulders.

“Sis,” Linc said. “Stop. I’m not getting married.” He rattled Leni’s soft shoulders over and over. “I’m only 11.”

“Besides you’re dork.” Lynn pat his back.

Linc glared at Lynn. She didn’t flinch this time.

“Uhh, Linc.” Leni grabbed his arms and he stopped shaking. “I, maybe, gonna hurl.” Leni’s cheeks balooned and Linc’s eyes shot wide open.

“Here.” Lana threw plastic garbage bin in the air. Lynn jumped and caught it.

“Nice throw Lana.” Lynn gave her thumbs up. She passed the bin to Linc and he held it out in front of Leni.

“Leni?” Linc said watching Leni’s face. Her eyes were spinning and drool slipped from her mouth. Linc’s eyes narrowed. “Eww.”

Leni shook her head and recovered. “I’m good,” she said. Her eyes got to focus and she looked at Linc straight at his face. “I think I’m good, thanks Linc,” she said as Linc gave her a small smile.

Lori eyed Leni’s hands which were still on Linc’s arms. “Okay, so if little Lincoln here isn’t hitched yet then what’s going on?”

“Little?”

“Just a little girl problem for little bro here,” Lynn said.

Lori huffed and pulled out her phone. She from behind Luna and into the couch. “Scooch over Leni.” Leni broke her hold on Linc as Lori settled down on the sofa. She pulled out her phone and started texting.

Leni’s head was still a little droopy as she spoke. “Okay. You need help. Got it.” She tilted her head to the side, her shiny hair waving. “Help with what exactly?”

“He needs help in picking flowers when he declares his undying love for her.” Lynn clutched her tummy as she laughed. “Which are the ones that mean pure love again? Yellow?” She wiped the lone tear from her left eye.

Linc snapped at Lynn. “Why are you still here?” His fangs blared. “Don’t you have balls to grab and play with?”

Lynn stopped laughing but held her grin. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world bro.”

He was glaring at Lynn but turned to Leni as she coughed. “Linc?”

Linc scrunched his brows and the flush spread from his neck up to his cheeks. Leni turned to Lynn. Lynn watched Linc’s face with blinking eyes but stop as she noticed Leni looking at her. Lynn shrugged and Leni focused her eyes at Lincoln.

“So you want to talk to her?” Leni said.

Linc nodded.

Leni bit her lip. “Then what’s the problem?” She chewed over her lips. “You have 10 sisters, and this girl scares you?”

Linc nodded as his blushed went redder.

Leni leaned forward and touched Linc’s hands. His were cold, hers were warm. “She scares you?” Lori’s phone beeped. Leni ignored it and clasped Linc’s hand. “How? You can talk to us.”

“But you’re not.” Linc said as he swung theirs hands side to side. “It’s not the same.”

Lynn who was already frowning frowned even harder. “Are you saying we’re not real girls?”

“Well,” Linc said as he eyed Lynn over. “Not you at least.”

Lynn’s nostril flared. “Why you-”

Linc broke Leni’s hold and glared at Lynn. “You’ve been annoying ever since you saw her bugging me.”

“I was trying to help.” Lynn shot her arms up. “I was giving tactical info and you don’t even listen.”

“Some help you are,” he said. “You just stood there frozen as she held me hostage.”

“I was scoping out the situation,” she said. “You can’t just tackle a problem without thinking of a play.”

Linc got up into Lynn’s face. “You can’t even look at us for more than 3 seconds. You kept looking back to your locker.” Lynn blinked as Lori’s phone beeped again. “Admit it you’re just a chicken.”

“Me chicken?” Lynn shoved her face into Linc’s. “I’ll show you chicken.”

The rest of the Louds watched as Lynn as Linc had a glaring contest. Lynn’s nostrils were flaring as Linc’s teeth were clenched. Lola took closed her compact and watched with an open mouth. Luna fiddled with her the tuner of her guitar as Lynn and Linc got closer and closer to each other’s faces.

Leni looked at Linc then at Lynn then at Linc then at Lynn again. “Wait, wait.” She shoved them apart breaking their spell. “Quiet you two you guys are ruining chin for my evening mask.”

Even apart they were still glaring at each other. Leni huffed as she massaged her nose. “I’m thinking.”

A riff blared from Luna’s speaker. “♪ I’m waiting for the day.♬”

“Done.” Leni said smiling.

“That was fast.” Luan still held Lily her arms as Lily tried to reach for her hair. “Like most of my jokes a fast delivery ensures its maximum effectivity.”

Leni beamed at Lynn as she grabbed her hands and beamed Linc as she grabbed his. “I have a great idea.” She held their hands up. “Why don’t the both you go on a date?”

“WHAT?” Lori shouted.

The Louds looked to Lori as she shied beneath her phone. “What?” she said.

“No this is a good idea,” Leni took Lynn’s hand. “You guys obviously have issues you need to work out.” She folded it over Linc’s hand. “So you two work it out over a date.”

Leni beamed as she looked at both of them. Linc turned to Lynn who wasn’t frowning but wasn’t smiling either.

“I don’t think-” Linc blinked as Lynn wrapped her soft but calloused hand around his. “-it’s a good idea Leni.”

Leni reached forward and grabbed Linc’s face. “It’s a great idea.” They were almost nose to nose. Linc blinked again as Lynn grasped him harder. Leni’s bright smile was still there. “I thought of it myself, why wouldn’t it be great? Plus getting a date with a cute girl like Lynn would rid you of your nerves.”

“LENI!” Lynn said. Linc’s eyes widened as Lynn’s cheeks became rosy red.

“Come on Linc,” Leni said. “Lynn practically said yes.”

“I didn’t agree to anything.” Lynn was frowed as Luan from the back was making kissy faces a her. Lily made kissing noised from Luan’s hand but she was baby.

“Yet.” Leni removed her hands from Linc’s face. Leni was beaming at him and Lynn was frowning but blushing. “I don’t know.”

Luna spoke up. “Nothings good comes at letting a woman wait bro.”

Linc watched with wide eys as blushing Lynn kept switching from frowning at him to glaring at Luna. “But why Lynn of all people?”

Lori’s phone beeped, louder this time. “Oh boy,” she said as she palmed her face.

Lynn jerked her hand away from Linc. “What’s that suppose to mean?”

His hands got a little colder. “I don’t know, just why?”

“Why?” Lynn was flaming. “What? You think I’m not- You- You?”

“I’m just saying.” Linc shrugged. “What do you know the first thing about dating?”

“I know lots about dating.” Lynn was calmed, a little. “I’m an dating pro. I’ve been on a dozen dates and all of them were rated highly by my matches. If dating awarded a trophy I would have won it.”

“I don’t know.” Linc shrugged his shoulders over Lori. “Maybe I should ask Lori out. She seems like an expert. She’s been out like thousands of times more than a dozen.” Linc looked over to Lori who was narrowed her eyes at him. He quickly turned back to Lynn. “She is very experienced, all with different guys.”

Leni and Luna burst out laughing. Leni clutched her stomach. “Please Linc, just. Haha.” Luna plucked at her strings. “That’s just wrong bro. Haha.”


Lori narrowed her eyes at Leni and Luan and instantly stopped laughing. She held up a finger. “One. I’m not getting involved.” Another. “Two. Don’t exaggerate Lincoln.” And another. “Comment on dating life again and you literally will never see Mr. Comic Superdetective again. Ever.”

Lynn was still flaming. “Maybe you’re the chicken. You go on a date with me and you’re scared I’d beat you.”

“Me chicken?” Linc said. “Fine! I’d go on your stupid date. Set your time and place. It’s not me who’s afraid. You the chicken because you think you’d be bad date.”

“Fine!.” Lynn glared. “Friday Afternoon. The park. Bring good clothes that don’t look like Walmart throwaways and make sure you brush your teeth. I’m not scared. I’m gonna be such a great date I’d ruin you for other girls!”

Linc glared. “FINE!”

Lynn glared back. “FINE!

Linc furrowed his brows. His mouth opened to speak but he closed it at the end. He turned around,  started walking away and went up the stairs. They heard his door open. For a moment no sound was heard. Then steps. A door closing.

Lynn flame doused and she froze.

“Congrats Lynn,” Lori said bored. “You just landed a date with good ole Lincoln.”

“Congrats lil Sis.” Luna hid her laughter behind her hands. “Good job.”

“This is just awesome.” Leni clasped her hands beaming at Lynn. “And cute.”

Lynn unfroze. “Leni.” She ran towards her and started punching her the shoulder. “What did you made me do?”

“Huh?” Leni said. “What did I made you do?”

Lori looked up from her phone. “Leni what were you thinking?”

“I’m innocent.” Leni said frowning.

Lori narrowed her eyes.

“I don’t know.” Leni shrugged. “I thought it was cute.”

“Leni.” Lynn’s punching slowed down. “I’m going on a date with Lincoln.”

“Congrats.” Leni beamed.

Lynn’s mouth curled. She sniffed and sniffed. Lori rolled her eyes and put away her phone. “Oh boy.”

Tears ebbed on the edge her eyes. She took one moment to glare at Leni before she scampered up the stairs, eyes covered with her hands, like Linc did.

Leni watched with a frown on her face. Luna pursed her lip as she was muttering something about fish crackers. Lori dropped her phone and sat straighter.

“Leni.” She shook her head. “What did you do?”

Leni looked back at Lori, the frown etched on her face. “I don’t- I didn’t-”

Luna piped up picking up her guitar. “I’m sure things will be fine. Not like something explicitly bad will come out of this.”

Pop.

Lori scrunched her nose. A horrid smell invaded her nose and she almost gagged. “What the-?”

“Woops.” Luan held up Lily as she checked her diaper. “Looks like we’ve got a stinky situation. Haha”

Lori shook her head looked up to the celing and sank in the sofa. Leni sat still keeping her eyes set on the stairs. She sighed and bit her lip.

-continued on page 2-