IMPORTANT: Sorry, English is no my first language. I apologize for the grammar errors. Hopefully, soon I can find a beta to help me with these problems.

Chapter 5: Luck is our side.

The notion of time wasted for a long time, only when she saw the sunlight pierce that little gap between the curtains. So, it is morning already?

With a big yawn, Lori looks at the monitor on her laptop as she moved her hand, all cramped by the time she was writing. Lori was satisfied by her advances, but there were still parts with which she would have to improve with practice. When you want to access this level of education, you shouldn't forget to prepare.

Lori was grateful to her boyfriend, Bobby, the love of her life. He listens to her with all the college dilemma, although she had talked to her parents, Lori didn't feel entirely sure of her decision. Obviously, she loved they would give her full support in whatever she wanted to dedicate herself to the rest of her life, something that many parents didn't do to impose their son's or daughters' different careers for being 'the best option.'

The eldest daughter of the Loud family was already mentally prepared. Lori was determined to get a scholarship, as much as possible so her family doesn't feel so much the economic shock that college is, she would even work to pay for her expenses, even if she ends up exhausted, all for her family. If she decided to go to Michigan State, she would need to keep a high average, be dedicated to studying like Lisa. If it's Fairway, Lori will always have to keep her game to the top, for how demanding the golf team is. Where sports matter more than academics, at least Lori already ruled out the city's option.

Bobby repeated to her several times that he wouldn't mind driving three to six hours to see her one day. If she's going to do what she wants, that'll make him happy, something so sweet that Lori didn't resist the urge to hug him and kiss him like Lily to her teddy bear. Bobby always knew he wanted to study to help his grandfather with the family business, leave everything for them to retire. Bobby knew his grandfather was a hard-working man of a lifetime since before he left Veracruz, Mexico, with his wife to fight for the American dream.

Today afternoon it would be the first test for Fairway, a general knowledge exam plus a golf practice with the other applicants. Still, she chooses to take the exam simulators that Michigan State send to her. Keep an eye for one ball.

Another thing Lori and Bobby talked about was about Lincoln and Ronnie Anne, how they both did certain things wrong. Lori was forcing his little brother always to be kind to Ronnie Anne to prevent his relationship with Bobby from being damaged. Yes, most of the time, it was just to mess with them without realizing the pressure they put on their younger siblings, even more so when they were just beginning in this world of love.

But no longer mattered, Lori's mind was no longer a mess because of the college issue. She would take her time to make the decision, spend warm time with Bobby, remembering the feeling of security and warmth for being surrounded by his arms. On the other hand, Lincoln will be calmer once he is done with the big test, trying to conquer his crush. Lori will always be available to give him advice about romance and girls. Everything would return to its crazy normality.

"Ahh! Lori, help me! I'm blind!" Lori sighs tiredly. She could never miss something like this in the morning.

"Leni, just take off your mask...and opens your eyes" Lori knew that she had to be very specific with Leni. Honestly, Lori worried how she would enter the college with her level of intelligence. Leni only raised her SAT level to two hundred points, half by mere luck, the other half, Leni said it was an angel who passed her the answers, but didn't notice that was only a guy who whispered the answers to her in a stupid move to make her fall in love with him. In the end, Leni didn't even notice his existence.

"Oh, thanks, Lori! Hey, like, you're going to take up a lot of makeup to cover those dark circles" as soon as Leni woke up and she already noticed those kinds of details.

"I know Leni. I'll go for some coffee" Lori came out of the room with the cup in hand, watching her roommate run to the bathroom. At least Leni understood that rule. No one likes to line up to use the shower. Surely Leni will take from an hour and a half inside, half the time in search of some makeup object that she always has in front of her. But her, everyone loves sweet Leni.

Lori sits down in a chair to check her cell phone with a cup of coffee on the other hand, few updated their social media during the early morning. Lori couldn't help but think her friends would go on separate paths. For the moment, only Lori and Becky chose to stay in Michigan. The others would go to different colleges all over the country. Her best friend and sometimes rival, Carol Pingrey, had got a scholarship to take a course in France. Lori had nothing but admiration for Carol, hoping that distance would not affect their friendship.

"Good morning, honey" Rita also entered the kitchen, smiling at her with that tired look. If we talked of admiration, Lori could never be prouder of her parents, for her effort to take the family forward, even to take the time to attend as much of her event as possible.

"Good morning, Mom, did you sleep well?" Lori asks.

"Yes, even if I hadn't bothered to be in bed for another five minutes," Rita replied, turning on the stove to start heating her morning tea, then serving the food to the pets, as her daily routine dictated.

"And Dad? At this time, he should be preparing breakfast."

"Your father went to work early, today had a special event, so the preparation of the banquet must start early," Rita replied again in a visibly tired voice. If her mother's work routine was challenging, for her father, it was more, although working on something you always like is to care. Never thought that working in a banquet business would be so exhausting. Lori even accidentally heard her mother asking him to take the day off, for his health, but he refuses.

"Lori, I got my boss to give me the afternoon off. I'll take you to Fairway for your exam. I'll leave Lola, Lynn, and Leni in their activities too. If you notice I am late, please call me. Ah! and McBride will pick up Lincoln at noon to study with his friends."

"Got it, mom. I take care of keeping the house standing until you arrive, besides Luna is already starting to impose her authority. I don't think there is a problem now we took the dangerous materials from Lisa" a part of her would miss being the voice of authority to her sisters and brother. It was not something she would like to do, but her role as the older sister played her so well. Minutes later, Rita was ready in her dentist's uniform, with a cup of teas, said goodbye to her, and went to work.

"Good morning Lori" now her younger brother who greeted her. Lincoln went straight to the refrigerator, taking out a lot of things, oh yeah, today was Saturday eggs. A tradition in the Loud family.

"Good morning Lincoln, everyone is up?"

"Only Lana and Lily are still sleeping, the others are already in line to enter the bathroom, so it gives me time to make breakfast for everyone" Lori was always surprised that Lincoln knew everyone's tastes, even if they liked such different things. Like this, making ten variations of eggs for breakfast was complicated; in a way, it was a support for the family. Indeed, Lincoln had the noblest heart.

"Come on, let's do this together, how can I help you" Lincoln looked at her as if another head has come out "what? Is it so weird wanting to help you once in a while?"

"No, no, not at all," Lincoln smiled as he put three pans on the stove, "help me with Lynn's scrambled eggs and with the hard-boiled eggs of the twins. I'll make the poached egg for Leni and the fried one for Luna."

"Yes, little chef" apparently, that little nickname left him something embarrassed. That's nice. The process passed quickly, managing to take out all the dishes, with orange juice and toast too. There was no doubt that they did teamwork, so when they saw everything ready, with a smile of satisfaction. High five

"Hey Lincoln," the albino turned to see Lori "I want to thank you again, for worrying about me, I owe you a big one. If you need to go to the comic store or anywhere, don't hesitate to tell me." Lori said with a small smile on her lips.

"Thank you, Lori; I'll keep it in mind. You know I'd do everything to see you and the others happy. I love all of you very much," the words of her younger brother melted Lori's heart because of how lovely it sounded. Literally, she doesn't hesitate to hug him.

"You are the best. We would do the same for you, Lic, we love you very much...Hey, don't forget that I'm always available to give you advice about Paige, Romeo," watching Lincoln blush was even cuter.

"I will do Lori, even living with all of you, there are still things I don't understand about girls," Lincoln said.

"For us, it's the same with the boys, don't feel so special...wait, why the eye bags?" Lori noticed the little black bags under Lincoln's eyes.

"Studying, math needs practice. I don't know why Lisa loves it. And you, Lori? Ready for Fairyway?" Lincoln asks.

"Yes, I also spend all night studying, it's a shame that the practice is private, it's always good to have the family support."

From above, screams and noises began to be heard. By the voices, it must be the twins who fought again. Lincoln looked at her as if asking permission, to which she responded by Lori moving her head slightly to the side, in point that he would stop the fight. Lori was still worried about the issue of Lincoln´s fight, but Luan told her tomorrow that she would talk about it at the sibling meeting so that she would be patient for now. She even planned to speak to her sisters to do an activity that Lincoln will like, in a sign of gratitude for always being for them, to be so positive first and foremost.

Too bad Lori didn't see that that limit of being positive broke a long time ago in Lincoln. Lori wishes she could see that he was wearing a mask on him, the problems that would have been saved by knowing him a little more, just a little more.

After living like any other Saturday, Loud house-style, Lincoln noticed how his sisters were slightly more affectionate to him. Yeah, they annoyed him for his new love interest, though he didn't hesitate to respond with revealing certain information he knew about them, in Lola's pure style.

Lincoln had to give credit to how demanding the exam would be, thanks to that. He had the perfect excuse for last night's unveiling. Lincoln never knew what hour he returns to his room, the only thing he remembered is having dreamed something, those times that you know you dream, but your mind doesn't remember anything. In Lincoln's case, he could only remember a feeling, the feeling of the snow touching his skin. Stop, don't overthink it; it is a simple dream.

That little moment with Lori encourages him a little more in the morning. It was special moments that he always kept in his being. Curiously, some of the memoirs with his older sister will spend in the kitchen. Like when she gave his first ice cream, a mini cake war when he was five years old. It is these small details, which remind him why he must go forward, not to lose to what was happening to him, to be by his family's side, to see them shine.

Although, there were details that blackened everything, like-

Finally, the time Clyde waited for him with his father, Harold came. Ready to take him to Jordan's house, his sisters bombarded him with advice and very light accessories, such as perfumes. He is going to study, not for a date, added how uncomfortable it is to flirt with your friends nearby. Lincoln got in the car, ready to go, not before wishing Lori the best luck on her exam.

The journey took about ten minutes, the further they advanced, the more luxurious the houses were, although they didn't reach the level of the richest, it could be said that the Rosato family lived very well. Surely with a larger house, there would be a little more privacy, yet the memories made in the Loud house would never change it. Small but a house built of love.

"Well, guys, here I leave you. Remember Clyde, I'll come at seven o'clock, today we have Saturday of Chinese checkers," Harold said, watching as his son and Lincoln got out of the car.

"Yes, Dad. I can't wait," Clyde said with excitement, he loves Chinese board games.

"Thank you for bringing me, Mr. McBride."

"Don't even mention it, Lincoln, have fun with your studying session" the boys rang the bell of the house, being greeted by a lady, who was the living image of Jordan, only older.

"Hello, you must be my daughter's friends. Please come in. They are in the living room," Mrs. Rosato said with a smile.

"Thank you for welcoming us," Lincoln and Clyde said, politely. Once Harold saw the boys inside the house, he returns to his home.

"Whoa, I don't remember seeing Jordan's house from the inside, it's awesome," Clyde said with excitement, seeing how big the house was.

"Yes, it's amazing," Lincoln added, seeing everything as he walked, turning to the window, was greeted by the gaze of someone he already knew from the past, and had not been left on good terms, Jordan's dog.

"Ahh!" a pure dog bark caused the cry of fright of both boys, who did not hesitate to hide behind the excellent protection of a teddy bear, even though there was a glass that prevented the dog from attacking them. A laugh was heard in the background.

"Woah boys, protecting your life behind the Mr. Titi. Truly manly" was Jordan, who saw them with a mocking smile.

"Nice to see you too, Girl Jordan," Lincoln replied, sarcastically, trying to protect his remaining little male dignity.

"It's just that your dog is...yeah," Clyde added, still watching the animal in fear.

"Relax, Ajax is harmless. I had to leave him outside because Dave is afraid of big dogs; he would be unable to hurt someone; he's a cute baby."

"Say that to my clothes," Lincoln whispered, looking away so as not to look at Ajax, felt that something had that dog against him or his clothes.

After the initial scare, Jordan took them to the room, where most of the group were already, only Stella and Liam were missing to arrive. Liam lived somewhat far away, so it was understandable that he was late. Stella mentions that she had a visit to an uncle who came from the Philippines to see the family. So, the gang starts to chat to kill some time.

At first, it was a conversation between boys. Jordan and Cookie had gone to her room to show Cookie some things, girls' things assumed Lincoln. They talked about future theories about Ace Savvy, about the role of the new villain, how some opinions about Karma made sense of some mysteries, Jack's secret, among other things. It took Dave a little time to get into the talk because he admitted that it was more to read manga, being more of a hobby, but a term to integrate well.

At the time, the whole group had arrived, even Stella had brought a blackboard to give lessons, all accompanied by delicious cookies brought by Cookie. Although they wanted to finish fast to have fun together, they understood that this was to get the best possible note, each by their standards.

Everyone took their specialties to teach Clyde and Stella mathematics. Liam biology. Zach chemistry. Cookie and Dave English. Lincoln history. Paige and Jordan geography, being Rusty the only one without specialty, and who most had to repeat things. The atmosphere was very friendly,

Lincoln liked to teach, it was a way to help, even though more than once he got nervous when Paige came close to seeing his notes, or when it was his turn to teach the girls. Lincoln still had that shy part with the girls, but this was going because of how funny it was, more like some than just another joke, time flew by.

Once all their bodies demanded a more than deserved rest, because the amount of information acquired was massive, and under pressure from the group. Jordan finely gave up connecting the console to play the new Smash Bros Ultimate, in eight-player battles, being impressive chaos. Even though Cookie was not much into video games, she chose to give it a chance, while eight players, the other two watched or chatted with each other. Lincoln has no heed in using Captain Falcón, surviving three rounds, until losing because of the Sonic used by Zach, he and Jordan would be spectators in this round.

"I'll go get some soda, will you come with me?" Jordan asked. Lincoln nodded

"Sure" his right ear hurt thanks to standing Rusty's screams, he was one of those players who let out all his anger or passion as he tries to argue, thank God the controls were wireless. When Lincoln and Jordan got to the kitchen, preparing some 7-up, more eating a grab a few lays that were there.

"You know Lincoln. This is bringing back memories, of when I went out with you, I'd forgotten how funny it was," Jordan confesses, looking inside her glass. He remembered those times, the reading sessions at Clyde's house, plus the meaningless arguments, which ended in laughter.

"Yes, it was good times," was the only thing he answered. Lincoln was trying to deal with another uncomfortable feeling, in the jaw zone, lucky it was easy to control.

"Hey," Lincoln look at Jordan, who now had an expression of guilt, "aren't you guys really mad at me for leaving you?"

So that was it; he still remembered that day. After the GYM class, Jordan arrived happy with them, explaining the popular group had invited her to an event, everyone in the group congratulated her. Gradually, the occasions where the whole group spend time together were reduced, conversations about comics with Liam and Clyde were replaced by talking fashion with Mollie and Joy. The first to notice it was Lincoln, although he was saddened by Jordan's imminent departure from the group, at least she had more friends.

Finally, Jordan tells them that she was changing groups, but that she would try to go out with them as much as she can. Lie, Jordan was just trying to make it less painful. Rusty and Zach didn't take it well, claiming that she had changed, forgetting who she was, plus very harsh words.

Lincoln was the one who stood in the way to defend her, remembering everything Jordan did for them in the past, that they had to respect her decision, it was her life, she had the courage to come and tell them in person. Jordan still appreciated them, just, people change.

"No matter that you change groups, you will have my friendship, keep that in mind" those were Lincoln's words, extending his hand, which was answered kindly. Both with a smile, to others, it took time, but they agreed to break paths.

Interestingly, the departure of the only girl in the group created a state of insecurity in the rest, including Lincoln, who had more difficulty interacting with girls. Explains why they came to that collective hysteria, thinking Stella wanted to be with them because she likes one of them.

Returning to reality, Lincoln was not upset with Jordan, he couldn't speak for others, but as far as he was concerned, he was only sad, for walking away from a long-time friend, at least when she invited them to the party in her new pool. Lincoln understood that he still considered what would he have done if he had been invited to the group of the popular? Another scenario of 'What if...' we'll never know what would have happened.

"Lincoln?" Jordan's voice pulled him out of his trance. He had to start getting used to this, getting lost in his mind.

"I'm not upset, Jordan, as I said before, you decide who to hang out with, we're friends, after all, that won't change" that was his answer, so simple.

"Still..." uncomfortable, the girl chose to change the topic of conversation to something that bothered her, "are you going to fight Chandler?"

"Yes, I admit that everything happened very quickly, but when you, my friends, are bothered, at least I take you out of this situation. I will be fine, I have a plan," Jordan sighed, but she couldn't help but smile.

"This is one of the reasons you're amazing, Lincoln."

"What?"

"Yes, I don't know anyone who wants to put others first, you help a lot of people. You encouraged me when I failed my first exam. You came up with a plan to help Cookie desserts be accepted in the cafeteria, even make the principal fulfill his childhood dream of meeting Billy. Clyde or your sisters too. That's why everyone likes you."

"It's not a big deal. I just do the right thing."

"Hey," Jordan took his shoulders so that he would look at her. "I know you well, Lincoln, you have a bad habit of giving yourself little credit, of putting yourself below others, helping us many times. Yeah, you've done silly things, but you try to repair it, and you learn, lookup like a man, feel proud."

Words resonated in his mind; he was doing it to make him feel better; he just did what a friend would do for others, to help because it was the right thing to do. It's his way of thinking, what he knew how to do, the big thing was not, adding that he often ended up with his ill-executed plans. Should that really be credited for that?

Rusty's scream of frustration echoed all over the house, both realized that Dave looked at them in the door frame, with a mocking smile, caused that Jordan separated, embarrassed, but without losing the opportunity to claim him by spying on them. Lincoln deflected his gaze, still thinking about what his friend said, he would think so with the pillow at night.

Unsurprisingly, some got tired of playing on the console, so Dave suggested a game they made with his other group, with the popular guys, an electric machine. The idea was interesting, although not many dared the daring game. Dave, Jordan, Rusty, Lincoln, and Clyde cheered themselves in, the last three more to understand the games the famous guy's play if they miraculously went to one. For their part, Paige, Liam, and Zach continued to play video games. Stella and Cookie chose to give a general review of their study book.

"The game is simple, I press this button, when the music stops, press the button on your controller. Only the first person to press it is saved from the shock, who gets to ten wins, earns eight dollars, two dollars per loser plus an invitation to the arcade" the group agreed. The death button pressed, all prepared, with ears and finger ready.

"Ahh! It hurts!"

"Apparently the four of us pressed it at the same time, luck to the next time, Rusty," Dave mocked, again press the death button.

"Ahhhhhh! Again, only me?!" the laughter began to escape from the rest of the participants, could not help it, Rusty's reactions were pure gold.

"Be faster, your reflexes suck," Jordan said with a smile. Third round.

"Ahhhh! No, no, no, no, I leave it here! Bye, goodbye" now the laughter exploded, trying to convince poor Rusty to stay, not to be a chicken. Dave turned the machine back on, pressed his button, taking advantage of the that the others had his control still held.

"Ahh! Your cheater!" Jordan tried to hit Dave, but by the distance, she can't make it, the boy was laughing at his friend's cry, so sharp

"Not cool, Dave," Clyde complained, was more potent than he expected. He looks at his best friend to see how he had taken it, saw a Lincoln holding his left arm tightly. "Lincoln? Are you alright?" asked. It took seconds, but he received an answer.

"...Yeah, the shock was extreme, but I'm fine, I'm fine," Lincoln smiled, he noticed something forced that smile would keep an eye on him, for his sake.

Lincoln cursed inside, never expected the electric shock would leave him like this, biting inside his lip so as not to lose control. Now his whole arm was feeling uncomfortable, almost as if he felt something strange, he had to stay calm, prevent this from going to his chest and there was no control to help him.

The game continued until Rusty got tired of losing, pretending to be outraged by an alleged trap, made to hide his tantrum, opened the patio door, are to realize that he accidentally threw the dog's food plate. Ajax looked at his food on the floor, then looked an old fated at the boy, who had no better idea than to run away from the dog, finished by rising into the pool to save himself.

The laughter exploded more intensely among the young. The rest of the group also came to see what happened and even laughed. Whoa, long ago, Lincoln didn't laugh in this way, it was like a medicine that he really needed after so much lived in these months. Rusty took it in the right way, staying that he made the ladies laugh, something essential to fall in love with a girl, more when he was at war with Liam and Zach for Stella´s heart.

After waiting for Rusty to dry out, they chose to take a look at the subjects of the exam, it was enough fun, for now. They spend time until six o'clock in the afternoon, giving them time to play a board game among all, but the game needs a machine that needed batteries.

"Damn, what do we do now?" Liam asked aloud.

"We can play something else, like guess who?" Zach proposed, but Jordan wanted to play that game with her friends. Fortunately, she remembers something.

"I know, Flip's store is two blocks from here, it sure sells batteries at a perfect price."

"You're right Jordan, now that you mention it, I have a discount coupon for his store. For celebrating Thanksgiving in his store," seeing everyone looking at Lincoln in confusion, he opted to clarify, "it's a long story."

Jordan stand up

"Well, I'll go with Lincoln for the batteries. You guys finish the board, anything you need just sends a message." Lincoln saw the reaction of his friends, Clyde just said goodbye with his hand, the others smiled at him with his thumbs up, saw Zach moving his mouth, understanding what he said, 'idol, lucky.' He is just going to buy batteries with Jordan, what was the...oh. Now he gets it.

Ignoring that, the talk she had on the road with Jordan was quieter than the one they had in the kitchen, catching up on each one. Lincoln learned that she got fed up with Andrew's bullying, to the point of kneeling him in the kiwis, that must have hurt like hell, but Andrew deserved it. For his part, the truth could not say much, more than helping his sisters, as that day that realized that his life was an almost perfect loop. Lincoln look for something to change, now to the lesser, failing outright, the only advantage was that he could plan things of the day to day better with what he knew.

They arrived at the gas station, empty like most of the time. Lincoln saw Flip shirtless, putting prices on his products, for reading the promotions they had, it was clear that he was looking to get something more out of unwary customers, the kind of people don't even bother to check their change. Upon seeing them, the man quickly put on his shirt, returning to his side as a store seller.

Flip is a person too hard to describe. It was thanks to him that they were able to celebrate Thanksgiving with Casagrande's. It had a cost, but the Louds were grateful to give his space, then there were the stories coaching Lynn's basketball team, plus Lori's when she got to work in front of the station. Neither of those kids would know what was going on in that mind.

After buying the batteries at a reasonable price and receiving a spot for the purchase of a free hot dog today, something they both discarded when they saw the condition of the machine. Lincoln and Jordan left the establishment, back to Jordan's house, they reached the middle of the street, when a small white cat stood in front of them.

"Look, Lincoln, isn't he adorable?" Jordan went to pet the little kitty, mentioned that she wishes she had something to feed him. Typical of girls, they see something cute and melt, like cats, babies, or promotions in shoe stores. He had experience with girls in mall mode.

"Hey, don't go" the cat ran into an alley, Jordan followed him for a moment, only to see that the animal got inside a hole in the wall, surely coming back to his family.

Lincoln was going to talk, tell her to go back, the sun was starting to set, and they wouldn't have time to play with others, to mention the apparent factor that it wasn't safe to be in an alley. But, both hear a noise coming up close, that doesn't sound like a cat. With all the caution in the world, they approached a dumpster, observing what is hidden from the other side. There was a sleeping boy, in an awkward position, with a bag and a bunch of papers on his side.

"Wait, isn't he the new guy? Seth, I think?" Jordan mentioned. Oh yeah, he wore the same clothes he wore at school. Driven by curiosity, Lincoln took a paper of the bunch this guy had. Both saw the picture of a little girl by the age of the Lola and Lana, smiling, with a lateral braid in his dark brown hair.

Have you seen this girl?

Dawn White

Any information, please contact 001-313-xxx-xxxx

"Oh my God, is that his sister?" Jordan whisper.

"Have you seen her?" a faint, calm voice appears out of nowhere. Jordan almost screams for a surprise. Seth stared at them without emotion, with his eyes squinting, sticking his head with the wall.

"Hey, don't do that! And what the hell are you doing sleeping behind a trash can?!" Jordan exclaim, clearly mad.

"Have you seen her? It's a simple question," Seth completely ignored Jordan's claims. He doesn't care about them at all.

"No, I'm sorry, " Lincoln answered almost in a whisper. Jordan answered the same thing.

Seth stood up, moving his neck to remove some of the discomfort caused by the position in which he slept. The smell of garbage has permeated Seth´s clothes.

"I see, thank you for your answer," Seth said dryly, taking his papers and the bag, ready to leave the place. He didn't count on Jordan, taking him by the shoulder when a girl is interested in something. It doesn't let it go quickly.

"Not so fast junk boy, what are you doing here?" Jordan asked with a firm voice.

"Sleeping, if I don't do it, I will die. I thought everyone knew something so basic," Seth responded with a dull tone.

"Are you messing with me?" before Jordan could give Seth a blow for his attitude, Lincoln dared to ask.

"Is that your sister?" Seth looked at the at him, as if he was analyzing Lincoln, turning his eyes to the street.

"It's a relative. She was long lost near this town. I just want to find it. Are you done asking me private questions?"

Lincoln would never want to experience that, lose one of his sisters, live the ordeal of knowing if they are right or not. He did not wish that to anyone, just to think about it made it very bad, surely go down the path that Seth took, to seek her by the sky, earth, sea, during the day and night. After all their lives you are worth much, more than my-

Before Lincoln could still be on the carousel that was his mind, through the corner of his eye, he saw something approaching to grab Jordan, distracted by having Seth's attention. His body acted on his own, in what seemed to him an eternity, he took his friend's arm, pulling her hand towards him. That someone grabs Seth.

"Give me everything you've got, or your friend ends up with a sliced neck!" a young man screams at them, with a pocketknife on Seth´s throat.

The sensations were impossible to explain. Lincoln felt as if his stomach vanished from his body. The brain stopped working altogether. He could only see a young man taking Seth from behind, with a knife near his throat, was this an assault? But Royalwoods is a very safe town. This had to be a prank from Luan, a hidden camera scene for sure.

"Are you brats deaf?! Give me what you got!" the young man shouted again, he would be just over fifteen years old for what he looked like. By mere survival instinct, they both took out their stuff. Lincoln only had his cell phone and about thirteen dollars. Jordan had his turquoise bag, where she had all her things, all to prevent them from hurting Seth. Lincoln knew nothing about Seth, he could just turn around and run, but he was not that insensitive to the imminent danger of another human being. The guy asked them to leave their things close to him.

"Ok, ok, calm down," Seth whispered, raising his hands, in a sign of surrender, all so that he wouldn't do something stupid, or that's what he meant to think.

Seeing his chance, Seth took the subject's hand with both hands, force-turning down along with his body, this caught the thief off guard, the right moment to get rid of the grip, and without dropping the weapon, giving a low blow to the thief. Seth had a cut on his right hand, but that was much better than having it around his neck.

Luck

"A kick in the balls...aren't you a man?"

"Do you think I care ridiculous male stigmas in a matter of life and death? You're pathetic. You did it all wrong," Seth kicked the knife from afar. However, the subject managed to pounce on him, now his turn to be surprised.

The thief managed to get up quickly, looking to take Jordan, who was still very close to him. Jordan, she deserves to live, not having an ending like that, if there has to be a sacrifice, it would be him. Lincoln pushed Jordan to protect her with his body, extending his arms like a shield, with a frightened but firm look.

Any life is worth more than his. They deserve a future.

The thief stopped dead in his tracks, surprised by Lincoln's act, which gave Seth a chance to change things and kick the thief in the face, things had changed.

Lincoln would later regret not have noticed that something also changed in Jordan at that moment. Live.

"What's going on here?" shouted two men, who ran in, had been able to see everything from the street.

"That madman wants to kill us!" Jordan cry totally invaded by fear. The thief, completely terrified, tried to escape, but could not escape under the force of two men, who submitted him immediately.

Luck

"The police are on their way, people like you disgust me" Flip, who had gone out to check the trash, heard the scandal, arriving when they were holding Seth hostage. Flip would have acted before, but he already had problems with the police, and I didn't want to go back there.

Luck

Lincoln hated what had happened. He hated to feel the throbbing of his heart with force on his chest, which made it much worse. Everything was coming at once. He was losing control, and he was going crazy, his breathing was too fast, hyperventilating, not even biting hard his hand calmed him, punctured everywhere. Please stop, just stop, please, please, it's too much, enough, enough, enough, if this continues, that I am only here—

"Lincoln!" he looked up slightly, seeing Jordan, with tears in her eyes, trembling, she was frightened, frightened of what happened, of being able to get hurt, to see him like this. Leaving behind every idea of being strong for being a man, Lincoln hug Jordan, who also let out everything, were mere children in a high-risk situation.

The police took a few minutes to arrive, arresting the thief, they spoke to the adults, who recounted their version of events. Two kids were inconsolable by fright, while the other was sitting on the floor, with his gaze low, eating his second box of an orange-flavored tic-tac, he is not so affected, had managed to remain calm. The officers took the kids to the Royalwoods police station, where they would call their parents, needed to confirm the facts, but by law, they could not speak to a minor without the authorization and supervision of a parent. Lincoln and Jordan remain together at all times, while Seth got lost in the rooms.

When their parents arrived, they threw themselves at them as if their lives depended on it. They just wanted to feel completely safe, forget everything, feeling surrounded by their parents.

They had to contain Lynn so she wouldn't go looking for the thief who dared to attack his brother, even though they all wanted to do the same. The young man was a drug addict who was looking for more money to pay for his addiction. The thief was going to be sent to a correctional facility away from Royalwoods. They would never see him again.

After the tedious process of remembering everything for the cops, it was time to go away and forget this terrible day. Lincoln asked the bathroom for a moment, rejecting his father's offer to go with him, he needed to think things alone, upon arrival, saw the silhouette of a military-colored shack, about to go out the back door.

"Hey," Lincoln whisper. Seth turned his head slightly, seeing him without emotion, though he could see some grief for him, of how he lived it all.

"I'm sorry you had to live that, the first time it's always traumatic," Seth just said those words by education, by obligation, "it wasn't necessary to help me, but thank you."

"My family, Jordan's...she and I want to thank you, you avoided us being robbed, or hurt, thank you, "Lincoln reached out to give his thanks.

"That's why I'm leaving. I don't like being the center of attention. Let's just get on with our lives. Luck was on our side," Seth just walked out the back door, leaving Lincoln with his hand extended.

Luck, a word that displeased him since that unfortunate event, now Lincoln smiled. Luck that Seth knew how to defend himself, luck that he didn't hurt himself in the maneuver, luck that the thief didn't react in time, luck that he and Jordan will respond to help even with him, lucky that those men lucky them, lucky that Flip called the police fast for being close by. Lucky to...have an excuse, to finally have that, so he broke his head for months.

"Thank you for being there. Thank you very much."

That's what Jordan said to him before leaving with her parents, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. In typical situations, Lincoln would have blushed at the act. His sisters would have squealed with emotion, yet, again, this was not a normal situation. The days get heavier and heavier.

When the Loud family got home, Lori chose to make a sleepover among all, something they hadn't done for a long time, they had planned to do it in the summer, yet the situation deserves it. His brother needs them; they were for him, as it should be. Lincoln slept huddled in between Leni and Luna, being surrounded by the rest of his sisters, sleeping as close as possible. It was the first time since it all began, Lincoln Loud had a warm and pleasant dream, despite everything.

"To be someone who laments bad luck, admit it, today you used the rabbit's foot" the voice whisper in his head."

After how complicated it had been this day, adding the problems he will have after when he returned home. Seth went to the only place in this whole town where he could relax, seeing the night sky, letting his mind get lost in nothingness.

That was an abandoned three-floor building, an old apartment place that reeked of being from the eighties, seeing those posters almost destroyed by time. It was given an idea. The boy did not mind skipping the fence. Seth loved these kinds of places, dark, abandoned, awakening emotions that pleased him, and that better accompaniment than to eat his sixth box of orange-flavored pills.

"You seem to have not been the only one that fate despised today" Seth didn't turn, he already knew who she was. The first time he came to this place, she got it here, thanks to the imaginary friend known as God, who respected tranquility.

"Yes, I had been told that this place was one of the safest towns in the state, and today a teenager almost slit my throat with a knife. The cruelty of the world," Seth said, watching the dark sky.

"Mhh, I thought my mother would force me to go to the mall to look more feminine was torture" the girl saw Seth put the box of pills, letting these enter his mouth. She would almost say he had an addition to the candy.

"Anyway, I'm just begging that the rumor doesn't spread, school is already shit, looking at me like a specimen, even if it is."

"I understand your feelings of darkness and despair. By the way, have, this may interest you" the girl passed a tablet to Seth, who is lying on the concrete cold, read the information, at no time read her expression change, just moved her gaze towards her.

"How reliable is this?" Seth asked.

"As you toss a coin into the air, it can be an opportunity. You usually won't find it so vulnerable," Seth sat down, rereading the information. Royalwoods, a peaceful people, haha, living so close to Detroit had its significant downsides.

"Tell me, what you did that junkie? I can only think how woken up I was about to get a little," wow, the rumor expands like a flame following a line of gasoline, great.

"Not much, some adults arrived quickly. Besides, there was a girl with a ridiculous braid and an albino boy with problems. The junkie was shaking like jelly. He didn't even hold the knife well, it was a bet to win" I hear as the girl snorted air between her lips, wow, there was a reaction. "What's up, Maggie? It's not your style to react to something."

"Sure, some story in town can't be complete without a Loud involved," Maggie said.

"A Loud?"

"You'll hear that last name a lot around here. It's a family whose parents thought we lived in the fifties and didn't have TV, ten daughters and a son, a show."

So, he had saved a Loud and his girlfriend, or whatever that little girl, peculiar. It's all about seeing her again. This was his last challenge.

Seth got up, throwing the empty tic-tac box on the floor, next to the rest of the trash. "Well, Maggie, a deal is a deal, tell me what I have to do" Maggie also got up, crossing looks without expression, empty, giving her a piece of paper.

"Here, you have it. Make sure you burn it after reading it. Also, the offer to explore the hospital still stands, your presence is delightful to me," said the emo girl, there were few people who emanated this kind of aura, it was fascinating.

"If information is useful to me, I join your urban exploration. Thanks for your help, Maggie."

"Good luck on your way Seth" they walk away from each other, without leaving the building, for they both preferred to be in their own loneliness, with themselves, lost in their world, each with their problems and objectives.

It's almost time.

A/N: Again, I don't hate Lincoln, it is all part of the story. In fact, you guys express what I expect of at this point. Just bear with me, or you are totally free to go. Thanks for reading and take care :D