Sitting in one of the empty chair lining against the wall, Lincoln Loud stared at the lone door looming in the hallway. He was wearing a pair of orange hoodie over a red t-shirt with a black spade over the chest, a black pants and white shoes with three red stripes on either sides of it. His white hair is quite messy and a band aid plastered down his jawline, his freckled cheek slightly bruised. He exhaled heavily from his mouth and crossed his arms over his chest as his leg tapping lightly on the cold floor in anticipation. Why is he here? Wait, is that really the question?

His blue eyes landed on the name platter plastered on the glass surface of the door, 'Principal's Office' followed by principal Huggins name written under it in white over black. He let out a sigh and leaned the back of his head against the wall before his eyes slowly closing. How long has it been since they got in there? He wasn't sure, he can't exactly remember since he didn't count the time either. Why bother anymore, it's not like he wasn't used with this situation by now. How many times have he been here? He didn't remember, he stop counting after ten, so it must be more than that. Most of it for the same reason though and he can't say that he was proud about it.

A few students walked past and he noticed their pace quickened, their heads hung low as if they were avoiding looking at him. No, that's not right, there is no if, they were in fact actually avoiding him. There is no need to cover the truth. He knew why and he don't blame them for being like that. He would also do the same thing as them if he is in their situation, but that wasn't the case here. They are not making it any easier for him either with their constant glances.

They jumped slightly when he opened his eyes and glared at them from the corner of his eyes. Realizing his intimidating gesture, they quickly ran away, leaving the hallway back to its quite and empty state except for the lone figure, who is still required to stay there.

He usually wasn't bothered and didn't care how they want to treat him, but that doesn't mean he isn't a little bit uncomfortable with the way they were looking at him sometimes. He would rather be left alone with his thought than being on the receiving end of their worried glances. If scaring them away could provide him with such tranquility, then he won't have a problem with that, even if its mean he need to be quite harsh on occasion.

That is the only way people would understand that he didn't like their presence and go away for their own sake and safety. It's not like he would actually do it, he just wanted the comfort from not being judged by the people around him. With his reputation at school, it definitely didn't make it any easier for him to not rise attention. He knew it was his fault to end in this place to begin with but he can't seem to find a reason why he should regret it. Honestly, the thought of that incident never bothered him that much. His mind would occasionally went back to that uneventful day, but that thought didn't come as often as he expected it would, or as terrifying as people would still talk from time to time.

Either people are overexaggerating the subject or he really need to talk with someone about it. The former might be true with how people are these days but the latter might be quite hard for him to do with his current situation. If there is a probability that he indeed didn't react like he should have, then he'd better consider having a second opinion from someone that he can trust.

Which was unfortunately none since people started avoiding him since that incident. Even his old friend from kindergarten acted like they didn't know him anymore. It hurts him, all the memory he had with them was like nothing after the incident. It was like he didn't even exist in their life before and he don't want to blame them for it. He tried his best to forget and move on, but his anger kept rising whenever he thought about it. With no way of letting his anger out, he used his fists as the replacement, resulting for this to happen, yet again. It was still his fault, he can't help himself from releasing a blow when he supposed to. Maybe thing would be different if he did so.

Lincoln lifted his head when the door opened and his heart sank at the sight of his mother glaring down at him with a frown. Her anger wasn't the only thing that he was worried about but the disappointment in her eyes was something that he will never get over it no matter how many times he have seen it in his life. There is no up in having his kind of reputation, other than being feared by the other, he is also kind of always involved in trouble that he never care about. But somehow, he will still ended up here as the frequent student being called by the principal.

Standing up, Lincoln lowered his head under her gaze and followed his mother from behind as they headed to the exit of the school. From the corner of his eyes, he could see principal Huggins is staring at him with his arms crossed, displeasure was well written on his face before Lincoln looked back to the front. He was a disappointment, he knew that, he don't need to be reminded about it. Their walk was quiet as neither of them speak but the intensity in the air was enough to show how serious the situation was. Knowing his fault, he decided to keep quiet, he don't want to make the situation anymore worse than it already is. Only a fool would raise the ire of a mother.

Since school has ended for that day, most student had already left the building and went home for their evening activities. There is almost no vehicles on the curb except for the old Vanzilla that was still parked by the sideway, waiting for the rest of the occupants to arrive. How the giant machine is still functioning till this day is still a mystery to him with how many generations it has been passed onto. If he need to choose between the van and a bike, he would probably choose the latter since he won't need a big vehicle for himself. But that was only his opinion though, he is still young, maybe he will change his mind later on in life.

Upon reaching the large vehicle, Lincoln got into the back seat and sat with his sisters as her mother stepped into the driving seat. He noticed Lori stole a quick glance at him from the front seat before looking back at her phone. The joy that usually fills the van, now replaced with intense silence that only grew stronger everyday. His situation at school also affected his life at home and his relationship with his family. Maybe it was cause by his pent up rage, but he would do his best to not scream or scare his sisters. He don't want them to be scared of him, they were the only people left he could count on, though their relationship is slowly straining and falling apart.

His sisters are the only friend he have left. He don't need more people to be afraid of him. Placing his elbow on the windowsill, Lincoln pressed his chin in his upturned palm and stared out from the thin glass. So much thing is different now and he wasn't sure if it was for good or not. Maybe if he didn't do anything that day, his life won't be like this, he would still have his friend by his side. But he will also live with the regret knowing that he was what those people kept accusing him of. He didn't have much in this world and those thing that he have, he will protect them with his own life.

Lincoln turned his head slightly when he felt a hand placed on his shoulder. "You alright little dude?" The raspy voice of his older sister, Luna reached his ear. Concern filled her brown eyes when he looked into them. He clenched his free hand and gritted his teeth at her worried voice. He never like hearing her sisters being like this especially since it was his fault. But there is nothing he can do other than what he always does in this kind of situation. Lie, keep lying and never stop lying.

"I'm fine." He replied, averting his gaze from her.

"You sure dude, I heard that you got into quite a rough fight today?" She inquired.

From his seat, he didn't notice her mother grip tightly clenching the steering wheel at the front. Lori who realized this, hoped that her younger siblings conversation didn't went any further than that, for most of their sake.

Lincoln's right eye twitched at the mention of the fight involving him earlier. "Can we... not talk about this." He said, his shoulder tensed at the memory.

"Yeah... sorry." Luna pulled her hand away.

Of course the news of his recent fight would already spreaded to his sisters. By now it was more worrying than shocking to them with how often it slowly becomes a usual occasion in their life. Since that incident, his sisters already knew of his ability on protecting himself, but that doesn't mean they no longer have their own concern towards him. And Luna, she will always asked him the same question after every fight, which he always replied with the same answer. He wondered if anything would change one day, but now he can't find the answer for her question. No, he didn't even know the answer himself, and never care to think about it.

Maybe that's what his problem is, he kept distracting himself and avoiding the subject from slipping into his mind. How ironic is that, he tried avoiding himself just like the people around him. He would laugh at himself if not for the fact his sisters being in the van with him.

Once reaching the driveway of their house, the van halted as the engine turned off. Lincoln slung his backpack over his shoulder, waited for all his sisters to get down and stepped out of the van after them. He entered the house and stopped infront his mother who is standing there, waiting for him with crossed arms. The stern look still visible on her face and his stomach churned with rising bile. He could sense some of his sisters are peeking from the stairs but ignored them since he already had a lot of trouble in his plate. He knew what will happen next and honestly he fucking deserves it.

"Lincoln, this is the third fight you got into in this month alone." She sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "And not only your academic has decreased rapidly... your teacher also told me that you skipped your class sometimes." She listed, her voice slowly cracking as he could feel his heart breaking.

"I-I'm sorry mom." He apologised, he kept apologizing lately and the effect feel like no longer there with how often he muttered those words.

His eyes widened and his pupils shrinking when he heard a sob. He was scared to lift his head at the thought of him being right but he did it anyway. His heart skipped a beat and he instantly regretted his decision. A few gasp could be heard coming from the stairs but that would be the least of his concern right now.

His mother... she... she is crying...

...A-and he was the reason for it.

"I-I don't know what I can do anymore Lincoln, you keep getting worse a-and I don't like seeing you like this, i-if I'm not being a good mother p-please tell me, I-I can change for you..." She pleaded, tears running down her cheek.

His knees went weak under his weight as if he was slowly being crushed by a giant boulder on his back. No.

"D-Do you like being this, playing with your future and ruining your life with all these fight, aren't you tired of keep injuring yourself." Rita shook with her increasing sob. "W-why Lincoln... p-please tell me." She cried louder. "I-I'm you mother..."

He messed up, this is all his fault, his mother is crying all because of him. How could he do this to her. What kind of son would make their own mother cry?

"I-I know I'm not always there for you... I-I'm going to fix that... I'm going to be a good mother to you."

'No! Mom this is not your fault please stop, I'm begging you please... stop.'

'Say something you little piece of shit, what are you waiting for, quick apologize to her.'

'But would that be enough? No a simple apology can't fix this.'

Before Lincoln got to say anything, his mother sped off to her room and closed the door. Her muffled cry still audible to his ear and his heart pounded roughly against his chest. His head felt dizzy and everything seems to spin around him.

'What have I done,'

"Lincoln!" At the voice, he quickly turned his head only to see Lori glaring at him. "We LITERALLY need to talk... NOW!" She stated seriously.

He was too caught up with the shock that it took him longer to understand what she meant. And when he tried to move, he instantly fell on his knees.

"LINCOLN!"