Late at night, the Loud family’s living room was lit only by the dim, golden glow of a single table lamp, casting a soft halo across the space.
The rest of the house was asleep, leaving Lori alone on the couch, her phone gripped tightly in her hand. The screen displayed her chat with Bobby, her brow creased, a flicker of exhaustion in her eyes. It was the third day of their fight—a petty squabble sparked when she mentioned heading off to Fairway University, only for Bobby to overreact, convinced she was about to “dump” him. Lori massaged her temples, feeling like luck had completely abandoned her.
“Lori, you’re still up?” Leni’s voice drifted from the stairwell, gentle and a little sleepy. She shuffled down barefoot in a loose green nightgown, a glass of water in her hand.
“I can’t sleep,” Lori sighed, tossing her phone aside. “Bobby’s throwing another tantrum. I’m so done.”
Leni tilted her head, settling onto the couch beside her. She placed the glass on the coffee table and turned to face Lori, her gaze earnest.
“But doesn’t Bobby totally love you? He’s always calling you ‘Babe’ and sending you pizzas—super romantic, right?”
Lori gave a wry smirk. “Romantic? Now he just whines over the phone about how I’ll ditch him once I’m at college. Leni, I’m clueless here.”
Leni fell quiet for a moment, then reached out, her warm, soft hand closing gently over Lori’s. Her fingertips quivered slightly, as if carrying a fragile emotion. “Lori, don’t be upset. No matter what, you’ve got me.”
Lori froze, staring down at Leni’s hand. In that instant, her heartbeat stumbled. She and Leni had grown up side by side, shared countless secrets—Leni always looking out for everyone—but this touch sent a strange current zipping from her fingers to her core. She looked up into Leni’s clear, wide eyes, brimming with pure concern.
“Lori, your eyes are so red,” Leni whispered, leaning closer, her voice soft as a breath. She reached to brush away a tear from Lori’s cheek but fumbled, grazing her face instead. Lori instinctively caught Leni’s wrist, her breathing quickening.
“Leni, you…” Lori’s voice rasped, words catching in her throat. They were so close now, close enough for Lori to catch the faint lavender scent of Leni’s favorite body wash. Her gaze drifted to Leni’s lips—soft, plump, slightly parted, like a silent invitation.
“Lori?” Leni cocked her head, confusion in her eyes, but she didn’t pull back. Her breath brushed Lori’s face, warm and faintly damp.
Lori’s heart felt like it might explode. She knew she shouldn’t—Leni was her sister, and she had Bobby—but a reckless desire surged like a tide, sweeping away reason.
She released Leni’s wrist, cupping her face instead, and leaned in to kiss her.Leni stiffened for a heartbeat but didn’t push her away. Her lips were as soft as cotton candy, laced with a shy sweetness.
Lori’s kiss was tender, like she feared breaking something delicate, but when Leni fumbled a response, she lost control, deepening it. Leni’s hands clutched Lori’s pajamas, fingers trembling with nerves.
“Sis…” Leni’s voice melted into the kiss, dazed yet trusting. Lori’s heart jolted hard. She knew what she was doing, but she couldn’t stop. She eased Leni back onto the couch, her fingers grazing the strap of her nightgown, brushing the skin beneath…
Then her phone flared to life, Bobby’s name flashing on the screen. Lori jerked upright, as if doused with cold water, halting mid-motion. Leni blinked up at her, cheeks flushed like ripe apples, eyes wide and stunned.
“Lori?” Leni’s voice was small, tinged with hurt. “You… you still really like Bobby, don’t you?”
Lori’s chest felt sliced open. She sat up, staring at Leni’s guileless face, and suddenly loathed herself. She’d lost it. How could she do this to Leni? To Bobby? She covered her face, tears spilling uncontrollably. “I’m sorry, Leni. I… I don’t know what I’m doing.” Her voice broke as she stumbled to her feet and fled upstairs, leaving Leni alone on the couch.
Leni sat there, dazed, her fingers brushing her lips. Her eyes shifted from bewilderment to sorrow, then shimmered with tears. She murmured, “But… I liked it when you did that, Lori.”
The living room sank back into stillness, moonlight pooling coldly on the floor.
Lori burst into her room, slamming the door and slumping against it, gasping. Her heart pounded like a drum, chaotic and heavy. What just happened felt like a dream, but the warmth of Leni’s lips was too real to ignore. She clawed at her hair, desperate to calm down, but all she could see was Leni’s teary eyes and that soft “Sis.”
Her phone buzzed again—Bobby: “Babe, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have fought with you. I’m just terrified of losing you.”
Lori stared at the screen, tears blurring her vision. She tried to reply, but her shaking fingers couldn’t manage it. She flung the phone aside, collapsing onto her bed and burying her face in the pillow, willing it all to disappear.
Downstairs, Leni lingered on the couch, head bowed, twisting the hem of her nightgown absently. Her face still burned, her pulse racing so fast it left her breathless. She didn’t get why Lori ran off or why she hadn’t pushed her away. All she knew was that when Lori kissed her, her heart swelled with something soft, even if it stung a little.
“Leni, what’re you doing here?” Luna’s voice broke through from the stairs. Leni flinched, hastily wiping her eyes and flashing a weak smile. “Oh, I… I was thinking about making new hair clips tomorrow!”
Luna frowned, stepping closer to pat her shoulder. “It’s late, dude. You look weird—everything okay, sis?” Leni shook her head, hugging Luna briefly. “I’m fine, just tired.” She bolted back to her room, leaving Luna puzzled.
Back in their shared room, Leni shut the door and leaned against it, staring blankly. Lori was already in bed, blankets over her head, breathing unevenly. Leni drifted to the mirror, studying her reflection—her lips still faintly red, marked by Lori. She touched them, whispering, “Sis, do you hate me now?”
The next morning, the Loud family breakfast table hummed with its usual chaos. Lincoln and Lynn wrestled over the last sausage, Lucy murmured poetry in the corner, and Lola and Lana bickered over bathroom dibs. Lori sat at one end, staring at her fried egg, fork idle. Leni, across from her, stole a glance, then dropped her eyes, blushing like a tomato.
“Lori, your egg’s getting cold,” Luan teased. “Waiting for Bobby to spoon-feed you?” Lori snapped her head up, glaring. “Shut it, Luan.” Her tone cut sharper than usual, making Luan stick out her tongue.
Leni bit her lip, her fork slipping to the floor. She bent to grab it, accidentally brushing Lori’s leg. They both froze, the air thickening between them. Lori shot up. “I’m full.” She stormed off, leaving her plate behind.
Leni watched her go, eyes welling up again. She whispered to Luna, “Is Lori mad at me?” Luna ruffled her hair. “She’s probably just grumpy. Don’t overthink it.” But Leni knew this wasn’t just a mood.
That night, with the house quiet, Leni tossed and turned, replaying last night. Finally, she crept to Lori’s bedside. “Sis? You awake?”
Lori’s head poked out from the covers, hair a mess. Her eyes flickered with panic at Leni’s silhouette. “It’s late. What’s up?”
“Can’t sleep,” Leni mumbled, voice soft and pleading. “Lori, can I sleep with you?” Lori hesitated, then lifted the blanket.
Leni curled up, facing away. “Sis, why’d you run yesterday? Do you think I’m annoying?”
Lori went still, staring at Leni’s innocent face as her walls crumbled. “It’s not you, Leni. It’s me…” She clenched her jaw, voice barely audible. “I messed up. I shouldn’t have done that to you.”
Leni tilted her head, blinking. “But I didn’t think it was wrong.” She paused, cheeks flaming. “I… kinda liked it.”
Those words hit Lori like a bomb, blasting her restraint to pieces. She knelt by Leni, voice trembling. “Leni, do you even hear yourself? I’ve got Bobby. I’m your sister. We can’t… we can’t do this.”
Tears spilled from Leni’s eyes. “I know you’ve got Bobby, but I can’t help it. Lori, I like you. You always look out for me. Every time you’re on the phone with him, I feel all sour inside. I don’t want you to hate me, but I really like you.”
Lori’s heart tore in half. Seeing Leni cry, she wiped her tears, but her hands wouldn’t stop. She cupped Leni’s face and kissed her again, harder this time, laced with desperation. Leni whimpered, kissing back clumsily, clutching Lori’s pajamas like she needed her closer.
Lori’s hand slipping under Leni’s nightgown, brushing her soft waist. Leni shivered, gasping faintly. She gripped Lori’s shoulders, whispering, “Sis…” Lori nipped her earlobe, voice rough.
“Don’t call me that. Not now.”
Moonlight filled the room, mingling with their ragged breaths. Lori knew she was crossing a line, but Leni’s neediness was a drug she couldn’t shake.
Then her phone rang, a jolt of lightning through the haze. She shoved Leni away, sitting up, panting. “This is wrong. I can’t do this, Leni. I’m sorry.”
Leni curled up, sobbing quietly. She watched Lori grab her phone and bolt, murmuring, “Sis, you can’t let go him, didn’t you?”
As the door slammed, Leni buried her face in the pillow, crying like a kid. Outside, Lori slumped against the wall, her phone slipping from her grasp. She knew no matter who she chose, nothing would ever be the same.
Lori stood in the hall, her phone clattering to the floor, a thin crack splintering the screen.
She stared at it for a few seconds, then bent to pick it up, locking it as if she could seal away what happened. Taking a shaky breath, she Unlock her phone and dialed Bobby. He answered after two rings, his voice cautious but warm. “Babe? You’re finally calling back. I thought you were pissed.”
“Not pissed,” Lori said, her tone icy. She leaned against the wall, eyes vacant. “Just tired. Wanted to hear you.”
Bobby exhaled, perking up. “Good. I was gonna come see you tomorrow, Babe. I hate fighting. I just care too much.”
Lori hummed absently, barely listening. Her mind was stuck on Leni curled up in bed, those teary eyes piercing her. But she shoved it down—told herself it was wrong, that Leni was too sensitive, too clingy, not her fault. She had Bobby, a future. She couldn’t sink into this mess.
After hanging up, she skipped the bedroom and headed to the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. Droplets slid down her chin as she glared at her reflection, muttering, “You’re a damn jerk, Lori Loud.”
The next day, the Loud house felt heavier than usual. Lori hid in the kitchen, whispering into her phone like she was arguing. Leni locked herself in her room, skipping breakfast. Lincoln frowned at Luna. “What’s with them? They were fine yesterday.” Luna shrugged. “Who knows? Probably sister stuff.”
By noon, Leni emerged in a simple green dress, eyes puffy, clutching a handkerchief. Lori sat on the couch flipping through a magazine, not looking up. “Finally decided to show your face?” she said flatly. “Thought you’d hide till I left for college.”
Leni bit her lip, lingering by the stairs. “Lori, I didn’t mean to upset you yesterday. I just… wanted to hang out more.”
Lori kept her eyes on the page, voice cold. “Hang out? You mean make me feel guilty about Bobby? Leni, I’ve got a boyfriend. Can you stop being so childish?” Her words stabbed sharp, cutting into Leni.
Tears welled in Leni’s eyes, her grip on the handkerchief trembling. “I wasn’t trying to ruin anything, I just…” She choked up, turning to flee upstairs, but Lori grabbed her arm.
“Stop crying, it’s annoying,” Lori snapped, pulling her to the couch and forcing her to sit. “Can you grow up? Last night didn’t happen, got it?”
Leni stared at Lori’s stony face, her heart shattering. “Sis, do you really think I’m disgusting?”
Lori faltered, a flicker of doubt in her eyes, but she avoided Leni’s gaze, hardening again. “Yeah, it’s gross. You’re my sister. Kissing you was a mistake—don’t make it a thing.” She let go and stalked to the window, dodging those wounded eyes.
Leni sat there, tears soaking her dress, her voice a whisper. “I get it, Lori. I won’t bug you anymore.”
The living room went dead quiet, save for Leni’s stifled sobs. Lori gripped the curtains, knuckles white. She knew she was a jerk, knew she’d crushed Leni, but she’d picked the easy way out—push it all away, act like it didn’t matter. It was better for everyone, she told herself.
That night, Bobby showed up, pizza box in hand, grinning like a goof. Lori threw herself at him, kissing him hard, like she had something to prove. Bobby blinked, startled, then hugged her back. “Babe, you’re wild today!”
“Just missed you,” she said, her smile syrupy. She dragged him to the couch, talking loud enough for the house to hear, flaunting him like a trophy.
Upstairs, Leni watched from the hallway, hands tight on the railing, knuckles pale. Seeing Lori laugh and lean into Bobby hollowed her out. She slipped back to her room, shutting the door and sinking into her blankets.
In the dark, her phone glowed. She opened her photos, landing on an old pic of her and Lori as kids—hand in hand, grinning like the world was theirs.
Downstairs, Lori clung to Bobby, but her chest felt tight. She’d felt Leni’s stare from above, a thorn in her spine. She squeezed Bobby’s hand, forcing a bigger smile, but it looked fake even to her.
Bobby frowned. “Babe, you okay? You seem off.” She shook her head. “Nah, just really into you.”
But she knew she wasn’t fooling anyone, least of all herself.
She was a jerk—a full-on, no-excuses jerk. She’d hurt Leni, hurt Bobby, hurt herself. And still, she kept up the act, because stopping meant facing what she couldn’t bear to confront.