User blog:FirstDrellSpectre/Fanfiction - Rocky Among Goths

=Synopsis= Rusty's brother Rocky becomes more a goth to be a closer friend to Lucy due to common interests. He tries to join her circle of friends, but they have problem with accepting him as perky goth.

=Story=

Prologue
At school Lucy was eating lunch. Her friend Rocky joined her.

Rocky: Hi, Lucy. Can I sit next to you?

Lucy: Yes, Rocky.

Rocky: Thanks. [he sat next to her and started eating his lunch] What is your sandwich with?

Lucy: Garlic bread with red ham and black olives.

Rocky: I have brown loaf with white cheese, tomato, salad and horseradish.

Lucy: Do you want to exchange sandwiches?

Rocky: Ok.

Rocky and Lucy exchanged their sandwiches.

Rocky: [he bit Lucy's sandwich] Oh, it's so tasty! [she ate Lucy's sandwich quickly] I never ate such thing.

Lucy: So fresh, but I prefer mine. [she ate Rocky's sandwich quickly] Do you like such sandwiches?

Rocky: My parents make me eat them. They want me to eat healthy food. They don't let me do other cool things like watching scary films.

Lucy: My parents are more liberal. They allow me to read novel "Vampires of Melancholia".

Rocky: Sounds like a good scary story.

Lucy: I can lend you my copy of the book. Then we'll have something to talk about.

Rocky: Thanks.

After school Lucy and Rocky were walking to the Loud House. Rocky noticed a strange poster, so he stopped to look at it.

Rocky: Hey, look! What a cool poster. Those colors, those gothic symbols.

Lucy: It's a poster of a goth convention. Oh, there will be my favorite music band.

Rocky: I've never been on a any convention.

Lucy: I have a good idea. Let's go together on the convention.

Rocky: It will be a good chance for me to get know this cool gothic stuff better.

Lucy: I am sure my other friends will be there too. It will be exciting for us both to go there together.

Rocky: Oh, no. Read this line. "Kids under 10 are not allowed to enter ..."

Lucy: Sigh. Why wasn't I born earlier?

Rocky: Let me finish reading. "Kids under 10 are not allowed to enter without care of chaperone".

Lucy: That's a weight off my mind.

Rocky: My brother Rusty won't agree on this. He's such a scaredy cat.

Lucy: We'll ask one of my older siblings to be our chaperone.

Rocky: I hope they are eager enough.

Chapter 1
At the Loud House Lori was laying on coach and using her phones. Lucy approached her.

Lucy: Lori.

Lori: [she screamed and jumped in terror] Lucy, what's up?

Lucy: I want to go on a goth convention this Saturday, but I need you as my chaperone. Please go there with me.

Lori: I literally can't be in two places in same time. I already planned meeting with my friends.

Lucy: Sigh.

Lucy came to Luna and Luan's room. Luna was playing on keyboard, when Luan was brushing her pet rabbit Gary.

Lucy: Hey.

Luan and Luna: [she screamed and jumped in terror]

Lucy: Sorry, I need a chaperone to participate in a goth convention. Please help me.

Luna: Sorry, dude. I don't want to be among spooky nightmare fetishists.

Lucy: On the convention will be music contest, I'm sure you'll like it.

Luna: I like music, but not all genres. I don't like edgy music like goth rock. [she sat down on bean sofa] "So wake me up, when it's all over. When I'm wiser and I'm older". [she closed her eyes]

Lucy: Sigh. What about you, Luan?

Luan: Meeting of the dark kids can be only there, where is their sense of humor. On cemetery.

Lucy: No, on cemetery are people with better sense of humor than yours.

Luan: [gasp] For this insult you won't get any help from me. Now leave!

Lucy went out of Luna and Luan's room, Rocky was waiting for her.

Rocky: Did anybody agree?

Lucy: Sadly no results. I'll just go for the book I wanted to lend you.

Lucy went into her room and she took first tome of "Vampires of Melancholia".

Lucy: Here is the book.

Rocky: Thanks. I'll read it as fast as I can.

Suddenly Lincoln returned from school and was walking towards his room.

Rocky: Look, who just came.

Lincoln: Hi, Lucy. Oh, we have a guest. Hi, Rocky.

Rocky: Hi, Lincoln.

Lucy: Lincoln, I need your help.

Lincoln: Let's talk about it in my room. I'm tired after whole day in school.

Lincoln went into his room and lied down on his bed. Lucy and Rocky followed him.

Lucy: Lincoln, I need you as my chaperone to go on a goth convention this Saturday.

Lincoln: [surprised] What? Are you kidding? [beat] Dumb question, you're actually serious.

Rocky: Actually we both need a chaperone, otherwise we can't go there.

Lincoln: I see. Did other five sisters refuse to help, so you went to me?

Lucy: Yes, a drowning girl clutches a straw.

Rocky: You asked only 3 older sisters. Why didn't you try the rest?

Lucy: Because I already know the rest would be bad choices.

Rocky: Care to explain?

Lucy: Leni would embarrass us on convention and trust me you wouldn't like Lynn to look after you.

Rocky: Fine, I believe you.

Lincoln: Why should I go with you on your convention? You never did the same for me, when I asked.

Lucy: You wanted a companion, when I and Rocky need a chaperone. Your case was optional and ours is necessary.

Lincoln: Now you're claiming that your interests are more important than mine and you expect me to help you?

Lucy: Once you forced me to go with you to the mall. This will make us even.

Lincoln: Invalid argument, you and other sisters forced me to go to the same mall more times.

Rocky: Please, Lincoln. We need your help or we'll miss the convention. You also will have some fun.

Lincoln: This is not my comfort zone, I will feel like a stranger among them. You have nothing to offer.

Lucy: [desperate] On this convention will be my favorite music band. I can't miss this chance. Nobody knows if this band will ever return to Royal Woods. [sad voice] I thought I can count on you. Please, Lincoln, you're the only sibling, who can help us. If I miss this special convention, then every time I will look at you as the reminder of my missed chance.

Lincoln: Enough! You know how to pull at my heartstrings. I will be your chaperone.

Rocky: From the start I knew that you have a heart on right side.

Lucy: You two need proper clothes on the convention.

Lincoln: No problem, I already have my goth outfit.

Lucy: Good. [surprised] Wait. Why did you never care to tell me?

Rocky: I still don't have mine, but don't worry. I'll get mine somehow.

Rocky and Lucy left Lincoln's room and closed the door. Lucy lead Rocky to the front door of her house.

Rocky: Great that Lincoln agreed! We solved problem with chaperone.

Lucy: I don't know what was harder. Finding a chaperone or credibly pretending a heartbroken girl.

Rocky: Wait. That was just an act?

Lucy: Yes. I wasn't sure, if it actually works.

Rocky: You keep surprising me. Thanks for everything. I'll read some chapters of "Vampires of Melancholia" and tell you what I think of it.

Lucy: You'll have your chance on the convention. See you later.

Rocky: See you later.

Chapter 2
At Saturday Lincoln put his gothic outfit on himself. He and Lucy came to Rocky's house. Lucy knocked to the door and Rocky opened it. Lucy was surprised to see Rocky in his gothic outfit composed of a gray t-shirt with green ghost and black winter hat with yellow skull.

Lucy: A t-shirt with ghost logo? It's not very much gothic.

Rocky: I checked in internet how they generally look. This was the best I could find.

Lincoln: To me it looks ok.

Lucy: Fine. Then at least I can paint your hair in black. Yours too, Lincoln.

Lincoln: No way! Do you know how hard is black paint to remove from hair?

Rocky: No! I don't want my hair to be black.

Lucy: You don't look gothic enough. You need this.

Rocky: No! I like hair like it is.

Lincoln: Lucy, it's his hair. We have no right to tell him what to do with them.

Lucy: At least accept black eye shadow. I think you will look gothic enough.

Rocky: Fine by me.

Lincoln: Ok, but remember to stay away from my hair!

Lucy took Lincoln and Rocky to make up store, where she purchased black eye paint. She used this to give her companions black eye shadow.

Lucy: You two look like melancholic sons of night. That's very nice.

Rusty: Dang it! My eyelids are heavy because of this paint. Does this paint contain lead?

Lucy: Don't joke! Goths don't do this. Remember to act properly at the convention.

Lincoln: [melancholic tone] The clothes I'm wearing are reflection of my black soul and heart.

Lucy: That's what I'm talking about.

Lincoln, Lucy and Rocky came to the goth convention in an old crumbling mansion with a garden full of withered trees.

Lucy: Cool place.

Rocky: Oh, yeah.

Lincoln: It looks like a big haunted house. At least 2 centuries old.

Lucy: Exactly.

Lincoln: [sigh] Just remember, you two, to stay close to me. I don't want to lose you in the crowd.

Rocky: How would I get lost in the crowd?

Lincoln: Most of the people wear black clothes like us.

Lucy: Are you blind? I'm wearing Eternal Sadness shade of black, when most wear Vacant Tomb shade.

Lincoln: A regular boy would not notice this.

Rocky: I'm not really regular, but I also don't see the difference between those shades of black.

Lucy: Sigh. How can you two be so color-blind? Never mind, just enjoy the convention.

Rocky: I'm already enjoying.

Lucy: [whispering] Don't act so enthusiastic or you'll ruin your cover.

Lincoln: [stressed] Whole this place and people keep creeping me out.

Lucy: You watch ARGGH! I'm pretty sure you saw such places in tv.

Rocky: She's got you there. After watching the show, you should feel like in your comfort zone.

Lincoln: After this creepy convention, I'm going to ask you for a big favor.

Lucy: I can live with that.

Lucy and Rocky enjoyed various parts of the convention, when Lincoln tried to hide feeling uncomfortable. They watched a fashion show, where participants were exposing their clothes consisting leather jackets, dark symbols on shirts, ragged jeans, heavy chains and multiple belts. Lucy and Rocky were amazed by edgy outfits, when Lincoln was terrified.

Lucy: Finally I'll see concert of my favorite band.

Rocky: Let's see how cool they are.

On stage were three coffins. From those coffins went members of heavy metal band "Horns on a Rabbit", they grabbed their instruments and started playing. Lucy was enjoying their performance, but Lincoln and Rocky couldn't stand it. They both came into the nearest portable toilet to stop hearing the song.

Lincoln: I thought I'm the only one not enjoying this.

Rocky: Don't be surprised. I'm only eight.

Lincoln: I hope you have enough fun, because I don't have it at all.

Rocky: This convention is interesting, but the song is too much for me.

Lincoln: Hush. It seems they stopped playing. Let's go out.

The boys opened the door and found Lucy staring at them. She surprised them, so they jumped in scare.

Lucy: Were you trying to abandon me?

Rocky: No, it's just those songs.

Lucy: Try to act better, because others will recognize you're not like them.

Rocky: Easier said than done. All those boys and girls are so cool.

Lucy: Follow me. Let's eat some ice cream.

Lincoln: Finally you're making sense.

Chapter 3
Lucy purchased 3 portions of black ice cream in dark brown cones. The boys were surprised.

Rocky: Black ice cream? Now I've seen everything.

Lucy: Judge taste over appearance.

Lincoln: However it looks cool. [he licked his ice cream] It tastes like vanilla and bit like coconuts.

Rocky: I expected weirder taste like ink or coal.

Ice cream seller: Who do you think I am? I don't sell inedible food. Otherwise I would get bankrupt.

Lucy: Sometimes I forget we are still humans.

Ice cream seller: I'm suggesting blackberry syrup for additional cents.

Lincoln: Then I'm asking for this.

Lincoln gave the ice cream seller some coins and received blackberry syrup on his ice cream. He liked it and smiled.

Lincoln: Much better, now it has stronger taste.

Lucy: I prefer delicate taste.

Rocky: This time I'm with Lincoln.

Suddenly much to surprise of Lincoln he noticed a familiar goth girl. It was Haiku, who tried to buy ice cream for herself.

Lincoln: Lucy, look who's here.

Lucy: Thanks, brother. Hi, Haiku.

Haiku: Hi, Lucy. I thought you're too young for the convention.

Lucy: My brother Lincoln agreed to be my chaperone.

Haiku: This explains why you're here.

Lincoln: [sad tone] Greetings, Haiku.

Haiku: [annoyed] You can stop acting sad! I know already you're not a goth.

Lincoln: [annoyed] Do you really think I need to pretend? Think again. This whole place is unpleasant to me.

Lucy: [walking between Lincoln and Lucy] Don't argue.

Rocky: Yeah, we didn't come here to fight.

Haiku: Who is this boy?

Rocky: I'm Rocky, Lucy and Lincoln are my friends.

Haiku: It's clear you're new in goth subculture.

Rocky: I just started getting into my new interest.

Haiku: I'm surrounded by pretenders.

Lincoln: What's your problem with us not being like you?

Haiku: I don't mind you not being goths. It bothers me that you two pretend to be ones.

Lincoln: I came here, because my sister needed a chaperone.

Lucy: What part of "Don't argue" did you two not understand?

Haiku: I just don't like when people are dishonest.

Lucy: Haiku, did you meet Persephone or Morpheus or anyone of us?

Haiku: Their family matters and family budgets don't allow them to go there.

Lucy: It's not fair that whole Mortician Club can't meet on the convention.

Rocky: Then at least try to be happy that you two could meet.

Haiku: [smiling] That's right.

Haiku returned to the ice cream seller.

Haiku: Can I ask for dark chocolate ice cream?

Ice cream seller: Yes. I'm suggesting blackberry syrup.

Haiku: No thank you. My life is already bitter. I don't want it to be mixed with sour.

Haiku paid for her ice cream and returned to her friends.

Lucy: So do you enjoy the convention?

Haiku: Yes, I love this. I'd like to see the mansion from inside.

Lucy: That's good news. Guys, we're going to the mansion.

Rocky: It's going to be cool.

Lincoln: Whatever.

Lucy, Haiku, Rocky and Lincoln went into the mansion. With lot of other people they were looking at furniture, statues, paintings on walls, curtains, old chandeliers.

Lucy: This mansion is like mansions described in my favorite books.

Haiku: Look at those paintings and chandeliers. They are beautiful.

Lincoln: Clyde and Zach would enjoy this place, they like antiques.

Rocky: If Rusty was here, I'm sure he'd drool on sight of this.

Lincoln: Do you mean those elegant girls?

Rocky: I was thinking about local food, but that too.

Lincoln: Speaking of food, I got little hungry. I'll try this black pasta and tomato sauce.

Haiku: Don't you feel strange to eat food in such unorthodox color?

Lincoln: For hungry everything is tasty.

Chapter 4
Lincoln grabbed a paper plate and wooden fork with knife, put some black pasta on it and then tried to take bottle of tomato sauce. However in same time someone else already grabbed the same bottle. Lincoln wanted to know, who this is, so he turned his head. He got surprised, when he realized, it was emo girl Maggie.

Maggie: Lincoln Loud.

Lincoln: Maggie...

Maggie: Margaret for you! What are you doing here?

Lincoln: Don't you see? I'm trying to eat black pasta.

Maggie: I'm asking why are you here?

Haiku: Do you know each other?

Lincoln: Long story.

Maggie: Now I see. You're on a date.

Haiku: Mind your business, emo!

Lucy: What's the matter? [she looked at Maggie] An emo on our territory. This means war!

Maggie: Rivalry between our groups lasts since they exist.

Haiku: This isn't your convention. What are you after?

Maggie: Here I can prove that emo are better than goths in local contests. I would be a fool, if I missed this chance.

Lucy: How petty of you.

Rocky: What's a difference between emos and goths? They look so similar.

Maggie, Haiku and Lucy: We don't!

Lucy: Goths are stoic and quiet, when emos are angsty and angry.

Maggie: What a superficial definition. Goths enjoy horror stories and dark forces, emos are fascinated by sad art, music and stories.

Haiku: Then your interests are very limited.

Maggie: Mine are real, when you worship what's non-existent things like magic or monsters!

Lucy: Don't you dare!

Rocky: I'm afraid I still don't get it.

Maggie: [to Rocky] What do we have here? A little kid playing a goth. It's clear you're just a poser.

Rocky: Am I this obvious?

Maggie: I can't believe it. You're no rivals to me. You're just posers not worth challenging.

Haiku: I can't stand this insult!

Lucy: Take it, back!

Maggie: [bluntly] No.

Lincoln: Fight each other as you will, but let me eat in peace.

Maggie: See? He doesn't even deny to be a poser.

Haiku: Ignore him, I am a real goth. I'm challenging you to poetry contest.

Maggie: I am older and more experienced than you and poetry is my favorite school subject.

Haiku: I belong to Mortician Club and Writing Club, so I will defeat you.

Lucy: So do I. We will defeat you.

Maggie: Oh, please. As if I cared about proving anything to you.

Rocky: You think, I'm not a goth? I'll take part in contest to prove that I can be a goth, if I want to!

Maggie: I can ignore one poser, but three are a different story. I'm taking part in the contest.

Maggie left Lincoln, Rocky, Lucy and Haiku alone.

Rocky: [nervous] Ugh! Why did I say it? I am poor at writing.

Lucy: You wanted to prove that you can be a goth. You can't give up now.

Rocky: I'm interested in gothic subculture, but I fear not enough.

Haiku: You should have thought about it earlier.

Lucy: Don't worry about it. We'll work as a team.

Haiku: But what chances do we have against a mid-teen?

Lincoln: The emo girl is actually thirteen.

Rocky: Only thirteen? She looks like fifteen.

Lucy: Lincoln, we might need your support.

Lincoln: Am I not supporting you enough by being with you?

Lucy: You can be a good poet, if you want. [whispering to Lincoln's ear] Even better than me.

Lincoln: You give me too much credit.

Lucy: Not true. You're the one I come to ask for rhymes. It's a shame you don't use full potential of your poetic skills. Please. Help us.

Lincoln: I'm a good brother, so I will.

Lucy, Lincoln, Haiku and Rocky cooperated to write poem for the contest. Maggie did all by herself. All contestants were on stage. Poetry contest host decided which contestant shows their work next. Maggie and Haiku were the last.

Poetry contest host: Now we'll listen to another contestant Margaret.

Maggie: Dramatic change.

Childhood ended with move Old friends, home and school are gone Everything makes sense no more Nothing else need to prove.

Around a new reality is blooming around All what's left is brooding about What new purpose is the best Otherwise soul remains depressed.

Poetry contest host: I'm impressed a lot, but now it's time for the last contestant, Haiku.

Haiku: Harsh reality.

Better to embrace harshness Instead of living in delusion. Any light of hope is an illusion In the world is full of darkness.

I accept what is cruel and real, To live in world cold like steel. Either destroy or be destroyed Is the rule not to avoid.

Poetry contest host: Very good. Now I'm torn between Margaret and Haiku. It seems you two are winners ex aequo.

Maggie and Haiku: What?!

Maggie: I demand another round!

Poetry contest host: There won't be another round. You are both too tired to continue. You'll have to share your prize. [she showed a bottle of perfume]

Haiku: How to share perfumes?

Maggie: Here is my answer. [Maggie took the bottle of perfumes and started spraying Haiku with this]

Haiku: [cough] What's that?

Maggie: [spitefully] You'll have your half, so don't complain.

Poetry contest host: [she took the bottle from Maggie] Enough! For such misbehavior you're disqualified. [she gave Haiku the bottle]

Haiku: [sarcastically] Thank you.

Lucy: Congratulations.

Rocky: At least you smell well now.

Maggie: [angry] This isn't end yet!

Lincoln: You can't accept your defeat. I thought you're more mature.

Maggie: Shut up! I will defeat you in another contest.

Lincoln: Then what about drawing contest?

Maggie: [smile] Deal.

Lincoln: Finally something I'm good at.

Lucy: I can draw too.

Rocky: I've never seen you doing this.

Lucy: You're not helping.

Lincoln, Maggie and other contestants took part in drawing contest. They were the last to show their work. Before drawing contest host approached them, Lincoln was admiring Maggie's drawing.

Lincoln: I must admit your work looks well. Those shades and light, those proportions,...

Maggie: Spare your tongue. Your opinion doesn't interest me. You're not here to judge.

Lincoln: At least I know how to respect my opponent.

Maggie: Those, who lost don't deserve respect.

Lincoln: I'm just looking at someone, who clearly doesn't.

Drawing contest host approached Maggie's drawing.

Drawing contest host: Hmm. It's your self portrait, where you're cowering surrounded by flying crows. Clearly it shows your anxiety, when others are looking at you and think of themselves as superior to you.

Maggie: I'm flattered.

Drawing contest host: Now let's check the last picture. [gasp] That's unexpected. Two five-headed dragons fighting each other and leaving devastations behind. The worst is no hope present.

Lincoln: [to the audience] I wanted to draw Ace Savvy between them, but the I ran out of time.

Drawing contest host: A simplistic way to remind that there is no glory or heroes in war. In the end both sides are monsters. Nobody wins, because there is nobody left to celebrate victory.

Lincoln: Wow, such deep interpretation.

Drawing contest host: However you are about to celebrate your victory. The winner is Lincoln Loud!

Maggie: [gasp] I protest! His picture looks like a cartoonic comic. Where is art in this?!

Drawing contest host: Meaning outmatches the form. It's very difficult to show so much in such simple way. This contrast between seemingly goofy characters and serious topic is interesting.

Maggie: [frustrated] After all efforts I put in drawing realistic crows, I'm losing to a poser.

Lincoln: Or maybe you just tried too hard.

Drawing contest host: Congratulations. Here is prize for your work.

Lincoln: [getting the prize to his hands]A black medallion?

Maggie: You don't even know worth of your prize!

Lincoln: So it's valuable. Good for me.

Lucy: You've lost, now leave us alone.

Maggie: I challenge you for karaoke contest.

Lincoln: I'm not a good singer.

Lucy: I don't sing.

Haiku: Don't look at me.

Rocky: But I like singing.

Maggie: Then go on stage and sing.

Rocky went on stage, took microphone and started reading lyrics on screen. However he didn't read fast enough, so his performance left a lot to desire. He was taken from the stage, before he could reach middle of the song.

Lucy: You didn't sing like I imagined.

Rocky: I'm a slow reader. The lyrics were just too fast for me.

Maggie: My turn.

Maggie went on stage, took microphone and started reading lyrics on screen. Her performance was outstanding, she had such beautiful singing voice that it was hypnotic to all boys, including Lincoln and Rocky.

Lucy: [annoyed] Are you two admiring her?!

Lincoln: You have to admit, she has a nice voice.

Rocky: It makes me uneasy.

Haiku: Pfff, boys.

Maggie won the karaoke contest and reward was put in her hand.

Maggie: A silver hair clip in shape of crow? It will be a nice addition to my wardrobe. [she put the hair clip on right side of her hair]

Lucy: Unbelievable! Losing to emo?!

Haiku: Did you really believe an 8-year-old boy would be a better singer than a teenage girl?

Lucy: I feel so stupid. I challenge you to knowledge contest about "Vampires of Melancholia"!

Maggie: [surprised] No way. I won't take part in this.

Lucy: You kept challenging us, but now you reject my challenge?

Maggie: I don't read those books, so there is no point. I'm glad enough to defeat you at least once.

Lucy: Fine, you and your friends kept ruining the convention long enough.

Maggie: Guys, we're leaving.

Maggie and her friends left Lincoln, Lucy, Haiku and Rocky alone.

Rocky: Well, that was amusing. Sorry for losing to the emo girl.

Lucy: At least we won more times than her.

Haiku: She came to the conventions for a very petty reason.

Rocky: She's gone now. Let's enjoy rest of the convention.

Chapter 5
Lincoln: I just found something I like. [he showed a poster] Gothic prestidigitator show!

Lucy, Rocky and Haiku: Huh?

Rocky: What is..eh...[slowly] prestige orator?

Lincoln: Prestidigitator is another name for magician.

Lucy: I rather take part in the contest I mentioned.

Haiku: Me too. I wonder which of us is the bigger fan of Vampires of Melancholia.

Rocky: I haven't read much of the book yet. I'd watch magic with Lincoln.

Lincoln: I didn't expect this from you as Rusty thinks magic is boring.

Rocky: But I am not my brother.

Lincoln and Rocky watched illusionist performance on stage, when Haiku and Lucy took part in the contest for fans of "Vampires of Melancholia". After those events were over, the kids met again.

Lincoln: There you are girls. I didn't expect gothic magicians to be so spectacular.

Rocky: I also enjoyed watching all magic tricks. You should have watched it with us.

Lucy: Then I wouldn't win this replica of Griselda's silver ring with bloody jewel. [she showed her prize on her right hand]

Haiku: It fits you well. I thought I'm the biggest fan, but you answered correctly on every question.

Lucy: When it comes to Vampires of Melancholia, then I know everything about it.

Lincoln: Spectacular magician performance is more memorable than a ring.

Haiku: I am glad we all came here, but it's getting late. We should go home.

Rocky: Let's make selfie as a reminder of this.

Lucy: Let's go to the photo booth instead.

All four friends took some pictures in photo booth. After that Haiku returned home on her own, when Lincoln and Lucy brought Rocky to his home.

Rocky: Thank you a lot for taking me to the convention.

Lucy: I'm happy that you enjoyed it.

Rocky: Your friend Haiku is an interesting girl. Would I join your circle of friends?

Lucy: Mortician Club? I'll talk to them about you. I suggest to read the book I gave you, so we all could talk about it.

Rocky: Okay, I will read the book in every free time then.

Lincoln: Good reading then.

Lucy and Lincoln returned their home.

Lucy: I hope you also had some fun on the convention.

Lincoln: Listen to me. I didn't feel too good out of my comfort zone.

Lucy: Sigh.

Lincoln: But I can take it well as long as I am there with you.

Lucy: Thank you again for helping me and Rocky. [she gave Lincoln a hug]

Lincoln: [he hugged Lucy back] You're welcome.

Chapter 6
Next day Rocky tried to read the book from Lucy as her promised, but he struggled. He did that not only in free time, but also during eating, cleaning floor, taking bath, brushing teeth. Rusty was surprised that his brother was reading this book before going sleep, so he approached him.

Rusty: What are you reading, Rocky?

Rocky: I try to read a book from Lucy. We will have something to talk about.

Rusty: You don't leave this book, I'm worried about you.

Rocky: I don't read very fast. During whole day I read only forty.

Rusty: I know how to make it faster.

Rocky: How?

Rusty: I can download an audio book version on of this on laptop for you.

Rocky: Thanks, this will make it easier.

Rusty: [he took his laptop] Show me the book, so I would know the title.

Rocky: There. [he showed the book]

Rusty: Ok, I'm checking. Oh, it's not so expensive. Downloading will take some time. You can start listening this tomorrow.

Rocky: Thank you.

Rusty: That's what older brothers are for. Now better go sleep, because we go to school tomorrow.

Rusty left his brother's room and Rocky went sleep.

Next day at school during lunch Lucy approached Rocky.

Lucy: Hey, Rocky.

Rocky: [he got scarred] Aaah! I still didn't get used to.

Lucy: If you want to join Mortician Club, then I'll bring you there tomorrow after school to introduce yourself.

Rocky: [enthusiastically] That's awesome! Wait, why tomorrow?

Lucy: You need to go there in your goth outfit. By the way how is your reading going?

Rocky: I could read forty pages this weekend.

Lucy: Then we'll try to avoid topics related to Vampires of Melancholia until you read the book.

After school Rocky returned home. He finished his homework and played the audio book version of Vampires of Melancholia. However more he listened to the text, the less enthusiastic he was.

Rocky: What does Lucy see in this book? It's not very enjoyable. Those vampires don't do anything special. I need a break, because I can't stand it.

Next day Lucy brought Rocky to class room, where were all members of Mortician Club. He was fascinated to see them.

Rocky: [nervously smiling] Hey, guys, I'm Rocky.

Lucy: You already know Haiku. Those are Persephone, Dante, Morpheus, Boris and Bertrand.

Boris: You look like goth, but are you for real?

Rocky: You remind me more a pharmacist than a goth.

Boris: [frowning]

Lucy: [whispering] Rocky! Don't tell such things.

Bertrand: Tell us about yourself.

Rocky: I have some interest in macabre. I was with Lucy on the latest goth convention and I think that was awesome. We both had fun in making fake blood together.

Haiku: You still don't talk like a goth.

Persephone: We don't use words like "awesome" or "fun".

Haiku: You still smile too much.

Morpheus: Interest in goth subculture doesn't make you a goth yet.

Rocky: What do you mean?

Bertrand: You're just another orthodox kid pretending a goth.

Lucy: Stop it! He's new in our interest! What did you expect?

Rocky: Finally someone doesn't talk against me.

Lucy: Don't forget we all weren't like we are today. Rocky is no exception.

Haiku: Lucy has a point. To me it was so long ago. Now I am barely the girl I was before joining you.

Rocky: I started reading "Vampires of Melancholia" and I can already say my opinion.

Boris: Stop! You can't talk about the book, if you didn't read it completely.

Rocky: Fair enough.

Lucy: I advise you to finish the book as soon as possible.

Rocky: I can still talk about your fashion. Why wear old-fashioned clothes, if they are inconvenient to wear?

Persephone: We wear clothes that manifest what we are inside.

Boris: I actually wear my robe so often, because I work a lot in chemistry lab. Mix of fashion and practical use.

Rocky: Fine. Another thing is...

Haiku: Stop! Listen, you need to act and think like our crowd, if you want to be a part of it.

Dante: Don't try to be different from us.

Boris: Or you'll cause chaos.

Rocky: What?

Lucy: Ok everyone, I think I can say our meeting is finished.

Rocky: Lucy, what are you doing?

Lucy: I'm saving your skin.

Rocky: Thanks then.

Lucy: Learn to behave like a goth more, then you can join our next meeting. It wasn't so hard on the convention.

Rocky: Ok. See you later.

Chapter 7
At his home Rocky continued listening to the audio book. He felt displeased after playing the recording was finished.

Rocky: [to himself] What does Lucy and her friends see in this book? The story is so slow and unoriginal, when characters are too hard to be taken seriously. Is this really what goths like?

Rocky started walking nervously. Rusty noticed this, so he approached him.

Rusty: What's up, Rocky?

Rocky: I am in trouble.

Rusty: Tell me about it. I'll try to help you.

Rocky: I want to hang out with a group of cool kids. For them I listened to the audio book, but I don't like this at all. I need to act and think like them, but I can't like what I don't enjoy. If I don't share their opinion, they will reject me. What shall I do?

Rusty: Oh boy, that's a peer pressure! You shall not give into this.

Rocky: What are you suggesting?

Rusty: Just because your friends do something and you don't like this, doesn't mean you also should. You are your own man deciding for yourself. Don't let them tell you what to think, have your own opinion.

Rocky: Thank you for opening my eyes. Now I know what I shall do.

Next day Rocky entered the class room of the Mortician Club. He was wearing his goth outfit again and carrying Lucy's book. He put the book Lucy's desk.

Rocky: [feigning melancholy nature] Hi, everyone.

Lucy, Haiku, Dante, Persephone, Bertrand, Boris and Morpheus: Hi, Rocky.

Rocky: [feigning melancholy nature] I finished Vampires of Melancholia.

Lucy: You also talk like goth. I'm sure it was an interesting literature.

Rocky: [no longer feigning melancholy nature] Quite the opposite.

Lucy: What?

Rocky: The story is very slow, so many words were used to describe simple happenings.

Haiku: Long descriptions are used to build atmosphere of the story.

Rocky: Then it tries to cover very thin story. The plot is very simple. It's about toxic relationship between the titular vampires.

Dante: How dare you insult Vampires of Melancholia?! Their relationship isn't toxic, it's very romantic.

Rocky: Not true! Griselda and Edwin are very possessive, selfish and emotionally manipulative jerks to each other. She cheated on him with a werewolf to make him jealous.

Bertrand: This was a test of how strong Edwin's love for Griselda was.

Rocky: They don't love each other, they just want to have each others for themselves.

Lucy: What lies! Don't you dare to insult them! Griselda is a perfect girl, who knows what she wants and Edwin is a perfect man. Every woman wants him.

Rocky: Griselda isn't perfect, she's so unrealistic that I can't relate to her! She only takes and gives nothing in return.

Persephone: Love for Edwin isn't nothing!

Rocky: He doesn't love her, he treats her like her property. What does Griselda see in him? Is she blind or simply stupid? How can anyone accept this garbage!

Morpheus: Enough! I won't stand those blasphemous insults of our favorite book!

Rocky: Oh, so that's how you treat those, who disagree with you! You are no different than people, who criticize you. You all don't tolerate those, who don't share your views!

Lucy: I told you to act like our crowd, if you want to be one of us!

Rocky: You just want me to think like you, so I would be more acceptable! I can't be friends with a group that disrespects my opinions!

Boris: And you think you don't disrespect our opinions? Think again!

Haiku: Everyone, who are for banning Rocky from our group, hands up!

All members of the group voted against Rocky. Lucy hesitated, but she also joined the crowd.

Rocky: And you Lucy against me?

Lucy: You brought this on yourself.

Haiku: You no longer welcome here! Now leave and never return!

Rocky: You're not even worth joining!

Rocky left the classroom and closed the door loudly.

Chapter 8
Lucy returned home frustrated. Lincoln was sitting on the couch, when Lucy frightened him by opening door loudly. He was surprised to see her so angry.

Lincoln: Lucy, what happened to you?

Lucy: [angry] Nothing!

Lincoln: Then why are you furious?

Lucy: [angry] I am not! [she angrily punched wall]

Lincoln: Let's talk about this to make you feel better.

Lucy: I don't want to talk about this! You wouldn't understand!

Lincoln: Surely not, if you keep silent about your problem.

Lucy: How would you help?! I have no problem!

Lincoln: Stop demolishing our house and let me try! Denying problems never solves them.

Moved by her brother's words Lucy stopped being angry and started crying. Lincoln was no longer annoyed by her, but felt sorry for her. He gave her a hug to comfort her, so she hugged him back. He lead her to the couch and they both sat on it.

Lucy: Sorry for this, I have a really bad day.

Lincoln: What exactly happened?

Lucy: Rocky joined Mortician Club meeting. I expected him to be like all of us, but instead he rudely insulted my favorite book, Vampires of Melancholia.

Lincoln: I didn't know him from this side. If I met such a jerk, I also would be frustrated.

Lucy: That's not end, that's only the start. He caused a loud argument with my friends. I was forced to ban him from the club.

Lincoln: Oh boy, that must have been difficult to you.

Lucy: You bet. I thought after the convention he'll join my circle of friends. With his rude behavior he left us no choice. All voted for his banning including me.

Lincoln: Now you doubt if it was right?

Lucy: I had to choose between one friend and six friends. I picked to lose less, but it still hurts.

Lincoln: What will you do now?

Lucy: Now I want to forget this awful day. Make a cocoa for me.

Lincoln: As you wish.

Lincoln prepared a cup of hot cocoa for Lucy. He gave it to her. After drinking some of it, she started feeling better.

Lucy: Thank you, big brother. I needed this.

Lincoln: It always helped you relax. [he heard his phone ringing] I have a phone to take.

Lincoln left Lucy and took his phone.

Rusty: Lincoln, I need your help. Come to my house now.

Lincoln: What's the problem?

Rusty: It's not a topic for phone chatting. Come to me now.

Lincoln came to Rusty quite fast.

Lincoln: What's the matter?

Rusty: Since Rocky returned he doesn't talk to me, he's just sitting and frowning. He doesn't even do any of his hobbies.

Lincoln: He seems to have a bad day. Perhaps I'm starting to guess why.

Rusty: Follow me.

Lincoln and Rusty entered Rocky's room. Rocky behaved like Rusty described.

Lincoln: Hi, Rocky.

Rocky: Hmm.

Lincoln: I know you argued with Lucy...

Rocky: Don't say her name again!

Lincoln: I knew that's the case. You insulted her hobby, so blame yourself instead of her.

Rocky: That's what she told you. Did she also tell you that she and her friends banned me for not being like them?

Lincoln: You behaved like a jerk, so what did you expect?

Rocky: You weren't there. You don't know, what happened there. They didn't allow me to have different opinion than theirs. They wanted to mold me, so I would share their group thinking.

Rusty: Then they all suffer on mob mentality. You didn't lose much then.

Rocky: They didn't respect my opinion, so why should I respect theirs.

Rusty: I told you to have your own opinion, but not to argue about it.

Lincoln: Even if you had different opinion than theirs, you had no right to be rude about this.

Rusty: Do you think it makes you more right than them? You're wrong. Screaming doesn't make you right, it makes you only rude.

Rocky: If I think about it, then I really went overboard. However they didn't want to listen to me. What was I supposed to do?

Lincoln: If you couldn't find good arguments, you could have just left peacefully.

Rocky: Indeed, I could. They aren't even worth hanging out with them.

Lincoln: You think the same of Lucy? She thought of you as a friend. Rusty: [annoyed] Lincoln! Stop!

Rocky: No, he's correct. I should talk to her face to face.

Lincoln returned home, when Lucy was sitting on the couch and writing a new poem. Lucy: Good you've came, big brother. What are rhymes for "rejected"?

Lincoln: Hm, affected, corrected, perfected.

Lucy: No, those would make no sense. I'm writing a poem to cope with losing Rocky.

Lincoln: You didn't lose him, you just don't talk to him. Speaking of him, I heard his part of this story.

Lucy: What did he say?

Lincoln: That he's sorry, but also that your friends didn't like that he had different opinion about their favorite book.

Lucy: We all agree about Vampire of Melancholia, why doesn't he agree?

Lincoln: Really? Do you never disagree?

Lucy: If we don't think the same, then the group can start falling apart.

Lincoln: It sounds like they aren't honest, they just pretend to agree.

Lucy: Hm, I never thought that way about my friends. I never considered some may just act instead of being themselves. Now I wonder how much a goth I am, because I like it and how much just because to fit group of my friends from Mortician Club.

Epilogue
Suddenly Rocky approached the window to show himself.

Rocky: I'm right here.

Lucy and Lincoln got surprised and jumped out of scare.

Lincoln: [annoyed] Did you follow me to overhear us?

Rocky: Lucy, we must talk.

Lucy: Then come and let's just get this over with. Lincoln, you can leave us.

Lincoln: Fine. [he left]

Rocky: [he went into the house] I came to apologize. I didn't have to be so stubborn with my opinion.

Lucy: I also am sorry. I shouldn't force you to act like rest of my friends.

Rocky: Did you want me to act like a goth for you or for the group?

Lucy: For the group. I didn't try to change you.

Rocky: I just don't suit them. Just because I am interested in macabre, doesn't mean I want to be a goth. I was naive to think I would get along with your friends.

Lucy: I was also naive, because I thought you would adjust quickly.

Rocky: I don't need to be their friend, I just want to be your friend.

Lucy: I am more than fine with this. Wait, I just wonder how did you read Vampires of Melancholia so quickly, if you read slow?

Rocky: I used audio book.

Lucy: Oh, that's acceptable. Bertrand also uses audio books.

Rocky: Do we have anything in common beyond interest in gothic stuff? I don't want to play with you only in this.

Lucy: Right, we can't limit ourselves to this. What else do you like?

Rocky: I like video games.

Lucy: Don't feel bad, but I am not fond to them.

Rocky: Any sports?

Lucy: I am not into sports, but I know how to play basketball. We can play outside.

Lucy got dressed in her basketball outfit. She and Rocky played basketball in front of the garage. Lincoln saw them through his window and smiled.

THE END