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"No, I'm afraid not. You see, a few days ago, I had the honor of assisting the police in a case that culminated in the arrest of a serial killer. They owed me a favor for it, and I decided to cash it in here. Before we entered the office, I asked my friend to call them. I told them that I suspected a case of a teacher abusing a student. The principal takes these types of complaints very seriously. In a remote case, if I was wrong, I just had to apologize and accept my mistake. Fortunately, that was not the case. Now, with your act and a little nudity and confession, they will have enough evidence to lock you up for a long time" The silence in the room was absolute, and Lincoln loved that. The boy could hear the professor's heart beating a thousand miles an hour, and the unmistakable scent of fear emanated from his pores.

"Police, everyone stay still." A group of policemen entered the office and handcuffed the coach, who was kneeling on the floor with his mouth open, dripping with saliva and blood, and with a lost look. As if his brain had melted.

While the two officers took the coach away and one of the police officers gave Cookie a blanket to cover herself and gave her a cup of hot chocolate, Police Chief Gregory was talking to Lincoln and Clyde. "Congratulations, guys, and especially to you, young man Loud, thanks to your brave stance, we have another sex detainee under arrest. And young man McBride, thanks to you, we were able to enter undetected by the teachers and students, allowing this arrest to be carried out with complete caution.

"It was nothing official. The back door is always open at this time, and the janitor goes out to smoke."

"Officer, if you don't mind, we'd prefer to keep this a secret to protect Miss Cookie's identity from the media. You know how they can be in these types of situations."

"I understand, young Loud. But at least let me thank you." An officer approaches the chief, holding a small box in his hands. "In honor of your courage and devotion to your duty to protect and serve the innocent, you are awarded these medals for bravery." The chief gave a military salute to them.

The police took the coach away and left the boys alone. Lincoln settled down with Cookie, and the girl looked at him suspiciously until he spoke to her.

"Hey, are you fine?"

"Yes. Fortunately, I didn't go any further."

"Can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead"

"Why did you let him do that to you?"

"I was never good at sports. I needed to pass this class, and he told me that if I did everything he asked me, he would change my grades. Over time, he started to bully me until I became subservient to him."

"And was he?... You know. He never touched you."

"No... He made me wear sexy clothes and take pictures of me, or he made me use adult toys while he watched. Today will be the first time he crosses the line. But thanks to you, I'm free."

"It was nothing. I didn't want that animal to take advantage of someone as nice as you, cookie."

"How do you know my name?"

"I have a good ear. I heard him call you that."

"You're making me known. Wait, you're... you're Lincoln. Lincoln Loud."

"Same thing. Well, you better rest. Call your parents and tell them to come take you. I'm sure you need a break after all this."

Lincoln leaves Cookie alone. The girl stares at him, thinking that this person is not up to anything the rumors describe.

As the two friends were walking down the hall towards the third class, they met the new member of their group.

"Guys, where have you been? I was looking for you everywhere."

"I'm sorry, Andy. Lincoln and I forgot something at the gym."

"Ah okay. Well, let's go. I don't know where the next classroom is."

"Oh, I know. Come on guys, I'll take you there." Clyde took the boys to the next class.

Andy walked in front despite not knowing where to go, while Clyde talked to Lincoln. "Hey brother. Tell me what you think?"

"Huh? What do I think about what?"

"You know. The rumors and your supposed 'reputation'?"

"Come on, Clyde. Seriously, you won't believe what that guy said."

Clyde knew what they said about his friend and brother, but he didn't have the courage to tell him. It's never been easier to tell someone they've become a scourge. "Lincoln...it's true."

Before he finished speaking, Lincoln interrupted him. "Clyde, he was just saying that to scare me. He wanted to offend the girl. Do you think these people can be honest?"

His friend's optimism was truly unwavering, but Clyde couldn't let his friend live in a world of fake drunkenness while everyone was talking behind his back. It was hard, but he had to tell him the truth. "Lincoln... I have to tell you something, but I'll tell you at recess."

"Okay. I'm dying to know what it is."

After the third period came the break. Lincoln and Clyde were at one of the patio tables. The albino's face showed surprise, which meant that Clyde had spilled all the soup.

"Wow... so Stella returned to her family's country."

"Yes. Philippines"

"And Zack, Liam, and Rusty changed schools because...?"

"They were destroyed by social networks. It was better to escape the shame."

"And they say I'm like a criminal?"

"Yes, someone dropped rumors about you, and it spread like wildfire. Only a few know the truth." Clyde hoped that Lincoln would get frustrated or that he would go back to his old self and come up with an elaborate plan to clear his name. But what happened was unexpected.

"Pfft...hahahaha. Me? A criminal? Very funny. That's good, Clyde. Very, very good. I'm laughing. Oh, I... I can't. Gahahaha. Oh, my stomach, my stomach. That's so funny."

Clyde saw his friend and couldn't believe his reaction. It was as if he did not take seriously the fact that someone had tarnished his good name. "Lincoln, I'm telling you the truth. Everyone thinks you're a criminal."