in bloom [rodrick heffley]

chapter 2: liberosis

When Jill left for her business trip, I couldn't rid myself of the thought that I could do whatever I wanted and no one was around to stop me. I didn't want to do bad things, but I knew that even if I did, no one was looking over my shoulder. I could walk down the street, eat as much as I wanted, wear what I wanted. I could watch TV all day and there'd be no consequences.

Was this freedom?

I started my first day alone with chocolate chip pancakes, jelly toast and a tall glass of orange juice. I watched a show called Ridiculous Clips, where people watch videos of other people doing crazy or funny things, until after noon. I laughed harder than I ever had in my entire life, even though I didn't understand some of the words they were saying because a beeping noise played over them.

Next, I took a bath in Jill's giant jacuzzi tub. I didn't even know they existed until Jill gave me permission to use it. It was, by far, my favorite invention of all time. I put soaps and oils and bathbombs in the bubbling water and soaked for hours, draining and refilling the water when it got too cold. I was a prune by the time I got out.

Then, as I was taking the trash out, I heard the music again. It was a different sound, though. It was slower and more sensual. Until the drums came in. The pace picked up and the singer sang louder after that. Despite the volume increase, I still couldn't understand what he was saying. I walked closer until I was on the edge of the property line trying to hear the message. It still wasn't being received.

It felt a little wrong, so I knew it was wrong, but I had to know the lyrics. So, against my better judgment, I crossed over onto the Heffleys' lawn. I passed by a white van with the words Löded Diper on the side, furrowing my brows at the word choice and misspelling. The sound led me to a garage on the other side and a window to look through. Once I peered inside, I was fascinated by what I saw. Three boys were surrounded by cords and large speakers, playing their instruments with all their might.

"YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY
ABOUT THE STATE OF THE BAY
'NOTHING TO DO FOR FUN'
THATS THE TRUTH, BITCH

I'M JUST AN HONEST GUY
ONE WAY TO DIE INSIDE:
LIVE IN PLAINVIEW, MASSACHUSETTS"

I felt sorely disappointed and a little nervous because of the lyrics. They were speaking pretty vulgar opinions of the place they knew far better than I did. I hoped I didn't have the same experiences that caused them to feel such disdain for it.

They ceased their playing without warning and began talking about things they could do differently with the song. My gaze fell to the drummer as he listened to the singer speak, nodding occasionally and adding on to what he was saying.

It was strange to see boys in the flesh. We're they really so different from girls? My mother seemed to believe so.

Their conversation was interrupted when a younger boy burst into the room.

"Rodrick! Manny broke Mom's lamp!" he shouted in anger.

The drummer replied. "So? We're in the middle of a meeting, you deal with the ankle biter."

Ankle biter?

"No! Mom told you you're in charge, you deal with it!"

The controversy was spiking my anxiety, but I couldn't look away. It was like watching TV.

"You have two seconds to get out and clean it up or I'll tell Mom you did it," he threatened, brushing off the younger boy and continuing his conversation.

"I'll tell Mom you guys were swearing in your songs! You're already on thin ice for hitting Mrs. Donahue's mailbox," the boy counter-threatened.

The drummer, Rodrick, didn't take his own medicine as well as he gave it. His eyes widened a little before he began running towards him. Like lightning, the boy was gone in a flash. Rodrick stopped at the door frame and slammed it, turning back to his band mates.