in bloom [rodrick heffley]

chapter 5: blacklist girl

The next day, as I was on my way to first period, I caught up with Danielle in the hallway.

"Hi," I said, fixing my pace to match hers. "How are you?"

She looked at me with tired eyes and ran a hand through her hair.

"Just dandy."

Truth be told, I didn't get much sleep either. I lied awake for hours thinking over the day's events. Jill was relieved when I told her I'd made a friend. Then she seemed almost nervous when I said the name "Danielle Davenport." I wanted to question her on her sudden hesitancy, but she ended the conversation by saying she's happy for me.

Mr. Wilson's filling classroom was buzzing. I was surprised to see Rodrick in his seat, turned around and chatting with his friends. Danielle sat in her seat in front of the blonde boy, who I learned was named Chris. My original seat was near the front, so I decided I would switch to be closer to them. I looked to Danielle for help, and she began looking around for a spot for me.

None of her friends noticed me as they spoke to one another. Rodrick was giving his opinion on our politicians, which basically boiled down to "They're stupid liars."

"Hey, new girl," Chris said, interrupting the conversation.

Rodrick's eyes darted to me as I said "hi" back.

"What happened to your other friends?" Ben asked in a joking manner.

"They aren't my friends. I was just invited to sit with them at lunch yesterday," I explained.

No one responded.

"Jo, just sit in front of Rodrick," Danielle finally said, pointing to the desk. "I'll tell Amanda to take your seat."

I didn't hesitate to sit. I hoped Amanda wouldn't mind.

Danielle immediately picked the discussion back up, expressing her thoughts on the idiocy of marijuana laws.

While they were wrapped in conversation, I looked to Rodrick. He seemed detached from everything else as he was drawing something on his arm.

"Hi, Rodrick," I said, turning my body towards him.

He glanced up at me hooded eyes, still drawing. "What's up."

I could tell he didn't really care for an answer.

"I don't know. I just thought I'd talk to you."

"You know, you could have talked to me in the cafeteria yesterday," he quietly, but firmly said, his dark eyes piercing mine.

He seemed unbothered despite the confrontation. He surely didn't have a problem being blunt, something he and Danielle had in common. I thought maybe it was a good thing. I wouldn't ever have to wonder what they were thinking.

Luckily, I didn't have to come up with a response because he spoke again.

"They would've eaten you alive," he said nonchalantly, continuing to draw.

I tried to peek at his work to no avail.

"Well, I didn't know them. Now I do. And look where I am."

The corner of his mouth moved up, but he didn't say anything back. He was too focused on his arm, so I tuned into the trio's conversation.

"But, yeah, Rodrick's basically right about falling victim to the 9-5. Don't drink the Kool-Aid, ya know?" Chris said.

"What does that even mean, don't drink the kool-aid?" Danielle asked as she applied maroon lipstick while looking in a hand-held mirror.