Rodrick Rules! - A Fanfiction

Chapter Twenty: The Box

I'd like to think I'm a pretty okay student.

Normally I finish my homework as soon as I get home, regardless of how much effort I put in. But I find myself procrastinating a bit more today. It is Friday after all... I guess I could leave it for tomorrow.

Really, part of me is just waiting for Rodrick's call. I know I know, I'm still in the yearning stage. The shitty part. Now if only I could get out of the yearning stage.

If Anya knew I was hanging out with him again she'd be losing her mind. But... nobody cares what she thinks! Who needs Anya? Not me.

I still have plenty of other friends.
Like Andy! Well... I guess not anymore.
Or Katy? Actually we haven't talked much since the party. I really hope I didn't say anything bad to her when I was drunk.
What about MK? Jeez, I haven't had a real conversation with her in weeks. It's usually just group stuff.
Löded Diper guys? Well, they have been pretty busy with rehearsal.
And I haven't really been keeping touch with a lot of the people I met at the show or even the party...

Holy- I can't believe this. Anya was right. Again!
Well, that's not so unbelievable.

I've been so focused on Rodrick I've barely paid any attention to my other friends. Now I'm all alone...

Oh man.

•••

I'm looking at old family photos. Sitting on the floor by the hallway closet. The box is dusty and smells like old paper. There aren't a lot of pictures with my mom in them. But I guess that makes sense. I remember she didn't like having her photo taken. I pick up a picture of me, my dad, and my mom. It's in front of our old house. We all look really happy together, my smile missing a few teeth. I must've been, like, five. I hold the glossy paper in my hand, which is now starting to shake.

Seeing her again is making me really emotional. Ever since it hit me that she left for good, I've driven away a lot of people in my life. Now more than ever.

I didn't think there'd be this much self discovery from a high school crush, but here we are.

Damn. I stare at the picture more.
...
Damn. I just realized something.

I guess the people you really love always end up leaving. Otherwise I'd still have a mom. Otherwise I'd still have all my friends right now, right? That's why Anya's so fed up with me, that's why nobody will talk to me now. I just got too attached. That's why everyone decided to abandon me again.

Everyone except Rodrick.

Hm.

I wipe away my tears and begin to put the photos away. I'm interrupted by the phone finally ringing.

I rush to the kitchen. Right as I'm about the grab the phone, I stop.

I stop? Why did I stop?

Why can't I pick up the phone? I thought I wanted to see him again. I spend the next fifteen seconds blankly staring at it, ringing. I just let it go to voicemail.

Rodricks perky voice starts

Hey Red, rehearsal is done for the day so you can head on over whenever you want. Sorry it took so long, we were improving one of Bill's guitar solos. It's gonna sound great! Anyway, you didn't pick up so I'm just letting you know you can come over now. I hope everything's okay, later.

*beep*

I just continue to stand there. I feel like if I go to him I'll just keep spiraling into delusion, thinking maybe he'll change his mind about me. But, if I just ignore him he might get worried. I should at least explain myself...

No. I stop reaching for the reviver. I know I'll just end up going to see him if I hear his voice one more time. It's like a siren, I can't resist. Just gonna use willpower to protect myself from more disaster. I'm sure he'll understand.

He's the only one who hasn't totally bailed on me yet.