Rodrick Rules! - A Fanfiction

Chapter Twenty Four: The Apology Pt. 2

Fucking Friday.

There is nothing more awkward than having to continue seeing the guy whose friendship you ruined every. Single. Day.

I'm usually pretty good at avoiding him, but obviously I can only do so much five days out of the week. Just gotta make it to the weekend and I can have a break from the hiding in crowds or dodging all eye contact. Every time I have seen Rodrick, we lock eyes for half a second only for us to both dart our gazes apart and speed off. It's the worst and I can feel my face getting red every time.

I had to re-evaluate the situation today when Anya brought it to my attention at lunch.

"Hey, we should talk more about what happened on Monday." She pokes at my hand with one of the carrot slices she's working on. I'm currently doodling in a notebook as she messes up my already terrible drawing of the American Idiot album cover.

"Don't ruin my masterpiece"
"Yeah more like ass-terpiece"
I frustratedly set my pencil down "What did you want to talk about?"

"Monday!" she says, somehow both patient and annoyed.
"What about Monday? A couple things happened..."
"You apologized to Rodrick right?" She inquires. "I didn't get to hear how that played out."

Oh. That.

"Well..." I look away "it wasn't exactly an apology. In fact, it was the total opposite."
"What the hell does that mean, Val? The opposite?"
"It was an argument"
"WHAT?"
"Yup. Full blown, shouting, getting emotional. People were staring"
"You're kidding"
"Nope. Aaaand now that you've brought it up I realize that probably wasn't the best way to handle it."
"You think so, huh?"

I look down. I see her expression change from disappointed to understanding. She gently strokes my back a little in an attempt to be comforting.

"Hey... I'm still impressed that you told him the truth at all, it's a good start. You just want to be a good friend, right?"
"Yeah..."
"Well then, go apologize. Like you did for me. I really appreciated it, I'm sure he would feel the same" she offers her advice.

"And hey" she continues "you know what would make it even more meaningful?"

I just silently wait for the answer.

"If you actually changed" She says. "Make better decisions, the kinder decision. Be a good friend. No pettiness, no more insecurities getting in the way. Do better..."

"After all" she says "it's our choices who make us who we are."

"Why does everyone keep saying that?"
"What?"
"Never mind. I understand, I want to be better. It's just hard and I need time."
"Well, now's your chance to try again. Go to him and apologize. It doesn't have to be today, but try giving him a call. Soon."

I will. It won't bring back the talent show for him, but it's all I can do. I really want to start over as friends. Now that I've given up all hope on him liking me back, I just want his friendship back. Because I can't live my life without him now, he really means a lot to me.

Hah, I should probably save all this to tell him, right?

•••

I didn't see Rodrick after school yesterday, which is good. Gave me an excuse to wait to apologize in person. I am terrified.

It's Saturday evening. Did nothing today, naturally. Had to relax and think about what I was gonna say to him. Still terrified. It's like six PM now, so I should probably call him before it gets too late. I lazily get up from my bed and walk to the kitchen to make the call.

I pick up the receiver. Deep breath... hoo.
I listen to the other end ring after dialing the number.

I still have the pen he gave me forever ago, but obviously I have his number memorized by now. I wonder why he gave it to me in the first place. I can't contemplate on that more as my thoughts are interrupted by someone saying hello. But it's not Rodrick.

"Hello?" I hear a woman's voice.
Huh? I could've sworn I dialed Rodricks cell.
"Oh, um, hi this is Valorie. Is this Rodrick Heffley's phone?"
"Yes it is, this is his mother. Rodrick is grounded right now, so he's not allowed to see any of his friends, I'm sorry sweetie... Oh, you didn't need him for a group project or anything like that, did you?"
"No, nothing like th- I mean... yeah, I did have some questions about our history project coming up. Do you know when he'll be available to talk?"
"I'm not sure sweetie, he and his brother are staying with their grandpa for the weekend so he won't have his phone by Monday at the soonest. I can let him know you called, though!"
"O-oh, you don't have to do that, thanks. Well anyway, I can just ask someone else, but thanks for all your help! Have a good day bye" I finish as I quickly hang up before she can respond. Yikes.

In-person apology it is