Bi the Way

Chapter 5: Maybe

The afternoon sun shone brightly through the cafeteria's high windows, as students sat and ate what the school called lunch. Rodney picked at his turkey wrap absentmindedly, his thoughts occupied by Ally and Mark's seemingly perfect relationship. Beside him, Derek took a bite of his pizza, chewing thoughtfully as he considered the dilemma.

"Alright, man," Derek finally said, wiping his hands on a napkin. "I think it's time for plan B. We need to find a way to get you more popularity, you know so you get to Ally's level." He leaned back in his chair, the wheels turning in his head. "What if you threw a massive party? It could really help you get your name out there."

Rodney looked up at Derek, his eyes wide with surprise. "A party?" He hesitated before admitting, "I don't know, my mom is strictly against all things fun and I have never hosted a party. What if something goes wrong?"

"Come on man we are teens, making bad choices is our whole deal," Derek reseasoned "I am sure she would forgive one party, and if you did it while she wasn't there, she wouldn't even know. We could have the place cleaned up before she even got there."

"Well, my mom and sister will be gone Saturday night, so I guess I could do it then." Rodney let slip as he thought Derek's words over.

"Great!" Derek exclaimed, slapping Rodney on the back.

Doubt quickly clouded his expression. "But I've still never thrown a party before, Derek. What if no one shows up?"

"Trust me, buddy," Derek reassured him, grinning confidently. "You throw a killer party, and everyone will be talking about it Monday morning, and suddenly every popular kid wants you at theirs. Just make sure to post about it on Instagram and TikTok so people know it's happening."

The bell rang signaling the end of lunch, Rodney couldn't shake the gnawing feeling in the pit of his stomach. The idea of hosting a party both thrilled and terrified him. What if nobody showed up? What if his mom found out? With every step down the crowded hallways, the weight of his decision seemed to grow heavier on his shoulders.

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After school, Rodney hesitantly posted about the party on Instagram and TikTok, his fingers trembling as he hit 'post'. He anxiously refreshed the pages, hoping for a flood of RSVPs, but as the minutes ticked by and no responses came in, his worry only intensified. He imagined himself standing alone in his living room, surrounded by streamers and snacks, the music echoing through the empty house.

"Hey, it'll be fine," Derek assured him as he climbed onto his bus. "Just give people some time to get home and read it. They will start RSVPing soon, I promise."

Rodney dragged his feet as he walked toward the front of the school, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts about the impending party. He passed by a group of girls giggling over their phones, and he couldn't help but notice Ally in the center of it all, her laughter as bright as the sun. She was his best friend, and surely she'd come to his party.

"Hey, Ally," he called out, mustering every ounce of courage in his body. She turned, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

"Hi, Rodney! What's up?" she asked, her voice like music to his ears.

"Uh, I'm having a party this Saturday night, and I wanted to invite you," he stammered, trying to sound casual but feeling anything but.

Ally's face fell ever so slightly, and she shifted her weight from one foot to another. "Oh, Rodney, I don't think I can make it. Matt has to work that night, and I'd feel weird going to a party without him." Her words struck him like a dagger, and his heart sank.

"Ah, that's cool," he lied, forcing a smile onto his face. "No worries!" But deep down, he felt betrayed. Why did she need Matt to go to his party?

As Ally returned to her friends, Rodney shook off the sting of rejection and continued. A thought dawned on him, Parker, he fumbled to pull his phone from his pocket. If anyone could lift his spirits, it was Parker.