𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐃𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐁𝐀𝐆, rodrick heffley

04. word of the day: dubious

❛ ━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━ ❜
chapter four: word of the day: dubious

[a/n]: sorry this is kind of late! just took a break, but i'm back!
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━━━ RODRICK PUSHES THROUGH THE THICK throng of students filing into the hallway, sliding over to Haley's locker in the nick of time, just as she has begun to leave. Lisbeth, her best friend, simply offers a subtle nose scrunch and a quick once over before squeezing Haley's hand and abandoning them.

"Heffley," Haley says slowly, rocking back and forth on her heels. "What's up?" She tilts her head. "Strange that you're voluntarily speaking to me, but I guess there's a first time for everything. Should I be scared?"

"No, actually," Rodrick says, as if he's surprised himself. "You actually might owe me after this." Haley raises her eyebrows and nods for him to go on. "If the offer still stands, I'd be honored to fake date you."

Haley crosses her arms and raises an eyebrow at him, calculating something in that complicated head of hers. "I know it's an honor, but I never expected to hear it from you. Which makes me dubious." Rodrick stares at her, like, 'what the hell does dubious mean?' so she rolls her eyes and says, "It means that I think you're full of shit. Bootlicking isn't your thing unless it comes to Heather Hills."

Rodrick inaudibly sucks in a breath. He guesses that one must face the consequences of forgetting that Haley is, in fact, smart. So he shrugs and says, "One, dating someone popular might make Heather notice me. Two, I hate Noah. And three..." He pauses. "Yeah, that's it. There's no third reason."

"What a well-developed thesis. Your English grades must be stellar," Haley quips, looking at her watch and anticipating the shriek of the bell.

"You know better than to use big words on me, Buxbaum."

"Fine, we have a deal," Haley relents, still narrowing her eyes a bit. "But this does mean you've got to take me out on a date at some point. And, you need to pay."

"Why?" Rodrick whines, already regretting his decision. "Aren't I doing this as a favor for you?"

"Because I say so," Haley deadpans, her voice hardening. "And this favor goes both ways. You want to get in Heather Hills' pants? Fine. But it comes with a fee, honey." With that, she turns on her heel and strides off to class.

All throughout Social Studies class, Haley cannot give her full attention to the lesson. The class is incredibly engaging, as usual, but Haley's mind rests on her interaction with Rodrick, which annoys her, because irritating boys should not be her priority. But she can't help thinking that it was quite strange...

The emphasis on Heather Hills during the entirety of the conversation makes thinking about it even more taxing, especially when the blonde is currently sitting next to Haley, blowing obnoxious bubbles in her gum.

Thinking about the two of them nearly makes Haley shudder, and makes something unfamiliar burn in her veins. Likely just disgust. Likely.

━━━ THAT NIGHT, RODRICK PULLS UP to Haley's house for their date. Well, really, he pulls up to the curb a few houses away from Haley's, because there's absolutely no way she's going to get into that garish car in front of her parents and Alex. Haley, who has been ready for two hours, puts the final touches on her Social Studies assignment and jogs downstairs once she gets the message on her phone.