Dork Diaries: Next Generation

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A/N:

I am SOO sorry for the late update. I'm officially a high schooler now (yay). Life just came in and pushed me down the friggin stairs, guys. I'm sorry. But I hope you enjoy the chapter and I swear I'll try to suppress my writer's block a little more. I apologize if this sucks, I couldn't really think up a chapter.

Mom and Pop-Pop decided to throw a party when they came home. That's what they tell me over Skype anyway. Thank God. They'll know what to do about Josh.

With me not being much of the friendly type, I don't have many resources, unlike my parents and Josh. And that sucks. It kinda makes me wanna be friends with fake, plastic people. You know, just in case. Just in case I have a favor to ask, like how to get rid of a jackass in the most legal way possible.

"Well, parents, I have homework to do, so I will see you on Saturday," I tell them. They say their goodbyes, tell me they love me. And then the call ends.

I close my laptop and flop into the softness of my pillows, contemplating actually doing my homework. I have too much on my mind to actually think about math, science, and whatever else I'm supposed to do. I could call Rick. But I decide against it.

I could call Terra...

"Hey, there!"

"You sound happy," I laugh, despite how down I'm feeling. I wish I could sound that happy.

"I am. So, whatcha up to?"

"Absolutely nothing, which is why I called you. You're the only one I trust well enough to confide in."

There was a long pause.

"What about Rick?"

"It's sort of about Rick... You can come over, right?"

"Totally. Yeah. I'll be there in ten."

And she is at my door in exactly ten minutes. In one of her hands, Terra holds her purse. And in the other, there is a grocery bag. She bought food?

I didn't waste time in letting her slide through my front door and take a seat on the livingroom couch.

"So, you know who Josh is, right? The guy I dated before I moved here?" I ask. And her entire demeanor melts at his name.

"How can anyone not know who he is? He's every girls' dream on legs," she swoons.

Gag.

The palm of her fist catches her head as she slumps down into the couch cushion and daydreams about my ex.

Barf in my mouth.

"Well he's the one who taped that video of me getting drunk." She stops daydreaming. "Then he broke up with me the next day." Then she pouts.

"Well, damn. It's always gotta be the cute guys," she mutters. I can't hold back a laugh because it's true.

"Anyway, he's back, obviously, and he's dangling himself over my head. And there's nothing I can really do about it because that'll catch attention and then Rick and ugh— my parents."

"They can do something about it, I bet."

Yes... They could.

*~*~*~*

The week finishes quickly. The party starts officially when my parents walk through the front door. Every one of their colleagues are here, including Jessica and her daughter. And let's not forget Josh and his parents. Joy.

It isn't really a party though. It's way too posh for that, and the adults are way too sophisticated. They're all like statues being threatened to move. It's more of a pricey, intricate get-together with elaborate hors d'oeuvres.

Josh and his family join me in my sanctuary of a corner.

"Brandy, dear, how are you?" Linda, his mother, asks. I've always loved her and her soft spoken voice.

"I'm fine, thanks. I hope you're enjoying your evening tonight. I know you're all very busy," I reply.

Dave, Josh's father, let's out a snotty chuckle. "So polite. Such a shame that you two have split."

Yes, of course it is.

"It was him who dumped me, remember?" I laugh, a hint of bitterness sliding through my tone. Rick came to my rescue.

His hand gently rests on my waist as he places himself beside me. They thought I didn't catch it, but both Josh and Dave's eyes both twitched at the sight of Rick.

"And who, might I ask, is this young man?" Dave asks.

"This is Rick, my boyfriend."

And their sneers aren't so hidden. The only one without an issue is Linda. I knew I liked her for a reason.

She felt the tension too, poor lady, so she took her husband's hand and excused herself... But she forgot to take her son.

"It certainly is nice here, Brandy, I gotta hand it to you. Your parents should be proud."

"Yes," I retort, "And your parents should be hella disappointed. Enjoy your evening." And he walked away with a smirk on his face.

Damn.

"If only murder weren't illegal," I mutter, and Rick smiles at me. What's up with all of the sarcastic happiness? "What the hell are you grinning about?"

"You look beautiful. The party is going fine. The food is a little too 'rich bitch' for my taste, but it's all great. You're great, and a douche like that shouldn't get to your head."

But he does.

But I smile at Rick anyway. "Thanks. I needed that."

The front door opens. The room goes silent. Then silence doesn't exist. There's subtle, ballistic cheering, and I know it's Mom and Pop-pop. They're finally home.

I push through the people, and I see them both pushing too. We meet each other halfway and crash into the most passionate hug I've ever had in my life.

"We missed you, Dude," Pop-pop says.

... He is such a child. We missed you, dude? Who says that to their daughter? Even Mom slaps him on the shoulder. I laugh anyway.

"I missed you guys too. So much," I gush. "But we've got a problem."

I fill them in on the situation. And like always, Brandon Roberts has a plan.