The Drummer Across the Street (Rodrick Heffley Fanfic) [COMPLETED]

Chapter 4

"Um...where are we going?" I asked, turning my head to look out the back window and in the direction our houses were.

"To get some food," Rodrick said plainly, "I dunno about you, but I could really go for a large fries and a massive milkshake right now."

He started driving towards the main town area. Rodrick skidded the van at every corner he had to turn, the smell of burnt rubber filling my nose each time. Soon enough, he parked outside a classic, almost empty, diner with red leather seats, a black and white tiled floor and the words 'Benny's Diner' flashing in bold, neon pink on a black sign. Just across the road was a public park filled with young children and their parents, smiling and having fun.

I got out of the van with my bag and stared over at the park, remembering back to when my mom used to take the twins and I to the park when we were little. Memories started flashing before my eyes as I started dazing off.

"Uh, hello? Earth to Demi," Rodrick waved his hand in front of my face which snapped me out of my daze. Raising my eyebrows at him, I looked over towards the park again.

"Sorry," I said, shaking my head slightly before following him into the diner. The smell of deep fried food and meat patties hit my nose before I could stop it, making me take in a deep whiff. Rodrick walked over to one of the booths next to the large window facing out to the park. I followed him and sat across from him, plonking my bag down by my feet.

I looked over at the park again, feeling myself start to day dream again until Rodrick's voice cut me off, "What is it with you and that park? You keep dazing off."

I turned to look at him and sighed, "I just...have a lot of good memories from parks in general."

Rodrick nodded slowly as a waitress came over to take our orders. "I'll just have two large fries and two milkshakes. One chocolate, the other strawberry." He told her, waiting for her to write it all down before looking at me with a serious expression and asking, "What are you having?"

The waitresses fake smile faltered slightly before Rodrick started laughing. The waitress and I shared a confused glance before Rodrick clarified, "That's all, thanks." The waitress nodded before walking off.

"Which milkshake is yours?" I asked.

Rodrick shrugged in response. "I like both flavours, so you choose."

I rolled my eyes again and pulled out my wallet to help pay. "Put it away," Rodrick ordered and I looked up at him, raising my eyebrow.

"Giving me a lift with a seat and a seat belt is enough of an apology. I'm paying for my own food." I said as I looked up at him, challenging him to continue.

"I'm getting paid to look after my brother. I have enough," he said reassuringly, reaching over to force my hand, which was gripping my wallet, back down into my bag. I slowly lowered my hand, suddenly realising that he had his hand completely over mine. He must have realised it too, because he pulled it away quickly and adjusted the hem of his shirt awkwardly. I glanced up at him quickly before dropping my wallet back into my bag and placing my bag on the floor again.

After a few moments of what could only be described as an awkward silence, Rodrick piped up, "Let's hear another stupid thing you did at your old school, hm?"

"You're kidding right?" I scoffed, but one look at Rodrick told me he was dead serious. I sighed in defeat, "Fine. So towards the start of last year, after the whole ants thing, I found our my now ex-boyfriend was cheating on me with one of my closest friends. So basically I sent his nude pictures to everyone on my contact list and they spread the photos like wildfire. He moved schools within a week." I looked up at Rodrick's slightly scared expression and smirked. "Whatever. He was a dick anyway. Which I guess made up for the fact that he didn't have one."