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

Chapter 5

It had been a few weeks since the start of school and needless to say, I had settled in well. Red and I were becoming better friends, though Rodrick and I were getting along really well. Like, really well. We were acting like we'd known each other for years.

I felt closer to Rodrick than I did with my own family.

I made my way across the road on a Friday afternoon wearing a black, off the shoulder three quarter sleeve length shirt with navy blue denim shorts and white converse, along with my black paracord bracelet on my right wrist with a couple of hair ties, and my plain black watch on my left. I took it down with the eyeliner and mascara, only putting on a little mascara and thin eyeliner with the wing.

I walked into Rodrick's garage and saw only Rodrick in the room, sitting at his drum kit. I figured I must have been early and took my seat on the old beach chair. "Um, hey."

Rodrick smiled down at his lap before looking up at me. "Oh, hey. You're...early."

I furrowed my brows together. "Yeah, I am...who are you texting?"

"Oh I just sent a text to this girl," Rodrick's smile faltered, "I mean, she's totally just playing hard to get 'cause she keeps telling me to piss off but..." Rodrick trailed off before looking at me hopefully. "I need advice." I raised my eyebrows at him, mentally telling him continue. Rodrick got up from his drum kit and walked over to stand in front of me. "So, uh, how do I get a girl's attention and not make them avoid me?"

I felt a pang of jealousy hit my chest and suddenly found it difficult to breathe. Why was he focusing on a girl that clearly had no interest in him? I swallowed and felt my chest constricting more and more each second, and was thankful that I had actually sat down before hearing him speak. I craned my neck to look up at him, trying to think of an honest answer. "Um, I guess just don't try and be a dick to her. I dunno..." I trailed off, trying to make it seem like I didn't care. Rodrick just nodded at my vague response right before Ben and Chris walked in. He grinned at them as they set up their gear and I cleared my throat as Rodrick went back to his drum kit and sat down.

"Alright Chris, the talent show is in a few months and Ben and I were thinkin' we should go with Exploded Diaper." Chris smiled lazily and nodded his head approvingly. "Knew you'd be in. Also, I think we should be tryna look for a lead guitarist."

"I hear Bill Walter recently left his band," Ben piped up, earning a nod from Chris and a shocked look from Rodrick.

"Bill Walter? As in, the Bill Walter?" Rodrick grinned excitedly and started laughing, "Text him and tell him to meet me at my house tonight. We have to get him in the band." Ben and Chris started hollering along with Rodrick before setting up and Rodrick holding his drumsticks in the air, about to count down. He tapped them together 4 times before the 3 started to play what I assumed to be Exploded Diaper.

When they finished, Chris and Ben waved goodbye to us before walking out of the garage, leaving me and Rodrick in there alone. Rodrick stood up as did I and smiled at me. "Thanks for the, uh advice." Rodrick said, rubbing his neck.

I inhaled sharply and nodded at him before quickly walking out of the garage. I walked out of the house, smiling at Rodrick's mother, Susan, on the way out. "Hey, wait a minute," Rodrick called, making me stop in my tracks and turn to face him. "What's up with you, miss tight pants?" He asked, playfully poking my chest.

I pinched his finger and forced it back towards himself. "Nothing. I'm just...stressed from assignments and stuff I guess," I lied.

We both knew that he didn't buy the fib I told, but nodded anyway. "See, I'd probably be the same if I actually cared," he laughed.