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

Chapter 17

"Morning," I heard Julie's voice before I rounded the corner to get something to eat.

"Hi," I greeted back, grabbing an apple and hoisting my backpack over my shoulder. I started making my way to the door but Julie grabbed my arm and forced me to stop.

"Listen," Julie sighed, "I just want to know...are we ok? Like I know the thing with your mom didn't exactly work out..."

I tilted my head and smiled at her softly before leaning into her and wrapping my arms around her shoulders, resting my head on her shoulder.

I heard her softly gasp and hug me back tightly. I pulled away and let out a breath, "We'll be fine, Julie. Thank you."

Julie smiled back at me, letting out a soft sigh of relief. "I'll see you at graduation."

I nodded and smiled before walking out the front door. Rodrick beeped his horn at me once I closed my front door behind me. I walked over to the drivers side as he wound down his window and rested his elbow on the edge of the car door. He rose his eyebrow and put on a smirk. "What brings a fine lady like you to a place like this?"

I rolled my eyes, leaning on the door and putting my face dangerously close to his, "I kinda got expelled from my last school, so I had no choice."

"Oh so you're a rebel huh?" Rodrick smiled deviously, "I dig bad chicks."

"And I dig bad boys," I winked, planting a kiss on his lips before pulling away and shrugging, "Too bad the worst thing you've done is torment your 13 year old brother and skip one day of school. That ain't bad boy worthy, Heffley."

Rodrick rolled his eyes, "Get in, goth face."

I chuckled softly as I walked around the front of the van and got in the passenger seat. It had been only a week since the school prom and now it was graduation day. The drive to school was silent, though my head was filling with thoughts about what was going to happen after today.

I had been accepted into Emerson College in Boston to pursue my dream career in film and I hadn't told Rodrick. Unless we magically wound up at the same college, there was the very likely possibility that Rodrick and I would have to split. Distance would make our relationship tough, though that didn't mean I wasn't willing to make it work between us. I just hoped he had as much dedication as I did.

"Demi?" Rodrick's voice snapped my out of my thoughts as I looked over at him. The van had been parked in the school parking lot. The casual hustle of students filled the surrounding area. "I said are you excited to graduate?"

I gave him a tight lipped smile and nodded slightly, "It's just another day, right?"

"Just another day?" Rodrick scoffed, "After today, we're free! No more high school. No more homework or shitty teachers-"

"Until college," I cut in, heaving out a long sigh. "I got into Emerson," I whispered.

Rodrick's expression was shock, happiness and sadness all in one. At first, he smiled at me and rubbed my shoulder to congratulate me before realising the inevitable. "You're leaving Plainview?"

I didn't say anything. Instead I let the news sink in with Rodrick and watched him as he stared out of the window, deep in thought. Suddenly, he got out of the van and waited until I got out before locking it and fast walking up to the school doors without me.

I watched him walk away, feeling a pang in my chest. While I did understand what he would be feeling, I wasn't expecting him to walk away and leave me standing at the passenger door of his van. I closed my eyes and breathed out before walking towards the entrance to Plainview High for the last time.