COME MY WAY • RODRICK HEFFLEY

twenty third chapter

it was everything about life that made giselle want to capture it each and every moment she got. it was that tiny droplet of water dripping down a leaf, the way the trees rustled in the air, and that picturesque feeling she got by sitting alone on a bench while other people carried on with their activities that really got to her.

giselle tried to find life in everything, she'd explored as much as she could and while her parents believed she was in the library studying the anatomy of the human body, giselle would sneak off to the nearby forest reserves or empty parking lots where she'd capture different images of the people she loved the most. zara and quinn.

sometimes, when she'd want peace and quiet you'd find her sitting on that bench by the corner of her street and she'd draw whatever came into her mind. it was the least she could do to release her creative juices, something giselle found hard to do in the presence of her own home.

"do you know how much i appreciate the fact that you choose to take pictures of quinn and i," zara chuckled, flashing giselle a smile.

they were waiting for their ride home, which according to zara would be ben. it wasn't like giselle dreaded it, she was happy for her best friend. zara was glowing lately.

"how much?" giselle questioned, furrowing her brows as she fiddled with the strap of her camera.

zara grinned, elongating her arms to express how much it meant to her. "THIS MUCH!" she giggled. "you are talented giselle, i just wished you'd focus on this shit professionally."

giselle sighed, smiling back at her friend in reply. "i love you zar and you'll always be my muse, but i don't know man ."

"and why not? i mean okay, i get it school is important but this is your dream."

"it's a little bit more complicated than that, you know." she chuckled, thinking of the rest of her family. it killed her that their opinions got to her, she hated having to feel as if they were making decisions for her life when it was all just in her head. "i have a reputation to uphold i guess." giselle shrugged.

zara rolled her eyes playfully, "oh come on gi, is this about your parents?"

"what, no of course not!" giselle retorted.

she never wanted to complain about them in anyway, they were still amazing parents even though it was hard for her to really connect with them emotionally. it was even harder to want to do something with the creative arts when her parents had been so invested in her academic achievements. she just didn't want to feel like she was going to let them down.

the sound of rock music blared loudly interrupting giselle and zara's conversation. the two girls looked around their surroundings trying to follow the sound of the music, when the notorious loaded diper van emerged from the corner, parking itself right in front of the two ladies.

giselle's eyes gaped at the sight of the vehicle as she stared back at zara with a horrified expression.

zara shot her an apologetic look as she shrugged her shoulders. "i'm sorry! i didn't know his ride meant the van," she chuckled nervously as ben rolled down the window flashing zara a killer smile.

it wasn't hard to deny the new couple were absolutely whipped for each other, ben stared at zara like there were diamonds in her eyes and he always wore the biggest smile. "hey babe," he grinned.

zara stood up, planting a soft peck on ben's cheek as they both greeted each other.

giselle felt a little awkward, she was still getting used to her best friend's new relationship. not that there was anything weird about it, they were pretty wholesome, it was just strange to see a new addition to her small group of friends.

"heya giselle," ben waved at her, "hope you don't mind the ride, my friend here was kind enough to let me use it." he chuckled, patting rodrick on the back. "ain't he a gentleman?"

he looked like he didn't want to be there and ben's comment made his eyes pop out in shock. most likely from embarrassment. "it's no worries," giselle replied.

boy was this going to be interesting, she thought.

•••

the ride back home was strange to say the least, ben had taken over the wheel and sat up front with zara, both of them engaging in their own little conversation.

which of course, left giselle to sit next to rodrick who sat as still as possible . he looked nervously uncomfortable and it was rubbing off on giselle who was trying her best to avoid gazing at the boy next to her.

why was it so hard for him to talk? rodrick thought to himself, no amount of eyeliner can mask his timidness towards giselle and it frustrated him. he ached to know her more but the only thing standing between them were his negative thoughts and lack of self confidence.

"i like your camera," rodrick blurted out, only to regret it soon after he spoke up. if only he could bury his face in embarrassment now.

did he really have to mention her camera of all things? he thought.

giselle grinned at him, "thank you, it's kinda old now." she replied, lifting up the device for rodrick to see.

this was good, he thought to himself. he's started up a conversation, he might as well keep it going. "but it still runs well so it's pretty good."

"you're right, kinda like your car." she chuckled, slyly flashing him a goofy grin.

rodrick gasped, dramatically holding onto his chest. "wow that got me good." he grinned. "didn't think you could be so mean."

giselle shrugged, giving him a warning look. "this is me trying to show you, i'm not one to mess with." she teased, pointing at the couple sitting up front. "make sure ben's aware, i'm protecting zara with my heart."

rodrick nodded his head . "message received captain."

the two stared at each other, before bursting out in laughter at how strange this conversation was heading. it made rodrick feel a bit better that it wasn't too awkward anymore.

"well how are things working for me?" rodrick asked, keeping up the convo.

giselle shrugged, giving him a playful look. "i don't know buddy, you've been running on a thin line."

"oh really, why?" rodrick questioned, his lips curving into a sly smile.

"i mean you did, almost break my nose."

"dear god."

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