A/N: I'm so bored, and I feel like writing. You know, when I should be doing my summer homework. Or paying attention to the movie I'm currently watching – Knight and Day. I'm confused as to what's going on. Maybe I should pay attention. But anyways, I've missed writing this story. I have ideas now for the story, so I can assure you that it's going somewhere.


Chapter 7

Rodrick POV

"Buenas tardes, estudiantes!" Señorita Dias greeted us. The classroom responded in Spanish while I played with my already chewed-up pencil. Yeah, that's right. Second week of school and I've already ruined all of my school supplies.

It was Tuesday - I eventually survived my hangover, although Greg had been instructed by Erica to make my life miserable. I don't know which one was more annoying. But either way, they were out to get me.

"Hoy, vamos a empezar un proyecto..." I decided to just lay my head down for a second while she talked in Spanish. Honestly, the only reason why I've been able to stick in Spanish is because I snuck out of detention and went to the teachers lounge right before finals began to get the answers to the tests. I usually do mediocre work in class and then ace the finals. Teachers haven't suspected a thing.

"So, class, for the project, I've decided to personally select the pairings. Margarita y Tomás, Ángela y Mateo, Elena y Roberto..."

My head shot up. Roberto was my Spanish name. Who did she say I was paired up with again?

I decided to look around casually – sure, I was paying attention – and see if anyone was making eye contact with me or looking truly annoyed – I'd gotten both reactions from past partners – but nobody gave me any concern. Whatever, just wait until they approach you, I told myself.

"Ok, go talk to your partners and begin your scripts, clase!" she instructed enthusiastically. Everyone stood up and happily greeted their partners. I got up and looked around stupidly for my partner. Ooh, was it Stephanie Hauke? She was a major hottie; tall, blonde, and – nope, Nick Lache was her partner. How about Jenny Richards? She was ok-looking - no, Ricky Alvarez and her were avidly discussing their awesome ideas for the project. All the nerds got the hot babes as their partners. I silently cursed in my mind before finally asking the teacher who my partner was.

"Who's my partner?" I inquired. She looked up from her book, startled.

"Didn't you pay attention? I read out the list and asked if anyone missed their name," she explained.

I shook my head. "I must've not heard you."

She took a big breath before addressing me again. "¿Puedes preguntarme en español, Roberto?"

I blinked. "No sé." Yep, the only expressions I knew in Spanish were "¿Puedo ir al baño, por favor?", meaning "Can I go to the bathroom?" and "No sé", meaning "I don't know". That's all I learned in my four years of Spanish class. The public school system has deeply failed me.

"I just asked if you could ask me in Spanish," she finally told me.

"Uhh..." I began dumbly before my partner tapped me on the shoulder.

"Hey, buddy!" she greeted a little too cheery, it almost seemed fake. Which it was, I found out after seeing who it was.

"You?" I questioned her. She simply smirked, that little know-it-all.

"I see you and Elena already know each other," Srta. D intruded.

"We've met," she responded, not wiping that expression off of her face. "C'mon, I've got a couple ideas for the project."

She dragged me by my arm to her desk and pointed to the one next to hers, motioning for me to sit down.

"Look, Erica, if you could just tell me what this project's all about, that'd be great," I grunted as I sat down.

She raised her eyebrows. "I figured you weren't paying attention. Seeing as this is the beginning of the year, I don't think you're off to a very good start." I just stared back. "Do you even care?" I shook my head no. "Tsk tsk tsk. Rodrick, I'm very disappointed in you."

I gritted my teeth. Ever since Mom busted us at Steve's place, she'd somehow been in contact with Erica. She often mentioned her at dinner. Then, Rowley, or Tubby, as I now called him, was in need of a babysitter, so Mom told Tubby's mom that Erica was, as she put it, "A positive role model to the kids and such a sweet and caring girl." So she babysat him on Friday, and now I was sure she was going to be his regular babysitter now.

Finally, the bell rang to save me. I stood right up and went straight to my locker, not realizing that my "buddy" was following me.

"So, Rodrick, you know this project is due on Thursday, right?" Erica closed my locker shut before I could even put my books away.

"We have two days, chill out," I told her, beginning to dial my combination again.

She slid under my arm and blocked my locker with her head. If only I had a bottom locker. I stared down at her – she was maybe six inches shorter than I was, I estimated five feet and six inches. Her forest-green eyes challenged my brown ones.

"This is a big deal to me, Rodrick Heffley. Do not let me down," she threatened, her voice icier than I'd ever heard. Although I'd never admit it, it sent chills down my spine. "We will not fail this project."

I took my hand off of the lock finally, realizing how stubborn this girl truly is. "Fine. I'll put some effort into it."

She raised her left eyebrow. "Then we'll go to the library and work on it right now?"

My eyes widened. Was this a joke? Who went to the library anymore? I began chuckling before Erica gave me a death stare. "Wait, are you serious?"

She nodded slowly. "Yes, the library, where people do actual work."

I shook my head. "You are so naïve. Nobody goes there in this town. It's practically deserted." Just then, Cody and Steve walked by as I said the next line: "We'll do it at my house."

"Whoa, Rodrick! How'd you get her to want to do it with you?" Cody laughed in my ear as I realized how what I said could have come across to them.

I turned away from Erica. "I swear, we're just talking about a project-"

"That's some school project you got there," Steve called out as he walked away. "Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you! Tom quit! I guess she's gonna have to be our new singer!"

"Just don't scare her off first!" Cody added before walking out the door.

Erica shook her head, walking next to me. "Perverts," she muttered under her breath. "I think they forgot my name, too."

"It could've been a lot worse," I said before attempting to open my locker once again.

"So, your house then?" she asked before visiting her own locker.

I sighed, but then began thinking of a plan to get her back in my mind. I know, I'm mean. But in my defense, she was the one who was making me start working on this Spanish script the day it was assigned. I smiled evilly. "I'll drive."

Erica's face turned grave. "No. Never again."

"The buses left. My house is a mile away. By the time you get to my house, I'll be napping." Sweet revenge was about to happen, I could just taste it.

After a few minutes, she finally decided to do it my way. "Fine. But no speeding, no hitting the curb, no-"

"Erica, c'mon. It's a two minute car drive. You'll survive," I retorted smartly.

Finally, she reluctantly agreed under my terms and I led her to my car.

This was going to be fun.


That was a longer chapter than the other ones. Plus, not completely conversation!

You gotta love Rodrick, but I also really like how Erica is totally not afraid to stand up to him. Ok, I know I'm weird. I've become attached to fictional characters that are all under the control of my fingers. Anywho...

So I tried to describe Erica a little bit since I haven't even given a physical description for her at all in this story. Actually, I don't think I described Rodrick either. So I'll try to be more descriptive in the next chapters.

I thought this was a longer chapter. I lied. It's not much longer. Oh well.

Oh - and another thing! (sorry this is like the longest author's note in FanFiction history) I purposely didn't mention that Erica was his partner until later. I don't know why, I just felt like it. I just didn't want people thinking that I forgot to mention her name or something, because I have done that before.

I'm kinda excited! Rodrick has an interesting evening planned for Erica. You'll just have to wait to find out what happens. I'll probably type up the next chapter right after this one just so I can get all of my ideas out before I forget. I'm on a roll here, people!

So anyways, R&R, favorite, whatever you want. :D

-Venus