Chapter 7

The moment I got home, I ran up to my room and blasted some Counting Crows, my happy-mood music. I sat down at my computer, when suddenly, the phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Ryan. My parents found out about the party! The-they aren't letting me play in the talent show!"

It was Rodrick, who sounded like he'd been crying, at the other end.

"What? Rodrick, slow down, sweetie. What happened?"

He took a deep breath. "Well, they found the pictures Greg took and then they realized the door had been switched and-"

"Rodrick!"

"Ryan?"

I sighed. "I'll be right over."

I took a deep breath and knocked on the Heffley's front door, then put my hands back in my coat pockets.

Mrs. Heffley answered the door. "Ryan? What are you doing here? It's nine o'clock!"

I sighed and walked in. "Look, Mrs. Heffley, Mr. Heffley, I have to tell you something."

I peaked up after staring down at the floor.

"Go on, Ryan." Mr. Heffley said slowly.

"It…" I took another breath. "It was my idea to throw the party. Please don't punish Rodrick."

They looked at each other, and then back at me. "What do you mean?"

I sighed. "I found out that you guys would be gone all weekend and told Rodrick that he should throw a party. It's all my fault."

They looked at me, surprise and confused looks on their faces. I looked over at the stairs.

Rodrick was shaking his head, staring at me.

"Well…" Mr. Heffley started to say, before Rodrick bolted down the stairs.

"Wait!" He stood next to me. "It's not her fault. I threw the party and it was all my idea, not hers."

He looked over at me and mouthed, "What are you doing?"

I pushed him out of the way. "No! He's lying. Just… please let him do the talent show. I won't come around ever again, just… please."

Rodrick pushed me back out of the way. "No. Mom, please. She's lying. Let her come here any time! I won't do the talent show! You can ground me for a year!" He said franticly.

We started getting into an argument until Mr. Heffley yelled, "Hey!"

We looked over at him. He looked at me. "Ryan. We appreciate you coming over here and telling us… I don't know if it's the truth or what, but Rodrick threw the party. Even if you came up with the idea, he went through with it."

I peaked over at Rodrick.

"But-"

"No. No buts. He threw the party. He's grounded for a month. No talent show."

I looked over at Rodrick, tears welling up in both our eyes.

Mrs. Heffley looked at me. "Ryan, Rodrick did something really bad, and he's going to be severally punished. No. Talent show."

I sighed as Rodrick looked over at me. "Mom?"

"Yes?"

"Can I walk her out? Please?"

I pressed my lips together. "Fine."

We sat on the porch, both of us looking down at our shoes.

"That was so stupid, Ryan! Why would you do that?"

He yelled at me, which made me feel worse.

"I'm… I'm sorry. I just… I know how much this talent show means to you. I didn't care if I never got to see you again. This was your one shot. I wanted you to have it."

He took my hand and sighed, looking down at me. "It's… it's ok. Thank you, I guess."

I smiled, just a little, as a small tear trickled down my cheek.

"I just… I don't know, Rodrick. It's only been, what, three weeks, but every day, I look forward to seeing you at school. Or your calls. Or band rehearsal. I don't know anymore."

I peaked up. "I feel the same way."

I smiled, and he bit his lips, which made my heart jump.

"You know, my parents might never let me see you after that crap you just pulled."

I smirked. "Well then we'll just have to 'run into' each other."

I pushed him and waved goodbye.

I drove away with the biggest smile on my face, until I realized that Rodrick wasn't going to be in the band for a month. Which meant I was stuck. Alone. With Bill. For a month.

Shit.