A/N: Hey everyone! I haven't said this yet, but thankyou too all the people that have favourited this story! Sorry for not updating in a while, school's kept me extremely busy.

Chapter Nine

I glanced at the clock. The last 10 minutes of school on a Friday afternoon seemed to take so long to come. And I was ashamed to be so eager for the weekend. Sighing, I looked back at my persuasive speech. I was meant to be persuading people that Edgar Allen Poe was one of the greatest poets to ever write about death, but I wasn't even convincing myself.

"Pack up your things and you can talk quietly amongst yourselves until the bell rings" my English teacher, Miss Rose, called to the class, which was met with numerous proclamations of happiness and the noise in the classroom rose significantly. Oliver and I made eye contact and I rolled my eyes at him.

"I can't wait for class to be over" I murmured to Oliver, who smirked

"So you can hang out with dream boy, the one and only, Rodrick Heffley" He kept smirking whilst I blushed

"Bliss told you!" I cried out. I particularly told Bliss not to tell anyone about my itty bitty crush on Rodrick. I couldn't help but feel a little sting of betrayal. I knew that Bliss told Oliver pretty much everything but this was something I thought would be just between us.

"Not like you could have hid it from me. It's pretty obvious the way you stare at him and talk about him and…." I slapped his arm and he just laughed

"You. Are. A. Asshole" I said, slowly

"At least I'm not in love with Rodrick Heffley" he teased. I felt my face grow redder and I buried my head in my hands

"I'M NOT IN LOVE!" I said from behind my hands, not realising the volume of my proclamation. The class grew noticeably quiet for a moment, as they reflected on that weird girl sitting next to Oliver who was not in love but clearly was. I felt that obvious.

Oliver started singing that old song by 10CC about not being in love and I resisted hitting him again. "I can't believe you're dating my best friend" I shook my head. Oliver was OK, but sometimes he was simply idiotic. After mentioning Bliss, however, he got that dreamy, glazed over look he does when he hears her name. Or thinks about her. Or thinks about her name.

"I have a date with Bliss this afternoon. We are going to those Twilight Markets, because Bliss heard they had great burgers" He said, losing the jerk-y tone and talking a dream voice, like it was their first date. I had to admit, it was quite cute, but sickening at the same time.

"Good for you. You got the girl and she totally loves you" I said, feeling glum, despite the Friday afternoon

"I'm just lucky. There's plenty more fish in the sea, if Rodrick doesn't like you" Oliver patted my back awkwardly

"Thanks, but I'm not sure if-"I didn't get to finish my sentence before the bell rang

"See you!" Oliver called over the top of the ruckus in the classroom and ran through the door, most likely to meet Bliss and suck her face off.

I packed my things slowly, and by the time I finished, the halls were a lot less crowded, as most of the crowd was trying to push to push their way out of the door. Shaking my head, I focused on spinning my combination right. Out of no where, a hand tapped me on the shoulder. I whipped around to see who could possibly be touching me, and I was duly disappointed when I realised it was Rob

"Hey Florence" He lent against the locker next to me

"Hi, Rob" I mentally groaned

"So, what are you doing this weekend?" He kept his tone casual, staring at me invasively. He had brown eyes, but they were nothing like Rodrick's, which were warm, and chocolatey, but Rob's were like a black hole, trying to suck me in no matter how hard I tried to get away.

"Nothing" I shoved my books into my bag in a hurry and slammed my locker door shut, hoping that I could get away quickly.

"We should go see a movie" He lent a little closer to me, but I backed away

"I thought I made this perfectly clear. I. Don't. Want. To. Go. On. A. Date. With. You" I spelt it out for him, feeling my anger rise. What would it take for this boy to leave me alone? A actual restraining order?

"Oh, come on, babe. Don't be like that. I could make you happy" he reached out to put an arm around my waist. Warning bells rang inside my head. I wondered if he had planned it like this, so there was hardly anyone around to stop him being a creepy prick. I pushed him away

"Back off, seriously Rob. I was in a fight last week and I'm not in the mood to be in one this week either" I threatened him and a look of worry passed over his face before he bit his lip and tried to smirk again.

"You know, you should feel grateful I'm asking you out. Lots of girls want me, and, well, it's not like anyone really wants you" he tried to subtly flex his arms, and I felt the heat grow in my face. I didn't want to let him know that he had hurt me by saying that. Above all, I was majorly pissed and if he wasn't careful, he would be getting a black eye to match Brittany's.

"Piss off Rob, honestly. Why would you think insulting me would raise your chances of me ever dating you?" I tried to shove past him, but he pinned me against my locker. I tried to wiggle out but his frame blocked my every effort. I began panicking again, especially when his face started to come towards mine.

I was so sure he was going to kiss me. I was so repulsed by the idea of it that my heart started racing and I felt lightheaded. This was how I was going to be kissed for the first time in my teenage years, by some creep, who pushed me against my locker and forced himself on me. Not even with someone I liked.

"Get away! Please, get off!" I tried to push him away, but it was like his feet were planted firmly on the ground. I was starting to grow hysterical. By this time, most people had left the school and the teachers were all packing up-

"Flor? What the hell?" I heard a familiar voice and suddenly Rob was being pulled away from me to reveal none other than Rodrick. I could have fainted right then and there, I was so relieved to see him.

"What's he doing here?" Rob glared at Rodrick, who glared right back at him

"I could ask you the same thing. Come on, Florence, we're going" Rodrick nodded to me, his face stony. The walk to the van was silent, Rodrick in front, clenching his jaw and me, looking confused

Why was Rodrick so mad? If anyone, I should be the one fuming. I almost got kissed by Rob! It was enough to make my stomach churn and I felt sick.

We got into his van. I gazed at him, and he just kept looking straight ahead

"Rodrick?" I questioned

"What?" he spat at me.

"Don't worry" I looked down at my shoes, hurt that he sounded so annoyed at me

He sighed and started up the van. The stony silence seemed so unsettling as we drove out on a Friday afternoon. If it was a normal Friday, any other Friday, we would be chattering and laughing.

"Why are you so mad?" I suddenly burst out

"Why are you so nosy?" Rodrick retorted

"What the hell?"

"Geez" is all he says in response

We pulled up in front of the house.

"Seriously, Rodrick, why the hell are you so mad at me?" I felt so frustrated that it was all I could do to not scream.

"Why can't you use your common sense?" He yelled back me, getting out and slamming the door

"Well, it's hard when you're freaking angry at me for no reason!"

We reached the house and Rodrick ran quickly to the basement, and I quickly followed him. It doesn't appear that anyone is home: Mrs Heffley must be out with Manny, Greg is at a friend's house, Kitten is god knows where and Mr Heffley would still be at work.

"Why were you making out with that Rob guy?" Rodrick turns to me and he looks….hurt. The question takes me by surprise

"I wasn't…..I would never….." I stumble through my words, I am so shocked

"Then what were you two doing at your locker before I came looking for you this afternoon?" Rodrick's face creases with confusion, which is absurdly adorable and frustrating to no end. I was trying to be mad, but he just endeared himself to me every time...

"God, he is such a dumbass! He was trying to kiss me, and I was trying to get away from him" I tell him and Rodrick's face lights up slightly

"So, he's not your boyfriend?" Rodrick confirmed

"No, and he will never be" I said

"Good" Rodrick nodded, then looked a little embarrassed, like he just told a secret

"Wait a minute, why do you care?" I ask and a little flicker of hope dawns on me….