Hi everyone. So there is a song in this chapter that I highly urge everyone to listen while reading, or you can listen to it after. It's a remix song, created by DJ Gutii and its called Carlos UG X Olix with various artists singing; Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, Karol G., Ozuna & J Balvin – China. You can find it on YouTube. Just copy and paste the title.
Please note that the lyrics I wrote is NOT the same as the one you hear in the song. I had to tweak it because the lyrics is NOT appropriate for a bunch of pre-teens to sing it. It's still not fully appropriate, but I chose it because of the flow of the music and the voice of one of the singers is compatible with one of the characters who will be singing along.
Rodrigo walked back to the party full of fury as he went to a chair to sit down.
I can't believe my stupid luck! He angrily thought to himself. Who is she to lecture me on manipulation?! The hypocrite! From what I heard, she is not an angel herself.
As much as Rodrigo wanted to chastise Rhonda back, he couldn't. Despite his anger, he was thinking very strategically. Rhonda right now held the advantage in terms of both initiative and influential strength. He had no such power. He knew that going up against her directly will only result in his demise. She was just too strong. Even worse, he was unable to find a way around this. Well, he could try to get some dirt on her, but he had almost no time to do that. The second that hand touched 9pm, Rhonda was going to sign like a canary and with the power of social media, rumors can spread a lot faster.
I really have no choice, do I? He thought. But, what can I do to convince her?
As he continued to sit there and pout, he watched the rest of the kids at the party. As he did so, he noticed something.
Gerald, Helga, Sid and Stinky were not exaggerating about the party being half-dead. Although some people were indeed having fun, while others where just relaxing. But, there were many others who either looked bored and/or disappointed. Rodrigo couldn't blame them. He too had heard about how exciting this party was supposed to be. And like most of his peers, he too was disappointed.
Man this party really sucks. He thought. The music that DJ is playing is horrible. Just what kind of music is that? It's so weird and obnoxious. It's like someone is blowing through some pipe that causing this annoying vibrating music. It puts you in a trance, but it kills your ears. It's like he's playing music backwards or something. Either way, no one is dancing to it, not that I blame them.
Rodrigo looked around and glanced at the kids who seemed to be enjoying themselves, but were just standing there, talking to their friends or eating snacks.
Parties are meant to be energetic and loud and alive. He thought. All these kids are doing are just sitting around, eating and talking. They can do that at home. This party really does look half-dead
Just then, a thought came to him.
Wait a minute! He excitedly thought. That's it! I know how I can prove it to her.
Energetic and hopeful that he may have found a way, without any further hesitation, Rodrigo ijolted from his chair and ran across the party floor to find Rhonda. This time he found her talking to Nadine. Nothing caring if he was 'interrupting something, he quickly went up to her and tapped her shoulder. Rhonda felt the tap and turned around to face him.
"So you want me to prove it to you?" He asked her with a smirk.
"How?" She asked him back.
Rodrigo didn't answer, but gestured to her to give him a minute. He then quickly ran around the living room, toward where Peapod Kid and Lorenzo were. He greeted them and then began to whisper something in their ears. Rhonda remained where she was and just patiently watched from afar with her arms crossed. Although she obviously couldn't hear what he was whispering, she figured it must be something grand because she saw two huge grins popping up on Peapod Kid's and Lorenzo's faces.
The three nodded in agreement and all three quickly ran toward the DJ. Rodrigo tapped on his shoulder and when the DJ turned to face him, the Latino kid again whispered something in his ear. At first, the DJ wasn't impressed with what he said and simply shook his head. Undeterred, Rodrigo then whispered something else in his ear. Whatever he said to him, this time it made the DJ appear to look very concerned. Rodrigo then pointed at the dance floor and then to Rhonda. The DJ glanced at the gossip queen for a brief second before then looking back at Rodrigo, which he then proceeded to whisper something else in his ear. Whatever it was, it must have been good news for him because the DJ began to smile and gave Rodrigo a thumbs up. Rodrigo returned the gesture and then he and the two other pre-teens ran off again.
"What's going on?" Nadine asked who was also watching Rodrigo. "What is he planning?"
"I don't know." Rhonda said to her. "But it better be good, for his sake."
Both Rhonda and Nadine then lost them when the three pre-teens ran through the crowd. But before they could react, the lights suddenly went off, completely consuming the party with a blanket of darkness.
Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing and began to mutter about what was happening. While some to try find their friends within the darkness, others just stayed put.
"Hey, what's going on?" Arnold asked. "Why are the lights out?"
"Is this part of the party?" Gerald asked. "Arnold, where are you?"
"I'm right here, Gerald." Arnold answered him.
"Where?" Gerald said and tried to find him with his hands. "Oh, there you are." He said with relief as he touched something.
"That's my arm, Tall-hair boy!" Helga scoffed at him. "Get off!"
"Oh sorry Helga." Gerald said. "I thought you were Arnold. You kind of felt like him."
"What is that suppose to mean?!" Helga angrily yelled at him.
"Okay, someone really needs to turn the light back on before something happens." Arnold said.
Just then, a white light suddenly turned on at the front of the party and right in the middle was Rodrigo with a microphone. Rhonda saw him, but remained stern and skeptical. Everyone else saw the light and him and turned to face him.
Suddenly, music started playing. Initially it was a high note piano type of instrument being played out. Rodrigo remained silent, but gracefully moved his arms and feet slowly and in tune with the music. He then slowly moved his hand to lean his fedora hat in front, covering his eyes. Suddenly the music quickly changed to a highly energetic Latin tone. What's more, two more white lights turned on, revealing both Peapod Kid and Lorenzo to Rodrigo's right and left side respectively. Peapod Kid then immediately stepped forward and with his own microphone, began to sing:
Peapod Kid:
Mi mujer me estaba llamando
Pero yo no contesté (uah, baby; sube)
Porque yo estaba contigo peliando
Y de ella me olvidé
Dios mío, perdóname
No sé por qué yo le fallé (fallé, uah)
Yo estaba en la disco bailando
Y con ella me enredé (uah)
The second they heard the music, everyone became ecstatic, as if finally being brought to life and quickly rushed to the dance floor.
Gerald courteously gestured to Phoebe if she wanted to dance, which the half Asian pre-teen blushed a bit before accepting his hand. Helga also got instantly excited and with a sudden burst of zeal, without even thinking, nor asking, instantly grabbed Arnold by the hand and almost literally dragged him to the dance floor.
Rhonda was surprised by the sudden awakenness, almost taken aback. But remained where she was and just watched as her party quickly began to bring to life;
Lorenzo:
De la forma en que me miraba
Podía notar que ella tenía lo que en la disco buscaba
Quería que me bailara
Y el DJ que la música nunca me la bajara
Y se está prendida en fuego
Que no se enamora, ella está pa' el juego
Anda sola, nunca le baja su ego
Me provoca y facilito me freno
Y es que se está prendida en fuego
Que no se enamora, ella esta pa' juego
Anda sola, nunca le baja su ego
Me provoca y facilito me freno
Y es que
Peapod Kid:
Yo tengo un problema
Yo no sé por qué soy así (así)
Pa' mí que el doctor estaba gemiendo
El día que yo nací (mami)
Baby, pon la mano en el suelo (suelo)
Y juégate con el pelo (el pelo)
Tu cuerpo es puro veneno (veneno)
Bebé, tú me llevas al cielo (baby)
Tú me dejaste caer
Pero ella me levantó
Déjame, pobre mujer
Pero ella me levantó
Y yo me emborraché
Y de ti me olvidé (eh, eh)
Y tú peleas una y otra vez
Baby, ya me cansé (eh, eh)
Lorenzo:
Mi mujer me estaba llamando
Pero yo no contesté (uah, baby; sube)
Yo ya estaba contigo peliando
Y de ella me olvidé (mami)
Dios mío, perdóname
No sé por qué yo le fallé (fallé)
Yo estaba en la disco peliando
Y con ella me enredé (uah)
Rhonda couldn't believe what she was saying. With just the push of a button and a few mics, Rodrigo brought saved the whole party from certain catastrophe and got everyone to rush to the dance floor to dance. And she saw everyone. Cool and geek kids alike were either dancing with each other in groups. Whatever 'social hierarchy' there was and these kids once respected had now completely broke down. With a click of a button, Rodrigo had completely broken down all such barriers and allowed everyone to mingle with each other as fellow classmates, nothing more, nothing else. She only knew of one other person who had the personality and will to bring together a mostly divided and interest-conflicting lot and that was Arnold.
Heck, the Latino kid even managed to entice Helga to dance, who was happily holding hands with Arnold and moving to the beats, albeit a bit awkwardly. Rhonda then turned to her side and saw that Nadine had just left her spot and was going over with Lila to join everyone else. Although this 'universal' inclusion was something Rhonda would naturally be adverse to, she felt no such thing this time. Rather, she fully understood what Rodrigo Castile was trying to do...and she felt grateful.
Just then, Rodrigo came forward and in a somewhat dramatic fashion,
Rodrigo:
Tú me ganaste
Me metiste en tu juego y me dañaste
El ticket semanal puede ser que en ti lo gaste
Me creo un bicho tirando los pesos
Por estar ricota te doy pa' ti queso
Si no peleemos, nunca regreso y por eso
Yo me quiero ir pa' casa
Pero tú no me dejas
Tu es una amenaza
Ya me creo que eres mi pareja (let's go)
Un show, dos show, empezó el problema
Porque la colcha metió en mi sistema
Quien más haya hecho aquí, ya llegó a la querella
No me eche' la culpa, cúlpenla a ella
Suddenly a girl came out of nowhere and grabbed Rodrigo's mic and began to sing,
Random girl:
Contigo me enredé
Y con un par de chaos, baby, me solté (me solté)
Me quedé contigo y no le contesté
No sé por qué fallé
Pero sí sé que rico la pasé
The girl then moved closer to Rodrigo and with a flirtatious smile, caressed his chin with her finger. Rodrigo in turn blushed a bit and smiled at the pretty girl. She smiled back before then turning around to face the cheering crowd.
A stunned Rhonda saw them flirting and scowled at them hard...
Llegó la medianoche (noche)
Apenas empezaba el toque (toque)
Es que mi novio me esperaba
Antes que fueran las doce (doce)
Qué bien la pasamos anoche (noche)
Sé que fallé y que me perdone
Y si lo vuelvo a ver mañana
Diré que no me conoce
Lorenzo and Rodrigo:
Yo estaba en la disco bailando
Cuando con ella me envolví, sí
Mi mujer me estaba llamado
Y tuve que darle delete
Y yo que no me dejo envolver
Villana, tú me hiciste caer
Esos ojos que hasta un ciego puede ver
Y hasta el más santo quiere ser infermo (leggo)
Lorenzo:
Cambiamos de escena
De RD hasta Cartagena
Eres la única que me llena
Si a este escogió, pago mi condena, nena
Cambiamos de escena
De RD hasta Cartagena (cómo, cómo)
Eres la única que me llena
Si a este escogió, pago mi condena
Peapod Kid:
Mi mujer me estaba llamando
Pero yo no contesté (uah, baby; sube)
Rodrigo:
Porque yo estaba contigo peliando
Y de ella me olvidé (mami)
Peapod Kid:
Dios mío, perdóname
No sé por qué yo le falle (fallé, uah)
Yo estaba en la disco peliando
Y con ella me enredé
Rodrigo:
Yo estaba en la disco peliando (oh, oh)
Peapod Kid:
Yo estaba en la disco peliando (eh, eh, eh, uah)
Lorenzo:
Yo estaba en la disco peliando
Peapod Kid:
Yo estaba en la disco peliando
The song ended and the lights turned back on. Everyone immediately applauded and cheered. Rodrigo, Peapod Kid and Lorenzo stopped singing and after catching their breath, arranged themselves and bowed down. Rhonda was the only one who was not applauding. Instead, she was giving them an almost stern, unimpressed look.
"Thanks everyone." Rodrigo said to everyone through the mic. "But please, most of the credit goes to our generous hostess, Rhonda Lloyd. She was kind of enough to allow us to perform in front of all of you fine people today. Please save some of your applause and cheers for her."
The crowd turned to where Rhonda was and applauded at her who was surprised by this gesture. Normally she would be delighted on receiving this amount of attention and credit, except this time it was different. Strangely, Rhonda didn't fill the usual euphoria when all eyes are on her. If anything, she felt she didn't really deserve it. Nevertheless, she, somewhat shyly, smiled and waved.
"I hope everyone is as bumped as I am," Rodrigo continued to speak through the mic, "because there's a lot more exciting music and dancing coming your way."
Ecstatic, everyone again applauded and cheered, happy that the party was now finally finding its groove.
After that, Rodrigo thanked Peapod Kid and Lorenzo for their help and after saying his goodbye, went through the crowd and toward Rhonda. The crowd by this time began to either disperse or continued to dance to the new music the DJ began to play, thankfully now more lively and energetic.
After politely making his way through the crowd, he approached Rhonda who had remained where she was the whole time.
"So, how was that?" Rodrigo asked her with a smile.
Rhonda tried to remain stoic and not to show any emotion or any appreciation about his performance,or 'stunt'.
"Well, it's a very good start." She just casually said to him. "I guess you passed."
Rodrigo just smiled and let out a sigh of relief.
"So, who was that girl?" Rhonda asked him with a suspicious look.
"What girl?" Rodrigo asked.
"That girl who came out of nowhere and started singing with you." She said to him with a stern voice.
Rhonda's suspicious and stern tone wasn't lost to Rodrigo and he became a bit suspicious himself as to her inquiry. Somehow, she wasn't asking simply for juicy gossip.
"That was Carmen." He responded. "She's a Latina girl in the sixth grade, but in another class. We met during lunch recess a few weeks ago."
"I see." Was all she said to him.
"Why do you ask?" He curiously asked her.
"Oh, no reason." She just calmly replied back. "I just thought you two had a little thing going there for a moment and wondered how I could have missed it."
"I don't know." He shrugged. "But, you can rest easy in knowing that there isn't anything going on between me and Carmen. We're just friends, so you're not missing anything."
"Hm, good to know." She implied.
Just then,
"Rodrigo, you were awesome, man!" An excited Gerald came running to congratulate him.
"Yeah. You really got everyone going." Arnold added.
"I'll say. You really brought this party back from the grave." Helga remarked. "Thank the Gods for that, I was about to take a nap."
"Thanks guys." Rodrigo thanked them.
"Say, Ron can you teach me a few dancing moves?" Stinky asked him.
"Me too!" Sid also quickly pointed out.
Soon, everyone was eager to be taught by one of PS 118's most skilled dancers.
"Well, okay sure." Rodrigo agreed. "I can teach you a few moves."
Now more excited, he and the group then quickly made their way to the dance floor to learn from the master. Rhonda meanwhile stayed where she was and just casually observed at this new kid, whilst deep in thought. She had learned quite a few things about him over the past few weeks, including tonight.
This kid's really something else… She thought. He's definitely different.
Despite avoiding him, that doesn't mean she hasn't been observing him, nor not listening in to what was being said about him in the hallway. Only, her observations led to more questions than answers.
I'm not sure what to make of him. She continued to think. He has the skill and charisma to be a really popular person, but doesn't seem to take full advantage of it. What gives? Does he do this for the attention or is he simply being himself? I haven't seen or heard of him asking anyone for 'favors' or getting any special privilege. So, he doesn't seem to care much about being popular.
Hmm, maybe that's why people like him. Whatever he does, he does it because he just likes doing it, regardless of what people think...
At the very least, Rhonda clearly recognized that part of him tonight. Although he was coerced into that position, when he went in front of everyone and began to dance, Rhonda saw that he was mostly doing it out of shear love for the art rather than as an attempt to prove his worth to her, or saving the party. She could tell that much with the way he was smiling and how seemingly lost he was in his own world. If anything, he used that to his advantage to bring out a rather spectacular performance.
And this wasn't the first time she's seen that, nor was she the only one. She figured Helga must have also seen it, otherwise she wouldn't have ended her suspicion and feud with him.
The gossip queen found it confusing how such a seemingly sweet, modest, intelligent, kind person was also able to just suddenly become this manipulative, aggressive, even violent person. It was if they were two completely different people and Rhonda never would have suspected it to be the entire personality of just one person. But then again, is Rodrigo really that special or a unique case? Aren't other kids also, you know, two-faced? Isn't she also like that?
Maybe he's not that different from any other kid or adult. She thought as she continued to look on. Maybe I'm looking way too deep into this. I think I just need to take a few steps back, see the bigger picture and just give him a second chance After all, he did earn it tonight.
And with that, Rhonda settled on that decision as she finally moved from her spot and headed to one of the tables to get some punch. After all of this planning, even scheming, she deserved a drink.