A/N: Let's keep on this running! I have like… a lot of stories for this, like dozens. Wait, why dozens? HUNDREDS! I am an autistic everlasting idea machine!
Thank y'all for the support, especially two certain "always-reviewers" and such. Let's get crazy, people, because this story… I believe IS GONNA BE A KEEPER!
I may be exaggerating, but from the way I see it, it can really flourish!
And also, sorry if it took me more than a month. Again, I have a life, but I promise I'll be devoted.
The Loud House belongs to its respective owners, which are, Nickelodeon, Viacom, AND PERHAPS… Chris Savino (Keeping on with this… "running gag").
CHAPTER 5: A Special Kind of Different.
RODRIGO
Not quite his favorite day, but the day before his favorite day, Rod had a harsh wake up. Not a doubt, yesterday was a rough day. Not every day you get illegally arrested for a dumb racial profiling crap where he has been put in a really big set-up. He had certainly a bad taste of America for that, but he nevertheless kept his optimistic stance and told his psychiatrist he still wants to stay and attend classes. After all, he made friends and such, the first people on these lands that truly cared for him.
He was on his bed, sleeping as his smartphone was on alarm mode, certain time in the morning. As heard the alarm clock of his smartphone on the night table, he slowly stretched grunting as he then slowly opened his eyes, got up, and then yawned while stretching himself. The alarm was still on, a small bit of an Argentine folklore song.
" Shut up…" Rod sighed as he went over to the night table, grabbed the phone and pressed it, making it stop.
"Rodrigo?" Dr. Miguez voice called from behind the door as he metaphorically 'perked up his ear' like a dog upon hearing that voice.
"I'm here…" Rod yawned as he sat on the bed.
The door opened, and Dra. Miguez, sporting the same clothes as yesterday, entered " Good morning" she smiled.
"Morning…" Rod yawned again, looking at her.
" How are you today?" Miguez asked.
" Kinda fearful at what awaits for me today, but nonetheless eager to carry on…" Rod scratched his back as he slowly got up.
" Well, I hope it's nothing bad, I wouldn't like to see you in trouble like yesterday" the doctor sighed " And also past Tuesday" she added.
" Don't worry doc…" Rod gave some final stretches as he span his arms at his sides as an exercise " I promise to be careful this time"
"You better" was the last thing before she left the room with a warning and stern look on her face.
10 minutes later, Rod was sitting on the living room's table. On the table, there was a kettle with hot water, a sugar recipient and some kind of handle-less purple-colored plastic cup with a metallic straw on it. Inside the mug, was filled with some green herbs on it. As Rod grabbed the sugar and poured some on the cup and then grabbed the kettle and poured some of the hot water on it, he was looking at the TV on front of him.
"And in other news, yesterday's Royal Woods police department biggest goof off ends up in a closed-door affair as some racial profiling arrest leads to two innocent young boys behind bars" Rod was looking at the new channel, as the male news anchor was narrating "On with the story, Jake Mitchell on the police station covering, Jake?"
The camera then turned towards a male reported with a microphone on his hand, he was just outside the police department's porch "Thanks, Larry, I am here at the police department where I am having a testimony from Detective Eric Thorne regarding the mentioned affair" he then walked towards the police station with the cameraman following suit. As soon as the two entered, they were received by two uniformed police officers.
"Sorry, no press in here" one of the policemen blocked reporter Jake from trying to enter.
"Officer, is it true that the real perpetrators of this crime had been jailed, please some answers!"
But the policemen were just shooing away both the reporter and cameraman.
"No comments on it, please leave"
As the two were out and the door closed, the reporter Jake sighed in disbelief before looking at the camera "It seems that the police department is just too proud to admit they committed a mistake, a serious one if you ask me, back to you, Larry"
"Huh, nimrods"
Rod was sucking onto the mug through the straw, before putting it back on the table.
"Morning pill!"
As he heard Dr. Miguez's voice, Rod then got up, walked towards a small drawer on the wall, and opened it, revealing seven blue-colored pill cases, with the letters D, L, M, Mi, J, V and S on them, corresponding to the initial letters of days of the week in Spanish. Rod grabbed the one that was labeled V, Viernes, Friday, and then closed the drawer, before opening the case, grabbing a small, round light-green pill on it with one hand, and closing the case with the other one and putting it on the table. Rod then walked towards the living room table and sat again, before repeating what he did with the sugar, kettle and cup, swallowed the pill, and drank from the mug straw again before swallowing both the pill and water ' For how long do I gotta follow this damn medication charade?' he asked himself.
RONALDA
As Ronnie Anne was, with Bobby, having her breakfast on their hotel room's living room, Bobby drinking a mug of coffee and Ronnie Anne having some toasted bread with butter. As she was eating, the Latina couldn't help but notice that Bobby had a perturbed expression on her face. Upon munching and swallowing, she finally broke the silence "Something wrong, Bobby?" she frowned.
Bobby, hearing his sister's voice, put the mug on the table and looked at her "Oh?" he realized her concerned look on her face "Oh, it's nothing, Niní, really" he smiled nervously.
"Bobby…" Ronnie Anne sighed "I've known you through my ENTIRE life, and I really know when you're lying, this ain't different" she explained "So come on, spill it out"
"Well…" Bobby rubbed the back of his head nervously "Thing is… I really screwed it big time with your friend yesterday"
"Rodri?" she knew who he was speaking about "What's with him?"
"Well, I went to the police station to appeal for you and see if I could set you free, and then I saw him, handcuffed and all that, and my instinct initially told me he was the culprit, so i… confronted him and did the same thing I did when you two returned late from home past Tuesday"
Ronnie Anne's eyes then widened "Y-You did?"
"Yeah, and I wouldn't be surprised if he hates me now" Bobby sighed as he grasped onto his mug and took another sip of coffee "I screwed up big time with him, and I fear he hates me"
Ronnie Anne just looked at him. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice… well… that phrase had anything to do with this case, but Bobby already accused him once, but… twice? It was surely obvious that Rod would harbor a small grudge, but as much as she knew Rod for at least a few days… she knew he wouldn't. Ronnia Anne them smiled at his brother assuringly "Don't worry Bobby, I am sure that if I talk to him, he'd probably give you another chance" she explained "Even though you had no justification to do what you just did, Rodri is a reasonable person, and I am pretty sure he will forgive you"
"You think?" Bobby frowned.
"Absolutely" Ronnie Anne smiled.
"Well…" Bobby sighed as he took another sip "Just to be sure, I'd like to have a word with him and apologize" he then looked at his sister "Have his number or something?"
"Oh…!"
No one ever realized it. Sure, he obviously had to have a cell phone, but… why no one ever asked him for his number at all? That idea had been completely forgotten, Ronnie Anne shoulda had to ask him after that night they had. But she didn't. Why?
"As a matter of fact…" Ronnie Anne kept being speechless at that question "I never… thought of asking him, I think I should have done it when I had the chance"
Bobby then chuckled "No worries, you'll have your chance" he smiled "But really sis, please do tell him if you see him again today, he really deserves an apology from me, he's not as bad as I initially thought he is"
"You don't… still think he is, don't you?" Ronnie Anne rose an eyebrow.
"What?! No!" Bobby quickly defended himself "Sure, I thought about it before when I saw you both with some bruises and your skirt torn off, but…"
"But?"
"That's because I love you, Niní, more than Lori, and I didn't want that anything bad happened to you" Bobby confessed as he was taking another sip, already realizing he was walking on thin ice by that statement, even worse if he did it in front of her 'babe'.
Ronnie Anne then chuckled "You realize I can tell Lori right now…"
Bobby quickly spit his coffee, carefully away from his sister's face "P-PLEASE DON'T!" he stammered.
"Relax, Loverboy, I was just kidding" she giggled in response "But you gotta admit I got you in that one, eh?"
"Yeah" Bobby chuckled, then gave her a warning glare "Don't you repeat it ever again"
"Gotcha"
Just then, a buzzing came out of Ronnie Anne's pocket as she then rummaged through her pocket and drew out her phone. It was Lincoln. Ronnie Anne blushed red as she then answered and placed the phone on her ear "Hello there, darl…"
"Hi Ronnie Anne!" Lincoln's cheerful voice could be heard "I mean… pumpkin, if I may"
His girlfriend then chuckled "We gotta practice this name thingies" she smiled.
"Yeah" Lincoln gave another laugh "Listen, I was thinking…"
"Yes?"
"Today there is a weekend fair at the park, and I was wondering if…"
"Yes" she interrupted him, already knowing what was the deal "Yes I wanna, just tell me at which time is it and I'll prepare myself"
"Hopefully not with that torn off dress" Bobby remarked as he took another sip.
"HUSH!" Ronnie Anne sneered at Bobby while covering her phone as she then retained her smile and went back to Lincoln "I'll be looking forward for it, darl"
"It'll be an hour after I get out of school, so you'll know"
"Of course, Linky, anything with you is always good!" she smiled "Mind if for this time, we meet at the school right after you finish?"
"Okie then!" Lincoln replied with his cheerful tone of voice "See ya later, hun!" he was about to hang out
"Lincoln, wait!" Ronnie Anne stopped him on his tracks, remembering something.
"Huh?"
"Can you… make me a favor?"
"Anything for the most awesome special girl in the world!"
"Awwwww!" Ronnie Anne blushed "But really"
"What is it?"
"If you see Rod today, which I know you will… can you… ask him for his number and then you can text it to me?" she requested "It's really weird we've met him and we never got a hold of his phone number, don't ya think?"
That insight also got Lincoln "No kidding!" he exclaimed "How could we ever forget something like that?" he asked "Well, if I see him, I'll do that, and I hope he does, because as far as I know, he's a really introvert, and won't trust people easily, but I am sure if it is for you and me… he'll do it"
"Thank you, pookie"
"Anytime, babe"
"Okay, that's… for Lori and Bobby only" she let out a blunt expression on her face before regaining her smile "Smell ya later!"
"Not if I do it first!" Lincoln cackled "See ya!" and then he hung up.
"You utterly sound like me and Lori" Bobby teased with another sip as he watched his sister place her phone back on her pocket.
Ronnie Anne, both blushing and glaring at his brother, replied by grabbing a toast and tossing it at him.
"Hey!"
LINCOLN
After hanging up, Lincoln, who was on the kitchen with a cereal bowl with milk on the table having breakfast, took a deep breath. He felt like in the top of the world, having the girl of his dreams. None could ever be in the same situation as he. But what kept on his head was the fact that Ronnie Anne reminded him of something he'd NEVER think about: Rod and his number. Really, he never ever bothered to ask him for his, I mean, they are friends, right?
In fact, no thought about it rounded around both his and his girlfriend's head, not even after Tuesday. He suspected something: That he didn't want to share that info. Could it be that… he feels… they aren't friends at all? No, it couldn't be! He seemed like a good guy, so there is no reason for otherwise, or at least that's what THEY thought. He cannot guess what's on Rod's mind. After all, it's his thoughts, not Lincoln's.
As Lincoln kept on thinking that, he grabbed his spoon and had a spoonful of cereal with milk before putting it on his mouth and munching. Just as he did that, he felt some annoyance aura presence as he turned around, he saw his nine sisters (Minus Lily), just standing there, smiling fondly "Uh… excuse me?" Lincoln asked nervously as he placed his spoon on the bowl.
"You gotta tell us, what is in your mind for today, Lincoln?" Lori was the emissary of the group "Come on, tell us!"
"TELL US!"
"TELL US!"
"TELL US!"
"Please don't bring the sister-nado or any crap like that, cuz I am really not in the mood for it" Lincoln grunted on annoyance as he pinched the bridge of his nose while closing his eyes.
That shut them off.
"You're literally a jerk, didn't anyone tell you that?" Lori growled as they then glared at him.
"Cut me a break" Lincoln was just on his breakfast "Tough luck, girls"
"Enough of this, girls!"
The Loud sisters turned at their backs, they saw Rita Loud, standing there with an akimbo on one arm and Lily on the other one "We already talked about this: No. Meddle"
"But mom!" they echoed with a whine.
"No buts, leave him alone" she growled.
"Agh fine, but if something romantic happens, I wanna be there!" Lori commented
"I second that opinion" Lisa remarked.
"And I third it!" classic Leni, said that.
The girls, defeated, then proceeded to leave the room as Rita, smiling warmly walked towards his only son "Thanks, mom" he smiled.
"No problem, sweetie" she cooed him "I am really proud of you, your father and I are" she smiled "But don't take it too much, you don't wanna obsess with that, alright?"
"Yes mom" Lincoln sighed, and just as his mother was gonna leave, Lincoln stopped her on her tracks "Mom!"
Rita, hearing this, quickly stopped and turned around "Yes, honey?"
"Is it true that… maybe… we have Latinos working on low-category jobs, doing such things as janitors, bus drivers, taxi cab drivers and all those jobs us Americans don't wanna do, and that we pay them a misery that it is actually worth a lot where they come from but still not enough to live in here?" he asked a doubt he had since yesterday.
Rita just got frozen in shock at that. He the heck did he know that? He was just 12 and he asked a SERIOUS question! He couldn't believe it, but at that moment, she realized her son was growing up, maybe too fast.
Rita then took a deep breath before answering "Lincoln, sometimes small countries cannot just…"
"So, it is true?!" he interrupted "Just.. tell me" he sighed "Is someone from a small country working at your dentist office?" he frowned "Just… tell me!"
Rita then sighed and frowned "I wish I could say otherwise, sweetie, but… Armando is practically the answer for that question" she confessed "But… where did you hear all that?"
"Rod told me" Lincoln replied with a sigh "Right after he got arrested wrongfully along with Ronnie Anne" he explained.
"Oh yes, saw the news, what a terrible goof-off by the police"
"I can't believe it" Lincoln sighed "Are we THAT selfish with our neighbors?"
"Lincoln, don't think about that, our government may not be perfect, but we aren't evil, I can assure you that!" Rita defended her motherland.
"Then why don't we do our dirty jobs instead of having someone do it really cheap?" Lincoln frowned.
"I wish I could answer that, son" Rita sighed "But I can't, I am sorry, but… I just can't" at this point, Lily peered up inquisitively at her mother, leading her to frown upon hearing that "Maybe your friend may be exaggerating a little, but please don't ever think that bad about your home country, you swore loyalty to the American flag when you were on kindergarten, and…"
"Yes" Lincoln nodded "Don't worry mom, I won't let that overcome it, I swear" he smiled.
"That's my son" Rita smiled as Lily then giggled "Havea nice day at school, love you"
"Love you too"
And with that, the Loud mother left the room as Lincoln just kept on staring at his cereal bowl. His mother's reassuring words weren't exactly reassuring, as he truly knew the truth. He wouldn't stop hating his country, though.
School time, the bell rang as everyone were on their lockers. As Rod was minding his own business, as in, on his locker, he weas quickly approached by Lincoln.
"Rodster, buddy!" he smiled "Just the guy I wanted to see today!"
"Hi Lincoln"
"Listen, I never had the chance to ask" Lincoln quickly inquired "How are you…?"
"Hang on"
"Huh?"
Just as Rod said that, he crouched down to his backpack, and upon doing so, he heard the slam followed by Chandler's evil voice "The fuck's this guy's problem?" Rod asked himself in a low tone of voice as he stood up "You were saying?" he looked at the albino-haired boy.
"How are you doing after yesterday's… you know…?"
"Well…" Rod sighed as he started opening his locker again "Besides the fact that I almost got labeled as a criminal along with someone I DID NOT want to get involved with, I always knew it wouldn't last a nickel" he explained "You know the phrase: He who does not owe it, does not fear it" he gave him a side smirk.
"Totally!" Lincoln then remembered something "Hey, uh… never had the chance to ask you this, but…" he looked away sheepishly "Ronnie Anne wants to know if you can give me… I mean… her… your phone number"
"My… phone number…?"
That echoed through Rod's mind. Sure, he forgot to give that information to both Lincoln and Ronnie Anne, maybe intentionally or just simply was out of his mind as all of this happened. The events of past Wednesday were a classic event of the former, as, specially, he still felt Lincoln's punch. Not because of pain, but because of the fact that he wronged him.
"Rod?"
Rod finally snapped back to reality as he looked that Lincoln was eyeing him curiously "Everything… okay?"
"Y-Yeah…" Rod sighed "Everything's fine"
"So… about your number…"
"Why do you want it?"
He said that in a cold tone of voice, which gave a negative aura around the two, followed by Rod's blunt expression on his face.
"Because… we are friends… right?"
Why did he had to ask that question? Rod felt like cornered now, as he had three days with bad experiences, pretty much enough for an autistic person like him to handle. Rod wasn't quite a friendly person with newcomers, he had a life back in Argentina, with friendships that were cemented with trust. Upon coming here, the first day he got wronged, the second hurt physically, the third, emotionally, and the fourth was kind of the last straw, as he was feeling like he was a time bomb about to explode. But then he remembered: Ronnie Anne considers him a friend, a best friend that filled in Lincoln's empty space as he started dating her. A girl considering him that wasn't something you can see every day, specially not in Rod's case.
"Right?"
All this thinking and he forgot he was having a conversation. As Rod looked back at him, Lincoln had a frown, as it was saying 'We aren't friends, right?'
Rod then sighed "Yeah, of course we are friends" he smiled "I mean, you coulda had your jealousy moments, especially with that good shot you gave me past Wednesday, but I can forgive that" he explained as he retained his smile "You were just too in love with Rona"
"Yeah, you're right, I gotta give you that" Lincoln chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly "So… can I, I mean, WE, have your phone number?"
"I guess I could give it to you" Rod muttered as he drew out a pen and a piece of paper from his locker, then started to write down. As he finished, he gave it to Lincoln, who grabbed it. Rod, still grasping onto it firmly, gave him a warning glare "Don't… give it to anyone else, will ya?" he gave him a condition.
"Gotcha"
Rod finally let go of the piece of paper as Lincoln pulled it towards him started to read it "I'm trusting you in this one, don't let me down"
'Gee, why so… reserved?' Lincoln thought as he looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
The bell then rang.
"Showtime" Rod smirked as he pointed a finger at him before crouching down to pick up his backpack "What's in for today?" he stood up and looked at him with his backpack on his back (Duh).
"English class"
"Gotcha"
They were all settled in the classroom. English, with Mrs. Salter herself standing in front of the chalkboard, which had the words 'Cyrano de Bergerac' written on it.
"Alright children, today we will read a bit about Cyrano de Bergerac, a play written by Edmund Rustand" she announced "Can anyone tell me what it is about?"
Rod immediately rose his hand "I do"
"Rodney?"
"Rodrigo" Rod corrected her, then stood up from his seat "It was about a man who had a huge passion for art, as he was quite eloquent, could write romance poems, and also was a good swordsman" Rod explained.
"Very well, what else?"
"Only problem is, he had to cope with the shame of having such a huge nose, enough to be ridiculed about it"
Chandler then stood up from his seat and pointed at Rod with a smirk on his face "Like yours!"
Immediately, most of the classroom students, except for Lincoln, his friends, and, surprisingly, Girl Jordan, started to laugh about it. Rod looked around as he saw that they were laughing AT him, not WITH Him, which made him to frown as hard as he could and also made his right eye twitch nervously "Heck, you can even be its reincarnation" Chandler snickered.
Rod responded by slamming his fist in the table soundly, enough to stop the laugh, then started to run away towards the door.
"Rodrigo, where are you…?" but it was too late, as the teacher saw how Rod quickly opened the door and got out. Turning her head to give Chandler a death glare, she spoke "McCann, to the principal's office… NOW!" she yelled as she pointed at the door.
"It was worth it" Chandler snickered with a shrug as he then started to walk towards the door.
All while Jordan had her eyes on him with a serious glare. She couldn't believe it. Was THIS her boyfriend?
Jordan wasn't the only one, both Lincoln, Stella, Clyde, Zach, Rusty and Liam gave him a death glare all the way towards the door, as everyone else was chattering around with themselves, seemingly expressing regret about laughing at Rod's expense.
Seeing Chandler exit the classroom, Mrs. Salter immediately did the same "Rodrigo!" she echoed as she was looking around to find the mentioned.
Luckily, Rod wasn't faraway, he was at his locker, with his hands on his face, his head leaning on his locker door along with one fist on it, and hyperventilating and almost in tears.
Upon seeing him, the teacher quickly walked towards him "Rod, I know Chandler can be rude, but that's no reason for…"
"For how long do I gotta deal with this?!" Rod interrupted, shrieking as he quickly turned around to face the teacher "This charade is almost as the same as in Argentina, Mrs. Salter!" he snarled "Only difference is, that I am more than a thousand miles away from my parents, so I think this is much worse!"
"Look, I've sent Chandler to the principal's office already, he might get suspended, and…"
"You think that would ease the pain? DO YOU?!" Rod screamed "This triggers some bad memories, and worst part is: I don't wanna give up!"
"Rod, principal Ramírez already told me about your… thing" Mrs. Salter replied with a frown "If you want, you can leave early today, want me to give your therapist a call?" she offered "Maybe…"
"NO!" Rod growled "All I want is to the pain to just end, because I can' take it anymore!"
"Look Rod, I know it sounds harder than you think but…" Mrs. Salter then noticed, by a side look, that from the classroom door, which was now slightly open, had Lincoln, Stella and Zach, peeking. The teacher gave the three a warning glare as he stomped towards the door "You three go back inside!" she snarled as the three, startled, quickly backed away. Mrs. Salter then slammed the door shut before regaining her calm and walking back at Rod.
"Don't you lecture me on how to deal with an autistic person, señorita, because…"
"I told you to not to call me that…"
"I HAVE…" Rod interrupted with a snarl "Every right to call you whatever I want, because as far as I can see, I've been a victim of a lot of stuff this damn week, so I would thank you if you just leave all this be, alright?"
"Rod…"
"No, let's just… forget this happened" Rod then took a deep breath "Look, I am sorry for exiting the classroom, but you gotta understand…"
"I do, I do!" Mrs. Salter interrupted "And it's alright, and I am also sorry for not dealing with this the right way"
"You weren't" Rod gave her a reassuring smile "Look, let's just forget all of this and carry on, I promise I won't freak out next time"
"If THERE IS a next time" she replied "You won't have McCann annoy you at least now"
"I know"
Meanwhile, back at the classroom…
"You… what?!"
Jordan was chatting around with her friends Mollie and Cookie, who were seated next to her, having the chance to do so as the teacher wasn't around.
"I think… I am starting to like that guy" Jordan, slightly blushing, confessed as she looked away at Mollie's direction.
"But what about Chandler?" Cookie remarked.
"He has shown me what kind of person is he now" Jordan mumbled as she furrowed her eyebrows "He's a jerk"
"Jordan, buddy, I concur with you, Chandler is a piece of crap for all that matters, but…" Mollie replied "Didn't you said he was ugly? And he is!"
"It's not outside… what matters" Jordan replied as she rested her head on her palm and had a nearly smitten expression on his face "I already know what he did for Lincoln and that Ronnie Anne girl" she smiled "And he's not a bad guy at all?"
"He's just a wuss!"
"He's not!" Jordan protested.
"Then why did he leave the classroom like a crybaby just because Chandler…"
"You got that right!" Jordan interrupted "Just because Chandler, HE is the problem here!" she added "All this week, he had been targeting Rod as his main victim, not to mention what he did past Monday on dodgeball!"
"But at least he's cute!" Cookie protested.
"Will you cut it out with who's cute and who's ugly?" Jordan growled "Look, I am gonna ask him out today during lunch, and I need you to make me a favor"
"What's in it for us?"
"Girls!" Jordan glared at Mollie "Seriously!"
"Okay okay, girl, take it easy!" Mollie replied "What do you want us to do?"
"If you see Chandler on the cafeteria or nearby, which I seriously do because he'll be on detention, tell him I'm done with him"
"WHAT?!" the two shrieked in unison.
"Girls, keep it down!" Jordan looked around as she then saw that nobody ever flinched at her friends' reaction, sighing in relief.
"You want us to do YOUR dirty job?" Cookie stammered "He's your boyfriend, YOU break up with HIM!"
"No…" Jordan sighed "I don't want to, I just… can't"
"Why not?"
"He's a wuss, I don't wanna see him cry like a baby"
"And you think he'd do that?"
"Probably, but…"
"Jordan, Chandler is the rowdiest boy in class, he wouldn't just die if you tell him 'I am sorry, but we are through!'" Mollie pointed out.
"Look, are you gonna do that for me or not?" Jordan growled "Trust me, it'll hurt less if YOU do it instead of me!"
Mollie then sighed deeply "Okay, but you owe us BIG TIME, okay?"
"Roger that"
As the conversation ended, everyone saw as Rod, crestfallen, re-entered the classroom, followed by Mrs. Salter "Alright class, let's just… forget this whole deal and carry on, shall we?" the teacher announced as she got back on the chalkboard and Rod back on his desk "As Rod said, the story of Cyrano…"
As the teacher was talking, Lincoln, who he and his friends immediately looked at their sad friend upon entering, leaned up his head towards him "You okay, bud?"
Rod, still crestfallen, just replied by sighing.
"It's alright, we can talk it out later" Rod then nodded slowly as Lincoln then got back, his friends looking at him worriedly.
Jordan was also looking at him, but not in the same way, he saw him as someone… special? He barely ever knew him, how could she feel… THAT way?
Lunch time.
As Lincoln and his friends were chattering, Rod approached them with his tray, it had a Coke and a hamburger.
Lincoln was the first one to notice him "Oh, hey Rod"
"Hoi"
"Say…" Rusty snickered "Besides being a jailbird…" Stella was already prepared with a glare "Now you're a Cyrano, eh?" he started to laugh, but in seconds, he knew that not only he was the only one laughing, but also now everyone glaring at him "Ah… funny?"
Rod sighed deeply before turning around "Awww come on, don't be a wuss, it was a joke, dood!"
Rod was still with his back facing them "I know" he then started to walk away.
As they saw Rod walking away and instead sitting on a faraway table, they then got back at glaring at his talkative friend "Nice going, Rusty!" Stella growled.
"Yeah, what gives, dude?" Lincoln also growled "You know how he is, why do you have to add salt to the wound!"
"Since when you are so eloquent with metaphors, Lincoln?" Rusty chuckled "Come on guys, if he were someone else, he wouldn't care at all!"
"Someone else… what?" Clyde was also glaring at him.
"Not quirky?" Rusty tried to defend himself "And… a home lander?"
That did it, real hard. As soon as he said that word, the gang stood up, picked up their trays, and walked away from the table, leaving Rusty alone "Awww come on, you guys too?"
Rod, on the other hand, on his table, saw everything, but still was indifferent at it. They sort of did justice with Rusty, but he didn't care.
Before he could realize, he heard the sound of a tray placed on his table. Turning around, he saw Jordan sitting next to him, smiling "Hey there!"
Rod, still with his neutral expression on his face, took a bite of his burger before answering "Hey" manners, Rod, don't speak with your mouth full of food. Surprisingly, Jordan didn't care.
"So…"
"So?"
"What's a cutie doing so lonely in here?" Jordan chirped "Aren't you supposed to be with Lincoln and…"
"And aren't you…" Rod interrupted "Chandler's girlfriend who wanted to waste me in dodgeball past Monday?" he snapped "And also, that same day, said I am ugly and such"
Jordan's eyes widened with a frown as he said this. He was right, she was as hard and bigoted as she could upon meeting him, but for some reason, she was willing to make up for him "Yes…" she confessed "And I am sorry for it, BIG TIME"
"Why aren't you with Chandler?"
"Besides he's in detention?"
"Yeah"
"Well, i…"
"Speak up, girl, my burger is getting cold"
Jordan hesitated before answering, looking away in shame. She was about to lie to him, as her friends didn't break it to Chandler… yet "I went with Chandler a while ago, and…"
"Ohhhhhh…" Rod nodded "So you finally gave him das boot, huh?"
"That wouldn't be a proper slang, you know?"
"I know" Rod then took another bite "So you come here to tell me this because…?"
"Well…" Jordan sighed "I wanted to know if you…" she blushed slightly.
"I?"
"If you… would like to go out with me… today" she asked. Bold move.
Rod, who was about to take another bite, stopped on his tracks and made eye-contact with her "Eh… ze what?"
"Yeah well…" Jordan rubbed her arm sheepishly while still blushing "There's a fair today at the park, and I since Chandler would be busy and I dumped him, I thought I could ask you, I mean, if it's not a problem"
Rod just kept on looking at her. 'Wow, that escalated quickly', that famous phrase people there used to comment about those kind of stuff. He was more than confused, on the fact that a girl who some days ago called him a bad imitation of Quasimodo, was asking him out today. What did ever make her change her mind so quickly? Quickly? No, they were just days.
"Uh… Rod?"
Rod then tuned back to the real-life TV channel as he remembered he was talking to her, then rose an eyebrow "Why do you wanna go out precisely with me?" he asked "I am not quite a good-dating boy, you know?" he added "And besides, if you already know what was my deal with Lincoln and Ronnie Anne, you'd know…"
"Yes" Jordan interrupted him "I know the whole deal, I know you went out with him, and I also know how it ended, EVERY detail of it"
Rod's eyes widened a little "How did you…?"
"I have… my sources" Jordan blushed, then saw that Rod, from being impressed, looked at her with his eyes furrowed "I… saw you getting out of the cinema with Ronnie Anne when it happened, I was… going out with Chandler"
So that was it? She was there the moment where they got mugged? If HE knew she, I mean, THEY would be there, things at the police station could be easier if she testified what happened, I mean, she saw everything, a good eyewitness. But for all that matters, Rod didn't care pretty much "You know the police coulda had been nicer to me if you testified yesterday IF you happened to witness the whole incident, right?"
"Yes, and I am really sorry" Jordan sighed, ashamed "But in my defense, I didn't think it would be a really big deal"
"You really thought it wouldn't be a really big deal that I got stabbed on my shoulder… and worst of all… Rona could have been killed?"
He got her there, he was right "Yes, and again… I am really sorry" she sighed again as she looked away, already knowing that her whole idea of going out with him was gonna die.
Rod then exhaled deeply "You're lucky I am Catholic and forgiveness is a virtue"
Jordan, impressed by that, looked at him with her eyes widened "W-What?"
"What you've heard" Rod muttered, knowing he didn't feel one hundred percent sure of what he said "Tell me something: Why would a girl like you want to date someone like me?"
'Believe me, I am asking that question to myself too' would what Jordan think if she were a bad person, but she wasn't "Well…" she blushed again "I've seen you being nice and such a smart person while we were here, and I gotta admit… you're more than the eye meets"
True that, she finally realized it… but what a shame it was too late to try to make up for it. Rod just kept on looking at her with a blunt expression on his face, as he was slowly munching his mouthful of food, while Jordan forced a smile and a small giggle. As Rod swallowed, he started to speak "Wanna know my answer?"
"Is it good or bad?"
"I don't know" Rod muttered "My answer is…"
"Rod!"
Both of them turned around to see that Lincoln was standing there, with his tray "Sorry about Rusty" he smiled, then noticed Jordan "Hi Girl Jordan!"
"Just… Jordan, Linc" Jordan sighed.
"Right" Lincoln nodded "Say… what are you doing sitting with Rod?" he questioned with a raised eyebrow "Aren't you and Chandler…"
"No" she interrupted "We're finished already, and please let's not pry any further on it" she looked upset "I was asking Rod out, there's a fair later and I wanted to see if…"
"You too are going at the fair too?" Lincoln had a big smile "Ronnie Anne and I will be going to that fair, maybe we can go out on a double date If you want!"
"A…"
"Lincoln, that's an amazing idea!" Jordan cried "So I can see Ronnie Anne again after some time!"
"Great, then it's settled!" Lincoln declared "See you two after school then, see ya!" and with that, Lincoln walked away.
Jordan then turned to look at Rod with a big smile "So…"
Rod stammered a few words before sighing in resignation "I suppose it is a date then"
"You're actually saying yes?!" Jordan squealed "Oh my gosh, this is gonna be awesome!"
"Yeah, I can hardly wait" sarcasm.
"Okay, see ya after school then, don't be late!" and with that declared, Jordan picked up her tray and left Rod alone on the table.
"The fuck just happened?" that questioned echoed through the depths of his mind the entire lunch time.
An hour and a half later, as classes finished, Rod was rummaging through his backpack on the lockers along with the others. As he stood up and placed some books on it and closing it, he immediately got eye contact with Jordan, whom he saw upon closing the door, with a smitten expression on her face "Heyo"
Oh, he thought she'd forget about it, but no, she was really serious with going on with that "Why are you…?" Rod then chuckled "I guess you really meant it, eh?" he went back to frown.
"Of course I haven't forgotten about it, a girl never does, you should already know that by now" Jordan giggled.
Rod then crouched down to pick up his backpack, stood up and wrapped it around his back "Well then, I suppose we should… eh… go?"
"Okie, I am ready already" Jordan smiled.
Rod then took a deep breath, it was gonna be a long day. Or… night? Rod rummaged through his pocket and drew out his phone to check the time. It wasn't quite late, so the curfew Dr. Miguez told him wasn't still violated, so it was okay "A'ight, let's go"
MEANWHILE…
Outside the school, Lincoln was, backpack on his shoulder, looking around. Suddenly, he felt his vision obscured. Ronnie Anne, who was there from behind him, covered his eyes in that silly things girlfriends do.
"Who am i?" a certain voice called out in a happy tone of voice.
Lincoln then grasped onto Ronnie Anne's hands and sniffed a little "Oh… did you use a perfume or something, pumpkin?"
Ronnie Anne then giggled as she got her hands off his eyes. As Lincoln turned around, he saw that he was wearing the same dress she used when she went out with Rod. Or rather, another one since the first one was ripped off a little already "You look stunning, Ronnie" he smiled.
"Awww, you!" Ronnie Anne cooed in an out-of-character way as she then playfully punched his shoulder "Shall we go now?"
"You bet" Lincoln nodded "But let's wait a little, we've got company"
"Oh?" Ronnie Anne's cheerful smile was wiped out by that "Who?"
"H-Hey, cut it out with sticking to me, i-it's hard for me to walk that way!"
"Huh?"
That certain voice Ronnie Anne heard; it came from the school entrance. As she turned around, he saw Rod, slightly chuckling, as he was walking next to Jordan, who was grasping onto his arm "Really, I am not into these kind of things!"
"Rodri?"
Rod then recognized that voice too, as he saw Ronnie Anne there "Oh, hi Rona" he waved.
Ronnie Anne gave a smug smirk as she walked up towards the two "I see you're already back on the saddle with dating, eh?" he nudged his shoulder playfully as he was blushing.
Rod's eyes twitched upon hearing that "W-Wha…?!"
"Relax, just kidding" Ronnie Anne chuckled as she playfully punched Rod on the shoulder… too. She then turned to look at Jordan "Hey Girl Jordan, I hope you haven't been flirting with my Linky"
"First, it is just Jordan, and second… of course not! Lincoln isn't my kind!" Jordan protested "And actually, Lincoln agreed that we could maybe have a double date" she informed the Latina "You, Lincoln, Rod and I"
"That's a good idea" Ronnie Anne smiled, but then remembered something important about Rod, something… Jordan should know "Eh, actually… Jordan… there is something you gotta know about Rodri, he…"
"He has a girlfriend already?!" Jordan frowned.
"No no!" Ronnie Anne quickly stammered "It's…"
"Hey you guys!"
Saved by the bell, or in this case, by Clyde. As they turned around towards the school's main door, they saw Clyde and Chloe walking together, nearly hand-in-hand, towards them, then examined whose pairs were from "Lincoln and Ronnie Anne and Girl Jordan and Rod?" he remarked.
"Jordan, Clyde"
"This is surely a keeper, eh?" Clyde playfully nudged Rod's chest.
"Don't take it too seriously" Rod deadpanned.
"You and Chloe?" Lincoln smiled "I imagined it, bro" he chuckled.
"Yeah, me too" Clyde chuckled back as he slightly blushed, followed by Chloe doing the same while rubbing the back of her head sheepishly "But actually… we were just gonna go out to the fair"
"That's right!" Chloe smiled.
"I have no idea of where that fair is gonna be so…" Rod looked at Lincoln "Lead the way, please"
"Gotcha" Lincoln saluted him "Come on, let's go, a triple date!"
"Can it be ANY worse than this?" Rod muttered inaudibly. Unfortunately, he didn't ever know what was up for him on that day.
The six soon arrived at Royal Woods park, which was, indeed, filled with people as there was a fair as Lincoln said there was. Alongside some food stalls, there also were some attractions, including (but not limited to) the classic dunk tank, water gun target shooting, some ball-tossing ability games, and even the classic and inevitable High Striker hammer game, all with prizes. There were also some entertainers, most of them dressed as animals for small children to interact with.
"Heh, never thought it'd be THAT crowded" Lincoln commented with a chuckle as Rod looked around inquisitively.
"Well, what do you wanna do first?" Ronnie Anne asked with a smile as she grasped onto her boyfriend's hand.
"How about target shooting?" Jordan offered as she was also grasping onto her respective date's arm, which Rod felt uncomfortable as he looked away sheepishly.
"Good idea!" Chloe cheered as she was also grasping onto Clyde's arm. How curious he wasn't nose-bleeding, but he was blushing madly, though.
"What do you say, Rod?" Jordan smiled at her date "Wanna show me your crack-shot skills just like when we played dodgeball?"
Rod turned around to look at her "I…"
"Then it's settled, target shooting it is!" and with that said, Jordan walked towards the mentioned stalls while pulling Rod with her as the other four did (almost) the same.
"Step right up, step right up!" the announcer clerk of one of the stalls cheered, he was wearing an Uncle Sam outfit, complete with the long, star-springled banner top hat, which was long "Show your girl you have the balls, shoot the targets and win a beautiful prize!" he was holding a cane, which he rose up to show the game. The stall had at least ten feet away from the bullseye on the wall, which was actually a bullseye printed on a paper, with the center red-colored. There were some BB-guns on them, different variations. Rifles and pistols.. On the inner wall of the stand, there was a red button. Conveniently, no one was playing it yet, so the gang could play already.
Rod curiously examined one gun, first with the eyes, then moved his hand to grab it, but suddenly had his hand poked by the cane. Upon looking, he faced at the announcer "1 dollar for turn, please" he told him "Three shots" he added "If you get bullseye three times, you win the prize"
Rod then chuckled as he moved his hand back "Tell me something, will the money collected be for charity or something?" he boldly questioned.
"As a matter of fact, yes!" the announcer nodded "For the Royal Woods orphanage, these kids must have food!"
"And I approve" Rod nodded, then drew out his wallet from his pocket and drew out six dollar bills "Six turns, please!" he placed them on the table.
"Is he paying for all of us?" Chloe whispered at Clyde.
"Seems so" Clyde replied.
"A'ighty then! Whenever you want, pick the gun and start shooting!" the announcer grabbed the dollar bills and moved away.
"Okay, who goes first?" Rod asked as he grabbed the BB-pistol.
"Let's gamble it!" Lincoln had an idea, the Man with the Plan, then drew out from his pocket a dice with six numbers.
"Where did you get that?" Ronnie Anne giggled, surprised of why his boyfriend was carrying a dice all along.
"I am a magician; I ALWAYS carry a dice" Lincoln stated proudly. He then tossed the dice at the air, and quickly caught it with the palm of his hand before covering it "Okay, which number do you pick?"
"1" Ronnie Anne smiled.
"4" Rod was next.
"6" Clyde stated.
"2" Jordan added.
"I suppose… 3?" Chloe picked.
"Then I am number five" and Lincoln then moved away the hand he was using to cover the dice carefully so the dice won't move any inch from the palm of his hand.
It was number 4 "Whew" Rod chuckled "As a devout Catholic, I am always a believer of that thing Jesus said about the first being the last, and vice-versa" he burst out into laughter, but realized the others were starting at him blankly and stopped "Sorry"
"Okay Rod, you go first then"
Rod then nodded as he walked towards the stand and picked up the BB-gun from the table. Examining it deeply and seeing it as a replica of a Magnum .45, he then aimed at the bullseye that was faraway from sight.
"Don't you wanna use both hands, son?" the announcer, who saw how Rod was holding the gun, suggested.
"Nah, I am fine" Rod chuckled without even turning his head to look at him "Just lemme…" and after a few seconds, he pulled the trigger, firing three shots, the gun was pretty loud for a toy gun. Three shots were the maximum, he placed the gun on the table "How did I do?"
"Let's see, one sec!" and the announcer walked inside the stand and pressed the button. As he did this, the bullseye crosshair, which by the way as a piece of paper and stuck to a mechanism, was starting to move closer. Like a shooting range on a police station. As the bullseye crosshair was near, everyone appreciated that the three shots got on the center.
"Bravo, son, you got bullseye!" the announced then drew out from under the table, which was concealed, a small brown and cuddly teddy bear, and handed it to him.
"Well hello there cutie" Rod cooed as he accepted the prize. Looking at it, then at Jordan, who was smiling at him, he then handed the plushie to her "Want it?"
"For me?" Jordan cheered as she accepted the gift "How caring of you"
"Brah"
"Nice shooting, Rod!" Lincoln smiled "Where did you learned to shoot that good?"
"Don't ask, don't tell" was Rod's only response, hoping Lincoln would accommodate with it.
"Eh… okay?" Lincoln scratched the back of his head, then brushed it off by shrugging "Who's next?" and he prepared the dice again.
Next was number 3, Chloe. She didn't do quite good, she barely got at the edge of the center and the two other shots really farzway. No one couldn't blame her, she wasn't used to guns after all. Number 1, Ronnie Anne. She did… fair? For a tomboyish girl like Ronnie Anne, she did good, she did 2 out of 3. Next up was number 6, Clyde. She did as Chloe did, despite being more experienced on these kind of games, as in, playing at Gus' Arcades. Number 2, Jordan. She did well, 2 out of 3 like Ronnie Anne, guess that being good at dodgeball marks she has a pretty good accuracy no matter what.
"Okay, and last but not least, 5… me!" Lincoln then grabbed the pistol and started to aim. It was implicit to mention, that every time someone else tries, the paper sheet gets changed for a new, unpunctured one "Here goes nothing…" and with that said, Lincoln, aiming with both hands pulled the trigger and shot three times. Being not physically fit as Rod, or to a lesser extent, Ronnie Anne, the recoil of the three shots impulse him to his back, making him fall to the ground.
"Lincoln!" Ronnie Anne gasped as she rushed towards his boyfriend and crouched to help him up, but stopped when Lincoln suddenly rose a hand to stop her, then slowly stood up, grunting.
"Ah, I suppose I am not made for guns… yet" Lincoln commented with a chuckle.
"Of course not, dork" Ronnie Anne laughed as she playfully punched him "But seriously, let's just… not do that again"
"Roger" Lincoln then looked at the announcer "How did I do?" he asked as the announcer walked back inside and pressed the button. As the paper sheet got visibly near, everyone was shocked to see that he actually got three out of three bullseye shots "Holy…!"
"Congratulations, you're a winner!" and the announcer then handed him another teddy bear.
Lincoln happily accepted it, then looked at it for a brief moment, before smiling at Ronnie Anne and handing it to her "For you"
Ronnie Anne blushed as she initially looked away sheepishly, then accepted it "Thanks" she then hugged it tightly "It's as cuddly as Osito" she smiled as she then went over to his boyfriend and hugged him "Thank you very much" she whispered.
"Anytime"
"I have an idea" Rod chirped "How about if we split up and have our own private moments with each date?" he proposed, then took out his phone from his pocket and looked at it "We'll meet at the park's entrance at 6, alright?"
"Sounds like a good idea" Lincoln chuckled as he then elbowed Rod on his ribs "Don't you steal the Man with the Plan crown from me just yet, eh?"
"Don't worry, it is not my intention" Rod laughed "Okay, we'll see us all at six at the exit"
"Understood" the other five said in unison.
And so on, the six went into separate ways, each with their date.
LINCOLN AND RONNIE ANNE.
"Ah, finally some precious time alone…"
The two main lovebirds were walking hand-in-hand, no longer caring of whoever teases them just because they love each other, just… love.
"I've dreamed for a moment like this when I was back at GLC, you know?" Ronnie Anne whispered.
"Heh, cannot blame ya" Lincoln laughed.
"But don't get too cocky, eh?" Ronnie Anne suddenly 'got in-character' and playfully punched him on the shoulder "I'll still be that rude Ronnie Anne you fell in love with, you like it or not"
"Yeah, I've been missing that girl since you left Royal Woods" Lincoln smiled "I guess I stick too much to pretty much"
"What does that ever mean?" Ronnie Anne chuckled with an akimbo.
"I dunno, but it sounded cool on my mind"
"Oh, you!"
"Step right up, ladies and gentlemen!"
The two were approaching the High Striker hammer game. An announcer dressed this time in a zool white and red-striped suit with a smaller white and red top hat and a cane like the previous announcer, was on the attraction "Show your strength to your friends and/or girlfriend, prove your manliness!"
Lincoln walked towards the announcer, flexing his arms, or at least… noodles "I can prove my manliness!"
"Whoah, easy there, Hercules" the announcer chuckled "One dollar per try"
Lincoln nodded, then drew out a dollar bill from his pocket and handed it to him. The announcer then grabbed the mallet and handed it to Lincoln, which he grabbed by the handle "Gota warn you, don't let your awesomeness take the best of you"
"I'm ready, let it go!"
"Suit yourself"
Upon letting go of the mallet, Lincoln quickly got overwhelmed by the weight "WHOA!" he cried as he hastily let go of the hammer/mallet as it soundly fell to the ground.
"Toldja, feller" the announcer chuckled "With those noodles, you wouldn't be able to even lift a stick!" he burst into laughter.
Lincoln, ashamed, just sighed in sadness as the announcer kept on laughing.
Ronnie Anne, witnessing this, furrowed her eyebrows and clenched her fist in anger at the announcer. After that, he walked towards the mallet, grasped onto its grip, and almost effortlessly lifted it, giving a really silent grunt.
The announcer then stopped laughing and looked at Ronnie Anne in shock "Whoah mama, that is some strength there!"
"I'll show you!" and that said, Ronnie Anne lifted the mallet, then hit the lever with aloud yell. As soon as it was hit, the puck immediately came out flying and hit the bell. Lincoln got shocked at that, he never imagined his girlfriend would have such strength. Wait, why did he never imagine it? He knew her very well, Ronalda Anne Santiago, the toughest girl in Royal Woods Elementary School!
The announcer got dumbfounded at this, he couldn't believe a girl would outperform him that way "W-W-We've got a winner!" he declared, then drew out from the side the prize, a #1 Finger foam glove, t hen handed it to Ronnie Anne.
"All that just for a silly cheap foam glove?" Ronnie Anne growled "Pass, it's a waste of a buck" she rejected it as the announcer frowned and put it away.
"Ro-Ronnie Anne, that was awesome!" Lincoln's mouth gaped in awe.
"Well, I have my feats" Ronnie Anne caressed her biceps arm proudly.
"I just wish… I could be like you" the albino-haired muttered with a frown "I mean, I have Lynn to help me put out some weight, but I don't have the guts to…"
Ronnie Anne interrupted him by putting a finger on his lips "Lincoln, you are perfect just the way you are, and I wish that for the eternity we will have together… you don't change any bit"
"R-Really?"
"Yes, I want the weak and smart Lincoln, the one Man With the Plan, the one who thinks himself as a girl guru despite being a total fluke, I love THAT Lincoln Loud, not any other"
Whew, how could Ronnie Anne realize that at some point, Lincoln was that? She was away when that happened? But Lincoln didn't care, if she loved the Lincoln Loud that he always likes to be, then he feels he's in a perfection state with her at his side.
Lincoln then took Ronnie Anne by her hands "You know I love you, right?" he smiled as he made eye-contact with her.
"And you know I love you too, right?" she smiled as she felt like she was seeing stars through his eye's pupils.
The two then embraced each other and puckered their lips into a deep, passionate kiss.
CLYDE AND CHLOE.
The African-American boy and the purple-beret girl were walking, holding hands.
"So…"
"So?" Chloe looked at Clyde.
"We've been going out for at least a few weeks" Clyde noted "We should… like… being extrovert to each other, don't ya think?"
Chloe then giggled as she then booped his nose "I love it when you're intellectual and eloquent" she smiled dreamily.
"It's what I do" Clyde chuckled.
The two, walking, passed nearby the Dunk Tank.
"Hey, oscuro!" the Dunk Tank person sitting called out.
That… rang a bell in Clyde's ear, as he then immediately turned to face the Dunk Tank "Yeah, you!" he yelled "Why don't you try to dump me, eh?" he snickered "That… unless you lack some spine!"
Clyde, understanding Spanish a little, knew what epithet he gave to him. With a glare, he gave a few steps forward "I'll show you manners!" he snarled.
"Clyde, don't!" Chloe, behind Clyde, grasped onto his arm as she tried to stop him doing whatever she thought he was gonna do "He's not worth it, leave him, he's just a wet suck!"
"And you lady!" the Dunk Tank suddenly spat "Why don't you come with a REAL man, instead of this negrato?" he smirked.
"THAT DOES IT, I'LL…!" Clyde growled as he walked towards the table nearby that had the balls and grabbed one. Upon doing so, he was quickly grabbed by his hand by someone. Turning around, he saw the announcer of the Dunk Tank "Ah ah ah" he grabbed the ball from Clyde's hand "One dollar per try" he extended his palm to him, expecting to pay.
Clyde, thinking for a few seconds, finally rummaged through his pocket and drew out three dollar bills "Three tries, please!"
"Afraid of missing already?" the Dunk Tank person chuckled "You're just another waste"
"Shut up, fatso!"
"Hey, don't speak me with that tone of skin!"
Clyde replied by walking back as he placed himself behind the reglementary yellow line to throw the ball. He then rose up his throwing arm and tossed the first ball.
It was a miss.
"Awww, what's the matter? Did I offend you? TOUGHT BREAK!"
Clyde growled, then replied by tossing again.
Another miss.
"Come on, I am getting so bored, you toss like a girl!" he heckled again "A 3-year-old girl!"
Clyde then prepared to toss again "Last try? I doubt…"
But it was a direct hit.
Call it karma or whatever, but as soon as the target was hit and the person got dumped, he was hit on the groin with the edge of the tank as he fell through "AH! MY… JEWELS!"
"Too lousy for you, tubby?" Clyde chuckled sneeringly.
"Clyde!" Chloe's mouth gaped in awe "That was an amazing throw!" she walked towards him.
"Playing so much at Gus' has it's rewards" Clyde proudly smirked just as Chloe giggled and embraced him.
RODRIGO AND GI… I MEAN… JORDAN.
Rod and Jordan were already in a game, filling balloons with water guns. Pretty fun, huh?
As Rod was shooting with his gun, he suddenly stopped "Hmmmm…" he was starting to think… can he… soak someone else maybe? Someone like…?
Too late. Before Rod could ever react as he turned around, he found himself being splashed by water by Jordan, who was giggling. Surprisingly, Rod didn't take it negatively, he was just laughing "Okay okay, I give up, I get your point!" he chuckled.
"Not buying it!" Jordan giggled as she kept on soaking him.
"Well then, two can play this game!" and Rod, while still being soaked, grabbed his water gun and started to soak Jordan too.
"Hey!" she giggled "You can't soak a girl!"
"Not unless we live in democracy!" joke or not, Rod said it perhaps indiscreetly, as he kept on soaking her.
"Okay, okay, give, give!"
The two, laughing, then stopped shooting at each other. As Rod walked near her and saw her the result of the water fight, he felt ashamed but still smiling "Sorry if I soaked your favorite shirt"
Jordan then giggled "This isn't even top five" she assured him.
Rod then rummaged through his pocket and drew out a tissue napkin he conveniently had "What's that?"
"Better to be safe than sorry" Rod smiled, then gently placed the tissue on her face and carefully began to dry it out with it.
Jordan, even trough it was already known she was blushing, was blushing even more by the inside as Rod was drying her out. She never had ANY of this the little time she was, or at least, started dating Chandler. She saw him as special… a different kind of special.
Upon finishing it, Rod crumbled the tissue into a ball and tossed it away on a nearby litter bin "You OK?"
"Yeah, I am very okay" Jordan smiled "But what about you?" she frowned upon realizing he was still wet whereas she was not.
"It's okay, I am used to having my clothes a little moist" Rod chuckled.
"Really?" Jordan snickered with a smirk.
"Well, I come from a wet country, so what do you think?" Rod smirked back.
As the two were being coy with each other, Jordan felt something. Looking down to her belly, she felt a grumbling sensation. She giggled and blushed as she placed a hand on her belly "You hungry?" Rod chuckled.
"Maybe a little" Jordan grinned "But no, don't spend any more for us, just… don't, it must be a lot of…"
"Jordan, for me it isn't even a pinch" Rod chuckled
"A what?"
"Nevermind" Rod laughed.
While chattering and laughing, Jordan noticed something looking at Rod's behind in a side-look: Trent and Tyler were there. What the heck were they doing there without a date or something? Jordan immediately frowned and bit her lip nervously, specially because she saw them walking towards the two "Ah… I changed my mind, can you bring me a hot dog or something?"
"Sure" Rod nodded as he looked around, finding a food stall "So… where…?"
Jordan quickly walked towards the direction Rod was facing and pointed at a nearly faraway hot dog stand "There is one!" she chirped "Go there now, I'll wait"
"Okie" Rod nodded "Wait here" and with that said, he started to walk away.
'Come on, come on!' she thought as she was seeing him getting faraway. She then sighed in relief, but that didn't last much, as she then turned around to merely face both mentioned boys from behind "O-Oh… hey gu…"
"Jordan…" Trent deadpanned "Chandler isn't gonna take too kindly that you're going out with another guy"
"What are you talking ab…"
"Don't play fool with us!" Trent growled "You're being not only a cheater, but a hypocrite!"
"Hypocrite?!" Jordan growled, remembering she said how ugly Rod was, but that wasn't true though, since she never said she would never date him.
"When Chandler finds out about this…"
"You won't tell them no crap, do you hear me?!" Jordan shrieked "Get out of here and better keep your mouth shut or else I'll get you in a stretcher, one in each!"
Both men kept unfazed at the girl's reaction "You better watch yourself, Jordan, because Chandler won't tolerate thi…"
"GET OUT, GET OUT NOW!" she roared as she clenched he fists in fury, finally achieved scaring them.
"Okay okay, we're leaving" Trent growled "But hear this, you won't ever get to first base with that guy if Chandler can do anything to prevent it"
"Tell that sucker that we're done, but ever since yesterday, okay? YESTERDAY!"
"You'll regret this, Jordan"
And with that said, the two finally complied and left Jordan alone, who was still fuming in rage.
Rod, who was innocently retuning with a tray with two hot dogs and two cola cups, noticed Jordan was angry, then rose an eyebrow "Jordan… you okay, girl?" he asked as he walked towards him.
Jordan quickly changed her enraged metal state to happy upon turning around to face Rod "Ah?" she stammered "N-No, nothing, absolutely nothing's wrong, Roddy" she smiled "Do you have the food? I'm starving!"
"Yeah well, I asked both with only mayo, but I don't think you'd…"
"Ohhhhh, only mayo, where had you been my entire life?" Jordan, it could be said, that had hearts for pupils at that moment. He nailed it, he guessed correctly that only mayonnaise was her preferred dressing for her hotdog.
"Wow, talk about bullseye" Rod chuckled "Twice" he added as he grabbed one hot dog with one hand "You gonna eat? It's gonna get cold soon"
"Yes" Jordan smiled, smitten, at Rod "Yes I will" she then, without taking her eyes off Rod, grabbed her hot dog.
Time passed, it was six o'clock already, according to Rod's watch on his phone. As expected, the three met where they planned, at the park entrance.
Both Jordan and Ronnie Anne were happily walking with t heir dates, holding their prizes their male got them, and Clyde and Chloe were too… except that there was no prize.
"So how was everything?" Lincoln asked.
"Perfect" both Ronnie Anne and Jordan said in unison as Jordan was staring at Rod dreamily, Ronnie Anne doing the same with Lincoln.
"Well then, I think it's time to go home already" Rod smiled in a fatherly-tone of voice "I don't want another mugging incident in my book"
"Gee, Rod" Jordan giggled "Never had the chance to ask, but…"
"Ah?"
"How did you become so fluent at English if you're a foreigner from a Spanish-speaking country"
"Long story, probably for another time" Rod excused himself "Can we go now? I am kinda tired" he then yawned. Jordan expected him to embrace her with his open arm upon finishing yawning… but he didn't, he instead scratched his head and lowered back down his arms.
"Yeah, I probably should be home too, mom has a curfew with me too" Lincoln sighed, then smiled at Ronnie Anne "Shall we go, milady?"
"Of course, my gentleman" Ronnie Anne giggled as Lincoln took her hand. Before leaving, he looked at Rod "See you next Monday I guess, Rod?"
"You betcha"
"Well…" Lincoln then waved at Jordan, Rod, Clyde and Chloe "See ya!"
"See ya" in unison.
Both Lincoln and Ronnie Anne parted ways together. Shortly after, Clyde and Chloe did the same, but not without saying goodbyes to Rod and Jordan.
"Well… want me to accompany you home" Rod smiled.
"I'll be gladly obliged" Jordan smiled.
The two, holding hands (Reluctantly for Rod, of course) then began to walk away from the scene, Jordan obviously leading the way because Rod didn't know where she lived… yet.
As they were walking, Jordan again grasped onto Rod's arm, this time sticking closer to him and closing her eyes dreamily, as she never felt as comfortable and safe with a man as she ever did with Rod that day.
Unfortunately, that didn't last long.
"Hey buster!"
The bubble of the two was suddenly popped.
Chandler.
He was in front of the two with a death glare "Had to see it to believe it" he sneered "The rat with MY girl" upon seeing him, the two felt like they were in total danger. Rod instinctively moved Jordan with his arm and placed her behind him in a protecting way, while glaring daggers at him. Jordan wasn't happy, either
"I've NEVER been your girl, Chandler" Jordan growled "Didn't Mollie and Cookie told you? WE'RE DONE!"
"Yes, but I couldn't believe it until I've heard it from your snake lips!"
"Hey" Rod growled "Be nice to the lady, okay?" he snarled "She's probably the only girl that gives you bola, so calm down or…"
"YOU…" Chandler snarled back "SHUT UP!"
"Why don't you make me?"
"Don't make me make you" Chandler couldn't contain all his rage "You better… let her go, walk away, and pretend you NEVER EVER dated her, a'ight?"
"And what about what SHE wants?" Rod spat back "Relationships are fifty fifty, you both gotta give equally…"
"They day i need…" Chandler stomped a few steps forward "Lectures of love from some idiotic, ugly, hideous, quicky, nerdy and asshole-ridden guy like you… I'll give you a call" he smirked.
None of these insults got Rod to break. Rarely anything works out on him "If you want her, you can have her" Roid growled as he moved his arm forward.
"H-Huh?"
Jordan got confused by that was she took a few steps backwards from him "R-Rod, what are you saying?"
Rod, from being angry to Chandler, took a deep breath and frowned at Jordan "Jordan, you're a really nice girl and all of that, but…"
"But…?" she frowned.
"I am afraid… I am not for you, your best chance has always been THIS guy" he muttered, pointing at Chandler.
"B-But… b-but why?"
"I still… can't get through Gabriela"
Some memory piqued on Jordan's mind as she remembered that in previous chapters, he said something about a dead girlfriend "Ga… Gabriela?"
"Yes" Rod nodded "And even though she is dead, I still remember her as in she's alive, and upon dying, I swore to never ever date anyone else, no matter how much good is it, like in your case" he didn't skip the chance to compliment her, though.
Jordan couldn't believe it. The man that gave her a good time… a good chance… wasn't it? "Rod…"
"I'm so sorry Jordan, but… I'm so sorry" Rod sighed as he shook his head, slightly tearing.
Jordan noticed this, then backed away from him "It's OK, Rod, i… understand" tears formed in her eyes.
"Don't get me wrong or anything, you were a good date and such, I hope you find your special someone someday, so you can be as happy as you were when you were with me today"
"Ah… hello? I AM STILL HERE!"
"SHUT UP" both growled at Chandler in unison, then looked at each other.
"You're a good man, Rodrigo Damiani" Jordan teared "I hope you find peace someday" she smiled as she then leaned closer to him and puckering her mouth, kissed him, as his eyes then widened and made Chandler even more furious.
After breaking from the kiss, she looked at his eyes tenderly "Thanks for the date and the teddy" she smiled.
"JORDAN!" Chandler growled.
Jordan then, with a glare, walked towards Chandler "Oh shut up, will ya? He handled it better than you!"
"Listen there, girl, I don't wanna you to ever see another of these suckers again, do you hear me?" Chandler growled as, when she got near him, grabbed her arm.
Jordan just looked at her with a blunt expression on her face "Oh, shut up and let's go… Chandie-o"
The two then walked away from the scene, leaving Rod alone… on the streets.
Before resuming his long way home, he took a deep breath "I just hope… this doesn't tarnish your memory, bomboncito"
Shortly after, he began to do his long walk home, uncertain of what could be next for him.
" I just hope it doesn't…"
Aaaaand, it's done! Hope you enjoyed this! Tell me if I go Out Of Character somehow with any canon character, okay? And saw that JordanxOC tease, huh? Well, I am just full or surprises. See ya next chapter!