Heather, the friend to all weirdos. But even she finds Rudy unsettling. Something is up with that boy’s head.

Mr. Peeper was no longer driving Elon or Nola to school. I insisted I drive Nola while Elon goes by himself. She still doesn't see me as her friend. I tried chatting with her in the car but no use. She just doesn't want to open up to me, or anyone for that matter. But she's got to if she's going to get better. I feel she is slowly starting to realize her position and striving to better herself, but it's going way too slow. I need to at least maker her like me so I can take her with me after graduation. She has nowhere to go, nobody's helping her in this. I'll be more than happy for her to come live with me, but it'll be better if she wasn't forced.

So we arrive at school and she parts ways with me. I told her to return to me so I can take her to practice soccer, and of course, she just has to argue that Elon can at least drive her there. She's not very good at arguing so this was settled in my victory. With that, my school day starts.

I have classes in the morning: Math, Science, Art. I won't get to practice soccer until later today, and that will be the only time I practice soccer. I'll be taking her back to Nicely Park and teach her the basics.

Recess arrives as I meet up with my friends: Alice, Regina, and Holly.

"Yo, Heather," my friend Alice says, "great game yesterday. Alice is proud of Heather."

"You always say that but you don't even know how to play."

"Alice is just trying to encourage Heather!" she jumps and down excitedly. Ha ha.

"Yeah," says Regina. "We just want you to feel good about yourself."

"You guys, you don't have to."

"Heather, how about we hang out later tonight?" asks Holly. "You didn't went out with us yesterday to celebrate."

"Sorry but I made plans to hang out with Elon and Nola."

They're happy expressions have turned to disapproval. Oh boy.

"That guy you dated earlier..." says Regina.

"There's nothing wrong with him, guys. I keep telling you, rumors about him are exaggerated."

"Alice is concerned. Alice finds him weird. Elon has that funny hair and is cold and distant."

"I don't think he's bad," says Holly, "but he comes off with this... very distant vibe."

"He's just like that, okay?" I answer. "He's just not a people person."

"I don't know. There's something off about him."

"You don't have to like him if you don't want to, but he's my friend, so just leave him alone."

"I'm more concerned about you going out with him. You seem to like the strangest people." comments Regina.

"He asked me, I said yes. That's all there was."

"And you broke up with him on the same day."

"Yeah... something happened."

"And you never told us either."

"It just didn't work out, okay?"

"Alice heard a rumor recently," chimed in Alice. "Alice heard Elon walks to the girl's bathroom."

"What? Where'd you heard that?"

"Alice doesn't know but Alice read that the same movie theater Heather went to on Heather's date, Mysterious Male High School Student went in and caused a commission."

"Yeah, I heard that too," said Holly. "There was even video footage uploaded, but we couldn't make out the perpetrator."

"Must have happened before or after we were there," I answer. "Don't tell me you are basing this on that."

"Okay, okay," said Regina. "We'll drop the subject, but girl, date some normal guys, like Rudy."

"Don't bring him up."

"You also didn't say why you broke up with him. I'm curious about that."

Holly interrupts, "Speaking of which," and points behind us.

At this time, Rudy was walking towards me and I turn to him.

"Yo," he says, "Heather, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure." I excuse myself as I follow him.

"Rudy," I start, "what's going on?"

"I want to cash in on that favor you owe me for helping you yesterday."

"This is a bad time."

"He's going to tutor me today."

"And you want to pressure him with something?"

"I'm not a bully. It's just that I want to know more about him."

"Like what?"

"Why are you accusing me of anything? I just want some info about him."

"Rudy, my friends just told me there are rumors surrounding him. Are you spreading something?"

"No. I've kept my mouth shut."

"Are you lying to me? Elon is honest with me. If he says otherwise, I'll believe him over you."

"You can ask him if you want. If he really is honest, then you'll soon learn."

I put my hands on my hips and look at him. He has that strong impression on his face that demands respect. That's not a compliment, he's a very pushy guy I have not heard or seen him bully anyone, but at the same time, he's just so tough to deal with. "I'll ask him later, then."

"Well, aside from that, tell me what you know about him."

"Well.. we went out."

"You did?"

"Once, and that was it. I broke up with him afterwards."

"Okay, that's one thing."

"That's more than enough."

"That is barely enough. I want to know more. Remember, you promised."

"I promised, huh? Well, he's kind and gentle, but as dense as a brick. He has some friends but he tends to keep to himself. He's not really a social person, but can be an extrovert with some effort. He gets good grades, I'm sure you know that, but he's not too brainy either. He's just a normal guy."

"That's all stuff I can figure out."

"So what do you want?"

"Did he tell you anything about his past?"

"No."

"Nothing?"

"Why would he? Do you know something about him?"

"Uhh... maybe not."

"Maybe not, huh?"

"Are you sure he didn't told you anything?"

He knows about the bathroom thing. Why is he playing this weird game with me. Elon is right, this guy is a bit too obsessive about this. Should I tell him that I know about this? No, he's then going to be all pushy against me and never leave me alone.

"I have nothing else to tell you. That's everything I know."

"What about Nola?"

"What....?" I heard myself say that flatly. I don't like where this is going.

"Can you tell me about Nola?"

"You don't even know who Nola is."

"That girl that was next to him after the game. That's his childhood friend, Nola. Or even his sister. I'm not certain, but they're close."

"Okay, so he told you. What else did he tell you about her."

"Just that."

"Then that's all you need to know."

"Bu I want to-"

"No. You said you wanted to know about Elon, and I told you everything I know thus far... actually, no. I haven't. I'm thinking of asking him out again."

"You are?"

"Yeah. I'm going to give him a second chance."

"Why?"

"Why not?"

"Because he's a weirdo, that's why?"

"What makes him a weirdo?"

"He's just a weird guy, alright. He's just like... not even alive at times."

"Yeah, I know, but he's trying to better himself, unlike you who just demands things from everyone without their consideration." After this, I walk away.

"Heather," I hear him say but I don't turn back.

This is bad for Nola. He's desperate for information on both of them and I have no idea why. He's keeping the reason to himself. I've never seen this side of him, this obsession with the bathroom. I kind of wish I didn't knew about it. Well, whatever this issue is, I better keep him away from her.

I return to my friends and Alice excitedly asks, "Is Heather dating Rudy again?"

"No, Alice. I'm not. I have no interest in him anymore."

"She won't date him again," said Regina. "He was way too pushy as Heather says."

Hmm... I wonder...

"Say guys..." I say rather loudly so Rudy could hear, "why don't I tell you how my date with Rudy went last-" My mouth was suddenly covered as Rudy drags me away.

When we reach a private area, he lets go of me, "what are you doing?" I demand.

"What are you doing? I thought I told you not to tell anyone how that date went."

"You don't want people knowing your nasty? I think you have that reputation already amongst the girls."

"I do? Is that why they won't ask me out anymore?"

"Ask you out? Well... I'm certain. If what you did back then is any indication."

"Listen, don't tell anyone, okay? I apologized."

"Dude, what is wrong with you? You've been acting weird lately."

"Trust me, I just need to know something about Elon and Nola, and then I can be at peace. That's all I want."

"Then tell me. What is this that you want to know?"

"No. I can't."

"Then I can't help you."

"Just trust me, okay?"

"I can't. You're acting so weird. You're actually scaring me... always asking about the bathroom and-" Oh shoot, I almost said something

But that was more than enough. He's dead silent, his eyes are wide open. Does he know that I know?

But... then again... I just had a thought....

"Hey... you wouldn't happen to have... a bathroom fetish of some kind, would you?"

He takes a step back. He's on alert.

"Just don't tell anyone about our date, okay? Forget about my favor." And he walks away.

.....

....

......

Have I stumbled into something I shouldn't have?

......