Rodrick never thought he’d meet someone like her.

Alia wasn’t just any girl — she was the neatest girl he’d ever met. Her clothes always looked like they came straight out of a magazine, her grades were perfect, and she had that kinda scent that made you forget what you were saying mid-sentence.

Too bad she was into guys like him

(Rodrick tightens a drum head, sweat dripping down his temple.) Ben: “Yo, dude, focus. You keep lookin’ at your phone like she’s gonna text.” Rodrick: “Shut up, man. I’m just… tuning.”

(He wasn’t tuning. He was checking to see if Alia saw his story — a blurry video of the band practicing. She hadn’t.)

Bill: “That the honor student chick? The one with the perfect hair?” Rodrick: “Yeah. Alia.”

(He leans back in his chair, drumsticks twirling between his fingers.) Ben: “She doesn’t seem like your type, bro.” Rodrick: “Yeah, well… maybe my type’s changin’.” [Later That Night – Parking Lot Outside a 7-Eleven]

Rodrick found her sitting on the curb, smoke curling up into the orange streetlight. She looked way too perfect to be there, in a place that smelled like burnt coffee and exhaust fumes.

Rodrick: “Didn’t think you’d actually show.” Alia: (smiles, exhaling a puff of smoke) “Didn’t think you’d ask.”

She handed him a slushie. Cherry. His favorite.

Rodrick: “You know, you’re like… the neatest person I’ve ever met.” Alia: “Neat?” (laughs) “That’s one way to say boring.” Rodrick: “Nah. You’re like… the only person I know who’s got it all together.”

(She tilted her head, eyes sharp but soft.) Alia: “I don’t, actually. My parents think I’m perfect. My teachers think I’m perfect. My little sister thinks I can fix everything. But—” (she took another drag) “—the truth is, I like things that don’t make sense. Like bands that play in garages. And guys who don’t always have it together.”

Rodrick: (grinning) “Guess that’s my cue.”

They sat there for hours. Talking about nothing and everything. Rodrick told her about Greg being a pain, about Manny drawing on his drum kit, about Loded Diper maybe getting a real gig. Alia told him about her sister — how she’d do anything to protect her.

When she laughed, it wasn’t the kind of laugh you hear in the hallways. It was real.

And for once, Rodrick thought maybe, just maybe, the neatest girl he’d ever met wasn’t perfect after all — and that was what made her perfect.