Rodrick was rummaging through the back of his van, tossing aside cables and drumsticks in search of a half-eaten bag of chips. He was just about to give up when a sharp voice cut through the heavy afternoon air.

Laughter. Cruel. Mocking.

He paused, brows pulling together. It was the kind of laugh that made his skin crawl — the kind he used to get in middle school before he punched a kid square in the jaw and got detention for a week.

Rodrick peeked around the edge of the van and spotted three guys — big, dumb-looking juniors from his English class — standing in a loose circle. In the middle was her — his girlfriend — trying to keep her head down, books clutched tightly to her chest, expression stiff like she was trying not to give them the satisfaction of a flinch.

“C’mon, babe, what’s Rodrick even doing with you?” one of them sneered, stepping closer. “You slumming it with the town delinquent now?”

Another one added with a laugh, “Bet he lets you hold his eyeliner while he cries about his band not making it.”

“Maybe she likes ‘em pathetic,” the last one grinned, too close for comfort now. “We could show you better. Someone who doesn’t look like he crawled out of a Hot Topic dumpster.”

Rodrick didn’t even remember getting out of the van. One second he was glaring, the next he was moving, boots crunching across the gravel as he stormed over.

“Hey.”

They turned.

The sneers slipped right off their faces.

Rodrick’s jaw was tight, his eyes cold. He didn’t yell. He didn’t have to. His presence hit like a brick wall — furious and solid.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” he asked, voice low, dangerous.

One of the boys scoffed, trying to play it cool. “Chill, man. We were just talking—”

Rodrick’s fist slammed into a locker beside them with a metallic clang. Everyone jumped.

“You think I’m stupid?” he growled. “You think I didn’t hear you?”

He stepped between them and her, shielding her completely. His stance was protective, almost feral.

“If I ever catch you talking to her like that again — hell, if I even see you breathe in her direction — you’re gonna be picking your teeth out of the pavement. Got it?”

The biggest guy tried to puff his chest. “It’s not worth getting expelled over, Heffley.”

Rodrick tilted his head, smiling without any humor. “Try me.”

The silence stretched. Then, with some muttered curses and nervous glances, the boys backed off and walked away quickly — not wanting to look like cowards but clearly shaken.

Rodrick didn’t turn until they were out of sight. Then he slowly faced her, his face softening the second his eyes met hers.

“Are you okay?” he asked, voice gentler now.