21 A Parting of Ways

21 A Parting of Ways Peanut put the finishing touches to the door handle, stepped back and returned Little Tail to its slot on her bandolier. Rockwell had suggested moving to a nearby storeroom so that he could make a quiet exit. He didn't want the fact that he was leaving to dampen the festivities, so only Little-Bit and Doodle had gone with them. "Right, then. I guess this is goodbye," said Peanut, coolly. "I guess it is," said Rockwell. He took a deep breath. "Listen, Peanut—" "Don't," interrupted the girl. She didn't want to hear any emotional speeches. "Look, maybe we were only ever meant to be study buddies, not real friends. I do really appreciate the

21 分道扬镳 花生给门把手做好最后的修整，后退一步，把“小尾巴”放回了她子弹带的槽位里。 罗克韦尔提议搬到附近的储藏室，这样就能安安静静地离开了。 他不想自己离开扫了大家的兴，所以只有小不点和嘟嘟跟着他们过来了。 "好啦，那就这样。 我猜这就是再见了"花生冷静地说。 "我想是的"罗克韦尔说。 他深吸了一口气。 "听着，花生——" "别说了"女孩打断了他。 她不想听任何煽情的话。 "你看，也许我们本来就只是学习伙伴，算不上真正的朋友。 我真的非常感谢

help you've given me over the last few months, but, honestly, I think this is probably for the best. Now that Dad is back, my life is, hopefully, going to return to normal. I'll probably go back to Melody High, so I don't need—" "You don't need me anymore," said Rockwell, nodding. Peanut blushed, but didn't correct him. Instead, she turned and walked away from the door she had drawn for him. "Safe travels, Rockwell," she said. "Come on, LB. We've got a lot to do before tomorrow. Hurry up and say goodbye." Rockwell sighed, turned to Little-Bit and crouched down. She threw her arms around his neck. "I'll see you when we get back home, Rocky. I wish you were staying here with us for the party, though. You are quite annoying, but it won't be the same without you." He hugged her back. "I'll see you soon, LB. Have fun and keep an eye on things for me." Rockwell then turned to Doodle and ruffled the charcoal fur around his neck. "Goodbye, boy. I'm not sure when I'll see you again," he said, sadly. The dog barked three times, each woof laced with a slight whimper, and then licked Rockwell's face enthusiastically. Rockwell stood up and wiped his cheeks. He looked directly at Peanut, but she didn't return his gaze. "Right, I'll be off then. Say goodbye to the others for me and, well, look after yourselves."

这几个月你给我的帮助，不过说实话，我觉得现在这样对大家都好。 现在爸爸回来了，我的生活有望回归正常啦。 我大概还要回梅洛迪高中，所以我不需要——" "你已经不需要我了"罗克韦尔点着头说。 花生红了脸，却没有纠正他的话。 相反，她转身离开了那扇她为他画出来的门。 "一路顺风，罗克韦尔"她说。 "走吧，小布。 明天之前我们还有好多事要做。 快点过来道别呀" 罗克韦尔叹了口气，转向小不点蹲下身来。 小不点一下子搂住了他的脖子。 "我们回家就能见到你啦，洛基。 不过我真希望你留下来跟我们一起参加派对呀。 你虽然挺烦人的，但你走了之后一切都不对劲儿了" 他也回抱住了她。 "咱们很快会再见的，小布。玩得开心点，帮我盯着这儿的事" 接着罗克韦尔转向嘟嘟，揉了揉他脖子周围炭黑色的绒毛。 "再见啦，小伙子。 我不知道我们什么时候才能再见面了"他难过地说。 狗狗叫了三声，每一声吠叫都带着一丝呜咽，接着热切地舔了舔罗克韦尔的脸。 罗克韦尔站起身，擦了擦脸颊。 他直直看着花生，可花生没有迎上他的目光。 "好啦，那我该走了。 替我跟其他人道别，还有，好好照顾你们自己"

Then he turned the graphite door handle, opened the illustrated door and walked through, pulling it shut behind him Despite her anger, Peanut couldn't help but feel sad as she watched Rockwell leave. Yes, she was annoyed with him, but she was still going to miss his companionship. What really made the tears well in her eyes, however, was the fact that, deep down, she knew that he wouldn't ever be coming back to Chroma again.

接着他转动石墨做的门把手，推开这扇画好的门走了进去，随手带上了门。尽管心里有气，看着罗克韦尔离开的花生还是忍不住难过起来。 没错，她确实生他的气，但她还是会想念和他相伴的日子。 然而真正让她热泪盈眶的是，她心底清楚，罗克韦尔再也不会回到克罗马了。