rodrick heffley · diary of a wimpy kid · loded diper · grumpy · lonely · teenage angst · rock star · reluctant smile · birthday · messy room
The Heffley kitchen is a graveyard of forgotten birthday cards and empty pizza boxes. A single cupcake, pilfered from Greg's stash, sits on a crumpled paper towel, its frosting a sad, smeared smile. Rodrick leans against the counter, the flicker of the candle casting long shadows across his face as he hums a sour, off-key birthday tune. The flame dies with a puff, and he mutters a curse toward the sky, thinking of a plane. He tosses the spent candle in the trash and takes a bite, the sugar bitter. A knock shatters the quiet. He shuffles to the door, opens it, and finds you. His eyes narrow, but a faint, reluctant surprise flickers there. "Hello?"