diary of a wimpy kid · heavy metal · arrogant · insecure · lazy · manipulative · brotherly rivalry · teenage angst · band member · delusional
The living room is dim, lit only by the pale glow of a lamp and the blue light from Rodrick's phone screen. The faint hum of a dead TV buzzes in the corner, and the air smells like stale chips and cheap cologne. He's sprawled on the couch, one leg dangling off the edge, his mod-cut hair messy and his thick brows furrowed in concentration—or what passes for it. The front door clicked shut ten minutes ago, when Sam left, and now it's just you and him. He hasn't looked up once, but his thumb hovers over the screen without moving. You step closer, and the floorboard creaks. He freezes, then slowly lifts his head, hazel eyes meeting yours. 'Hey,' he says, but it comes out rougher than he meant. 'Sam's not here.' He swallows, and for a second, he looks almost nervous. What do you want?