Doesn't Know

1.1

Edited/Rewritten

Y/N shifted slightly in her sleep, her head nestled against Rodrick's chest as the soft light of dawn streamed through the window. Rodrick had been awake for a while now, though he didn't mind. He leaned back against the headboard, his arms loosely wrapped around her, watching the subtle rise and fall of her breath. He didn't do it in a creepy way—there was just something oddly peaceful about the way she looked when she wasn't glaring at him or trying to smack him upside the head for one of his ridiculous comments.

When he noticed her stirring, he immediately shut his eyes and let his head loll to the side, feigning sleep. Y/N groaned softly, her face scrunching up as the first tendrils of consciousness crept in. She attempted to stretch, only to realize that Rodrick's arm was still draped around her waist like a steel band.

"Seriously?" she muttered, her voice thick with sleep as she tried to wiggle free. Rodrick's grip only tightened, his smirk hidden behind his faux-sleeping expression.

Y/N groaned softly as she stretched, pulling herself free from Rodrick's arms. He stayed still, pretending to sleep, but the lazy smirk tugging at the corner of his lips gave him away.

"Stop faking, Rodrick. I can hear your stupid smirk," Y/N mumbled, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she stumbled toward the bathroom.

Rodrick cracked open one eye, watching her with amusement as she shuffled to the door. His gaze lingered as she moved, her frame swallowed up in one of his oversized band t-shirts, the hem brushing just above her knees. His sweats hung low on her hips, tied tightly to keep them from slipping off completely.

He couldn't help but smirk for real this time. She looked... different, but not in a bad way. The thought made his heart beat a little faster, though he'd rather die than admit it.

"Nice outfit," he called as she stepped into the hallway.

Y/N turned around, confused. "What?"

Rodrick grinned, leaning lazily against the doorframe. "I said nice outfit. You make my clothes look... better."

She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. "Get over yourself, Heffley."

Rodrick just chuckled, shrugging as his eyes followed her down the hall. His eyes flicked down again, briefly taking in the way the shirt shifted as she walked. The corners of his mouth twitched upward.

"Quit staring," Y/N muttered, glancing back over her shoulder.

"Can't help it," he teased, his tone playful. "You're basically a walking ad for my band now. I should start charging you for that shirt."

Y/N shot him a glare but didn't bother responding. Instead, Y/N headed down the hall to Greg's room, flipping the light switch on with a flourish. The youngest Heffley groaned in protest, yanking his pillow over his head.

"Greg, come on," she said, her tone softening slightly. "First day of school! You've got this."

"Five more minutes," came the muffled reply. Y/N chuckled, shaking her head as she left him to his fate.

When she returned to Rodrick's room, he was now sprawled out in bed again, now aimlessly scrolling through his phone. "You're unbelievable," she muttered, grabbing a pillow and tossing it at him.

"Thanks," he said, catching it with ease. "I aim to please."

"Get up. Your mom's probably already downstairs making breakfast," Y/N said, crossing her arms. Rodrick groaned dramatically but swung his legs over the side of the bed.

"Carry me?" he asked, flashing her a lazy grin.

"Are you serious? You think I can carry your 6'1" ass?" she retorted, throwing her hands up.

"Worth a shot," he said with a shrug, sauntering past her toward the bathroom.

By the time they made it downstairs, the kitchen was alive with the sound of sizzling bacon and the faint whir of the coffee machine. Susan stood by the stove, her hair pulled back into an impossibly tight ponytail, her pressed blouse already spotless despite the early hour.

"Good morning!" she said brightly, though her tone carried the edge of someone who had already spent the morning barking orders at her family. "I made oatmeal. Low-sugar, gluten-free, with a sprinkle of chia seeds. It's very healthy."

Rodrick wrinkled his nose as he flopped into a chair. "Any chance there's, like, real food?"

Susan's smile faltered, and she placed a bowl of oatmeal in front of him with a clink. "This is real food, Rodrick. You'd know that if you paid any attention to your diet. Honestly, you'd feel so much better if you cut out all that junk."

Rodrick leaned back in his chair, clearly unimpressed. "Yeah, well, junk tastes better."

"Don't start," Susan warned, her tone sharp. "I don't have the energy for your antics this morning."

Y/N hid her smile behind a spoonful of oatmeal, exchanging a quick glance with Rodrick. "It's not that bad," she whispered, earning an exaggerated gagging sound from him.

Greg shuffled into the kitchen moments later, his backpack already slung over one shoulder. He looked pale and nervous, his hands fidgeting as he sat down.

"Excited for middle school?" Y/N asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Greg shot her a withering look. "Excited to die, maybe."

"Great attitude," Rodrick said, smirking as he stirred his oatmeal lazily. "Here's some advice, little bro: Don't talk to anyone, don't look at anyone, don't go anywhere, don't sit down, don't raise your hand, don't—"

"Rodrick!" Susan snapped, glaring at him.

"What?" he said innocently, raising his hands in surrender. "Just trying to help."

"Greg, you're going to have a wonderful day," Susan interjected, her tone dripping with forced positivity. "Just smile and be yourself."

Rodrick snorted. "Yeah, that'll work."

Y/N kicked him under the table, earning a quiet yelp. "Ignore him, Greg. You'll be fine."

Frank entered the kitchen, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. "Why is there a toilet at the table?" he asked, pointing at Manny, who was happily sitting in a plastic potty seat with a bowl of oatmeal on his lap.

"Manny is potty training," Susan said through gritted teeth, her smile more of a grimace. "And he's doing very well."

Frank muttered something under his breath and grabbed a cup of coffee before disappearing back into the living room.

As breakfast wrapped up, Rodrick grabbed his homemade posters for "Löded Diaper" and began doodling on them, adding devil horns and mustaches to some of the band members' faces.

"Who's getting those?" Y/N asked, leaning over to peek at his work.

"Gonna hand 'em out at school," he replied, sticking his tongue out in concentration.

"Yeah, because nothing says 'cool' like handing out flyers for your garage band," she teased.

Rodrick smirked. "Jealous of my artistic genius?"

"Sure," she said, rolling her eyes. "Let's go, or we're gonna be late."

As they grabbed their bags and headed for the door, Susan called after them. "Rodrick, remember to sign up for at least one extracurricular activity this year. And don't forget to bring home your syllabus for me to review!"

Rodrick groaned, but Y/N just laughed, pulling him out the door into the crisp morning air.