Doesn't Know

1.5

Edited/Rewritten

Y/N groaned as the sunlight filtered through the blinds, cutting through her half-sleep. Rodrick's arm was lazily draped over her, the faint smell of his cologne mingling with the faded musk of his room. She shifted slightly, careful not to wake him, though he stirred anyway, mumbling something incoherent.

"Morning," she said softly, her voice still groggy.

"Morning, Princess," he muttered, eyes barely opening before he rolled onto his back with a dramatic sigh. "Ugh, school."

Y/N chuckled, but her smile faltered as reality sank in. She had to go home—again. Her father had been blowing up her phone with vague, threatening messages. She couldn't ignore it forever, no matter how much she wanted to.

"I have to go home today," she said, sitting up and running a hand through her messy hair.

Rodrick groaned louder, flopping his arm over his eyes. "Why do you ever have to go back there? You could just stay here, you know. My mom likes you more than me anyway."

Y/N laughed softly, but her stomach churned. Rodrick didn't understand—not fully, at least. Staying away forever wasn't an option, not when her father's temper flared so unpredictably.

"I just need to check in. Let them know I'm alive." She reached for her sweatpants, pulling them on as she tried to sound casual. "It'll be quick. I promise."

Rodrick propped himself up on one elbow, his messy hair sticking up at odd angles. His brown eyes scanned her face, lingering on the dark circles under her eyes and the tension in her jaw. "You don't look fine," he said quietly.

Y/N froze, her back to him. She bit her lip, forcing a smile as she turned around. "I'm good, really. Besides, you'll be waiting outside. If I'm gone too long, you can come in and save the day."

Rodrick didn't laugh. He sat up fully, swinging his legs over the edge of the bed. "What if I go in and you're already hurt? Or worse?" His voice was sharper than usual, and it made her pause.

"I can handle it," she said softly, avoiding his gaze.

He stood and crossed the room in two strides, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind. "I hate this," he murmured, his chin resting on her shoulder.

Y/N leaned into him for a moment, letting the warmth of his embrace chase away the cold dread pooling in her stomach. "It'll be okay," she whispered, though she wasn't sure she believed it herself.

Rodrick sighed heavily, pressing a kiss to the top of her head before releasing her. "Fine. But if you're in there for more than ten minutes, I'm coming in."

She nodded, giving him a small smile. "Deal."

...

The ride to her house was quiet, the usual banter between them replaced by an unspoken tension. Y/N stared out the window, her fingers drumming nervously on her knee. Rodrick glanced at her occasionally, his grip on the steering wheel tightening each time he caught the distant look in her eyes.

"You're sure about this?" he asked as they pulled up to the familiar, dilapidated house.

Y/N nodded, though her heart was pounding. "I'll be quick," she promised, unbuckling her seatbelt.

Rodrick reached over, his hand resting on her arm. "Hey."

She turned to him, surprised by the intensity in his gaze. "If anything feels off, you call me. I don't care if it's the middle of a fight. Just call, okay?"

Y/N nodded again, her throat tight. "Okay."

...

The house smelled the same as always—a mixture of stale beer, sweat, and neglect. Y/N wrinkled her nose as she stepped inside, carefully avoiding the beer bottles scattered across the floor. The living room was empty, though the deep imprint on the couch told her her father had been there not long ago.

She hurried to her room, stuffing clothes and toiletries into her backpack. Her hands trembled as she grabbed her undergarments, shoving them into the bag with more force than necessary. She needed to be quick—get in, get out. No unnecessary interactions.

But as she stepped into the hallway, she heard her father's gruff voice from the bedroom. "Y/N? That you?"

Her stomach dropped. She considered bolting, but her feet carried her to his door instead. She knocked lightly.

"Come in," he barked.

The sight of him made her heart sink further. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other. His bloodshot eyes narrowed as he looked her up and down.

"Why haven't you been back sooner?" he demanded, his voice slurring slightly.

"I've been busy," she muttered, keeping her gaze on the floor.

"Busy doing what? Sleeping around with that Heffley kid?" he sneered.

Y/N's head snapped up, her cheeks burning. "No, Dad. We're just friends."

"Yeah, right." He took a swig of his beer, his lip curling in disgust. "Not like anyone'd want to sleep with someone like you anyway."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. She clenched her fists, biting her tongue to keep from snapping back.

"You look like a slob," he added, his tone dripping with disdain.

"Says you," she muttered under her breath.

"What'd you just say?" he roared, standing so suddenly that the beer spilled onto the floor.

"N-nothing," she stammered, tears pooling in her eyes.

He loomed over her for a moment, his fists clenched, before letting out a derisive laugh. "That's what I thought."

He brushed past her, bumping her shoulder hard enough to make her stumble. "Get outta my house," he called over his shoulder. "Make yourself useful."

Y/N stood frozen for a moment, her heart pounding. Then she turned and fled, gripping the strap of her backpack like a lifeline.

...

Rodrick was leaning against the van when she emerged, his expression shifting from impatience to concern the moment he saw her.

"You okay?" he asked softly as she climbed into the passenger seat.

She didn't answer, staring out the window instead. He reached over, resting his hand on her thigh. "Y/N."

"I'm fine," she whispered, though her voice cracked.

Rodrick didn't push her. He knew better than to force her to talk before she was ready. Instead, he started the car and pulled out of the driveway, the silence between them heavy but not uncomfortable.

...

The parking lot was buzzing with students, but Y/N barely noticed. Rodrick parked and walked around to open her door, offering a small bow like he always did. "M'lady."

She managed a weak smile, taking his outstretched hand as she climbed out.

He didn't let go of her hand as they walked toward the building, his thumb tracing small circles on her skin. She held onto him tightly, as if he were the only thing keeping her grounded.

Rodrick didn't say anything as they entered the school, but he made a silent vow to himself: he wasn't going to let her go back there alone again. Not ever.