ADD IT UP ✰ RODRICK HEFFLEY x MALE! OC

CHAPTER 4

          I woke up with a splitting headache. My eyes were red and puffy, and my voice sounded hoarse. Making my way to the door, I expected to have to grab a broom and dustpan to clean up the mess from last night.

But to my surprise, the apartment was spotless, and breakfast was on the table. I felt my eyes well up in tears.

My mother pulled me into a hug, and I sat at the table with Bonnie, feeling conflicted— she had not made us breakfast in over two years.

"Mom I- this is wonderful," I said, giving her another hug. "But I think- I think me and Bonnie need space."

She looked hurt, and I felt a lump forming in my throat. "We'll be back after school tomorrow! You'll be alright!" I gave her an uncomfortable grimace, kissed her on the cheek, and took Bonnie into my room to get ready.

'Bon-bon," I called. "Pack your sleepover bag!"

Bonnie looked at me, confused. "Where are we going? Lyndsey's?"

I smiled at her. "It's a surprise!"

Stuffing a T-shirt and boxers into a duffel bag, I scrounged my wardrobe for something presentable to wear. "Dressing to impress?" I heard Bonnie ask behind me.

"Shut up," I felt a blush rise to my cheeks.

"Lemme help you find something that isn't green or brown," Bonnie laughed, going through my closet. She grabbed the sweater and khakis I was holding previously, and threw them in my duffel bag.

"What are you, a grandpa? How about this?" She threw me a pair of brown, patchwork pants and a green vest, with light brown fingerless gloves and a white, collared shirt.

I put on the outfit over my binder, tussled my hair, and slipped on a pair of some of my father's old Doc Martens.

"How do I look?" I smiled at Bonnie awkwardly.

She cringed. "It would be cute if this was the 1960s!" I glared at her, but we left the apartment anyway, giving our mother a hug as we walked out.

The weather outside was pleasantly cool; the rain from the previous night had left puddles and excess dew on the grass, but otherwise, Bonnie and I were met with a clear sky.

As our surroundings became more and more suburban, Bonnie finally realized what was going on.

'Are we going back to Surrey Street?" Bonnie exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "It's been so long!" She beamed with excitement, but her smile finally faded when she turned the corner to the Heffley house.

"Oh, fuck no!" Bonnie groaned. "Greg has something against me. I can't-"

She was cut off by the sound of me ringing the doorbell.

"It's so great to see you!" Mrs. Heffley said, stepping outside to give me a hug. "And you too, Bonnie! What a lovely surprise!"

Approaching the living room of the house, I saw Greg glare at me, nudging his head in Bonnie's direction. I shrugged at him reproachfully, but Rodrick, sitting on the couch, raised his eyebrows at Greg, as if to tell him to suck it up and deal with her.

The Heffley house was rather large, but not too big to feel empty. It seemed that every nook and cranny of the home was a remnant of a past hobby of one of the children. Piles upon piles of broken drumsticks lay scattered among a bookshelf, mounds of stuffed animals filled the couches, and I took notice of a pirate's hat hanging on the coat rack.