ADD IT UP ✰ RODRICK HEFFLEY x MALE! OC

CHAPTER 7

The night before the Headless Chicken gig, Rodrick found himself lying awake in his bedroom once more. He made it a habit to call Lyndsey when the so-called "Miles Moments" hit, yet they never interacted beyond their phone calls. It was on one of these calls, however, that Rodrick realized something about himself.

"I think I have a problem."

Rodrick paced about his room, nervously awaiting Lyndsey's response from the other side of the line.

"Aren't you just full of problems, Heffley? What's up?" Lyndsey's voice yawned over the phone. It was now almost one in the morning; the sky was already littered with stars, the light of the moon gracing the attic window of the Heffley house. Despite the nervousness regarding his call, Rodrick decided to take note of this— the interesting lighting angle would make a great photoshoot for the band's new album, Love and Youth.

"How did you know you were gay? I mean- for a friend." Asking the question made Rodrick's head spin, feeling almost lightheaded at the prospect of being romantically attracted to a man— despite having hooked up with one a year prior.

"Well, honestly, I thought I was in love with you." Lyndsey pondered, almost too casually. Rodrick felt a lump rise to his throat as he remembered the year that they spent together.

That wonderful, wonderful year.

"I had never been friends with a guy before. You know me— my parents wouldn't even let me have guy friends over! And you treated me so wonderfully, and well, you're conventionally attractive, Rodrick, I'll admit it. That, combined with the fact that you were my best friend, made me believe that you were, to put it simply, the one."

Rodrick realized that he had never heard her side of the story. That he had immediately been dismissive of her when she confessed that she wasn't really attracted to him.

And in that moment, Rodrick realized that he could make it up to her.

By listening.

"But then, well," Lyndsey continued. "I actually caught feelings for the first time. Someone gave me genuine butterflies. She made my heart soar out of my chest; I would get so incredibly giddy just thinking of her! But no man ever gave me that feeling. You came close, Rodrick! You were my best friend! You know things about me that not even Heather knows about. Heather! But not you, nor any other man, really made me feel that infatuated, you know. So I realized— maybe I'm just not into guys. I mean- when I was in middle school, all my friends were giggling over Leonardo DeCaprio while I thought Avril Lavigne was the hottest shit!" She laughed.

Rodrick cut off her monologue. "You and me both!"

Lyndsey sighed. "But I should have connected the dots. I was just never interested in men. Simple as that."

"Erm..." Rodrick began. "My friend wants to know if you can...by any chance feel that way towards both chicks, and guys. Only one guy though!" He added hastily. "And I mean, he knows that he isn't gay. He would never be caught dead with a man. But, theoretically, there's a guy that maybe makes him a little...?"

"This is too painful to listen to." Lyndsey groaned over the phone. "Maybe you're bi, Rodrick, have you ever considered that? It's not that hard to wrap your head around, you know. People like multiple genders, and who can blame them? Girls are hot! They deserve to be appreciated by everyone!" She giggled. "If it helps, though, Miles told me that he thinks you're really fucking cool. And coming from Miles, it's a huge compliment."

"When did I say it was--" Rodrick cut himself off. "The friend thing wasn't very convincing, was it?"

The silence over the phone concealed Lyndsey's deafening laughter. "I wouldn't say so, no."