i stare at the expensive waters in the hotel's mini fridge, debating with myself if i'm really thirsty enough to pay for these. after 2 joints on the balcony, i'm going to go with yes.
i chug the cool water, bringing myself back to reality, back to today. rodrick seemed grown. he seemed moved on. it's odd to think back to our teenage nights together. i guess i came here expecting something more, but i shouldn't have assumed anything. we live hundreds of miles apart and i did quite literally break his heart and then blame him for it.
i pick at my nail polish, unable to feel anything but unsatisfied. i tell myself that this is growing up and collapse into the pristine, white bed. i grab the remote and switch through the channels. i end up on impractical jokers and try to relax and focus on the show. but like always, my mind wanders off.
i think back to the visit with my family. they seemed good. my little brother was getting too smart for his own good and my dad was really working through his issues. everyone and everything seemed so perfect. so why do i feel so discontent? i made things right with rodrick, that's enough. right?
i let out an annoyed groan and roll over in the bed. what would my therapist tell me to do right now? i glance at the journal on my nightstand. ah, okay.
i grab the pen next to the hotel note pad and start letting it all out on paper. in weirdly specific detail. it helps a bit, but then i'm craving another joint to ease this headache. i grab the journal, deciding to continue the writing sesh on the balcony.
after she's ready and lit, i hit the j and inhale deeply. this is what i'm talking about. i reach over to grab my journal, accidentally hitting something with my arm. it tumbles off the balcony. i search around for my notebook, then make the connection. god, i need to stay away from balconies when i'm high.
i peer down into the parking lot below and watch in horror as, yes you're reading this right, rodrick heffley picks it up and smirks at me from below.
what the fuck? come on universe.
i consider screaming at him to stop as he opens it curiously. okay well, at least i tried. well, considered it. whatever, i'm way too high for this. why is he here? i run back into the hotel room and grab my phone. of course, the man himself is calling.
"hello?" i pick up.
"would you be interested in letting me come up? i have something to return." i can hear his stupid smolder through the phone.
"rodrick, what are you doing?" i laugh.
"okay, sorry. i came here to see you and well yes, i did see the inside of your uh, journal. and i actually-"
"god, that's so embarrassing! do you just open every journal you find?" i face palm at the thought of him reading my weird fantasies.
"well when they fall out of the sky, yes."
"no way, you looked at me before you opened it."
"tate. just buzz me up." his voice drops.
"okay." i breathe.
a few moments after our phone call, the front desk calls me. i tell them to send him up. i quickly fix myself in the mirror, trying to look less uh, stoned and anxious. i smooth my hair and wipe under my eyes. okay, you got this.
his knock startles me and i take a breath, approaching the door. when it swings open, my cheeks flush slightly.
"hi, tate." he grins widely at me, his hair ruffled from the wind and his deep brown eyes penetrating my soul. his skin has a bit of a tan to it, and some stubble grows on his chin. how did he get this hot while i was away? seriously?
"hi, rodrick." i can feel myself melting under his gaze. "c-come in."
he sets the notebook on top of a dresser, then slides off his jacket, placing it next to it.
"so i wanted to tell you that i read your journal."
"yeah, rod, i know you did-" i find myself stopping as he blinks at me, waiting for my silence.
"i wasn't finished." he walks around to the bed and sits down. he pats next to him, beckoning me to sit. i plop down, the bed squeaking slightly. he continues. "i was going to say that i read your journal and i liked it. i think you should start voicing your desires more often."
"what?" i choke out. "you-?"
"tate, come on. i know i've been waiting years for this. haven't you?" his eyes soften. he brushes his hand against my cheek. "why don't we pick up where we left off?"
im practically a puddle in his warm, calloused hands. my stomach flutters, and i'm reminded of those months of butterflies back in high school. but this time, it's different. this time i want to kiss him so badly, i don't hesitate. i lean in and bring my lips to his, running my hand along the side of his face, feeling the sexy, new stubble he pulls off so well. he matches my passion, wrapping his arms around my body, pulling me closer. i feel him pushing me down onto the bed and i don't resist. i collapse underneath him and let him take full control. he kisses down my neck and i sigh. this is heaven. im about to reach for the hem of his shirt, when he pulls away.
"tate, i wanna ask you something first." he stares at me, intensely. i feel a bit of dread build up inside. what if i don't answer the way he wants? what if this really is the last time? why'd he have to get my hopes up?
"yeah, what's up?" i try to sound relaxed, but ultimately fail as my voice cracks.
"so you know how löded diper got signed to a record label?" he bites his lip. god, he's so hot.
"yeah.." i answer, confused.
"so they want me to move."
oh damn. my heart sinks. i hope it's not far. massachusetts isn't super far from new york and that's kinda how i planned for this to all work out. if he was to move somewhere across the country, i don't know what i would do.
"where?" im slightly bitter, but keep a supportive tone.
"new york." rodrick beams at me.
"NEW YORK? THAT'S WHERE I LIVE" my voice explodes through the hotel room.
"yeah, tate, i know." he starts to chuckle. "and now i think the rest of the hotel does too."
"sorry, sorry. but where are you gonna be living? you better come to visit me. i stay in westchester because of school obviously, but i could make trips to see you too, i'd have to get a ride though because i don't like taking the subway for long trips..." i trail off, thinking of all the opportunities we'll have now to see each other. i could take him to my film premieres and maybe eat lunch with him at school. i could watch his band practice again!
"yeah, so that's what i was gonna ask you." he looks a bit nervous but continues. "i could stay with my band mates, but i was actually, uh, wondering if you'd want to live with me? i would pay rent of course and help with chores and buy-"
"YES, OBVIOUSLY YES." i shout, then slap my hand over my mouth because i'm gonna get a noise complaint at this point. "i mean, yes, you can. of course you can, rod, i literally love you-"
uh, wait, did i just say that part out loud? he raises his eyebrows at me, shocked. fuck, i just keep embarrassing myself today. i look down at my lap, turning red myself, but i feel his hand reach out for mine and interlace our fingers. i look up at him, flustered. he's giving me that stupid smolder again.
"i love you too, tator tot."
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A/N
I HAD TO, I HAD TO. y'all deserved the best, happiest ending ever and this story has gotten SO much love, i can't say thank you enough. it's obviously been like 4 years since i started writing it, but it's still so dear to me. i hope you enjoyed this story and if you're coming back years later to read this second epilogue, thank you for being an OG. i love every single one of u, even the tator haters, because just reading my story is support. again, thank u so much for reading 💕 please vote and add !!!! peace out ✌️
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chocolate milkshakes | rodrick heffley
Fanfictiontate, in her third year of highschool, finally finds someone that she thinks might be the one. but with her crazy ex and terrible communication skills, can she make it work? (COMPLETE)
