Bookmarked - A Rodrick x Reader Fan Fiction

Chapter 1 - It Was All Yellow

Being a shy, new girl was nothing to brag home about. In fact, this wasn't even your home; not really anyways. Even if everyone now said it was.

Standing inside your new room, you think that the pale, yellow wallpaper almost felt too much for your eyes. It wasn't bright, which was nice, but almost felt so faded that you might as well fade along with it. Maybe that was because you felt so jet lagged from last night, or was it this morning? You shake your head and try to push out the thought. A plane ride was bad enough, but an emergency plane ride to your aunt and uncle's house was worse. It was much worse since the reason for your visit was... unpleasant.

"[Y/N], can I please come in?" A knock at the door reels you in from your thoughts. It sounded like Aunt Linda, but the door seemed to really muffle the sound.

"Yes, come in," you reply. Your voice was strained, probably from all the stress of this trip. Well, that and the crying.

Your aunt, Linda Jefferson, wore a blue floral shirt with cream colored pants. She was someone who believed in taking your shoes off once you got inside, which you agreed with. The idea of wearing shoes seemed so... barbaric. You only needed to wear shoes inside if you were going to be attacked and would need to run. Considering you weren't a cave woman or a criminal, you were fine taking your shoes off. Home is where the heart is or in your case, where you currently live.

"I just wanted to check on you... again. Do you like your room?" She asks, inviting you to answer her. She seems almost wary of what your answer might be. Granted, she doesn't really know you at all. You hadn't seen her since you were 10. Which was over a decade ago.

You look around the room once more. It was fairly empty. It was used as a guest room at one point, but also must have been used as a craft room as well since there were some craft supplies you found bundled near the window. It had a four-poster bed which also had yellow sheets and giant pillows. Where you wish you could just curl up, hide your head, to never return. There was also a dresser almost as tall as you. A light brown wooden vanity which you had taken a peek at earlier. Yes, eyes were slightly puffy still.

The only real prize of the room was the bookshelves. Yes, shelves, as in multiple. The dark shelves were taller than you, floor to ceiling. It felt as if you could cry. Well, technically you already had, but tears of joy this time.

Reading was an escape for you. It felt comforting and exciting all at once. It had some of your favorites like mysteries and fantasy and even non-fiction. The best of all, hidden away from public view, were the romance novels that were behind some of the other books.

Romance has always been a favorite of yours. Having never experienced it yourself, it was nice to read about others living the life you wish you could. It was as if they were guides that you could one day use to woo someone. Oh God, saying woo made you feel old. What is the word most people use? Rizz?

"I like all the books. Can I read some?" you say, sheepishly. You knew your new family were nice, terribly nice people. But you still felt like a stranger, so foreign to their voices and mannerism. The politeness of it all. The kindness of it all.

"Of course! You know, there's another mom in the neighborhood that started a summer book club a few summers back. Rowley used to be a part of it. Of course, it disbanded due to attendance issues." Your aunt lets out a small giggle, as if she was nervous. Rowley was always her baby, which seemingly made her nervous.

Your cousin, Rowley Jefferson, was a good kid. He was the product of two loving parents who all lived in a very stable home. He was smart, kind, and above all else, just a kid. He was about four years younger than you. You had not seen him since he was probably just a baby.