Bookmarked - A Rodrick x Reader Fan Fiction

Chapter 2 - The Towel

Heading down to dinner, you walked out of your room and down the stairs; careful to not slam any doors or walk too loudly. The Jeffersons' house was very nice. It was a tudor style home, with more bedrooms than there were people currently living in this house. Mr. Jefferson, Uncle Robert, was an architect and took great pride in his home. Never did you see people taking such care of their shrubbery and creating different geometric shapes just for a bush. You actually took the time to look up the Zillow estimate and jeez, you wish you made that much money in a lifetime to afford this house. Not likely with your degree that you didn't even have yet.

You had always wanted to be a therapist. It had been your dream to work with people, especially kids, to help them work through their problems and find solutions. Now of course, you were also the biggest hypocrite and couldn't help anyone around you, not even yourself. You were almost finished with your bachelors, but there's also your masters degree to get.

But you weren't really in it for the money. You wanted to help people. You needed to help people. Fixing things was your obsession almost. Of course, you still felt like you couldn't fix things for your own family. Which was a huge mess that was all your fault.

Walking through the dining room, you see your uncle Robert and Rowley sitting at the table. Your uncle sat at the head of the table and Rowley to his right. You decided to sit across from him so your aunt Linda could sit at the other end of the table. You had a perfect view of the window out to the street. The sun was still shining and there were even some kids still playing outside. Summer vacation was about to start for them. There was just one more day of school left. You could tell Rowley was aching for it to be summer vacation because you had only been sitting for about a minute when he was listing off all of the things you were going to do together.

"-obviously learn to drive. We can go to the country club and go to a concert in the park and then go swimming and maybe go camping and-" Rowley looked like he was going to pass out because he hadn't even taken a breath between anything. His face had turned slightly red until your aunt came into the room with dinner.

"Rowley, sweetie, it's only [Y/N's] first day here. She might need some time to herself, you know" Your aunt nervously swallowed as she set down tonight's meal of chicken, mashed potatoes and green beans. You know what she meant. That you might need time to process what had happened with your family. She was being nice. Like always.

You remembered what it felt like to board the plane. Your dad had been the only one to show up. Your mom didn't or maybe she couldn't. You had no idea where she had been since yesterday. She wasn't handling anything that happened well and you couldn't blame her.

Your dad had awkwardly hugged you. You felt as if you were forced into this hug. You wanted to give it, but... Everything about it felt wrong. He raised you and you loved him, but things were different.

"Listen kiddo," your dad had put both of his hands on your shoulder and stared into your eyes, offering a sad smile. Calling you kiddo while you were 21 just made you feel even smaller. "Things will get better, but your mom and I need time. Hopefully you can come back before summer is over and we can do something special, but we both need time and maybe you do too... I love you no matter what, that will never change." He begins to cry, tears in his eyes not willing to spill. How could he promise you any of these things when your whole world just fell apart?

"Why can't I just stay home? I'd rather be with both of you than off to family I haven't seen in years. I don't think it'll be that weird for me if I stay at home." You say, tears now in your eyes, spilling over. Your parents had offered for you to stay with your dads brother, Robert along with your aunt Linda and your younger cousin Rowley. Your dad takes a pause before speaking.