Bookmarked - A Rodrick x Reader Fan Fiction

Chapter 19 - The Bodega

You had lived in Seattle for three years and it was nothing compared to New York City. While you hadn't gone out at night, you could see the city from your dorm room. Yes, you were going to be a senior in college, but let's be honest here, you were a Resident advisor. Being an RA wasn't really hard. The occasional crying kid about their roommate, the loud music, the weed smell. Plus it meant you had somewhere to live close to campus and you had a room all by yourself.

But it meant you stayed in most nights to try and help others. At least that's what you told yourself. You were being selfless by staying in your dorm room and dealing with the Freshmen.

But you also knew, deep down, you weren't being honest with yourself. You felt it now. You knew it. You let life pass you by because you were afraid. You sat in a room for three years, never making friends, having new experiences; just a dorm room, a book, the internet.

But New York... That was something else entirely. The lights were somehow brighter and more alive here than back on the West Coast. The sound of the city was louder, yes, but somehow felt like music. The smell, well okay, the smells weren't super great, but there were hints of something else. Hidden things you couldn't wait to discover. You knew pizza and bagels were a big thing here. You had to at least try one food place. In fact, you felt your stomach grumbling slightly, but knew you could hold off to do other things first. Either way, you were going to have a late dinner in New York.

"So, what do you think?" Rodrick asks, his eyes focusing on the other cars in front of you. You hoped he would remain focused here. There were cars and pedestrians to now worry about.

"What are we gonna do first?" You ask, trying to refrain from hanging out the window. You wanted to just be in the city, but traffic was a bit crazy, even this late at night.

"Well, there's a sex museum we can go to. That way you can learn a few things." He nudges your arm, as if in a joking manner.

"I thought you were supposed to teach me everything." You fire back at him. For someone who was supposed to hold your hand through this whole thing, it's starting to seem a bit too unserious for you. You were inexperienced, but you didn't want to be in a museum with that kind of stuff. You were a private person.

"Alright, fine. I was kidding anyway. First, we find a parking spot and then our adventure begins. I do have stuff planned, but I figured I'd ask if you had anything you wanted to do." His eyes scan the road as he looks for a spot. How many cars were in this city? Would it take forever to find a spot? What if he parked in a no parking zone and then the car got towed? How would you get home? You ignore these thoughts as you answer his question.

"Well, I really want to try a slice of pizza here. That's what this place is known for, right? Oh! I also want to see a Bodega Cat." A little cat in a little shop. What more could anyone really want?

"Alright, we can do that. Is there anything else you want to do?" Rodrick seems to spot something and speeds up, narrowly hitting another car. After a few honks and middle fingers, he pulls into a spot.

"I guess... just be in a city at night. With a friend. I've never done either of those things before." You smile sweetly at him, remembering your conversation from the start of the road trip.

You could admit Rodrick coming into your life has been so far, good. He helped you experience things, both normal and physical, that made you feel like you were growing as a person. He helped you see a new side of yourself and you hoped he would continue to do that.

He also could help you to forget how bad things were going to be for you. At home. With your family.

Rodrick looks over to you after putting the car in park and smiles. He grabs your hand, enclosing yours into his.