Bookmarked - A Rodrick x Reader Fan Fiction

Chapter 28 - Let Me Live

Your feet hit the pavement, harder than you expected. You hoped the noise wouldn't draw any attention towards you. Once you felt that there were no eyes on you, you slowly shut the van's doors. You didn't try to look at Rodrick, you needed to stay focused. Whatever the reason Rowley called for you, you imagined it couldn't be good.

Your brain racked itself trying to come up with an answer. Was your aunt or uncle hurt? Did something happen to your parents? Were they all just concerned with where you went? You were an adult, but maybe you should at least have told someone you were going out. Rowley's family was much different than yours in some respects. They played weird games and had odd rules.

Once your house was in sight, you began to build your backbone for what was to come. You had no idea what you would walk into or who so you needed to be ready. Your excuse was that you were out late for a walk to clear your head. They knew there was a lot going on with you so that would seem believable.

God, were you really going to keep lying to everyone?

You stood on the porch, keys in hand, hand on doorknob. You turn and push to get inside, prepared and totally not at the same time.

Rowley sits on the couch, arms crossed. Greg was asleep in the armchair next to him. As soon as Rowley's eyes land on you he jumps to his feet, causing Greg to startle.

"Where have you been?" His voice was louder than a whisper, meaning he didn't want to wake his parents. He would be yelling if they weren't here.

"I was out for a walk. Clearing my head. Why is Greg here? Were you guys waiting for me?" You ask, trying to level your voice. Rowley seems very upset with you. You can't falter here.

"Yes! And it's funny how the last person Greg called was his brother and then two hours later you're home. I'm gonna ask again; where have you been?" He strides over to you, towering in height and growing in anger.

"Why are you so upset? Did something happen? Are your parents okay?" God, please forgive for all the lying you are doing right now.

"They're fine! It's yours you should be worried about? You have your mom's number blocked? She's been calling all day!" His eyes grow wider by the minute, as he must be dumbfounded by your actions. Of course, anyone would be. You were no longer making sense. Nothing you did anymore made sense.

"Is she okay?" That's all you can muster out. You and your mom had a rocky relationship now, hence why her number was blocked on your cell phone.

"She's worried sick! Because one other person also called today. Take a guess?" Rowley cocks his head to the side, actually inviting you to guess.

"Is it my dad? Did something happen to him?" You begin to worry. He hadn't talked to you since the airport.

"Guess which dad it is for the prize, [Y/N]." His voice lowers, eyes glaring. Your breath stops. Does he mean...? Your eyes move to Greg, who has been silent this whole time. Either because he's still waking up or he recognizes none of this is his business. He won't help you. He can't. Even he is scared of Rowley at this point.

"He... My biological... called?" Your voice begins to shake, any sign of strength rapidly fading. Your mouth feels dry and your tongue useless. Rowley only glares at you, not saying anything.

"He found your number from your research. He called the house, [Y/N]. " His voice lowered, he must really trying to not wake his parents.

"What did he say?" Your head feels light, your body heavy. Nothing was making sense tonight.

"Mom and dad don't know, yet." Is all Rowley says.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Your eyebrows furrow together. He can't seriously be about to blackmail you?

"We have to tell them. What if this guy shows up to the house and is crazy? There has to be a good reason why your mom never told you about him or he about you. It's the right thing to do!" He says, throwing his hands in the air.

"You don't get to tell me what to do about this. Rowley, it's my messy life. My mom cheated on my dad and got pregnant by this guy. She wanted to forget it happened. Didn't want anyone to know." You know you need to keep your voice down, but your anger rises in your throat like bile by the second.

"Just like how you're doing now?" His arms crossed over his chest, which was rapidly rising.

"Rowley, I don't even have a boyfriend, let alone two. How am I just like my mom?"

"You know what I'm talking about. Sneaking out at night, meeting HIM. You said you weren't going to do that and yet, here you are, coming back in the early hours of the morning just like all the girls he sleeps with." If Rowley was slut-shaming you, he was not the little cousin you grew up writing letters to. Nor the one who played with him when no one else would, before he met Greg. He was being cruel. Cruel to you.

"You don't know what you're talking about." You mutter out, pushing past him, up the stairs to your room.

"You smell like him."

You stop halfway up the stairs. Rowley would know what he smells like. He had known Rodrick for a decade. Had been to Greg's house thousands of times. He would have known.

He knows. Shit, he knows.

"It's my life, let me live it," whispered into the dimly lit staircase, you let out one last remark. "Goodnight Rowley. 'Night Greg."