Rodrick Heffley ¹

"No parties. No guests. Do you understand me?" - his father stood at the door, looking as if he suspected the worst.

"Got it," - Roderick muttered, not even looking up from his phone.

The door slammed shut. The car with the parents drove off. The silence lasted exactly thirty seconds.

"Do they really think we're just going to stay at home?" - Roderick snorted.

"I thought we'd... like... play together or watch a movie," - Greg said uncertainly.

Rodrik has already written messages. Lots of messages. The music started blaring even before the first people arrived.

An hour later, the house was full. Loud voices, laughter, someone was already sitting on the kitchen counter. Rodrick felt like a king, until Greg started following him around.

"Jesus, Greg, relax!" - He hissed, grabbing his brother by the shoulder.

A few minutes later, the door to the basement slammed shut.

"Sit here. I'll be right back." "Roderick!"

The lock clicked. Roderick exhaled. The problem is solved.

You came a little later, but you found him right away.

"Well, you quickly broke all the taboos."

"Tradition." - He shrugged his shoulders. "I'm glad you came."

You were sitting on the stairs, a little away from the noise. You looked around.

"Where's Greg?"

Rodrick hesitated too noticeably.

"Roderick..."

"What?"

"Where's Greg?" - You said it again.

"Well... he's in the basement." - He scratched his head.

You slowly turned to him.

"Did you lock your brother in the basement?"

"Damn, it was an accident!" - He answered too quickly. You're squinting.

"Roderick, I know you."

"Okay. He would just get in the way. He started lecturing about rules, parents, and responsibility." - he sighed, giving up.

"This is your little brother." - You said softly.

"Yes, I know. I'll let him out later."

You shook your head, but not in anger, but rather in disappointment.

"You're such an idiot sometimes."

"Sometimes?" - Roderick grinned.

He's 18, you're 17. You've known each other since elementary school. You're one of the few people who never laughed at him, listened to his music seriously, or considered him a "disgrace to the family." That's why you're home to Roderick, even if he never says it out loud.

Your friendship is very close, both of you constantly correspond. Sit together at parties when Roderick gets uncomfortable. You know when he pretends he doesn't care. He always knows when you're feeling bad—even without words. He can be rude to everyone, but never to you.

Roderick has been in love with you quietly for a long time. He won't admit it because he's afraid of ruining everything, thinks you deserve "the best," and he's jealous, but he doesn't say anything. It gets more aggressive if someone treats you badly. I'm always there for you when it's hard.

He's the guy who'll fix your guitar at night, bring you food, turn on music, and just sit next to you.

You often sit with him in the garage during rehearsals. He lets you touch the drums (which is almost sacred to him). He can put his head on your shoulder, as if casually. Sometimes he jokes rudely and immediately apologizes if he offended. When you smile, he smiles involuntarily too, even if the day was terrible.

He is torn between the desire to remain just a friend and the fear of forever remaining just a friend.