11

Rodrick had her backed up against a row of lockers, arms braced on either side of her head, eyes dark and teasing.

“You keep looking at me like that,” he murmured, voice low, “I’m gonna forget we’re in public.”

Y/N smirked, fingers curling into his shirt. “You say that like it’s a threat.”

He leaned in, nose brushing hers, lips barely an inch away. “More like a promise.”

“Ahem.”

They both froze.

Y/N peeked around Rodrick’s shoulder.

Felix.

Standing there.

Eyebrows raised. Mouth very tightly shut.

Rodrick stepped back so fast he nearly tripped over his boots.

Y/N’s heart plummeted.

“Hi my favorite brother in the whole wide world. Funny seeing you here.”

“Funny?” Felix repeated slowly. “I walked out of a lecture, not a jungle.”

He looked between them. Rodrick’s flushed face. Y/N’s messed-up hair.

And then he said the most terrifying words imaginable:

“Explain. Now.”

Y/N pointed immediately. “He started it!”

Rodrick whipped around. “Wha- Me?! Says the one who—”

SMACK.

Y/N slapped her hand over his mouth. “Shut. Up.”

Rodrick mumbled behind her palm, eyes narrowed in betrayal.

Felix crossed his arms. “Are you guys… dating?”

“No,” Rodrick said.

“Yes,” Y/N said.

They glared at each other.

Felix exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Unbelievable.”

“Look, I know it’s weird,” Y/N said quickly. “But it just… happened. I didn’t plan to fall for your emotionally constipated, eyeliner-wearing man-child of a best friend.”

Rodrick scoffed. “Constipated?!”

Felix turned to Rodrick, jaw clenched. “You realize if you mess with her, I will drown you in the hotel pool, right?”

“Noted,” Rodrick said. “Appreciate the visual.”

“I’m serious.”

Rodrick’s smirk faded.

He glanced at Y/N. Then back to Felix.

“I like her, man. Like… actually like her.”

Felix blinked.

Groaned.

And then, with the energy of someone signing a deal with the devil, he muttered:

“Fine. But if I hear one complaint—”

“Got it!” Y/N grabbed Rodrick’s hand and bolted. “BYE!”

From that point on, things only got worse — or, depending on how you looked at it, a lot more fun.

They snuck around every chance they got.

Kissing behind storage sheds.

Making out in stairwells.

Y/N grabbing Rodrick by the collar and dragging him into empty supply rooms.

More than once, they were this close to getting caught.

Like the time Sam almost opened the closet door and Rodrick had to cover Y/N’s mouth to stop her from laughing.

Or the time a teacher asked why Rodrick’s shirt was inside-out and he answered, “Laundry protest.”

But not everything was fun.

Because Heather noticed.

She saw the way Rodrick’s eyes always found Y/N. How he stopped flirting with every girl in sight. How he laughed more, smiled wider — for someone who wasn’t her.

So she did what she did best: caused problems.

One night, there was a beach bonfire. Someone handed Heather a drink, and she made her way over to Rodrick, hips swaying, voice syrupy-sweet.

“You’ve been ignoring me lately,” she said, brushing her hand along his arm. “That’s not like you.”

Rodrick flinched away. “Been busy.”

“With what?” she pouted. “That charity case you’ve been babysitting?”

He glared. “Back off.”

Heather leaned in close, lips nearly brushing his ear. “You’re still mine, Rodrick. You always come back.”

Y/N watched from across the fire.

Her stomach turned.

And just as she started walking over, she saw Rodrick push Heather away — not harsh, just firm.

“Not anymore,” he said. “I’m not yours. I never was.”

He turned — and locked eyes with Y/N.

For the first time in public, in front of everyone, Rodrick crossed the sand, took her hand…

…and kissed her.

Right there.

Right in front of Heather.

In front of Felix.

In front of the entire damn bonfire.

Y/N’s heart hammered in her chest. She kissed him back, breathless and defiant.

Heather’s mouth dropped open.

Felix groaned and covered his face.

Sam screamed “GET IT, QUEEN!”