4

It was a normal Thursday — until it wasn't.

Y/N was sitting in homeroom, doodling a dagger stabbing the word "Heffley" on her notebook, when the loudspeaker crackled to life.

“All students, please report to the auditorium immediately.”

Sam, sitting beside her, leaned in. “Plot twist: they’re launching us into space.”

“I volunteer Rodrick,” she muttered, standing up.

The school buzzed with confusion as students funneled into the auditorium. Y/N spotted Rodrick across the room, surrounded by his bandmates. He was wearing sunglasses indoors, like the menace he was, and strumming air guitar on his leg.

“Why does he look like an off-brand rockstar and a raccoon at the same time?” Y/N muttered.

Sam just whispered, “You’re obsessed,” and dodged her elbow.

~LATER~

The principal tapped the mic awkwardly. “We’ve been approved for a four-week, all-expenses-paid trip to Hawaii for a combined cultural, science, and leadership program. We’ll be staying in resort-style student housing and—”

The rest of the announcement was drowned in chaotic screaming.

Girls were shrieking. Boys were yelling. Someone threw a textbook in the air.

Sam clutched Y/N’s arm. “Four weeks. Sun. Sand. Shirtless people. My gay soul is ascending.”

Y/N grinned, until a voice behind her made her skin crawl.

“Careful, you might actually have fun for once.”

Rodrick. Of course.

She turned slowly. “Careful, I might throw you off a volcano.”

He just smirked and leaned closer — way too close.

“Can’t wait to see you in a swimsuit.”

She blinked.

What.

“What did you just—?”

He was already walking away, hands in his pockets, that infuriating smirk still on his face.

Sam gasped. “Girl. He’s FLIRTING.”

“No,” she said flatly. “He’s TORMENTING.”

Sam just grinned. “Keep telling yourself that.”

~That Night~

Y/N came home to Felix standing in the kitchen with a box of frozen waffles and a sheepish expression.

“Hey… so I heard about the trip.”

“Yeah. It’s gonna be amazing. Also expensive. So I’m guessing I’m not going.”

Felix scratched his neck. “Actually… I already signed you up. Paid the deposit.”

She stared. “What?”

“You’ve had a rough year. You deserve this.”

Y/N swallowed hard, heart softening as she runs to hug her brother. “Aww, Lix... This is why you're my favourite.”

From the couch, Rodrick yelled, “Wow, must be nice to have a brother with money!”

Felix yelled back, “Must be nice to be a 17-year-old failure!”

Rodrick: “At least I have a band!”

Felix: “Yeah, and I have earplugs!”

Y/N: "Why the actual fuck, are you still here?

Rodrick: "Don't act like you don't enjoy my company, sweetheart."

Y/N rolled her eyes and grabbed a pillow from the chair.

Marching into the living room, she whipped it straight at Rodrick’s head.

“That’s for earlier.”

He caught it with one hand, grinning. “Careful, sunshine. You’re starting to like me.”

“I’d rather make out with a cactus.”

He winked. “Kinky.”

Y/N stormed off before her face could betray the heat rising to her cheeks.