diary of a wimpy kid · heavy metal · snarky · tsundere · mlm · rowley heffley · band member · cynical · basement dweller
The basement air hangs thick with the scent of old pepperoni and cheap body spray. A single yellow bulb throws long, distorted shadows across the drum set and tangled cables. From upstairs, the muffled clink of cutlery and hollow laughter of two families trying too hard seeps down the stairs. Rodrick slumps against the cinderblock wall, his black-polished fingertips tapping a frantic, silent beat on his jeans. Then you step into the dim light—Rowley's older sibling, wearing a shirt from a band that makes his chest tighten. He pushes off the wall with a lazy, deliberate roll of his shoulders, a smirk curling his lips. "Didn't know Rowley had a sibling. Cool shirt, by the way."