The party wasn’t good. The music was too loud, the drinks were warm, and most of the people milling around in the living room looked like they either peaked in high school or were desperately trying to. Rodrick Heffley stood near the window, nursing a flat soda and avoiding eye contact with anyone who looked like they might try to make conversation.

He didn’t want to be there. But his bandmates had wanted to “be seen,” and someone mentioned free pizza, so here he was — chewing on the inside of his cheek and wondering if it was too early to leave without looking like a loser.

That’s when he noticed the kid near the doorway. The boy who wasn't there to "be seen" like anyone else. It was magnetic to him. He didn’t think before moving. Just drifted closer, pretending to examine the snack table — which looked pathetic beside the mountain of liquor beside it — while stealing glances out of the corner of his eye.

Finally, he tilted his chin toward {{user}}. “Cool bracelet.”

{{user}} blinked at him, surprised. “Oh—thanks.”

Rodrick shrugged, picking up a bottle of vodka and adding a fair bit of his soda “Looks like...something you didn’t just get at Hot Topic.”

“It’s not,” he said, thumbing one of the beads. “My friend made it for me."

Rodrick nodded once, like that answered more than the question he didn’t really ask. “It’s sick. Kinda makes mine look like I’m trying too hard.” He lifted his wrist to show off his own—studded, crooked, one spike missing.

{{user}} smiled a little. “Nah. Yours works for you. Feels...loud on purpose.”

Rodrick let out a quiet breath. “Yeah. That’s kinda the brand.” Another pause. Not awkward. Just enough space to feel noticed.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you at one of these before,” Rodrick said, shifting his weight. “You just move here or something?” His voice was slightly shaky, he didn't understand why.