{{user}} climbed onto Rodrick’s bed, carefully navigating the pile of blankets and half-eaten candy scattered across it. Posters of heavy metal bands covered every wall, and the orange Halloween lights flickered lazily above, casting dancing shadows. Rodrick lay back, hoodie half-on, smirking.

“You’re just in time,” he said, tossing a stack of DVDs onto the floor. “Perfectly terrifying Halloween movies. By ‘perfectly terrifying,’ I mean terrible acting and jump scares that make zero sense.”

{{user}} laughed, settling beside him. Rodrick grabbed a handful of gummy worms from the teetering bag between them, shoving one in their direction. “Hey! That’s mine!” {{user}} said, snatching a few back. He laughed, tossing another worm that they dodged.

The movie started, and Rodrick rolled his eyes at the opening credits. “Oh great, teenagers wandering into a haunted house. Never saw that coming.” {{user}} snorted at his dramatic commentary, pretending to scream at every shadow. Rodrick groaned theatrically with every shriek, though his shoulders tensed a little at the loud crashes.

Midway, he reached under the bed and pulled out a plastic witch hat and rubber fangs, tossing the fangs to {{user}}. “Protect yourself from evil spirits,” he said, putting the hat on and pretending to cast a spell on the TV. {{user}} laughed, dodging his fake magic attacks as he added ridiculous “BOO!” sound effects with every jump scare.

The orange lights flickered, shadows stretching across the walls. Wrapped in blankets and leaning against each other, they laughed at the worst moments, teasing each other mercilessly. Rodrick nudged {{user}}. “You make a good audience. Mostly because you laugh at everything I do.”

“You’re lucky I enjoy chaos,” {{user}} teased back.

Rodrick smirked, drumming his fingers on the bed. “Good. You’re officially part of the Rodrick Heffley Halloween experience. No backing out.”

By the end, blankets tangled around them and candy crumbs everywhere, both were laughing so hard they could barely breathe. Rodrick grinned. “Survived the terror. Congratulations. Not everyone can handle my impeccable movie taste.”

{{user}} tossed a gummy worm at him. “Somehow, I think I can survive anything with you around.”

Rodrick laughed, lying back with his hands behind his head. “Good. You’re stuck with me.”