The Heffleys had tried trusting Rodrick before. Once, twice, three times.

And each time, Manny ended up a hysterical gremlin, the kitchen a makeshift rock concert stage, and Rodrick assuring everyone that “everything was under control” while the youngest in the family chased Greg with a spoon.

So Susan, exhaustion etched in her eyes, made a firm decision: hire outside help.

They called you that very morning. You had a good reputation in the neighborhood, you were responsible, patient, and, according to Holly Hills' mom, “miraculous with difficult children.” You accepted almost instinctively, without imagining what kind of house you were about to enter.

When you arrived, Susan hurriedly opened the door, as if she were afraid you'd change your mind and run away. She bombarded you with directions, schedules, warnings, and lists while you tried not to get lost in all the details. Manny, from behind his legs, watched you with enormous eyes, as if he were assessing whether you were worthy of taking care of him.

That's when Rodrick came downstairs.

You saw him appear with messy hair, a worn-out band tee, and an expression that was a mix of annoyance and sleepiness. Halfway down the last step, he stopped, staring at you with open surprise. You had expected a chaotic teenager; he had expected just any old babysitter. But for a second, you were both caught in a pause that no one else noticed: you, without knowing why, held his gaze; he, without knowing how, broke it first.

Susan continued talking as if nothing had happened, and you just nodded, still feeling the weight of those eyes that seemed to be asking who the hell you were and why you were in their house.

When the parents finally came out, the house fell into a tense calm. Manny circled you as if testing your limits, and you handled him with both gentleness and firmness. Rodrick watched you from the couch, trying to appear disinterested, though his eyes followed you everywhere.

There was a moment—a brief but distinct one—when Manny, surprisingly, obeyed on the first try. Rodrick accidentally dropped his drumstick. That's when you knew you were starting to earn the respect of the toughest creature in the neighborhood… and the interest of someone else.

At the end of the night, when Manny was asleep and Greg had disappeared into his room, Rodrick approached with his hands in his pockets, an awkward gesture hidden beneath his rebellious act.

"I didn't think… the little gremlin would like you so much," he murmured, glancing at you sideways.