Every little thing that has happened between Rodrick and I would seem to lead up to our confession of love to one another. Yet, it feels like Rodrick refuses to tell me so. I mean, it would be one thing if he really just felt sorry for what he has done to me in the past, but the fact that he took a video of me when I was asleep, that says something more. But, then, to take me on that date and when I try to show my feelings, he cuts me off. That's just weird.
Right after school, before his parents got home, Greg decided to play some video games. Sometimes that was the best time to think. Typically, he did that on his own. However, he was feeling like he needed extra inspiration. He was already on the couch with the game on when he called Rodrick down.
"Yes, Sir?" Rodrick was in a black shirt and jeans. He was barefoot.
Greg thought about telling him to strip. However, if their parents came home too soon, they would never be able to explain that. Instead, Greg just told him "Get down on the floor on your back." He pointed to the thin spot between the couch and the coffee table.
Without question, as always, Rodrick lied down on the floor on his back like Greg had told him. It bored Greg a little. He was tiring of this game of cat and mouse that the two of them had going. He just wanted. It didn't matter. Greg kicked his shoes off. Because of PE that day, his feet held an extra stench. The socks were still moist with the sweat from the amount of running they did. It was cruel, Greg knew it, but the next thing he did was put those wet, smelly socks right on Rodrick's face.
Rodrick didn't complain.
Greg unpaused his game, pissed off that Rodrick didn't care that Greg was sticking rot in his face. He picked a shooter and started. His feet smooshed into Rodrick's nose and lips. His mind spun with ways to get Rodrick to confess his love.
As Greg shot down about thirty men in a minute, he saw how odious he felt. Greg's thumbs worked the controller over. They hit the buttons so hard, he worried he might break it.
That's when the idea hit him.
I realized if I were more like Rodrick and acted like I didn't care and beat up on him a bit, then he would walk in my shoes and come drooling to me, praising me with love.
"Punch yourself in the balls," Greg commanded.
That damned fool punched himself in the balls. Boy, did I see fire. My feet smashed into his face. He didn't whimper at all. The only sign of the pain was the fact that he gave himself a gentle massage with the hand he harmed himself with.
Greg removed one foot from Rodrick's face and stood up. If Rodrick wasn't going to call out in pain, Greg was going to force him to. His anger rose from within him and extended through his arm and down his fist as his balled-up hand rammed right into his brother's sensitive marbles.
A small "ump" escaped Rodrick's mouth. It wasn't enough to please Greg. As Greg pulled back, he lost balance. To regain it, he grabbed onto Rodrick's chest, taking a chunk of his shirt. The shirt pulled up enough to show the sag line. If Greg wasn't seeing red already, he was seeing it now. Rodrick was breaking a rule to see how Greg would react. Greg grabbed Rodrick's ear, like he had done to him so many times and yanked him upstairs. His adrenalin was pumping through his veins.
Finally, Rodrick was yelping, "ouch, ow, ow" as Greg pulled him along by his ear.
Greg tossed Rodrick in his room. "Take your pants off."
"Yes, sir!" Rodrick said with a sardonic smile.
Greg grabbed the shirt by the shoulders and yanked it off of Rodrick's body over his head. There Rodrick stood in just a pair of new boxers. Or had he stolen them from someone else?
In Rodrick's room, a metal coat rack that hung on his door. Greg picked Rodrick up and hung him by the back of those boxers. They wedged up on him instantly.
Greg opened the door and left the room.
I can't act like him. He doesn't get it. So, I'm going to make him act the way he used to. Then, he will see the thing he hated so much. And he will have to change. My skin crawls with thinking that person back. However, I loved that one all the same. And I'll take it if it gives me his love in word.