•Summer of the Exhibition•

3

When I got home, I felt victorious, my glorious painting had a blue ribbon in the corner. I was told that my jet to Paris will be here in 3 in a half days. More than enough time to pack all the things I need for a glamorous summer, bathing suits, shades, flip flops, and art equipment.
I saw the neighbor I didn’t know I had today, he was mowing his lawn…I was just getting back from a celebration day with my friends…at 2 in the morning. Who mows their lawn at 2 in the morning…?
When I llooked back at him with confusion, he was standing there, staring at me, not moving a single muscle.
I woke up again at 11 am, he was retrieving his newspaper, I saw him when I was staring out the window.
There’s something about him that makes my stomach hurt….He gets creepier everyday…

I took my bags outside and immediately saw my uber, something about him feels a bit familiar…
He didn’t say anything, like “Hi” “Good Morning” “How are you” …he just…stood there..and put my bags in the trunk.
Once we got in the car, he was more talkative…“Where ya headin’?” He asked.
“The airport…I’m going on a trip-”
“What trip?”
“...Just a little vacation-”
“Where are you going?”
“France. I’m going to France.” I said firmly, he got more persistent with every question he asked.
“Nice. Are you seeing family…or….-”
“No. No family.”
We remained quiet until we arrived at the airport, I eventually took my phone out because I was bored, and once he saw me, he stopped the car.
“Oh- I have a no phone policy in the car…Please put it away.”
A no phone policy?....Why does he care if I have my phone out…

“Did you buy it, though?” I asked him, he raised an eyebrow and rolled his eyes.

“If I see it again, I’m going to kick you out.”

“Why do you care about my phone?” I snapped.

He hesitated before turning the car off, in the middle of the road. “Get out.”
“What?”

“GET. OUT.” He began yelling loudly, then repeating himself. I quickly scramble out of the car, and go to get my stuff from the trunk.
I crashed onto the sidewalk, watching him speed away, once he was gone, I realized that I left my phone in the car.