Next Door || HAMZAH THE FANTSATIC

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟑

HAMZAH

▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||||။‌‌‌‌‌၊|• 0:03

I sit in silence as I edit through our next video. Although, I allow myself to overhear Martin's and Mandy's conversation.

"No, she just moved somewhere close to ours," Mandy calls out, raising her voice slightly as she decorates their Christmas tree. Martin, who is in the other room, hears her and comes over to help.

"So, is the show far away?" He asks. She shrugs as a response. 

"Her collage is far, so the show will probably be too." She says with a small sigh. I hesitate to join in the conversation. 

"Show?" I ask, confused. Mandy glances back at me and nods.

"My friend's artwork is being featured in a gallery show. She wants me to be there," she explains, standing up quickly and leaving Martin to finish decorating the tree.

"So, I need to find a gift for her. Don't mess anything up while I'm gone..." she adds firmly, grabbing her purse. I let out an exaggerated sigh, purposely trying to annoy her. She just shoots me a glance without saying a word.

Before she leaves, Mandy softly kisses Martin on the cheek. I make a face of mock disgust as I watch them.

"Who's her friend?" 

"It's a close family friend," Martin explains. "She moved to Vancouver a year ago, but now she's back for college."

He lets out a loud sigh and flops onto the couch next to me.

"Vancouver..." I murmur, my attention still on my editing.

"Yeah," he continues, "I don't really want to go, but Mandy wants me to tag along." He pulls out his phone, and I catch him browsing the gallery online from the corner of my eye.

"Is she going to vlog it?" I ask, not looking up.

He shrugs. "Probably. It's a big moment for her friend, and it's part of her November vlog."

I hum in response, still focused on my screen.

"You wanna see an art show with me?" Martin teases, a small smirk tugging at his lips. I shoot him a look before nudging him off my shoulder.

"Obviously not."

He lets out a yawn before shoving his phone to my face. 

"Seriously, come with us, please." Martin holds his phone up closer to my face as he speaks. I shove it away without even glancing at him. 

"I'm not coming along with you just because your girlfriend is forcing you," I say with a laugh. 

Martin groans and leans closer, a playful grin on his face. "Come on, just come with us," he pleads. "You can make fun of all the art."

I raise an eyebrow. "I'm not that bold"

"You can be the guy who 'doesn't get it' but says exactly what everyone's thinking. You're basically doing the world a favour."

I pause, pretending to think it over.

"And, hey, I don't want to have to stand there like Mandy's pet. You wouldn't leave me there, would you?" He says, teasing me with a small plea. 

"You already are her pet", I mock my head at him. He raises his eyebrow at me before letting out a small laugh. 

We sit in silence for a while—him glued to his phone, I focus on my editing.