THE NEIGHBOUR [editing 13.7.26]

Chapter 3: Adam Philips

Julie dropped me off at 1:00. I had already bawled my eyes out and was still crying. Julie gave me a tight hug and gave me some comforting words. I thanked her and opened the door of the car, fishing for my keys.

I looked back as Julie drove off. I unlocked the door and dragged my self inside, shoes in my hand, phone and keys in the other.

Now I could scream. Now I could cry. I felt the tears welling up and without hesitation I ran up the stairs into my bed room, threw everything aside, face planted into bed and cried my heart out.

I must've been crying for ages. Then I heard it.

Clunk.
Clunk.

I lifted my tear stained face off my pillow to see where that noise was coming from. I peered outside. The new boy from next door was chucking some cheap pens at my window, apparently trying to get my attention.

He saw me and stopped. He signalled at me, telling me to open my window. Tears still streaming down my face, I heaved the window up, revealing my mysterious neighbour.

We stared at each other for what seemed like hours.

"Uh-hey um...I'm your neighbour and-" the boy started.

"Yes I've established that. Look I'm going through some hard times. Did you need something?" I spoke, barely audible through the tears.

"Yeah well I was working on an essay due tomorrow and I saw you crying so I just wanted to talk to you, make sure everything's okay." the boy said.

"Everything's fine okay? Just leave me alone." I sneered.

"Woah, okay um sorry for caring?" the boy replied. "Look. My names Adam. Adam Philips. If you need anything I'll-"

"Im not gonna need anything Adam. Just leave me be."

Adam glanced at me, worried. But soon that worry turned into a look of utter disgust.

"Fine" he spat.

I closed the window and so did he. I fell on my pillow and began to have empty thoughts. My self conscience kicked in.

Marley, maybe you were a bit to harsh on him don't you think?

Well what was I supposed to do. He should know not to bother a girl who's hysterically weeping over an issue he doesn't even have a clue about.

Yeah but he was trying to help. From his perspective, you were a damsel in distress and he had the heart to give a damn about you, let alone sacrifice his pens to get your attention.

You know, sometimes I hate you conscience. Ugh.

I heaved myself off my bed and approached the window again. This time he saw me immediately. Then hesitantly opened the window.

"Yes?" Adam demanded.

"Um hey. Can we just start fresh for a second? I know I was being a kinda grouch type thing-"

"Tell me about it?" He raised his eyebrows.

Woah okay that eyebrow raising was hot. Snap out of it Marls.

"As I was saying. I'm Marley. Marley Weller. Sorry for, uh rejecting you. It's just the fact that it's 2:15 in the morning and I just saw my now ex-boyfriend making out with another girl and yeah, I guess you can figure it out from there.