THE NEIGHBOUR [editing 13.7.26]

Chapter 6: Mada Man

WARNING: SHORT CHAPTER: ONE OFF: SUFFERING FROM WRITERS BLOCK. Pretty proud of this chapter though.

After finding out about Ashley and Jason, my weekend wasn't getting any better. The beach trip was probably the only thing that happened that was close to "okay".

Saturday dragged by and soon enough Sunday greeted us with rain and a small surprise.

I was lying in my bed watching Netflix when my phone vibrated. I looked on my lock screen, thinking it was Jason texting me for the hundredth time. Nearly fuming, I grabbed my phone, ready to decline and ignore the sicko. But I noticed it wasn't Jason, but a random number.

RANDOM: I know where you live...

My heart stopped. Who was this and what did he want from me? I replied.

ME: Uh, who is this?

After sending that I realised that what I had sent was the perfect sentence to start a horror movie. Dammit.

RANDOM: Mm...lets just say I'm The Mada Man.

Mada Man?? Mada. Dama? Maad? Adam? Da- ADAM!!!

The moment I realised Adam was texting me I cracked up laughing. Not because he texted me, sounding like an ultimate creep, but because he went with something as stupid as Mada Man.

ME: Remind me to stop you in anyway possible whenever you decide to become a cyber criminal. Not because it's illegal, but because you'll probably accidentally give your identity and address away to the police.

ADAM: Was it that bad?

ME: Don't think that's a valid question to be honest. How the hell did you get my number?

ADAM: My mum thinks we need to bond more so she gave me your number which she got through your mum.

Jeez. My mum can be so anonymous sometimes.

ME: Well that's pretty creepy...

ADAM: Yeah...and BTW your babysitting my sister today.

WHAT?!?

ME: Excuse me?

I waited for a response. 5 minutes past. 10 minutes. I finished an episode on Netflix. Still no answer.

He's avoiding me. I thought. Why wouldn't he want me not to know the details about the babysitting? Who even put me on this job without my consent?

Ugh. People these days. I was going to get to the bottom of this. I didn't want to get out of bed but if it meant leaving this mystery unsolved then I have to.

I forcibly made my way downstairs, keen on asking my mum what exactly she had gotten me into. I found her on the couch watching Fashion Police.

"Mum!"

"What honey?"

"Why am I babysitting today?"

"Oo Mrs Philips came over today and asked if you were available to babysit because Adam was going out and Mrs Philips had a meeting."

"Why me?"

"Apparently it was Adams idea to ask you. It looks like you have an admirer Marls."

Looks like I know who's my dinner tonight,
mum.

"Yeah...no, not really." I said while violently walking up the stairs to go and approach Adam.

I walked up to my window and saw Adam playing video games on his Xbox. His window was open so I ripped out a page of a nearby notebook, crumpled it up and threw it at his head through the window.

He turned around with a pissed look on his face. He paused his game and dropped the controller, quite angrily, and walked up to the window, finishing his scene with the words:

"Yes????"

"Babysitting??? Seriously??"

He's grimace turned into an evil smirk.

"Adam Philips, what did you get me into?!"

"Just some chores..." he replied with an sly smile.

"You didn't even ask me!" I complained.

"Just thought you were free and I needed someone so I told my mum to ask your mum and as you know-"

"My mum always says yes." I finished swiftly for him, adding on a necessary eye roll.

"Have fun tonight." Adam said, obviously trying to tick my clock.

"You know you're an-" I began.

"An idiot? Yes I know Marley" Adam finished smartly, leaving me speechless with no comeback. He had to add an eyebrow dance too. Geez.

Clearly beaten, I gave up and gave him a violent nod, telling him I'd be there at 7:00.

I'll get you back Adam, I swear I will.

But for now, I'll be over at my idiot of a next door neighbours, babysitting.

Can't wait.

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