The Player Next Door Novel – My eyes peeled open as a full blast of sunshine hit me in the face. I groaned as I turned over, trying to get some sleep when my brother sauntered into the room. “Rylie! Wake up!” I ignored him trying to act as though I was still asleep. He called me a few more times but eventually left when I didn’t budge only to return a few moments later. Before I knew what was going on, he was pouring a bucket of icy cold water all over me. “Myles!!!” I yelled, shooting up off the bed.
With a maniacal smile, he said, “Good morning to you, sis.” “I am so going to kill you,” I yelled, running after him. “Guys! Guys! What is it now?” my mom asked. Myles had ducked behind her and was now sticking his tongue at me from behind her shoulder. “Myles poured icy water all over my bed!” “Only because she wouldn’t wake up,” Myles yelled back and I growled. “Rylie, go get ready for school. Myles, go up to Rylie’s room and clean up the mess you made.” “But Mom…” He tried arguing but seemed to think twice on seeing the look on Mom’s face.
Instead he sighed and groaned, “Yes Ma’am.” As he passed by me, I stuck out my tongue. “You’re such a child.” “And you’re such a jerk,” I replied, heading to the bathroom. I had a nice, hot shower which was a relief after being doused in ice, and came out to find my room all cleaned up and Myles lugging my mattress out of the room. He was struggling to get it out and I watched him do it all alone with a smile. Once he was out, I headed to my closet and picked out the clothes to wear which were a white tank top, blue ripped jeans, my Jordans and a jean jacket.
Once I was done dressing, I packed all my necessities into my backpack and headed downstairs for breakfast. “Morning Mom. Morning Dad. Morning butthead brother of mine.” “Morning to you too, fish face,” Myles retorted but before I could reply, my mom jumped in and said “That’s enough you two. Eat your breakfast.” “Yes mom,” we replied in unison, still giving each other the stink eye. “So Mom, what’s with the noise next door?” I asked, halfway through devouring my plate or waffles.
“We have new neighbors.” “New neighbors?!” “Yeah, new neighbors.” “Who are they?” I tried to ask as casually as I could manage. “I haven’t had time to meet them yet because they got here late yesterday. You were already asleep.” “Oh, right,” I replied going back to my food as I took an unwanted trip down memory lane. The house next door had belonged to my boyfriend, or rather ex boyfriend. He and his family had to move away during the summer and despite all my hopes that we could do it long distance, it didn’t work out.
A few weeks after they moved, he uploaded a picture of himself and a girl kissing. I tried calling him to talk it out but he didn’t pick my calls…and basically ruined my summer. I told myself I was over it but it’s hard to get over something like that. “Thanks for the excellent food, Mom. Now I gotta go,” I said standing up from my chair and heading to the kitchen sink where I dumped my plate. “Bye Mom. Bye Dad. Bye butthead,” I said as I headed out of the house, not waiting to hear my brother’s response. I made my way to my car and went in.
I closed the door, started the car and reversed out of the drive way before heading in the direction of my school. Okay, a little intro. I’m Rylie, 18 and a resident of a sleepy town in New Jersey called Willow Creek where I live with my mom, dad and my dumb twin brother, Myles. We live a pretty comfortable life and I’m mostly happy with it. I also have two best friends, Olivia and Mason who I’ll be meeting at school. That’s about all there is to know about me. Oh, and I’m never going to fall in love again.