The Spy Next Door

I stood frozen in the hallway, my phone clutched tight. Another story from Tyler's party—without me. Classic.

"You good, Maya?" My little brother Leo appeared with Max, our golden retriever, practically knocking me over. Max's leash tangled around my legs like some pathetic metaphor for my social life.

"Fine," I muttered, trying to untangle myself. "Just... studying."

"Right. 'Studying' Tyler's Instagram again?" Leo raised an eyebrow. "That's not spying, that's stalking."

"Shut up."

"Whatever. Can you walk Max? I'm gaming with the boys."

I took the leash, grateful for the escape. Outside, the autumn air hit me. Max pulled toward Mrs. G's house like always. But something felt different. Her living room curtains twitched. Weird—she never closed them.

Then I saw it: a guy our age, maybe older, sitting on her porch. Not her grandson. Not a relative. Just... some guy. With a laptop.

I walked Max past, pretending to check my phone. The guy looked up. Dark hair, sharp eyes, a scar above his left eyebrow. He smiled.

"Nice dog."

"Thanks," I said, trying to sound chill. "Just... walking him."

"Cool."

But I noticed something. His laptop screen reflected the house across the street—Tyler's house.

My heart stopped. Was he—

"You live around here?" he asked.

"Yeah. Number 42."

"Nice." He tapped his keyboard. "I'm Mateo, by the way."

"Maya."

"Cool name, Maya." He gestured toward Tyler's house. "My cousin lives there. Tyler? We're supposed to meet up, but his phone's dead. You know him?"

"Yeah," I said slowly. "We go to school together."

"Small world."

But my mind raced. Tyler never mentioned a cousin. And who shows up unannounced with a setup like that? Cables ran from his laptop to something in his backpack—streaming equipment? Or...

"Hey Maya," Mateo called. "Want to come back later? I'm editing this project and could use some feedback. From... someone local."

"Maybe."

Max pulled me away, but my thoughts swirled. Back inside, Leo's gaming headset glowed on the couch. I grabbed his laptop, googling Tyler + cousin + Mateo.

Nothing.

But Max's collar jingled, and I remembered—Mateo's backpack. Those cables. Streaming gear? Or something else?

I opened Instagram. Tyler's story updated: *CAN'T FIND MY CHARGER, IF ANYONE SEES MY COUSIN TELL HIM TO HIT ME UP*

My breath caught. I grabbed Max's leash again. Outside, Mateo was still there.

"Forgot something," I called out.

He looked up, and for the first time, I really saw him. The nervous energy. The way his fingers drummed the table. The cables streaming from his laptop to a portable charger.

"Your charger," I said. "Tyler needs—"

"Right." He pulled a cable from his bag. "Thanks."

"No problem." I paused. "Next time... just say hi. You don't have to spy from across the street."

He laughed, and suddenly he wasn't mysterious anymore. Just some guy trying to connect with his cousin, social awkwardness included.

"Deal."

I walked Max home, my phone buzzing. New story from Tyler: *COUSIN'S HERE, WHO WANT TO MEET HIM?*

I smiled. Maybe I'd stop by tomorrow. After all, Max needed his walk.