Page 105 of Invisible Bars
“Look, come over to the couch and chill. Sit down, drink some water, maybe scream into a pillow… or punch one,” he said, gently guiding me toward it like I hadn’t just accused the house of being a full-blown CIA branch.
After we both were seated, he resumed talking.
“You got heart, Naji; I’ll give you that. But you better hope nobody shows up here like the police or FBI… ‘cause that cake you call a plan? It’s half-baked.”
“W-Why are you here? And wh-where were you?” I asked, stuttering mid-sentence as my shoulder twitched and my eyes fluttered.
“One question at a time, Glitchy… I got anxiety too! Anyway, to answer your first question, Imanio’s at work, and since nobody would’ve been here to watch you, he appointedmeas your babysitter.”
“B-Babysitter?” I stammered in an incredulous tone.
“Yup… and I take my job serious. So sit yo’ ass down and eat yo’ snacks. Iwillcut the Wi-Fi if you act up. I’ll even write a fake report card if you act up. A+ for not running, F- for attitude.”
I looked at Chi like he couldn’t possibly be serious.
Chi burst out laughing, waving his hand. “I’m just fuckin’ with you. I am your babysitter, but I don’t give a damn what you do… just don’t tic and accidentally stab me with a fork, don’t run away—I will catch you—and last, but most importantly, don’t go in Imanio’s room. That’s like breaking into the Batcave. The last dude that tried it got lost in there—swear to God, he never came back out.”
Chi lived for a good laugh, but the way he said that one… I wasn’t entirely sure he was joking. Still, I wanted to know why the hell Imanio thought I needed a damn babysitter.
“I d-don’t need a babysitter,” I muttered, crossing my arms.
Right on cue, my hand jerked up and smacked the candle clean off the coffee table, sending it clattering across the floor.
“Penguins don’t pay rent!” I shouted.
Chi shook his head, grinning as he pushed up out of his chair. “Yeah, you definitely ain’t built for solo missions.”
“S-Sorry,” I muttered, heat creeping into my face. “I only get like that when I’m frustrated.”
“It’s cool,” he said with a shrug, grabbing a rag. “I’ll just tell Imanio I provoke you… a little.”
He crouched down to scoop the pieces. “A whole babysitter and janitor package deal. I should start charging by the hour.”
I chuckled under my breath.
The next few minutes, Chi moved around tidying up the mess, whistling like it was nothing, before settling back into his seat across from me.
“I h-h-haven’t needed a babysitter all these other days he’s been working. Why n-now?” I questioned.
“Oh, you’ve had one; you just didn’t know it. Somebody isalwayswatching you, girl.”
My stomach dipped.Always watching?
Suddenly, my brain went left. What if somebody had been watching me shower? Had I been putting on an accidental OnlyFans show without knowing it? Hell, what if there was a dude somewhere with a notebook titledNaji’s Hygiene Habits: Volume I?
I shuddered. The thought made me want to cover every inch of the bathroom with towels like I was building a fort.
The ridiculous images spiraling faster in my head until they spilled out of my mouth.
“Sweet baby back ribs of surveillance!” I yelped, jerking so hard my knee hit the table.
Chi chuckled, shaking his head. “Look, don’t trip. He told me he needed me, so I’m here. If you got questions, you’ll have to ask him. I’m just the substitute teacher in this equation.” He leaned back, smirking. “But you don’t gotta deal with me too much longer—my shift is about to end. When I clock out you’ll get passed to the next poor soul on babysitter duty… my fiancée.”
“Fiancéeeee—F–F–fancy babysitter!” I exclaimed with a sharp sniff and squinted glare. My tics had no chill.
“Yeah,” Chi said with a grin, clearly amused. “Dess… short for Desdemona—but don’t say that around her unless you wanna get cussed out in three languages. She’s fine, fiery, and got enough opinions to make a debate team cry. My baby loves fashion like it’s a sport, wears makeup like she’s in a music video every day and rolls up in a wheelchair with more confidence than half the people standing. And don’t let the wheels fool you—she’ll run you over like she’s in Grand Theft Auto. I think y’all will get along fine, though.”
I had no idea if I was intrigued, terrified, or about to have another outburst just trying to imagine her energy in the same room as mine.
