I scrolled through the flood of messages from parents asking me to babysit their kids. Seriously, have they lost their minds? Who in their right mind offers six dollars an hour? I get that I need money to pay for college, but I’m not that desperate. Frustrated, I tossed my phone aside and went back to watching TV.

Bip Bip

My attention flicked back to my phone. Another parent looking for a sitter? Well, it doesn’t hurt to check. I picked it up and started scrolling through the new message, and then—

"Five hundred dollars just for the weekend?" I muttered in surprise. Normally, I’m offered something like a hundred. There’s no way I could pass this up. Plus, from the description, the kid didn’t seem too young—probably not one of those snotty, screaming toddlers that drive me up the wall.

My car looked like a junker compared to the sleek luxury cars lining the streets of this neighborhood. The lawns were pristine, deep green with carefully placed flowers in some yards. And don’t get me started on the houses—huge mansions, three stories tall, looking like something straight out of a magazine. These people were loaded, which meant if I played my cards light, a fat tip might be in my future.

I parked in front of the three-story house I was assigned to, feeling my car’s age as I stepped out. The place was massive, its front door towering over me. According to the parents, they had left early this morning, so the girl I’d be sitting for was supposed to answer the door. Seemed a little reckless, leaving a kid to open the door to strangers and be home alone for so long, but whatever.

As my mind wandered, thinking about my paycheck and the crazy rich neighborhood, I heard the sound of the front door unlocking. Out of habit, I looked down, expecting to greet the little girl. A soft smile crossed my face.

"Hey there, kiddo..." My voice trailed off, and my smile faded as confusion washed over me. What the hell? This girl... she looked my age!