his Is How I Won a Prank War My Neighbor and I Had Going for the past Year
It started off innocently enough. Selene parked her car in the wrong parking spot, fueling a prank war with Paul, the real owner of the parking spot. As the months went by, the pair continued their prank war, but Selen started to wonder about the future of these seemingly innocent practical jokes. She took matters into her own hands and asked Paul out for dinner, under the guise of someone else. Will it be the ultimate prank or something more?
It all began with a parking mishap. It was just one innocent mistake that spiraled into a year-long prank war with my neighbor, Paul.
An apartment building parking lot | Source: Unsplash
One evening, I accidentally parked in Paul’s parking spot in our apartment building’s lot. It was late, I was exhausted, and I just wanted to crawl into bed.
I didn’t think much of it until the next morning when I was on my way to the office. There, on my car, on an empty takeaway cup, a note was scrawled in messy handwriting.
A woman sleeping in bed | Source: Pexels
Thanks for ruining my day.
“Oh, crap,” I said to myself when I sat in the car. I needed to make amends.
A woman sitting in a car | Source: Pexels
The following morning, I left a warm cup of coffee on Paul’s car roof with a note that read:
Sorry for the mix-up. I hope this makes up for it.
A person holding a cup of coffee | Source: Pexels
If you’re wondering, Paul and I didn’t know each other. We just lived in the same apartment block and knew everyone’s names and door numbers.
A few days later, I found a bill from a car-washing service under my windshield wiper. It seemed that Paul didn’t notice the coffee that I left and spilled it all over his car when he drove off.
A car in a car wash | Source: Pexels
I refused to pay the bill, and thus, the little war began.
“I think that you and this mysterious Paul are either going to fall in love or end up despising each other,” my friend Daphne said at work.
A smiling woman holding a folder | Source: Pexels
“Probably the latter,” I said. “It was all fine until he gave me a bill.”
“Selene,” she said knowingly, “I’m telling you, this is just the beginning.”
The next day, I left my work phone number on his car.
Call me regarding the payment.
A piece of paper on a car | Source: Midjourney
Paul called me later that evening.
“Really? You thought that leaving coffee on the roof of a car was a good idea?” he asked, going straight into it.
“How was I supposed to know that you’d drive off without looking? Besides, it was a peace offering!”
A man using a phone | Source: Unsplash
“More like a disaster,” he said. “It was all over my window. Pay the car wash bill, please.”
“I’m not paying for it,” I said, hanging up.
After that, the pranks escalated quickly.
Spilled coffee in the air | Source: Pexels
“I told you,” Daphne said when she came home with me one evening. “It’s going to get more intense. You need to listen to me. Trust me on this, you and this guy are going to get under each other’s skin.”
“I don’t know about that, Daph,” I said, dishing out the curry we had bought for dinner.
Bowls of curry and rice | Source: Unsplash
“But you’re having fun?” she asked, tearing into a piece of bread.
“I am!” I said. “Mainly because it’s nothing serious.”
Flatbread on a board | Source: Pexels
One day, I found my car doors wrapped in plastic wrap.
The next week, I retaliated by covering Paul’s car in sticky notes, each one asking him to fix his parking.
A person tearing through plastic wrap | Source: Pexels
“If it rains tonight,” Paul said, immediately calling me after seeing the sticky notes, “you’ll have a mushy mess of paper to clean up.”
“I think you’ll figure it out for yourself,” I said, hiding behind my curtain.
A car covered in sticky notes | Source: Midjourney
I had to admit, I was attracted to him. I didn’t know if Paul knew who I was, but it was easier for me to watch him from my apartment. I had gotten used to watching him wash his car.
It turned out that it was comforting. There was a sense of intimacy that we had built up.
A person hiding behind blinds | Source: Unsplash
After months of back-and-forth pranks, ranging from balloons tied onto car handles and window wipers, to fake parking tickets, I decided that it was time to end the war.
“But you need a grand finale,” Daphne said as we sat in our office, trying to work through month-end reports.
A woman using a laptop | Source: Pexels
“Like what?” I asked, typing away at my keyboard.
“You’re into him, right?” she asked, sipping her coffee.
“I think so,” I said. “But I don’t know much about him.”
A woman drinking coffee | Source: Pexels
“Then get to know him,” my friend pressed on. “There’s something there; if not, this would have ended a long time ago.”
“Fine,” I said. “But you write the note. He knows my handwriting now.”
We intended to write a note from a secret admirer.
A person writing a note | Source: Pexels
“She can just be someone from your apartment,” Daphne said. “And it’s not like you and Paul have even interacted in person, Selene. To be honest, I don’t know how you’ve managed to stay anonymous for so long.”
“It’s the thrill of it,” I said.
A smiling woman | Source: Unsplash
Early the next morning, I left the note that Daphne had written on Paul’s car.
Hey, I saw you leaving your car and couldn’t help but notice how handsome you are. Let’s have dinner?
I added my personal number that he wouldn’t recognize at the bottom.
A folded piece of paper | Source: Midjourney
To my surprise, Paul called me later that morning.
“Selene, you’ll never guess what happened!” he said excitedly. “Some woman left me a note on my car.”
“Really?” I asked, feigning surprise. “What did it say?”
A woman on the phone | Source: Pexels
“She said that I was handsome and she wanted to have dinner. She left her number, too. So, I’m going to text her and go.”
Paul took the bait and texted me. We set up a date, and I, still pretending to be someone else, agreed to meet him at a local restaurant.
A table at a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
I was already seated, suddenly nervous. We had been at this for so long; what if everything blew up in my face?
What if I was living in a romantic comedy and Paul actually couldn’t stand me?
Almost ready to leave, Paul walked into the restaurant.
A man in a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
“Hey, you’re here! You look familiar,” he said. “But I suppose I have seen you around the building.”
He spoke quickly, as though he was just as nervous.
“I’m sure that’s exactly it,” I said, smiling.
A smiling man | Source: Pexels
“Your voice reminds me of my neighbor, Selene. I’m sure you’ve seen us pranking each other recently,” he chuckled, his eyes glazing over as if lost in a memory.
“What’s that been like?” I asked.
A smiling woman at a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
“Well, Daphne,” he said, as I had introduced myself over text, “it’s been hilarious. It’s been the best few months of my life.”
“It sounds like she’s grown on you,” I said, smiling.
“She’s feisty, all right,” he said, ordering himself a whiskey.
A man holding a glass of whiskey | Source: Pexels
The rest of the evening went by smoothly, but the more Paul spoke, the more I found myself genuinely enjoying his company. He was charming, funny, and surprisingly sweet.
By the time our meals arrived, I couldn’t keep the truth from him any longer.
Plates of food at a restaurant | Source: Midjourney
“Paul,” I said, picking up my cocktail, “there’s something I need to tell you.”
“What’s that?” he asked, looking me in the eye.
“I haven’t been very honest about this date,” I said slowly. “I’m Selene.”
A cocktail on a table | Source: Pexels
Paul’s jaw dropped.
“Wait, really?” he asked. “Why did you want to meet like this?”
“I don’t know,” I replied honestly. “Call it insecurity? Daphne is my best friend; I asked her to write the note, and I used her name. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have deceived you.”
A shocked man | Source: Pexels
“No, no,” he said, a large smile forming on his face. “I’ve never had this much fun with anyone. I’m glad we got to meet. Finally.”
The rest of the evening went much smoother, knowing that we had something in common. It was something to bond over. And more than that, there was chemistry between us. It wasn’t just me.
“I’m glad we did this,” Paul said as we went our separate ways in the parking lot. “It needed to happen.”
An empty parking lot | Source: Pexels
“And now, we’re here,” I said, taking his hand, suddenly feeling brave.
I don’t know where our relationship will go or what it will become, but I do know that I’ve taken the first step toward something.
What would you have done?
A couple holding hands | Source: Pexels
My Neighbors Called Me & Complained about My In-Laws’ Actions – I Gave Them the Green Light to Put Them in Their Place
Michelle is away when she finds out her in-laws have turned her home into their personal fiefdom. She decides to let her quirky neighbors handle it, and what follows is a hilarious showdown that leaves everyone in stitches and sets the house rules straight. What did Michelle and her neighbors do?
It was a Friday.
David and I sat in our living room, excited about his new project in another state. I work a remote job, so moving to a different state for a short period wasn’t an issue.
A cozy couple at home | Source: Pexels
“I can’t believe we get to start this adventure together,” David said, his eyes shining with enthusiasm.
“Me neither,” I replied, squeezing his hand. “It’s going to be amazing.”
We had called his parents, Miriam and Richard, over to share the news.
An elderly couple using a laptop together | Source: Pexels
When they arrived, I could see the curiosity in their eyes.
“What’s this big news you have for us?” Miriam asked, settling into her favorite chair.
David took a deep breath. “I got the project. We’re moving to California for a month.”
Miriam’s face lit up. “That’s wonderful, David! But what about the house? You can’t just leave it empty.”
The staircase area inside a house | Source: Pexels
Richard nodded. “She’s right. Houses need looking after.”
I glanced at David, who gave me a reassuring smile. “We were hoping you could help with that,” he said.
Miriam’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Oh, we’d love to! Right, Richard?”
“Absolutely,” Richard agreed.
A senior man sitting on the couch at home | Source: Pexels
“Thank you so much,” I said. “That would be very helpful.”
David seemed relieved. “Great, it’s settled then.”
But as we started to pack up our things, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.
Miriam and Richard had a habit of overstepping boundaries, and I worried about what they might do while we were away.
A worried woman sitting on the floor | Source: Pexels
The next morning, David and I loaded the last of our bags into the car. Miriam and Richard stood by, ready to take over.
“Don’t worry about a thing,” Miriam said. “We’ve got it all under control.”
I forced another smile. “Thanks, Miriam. We really appreciate it.”
David hugged his parents goodbye. “Take care of yourselves and the house,” he said.
A young couple exchanging hugs with elderly couple | Source: Pexels
Richard gave me a firm handshake. “You two enjoy your adventure. We’ll keep everything in order here.”
As we drove away, I couldn’t help but feel a knot in my stomach. “Are you sure this is a good idea?” I asked David.
“It’ll be fine, Michelle,” he said, glancing at me. “They mean well.”
A person driving a car | Source: Pexels
I nodded, trying to convince myself. “I know. It’s just…”
“I understand,” he said, squeezing my hand. “But this is a great opportunity for us. And we’re going to enjoy our time in California, okay?”
I took a deep breath and pushed my worries aside. “You’re right. Let’s focus on the adventure ahead.”
A couple travelling in a car | Source: Pexels
But despite my efforts to focus on our new adventure, the unease from leaving our house in Miriam and Richard’s hands lingered.
A week into our stay in California, I received a call from Alice, our close neighbor.
“Hey, Michelle,” Alice started, her voice hesitant. “I need to tell you something about your in-laws.”
My heart sank. “What did they do, Alice?”
A worried woman on a phone call | Source: Pexels
She took a deep breath. “Miriam threw away your purple curtains.”
“What?” I felt a surge of anger. “Those were my favorite!”
“There’s more,” Alice continued. “She also scolded me for wearing a top and shorts in my own backyard.”
I clenched my fist. “That’s so intrusive. She has no right!”
A comfy bedroom | Source: Unsplash
“And,” Alice hesitated again, “I saw her throwing away some of your clothes.”
Chills ran down my spine. “What? She did what?”
“I’m so sorry, Michelle. Tom and I want to help. We can talk to Miriam and Richard and put them in their place.”
Heap of clothes and fabric | Source: Pexels
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. “Thank you, Alice. I appreciate it. Please, do what you can. They need to understand boundaries.”
“What’s wrong?” David asked as he entered the room.
“Miriam threw away my curtains and some of my clothes. She even scolded Alice for her outfit in her own yard.”
“What? Mom did that? This is too much. We need to call them.”
A stressed man on the couch | Source: Pexels
“Let’s wait,” I said. “Alice and Tom are going to talk to them first.”
“Alright, but if this doesn’t stop, we’re calling them ourselves.”
“They need to learn that they can’t just do whatever they want,” I said, nodding.
As I ended the call with Alice, I felt a sense of resolve. Miriam and Richard were going to learn the hard way that their behavior was unacceptable.
A woman holding a phone | Source: Pexels
I anxiously waited for Alice’s call to update me on their talk with Miriam and Richard. When my phone finally rang, I answered immediately.
“Michelle, it’s Alice. We talked to them, but Miriam just brushed it off. We need to take this further.”
I took a deep breath. “Alright, what’s the plan?”
“We’ll gather the neighbors,” Alice said. “Let’s have a video call to discuss it.”
A woman lying on the sofa and holding her phone | Source: Pexels
An hour later, I sat at my laptop, connecting to a video call with Alice, Tom, Brian, Ellen, and Honor. Everyone looked serious and ready to help.
“Thanks for joining,” I began. “Miriam’s crossed the line. We need to show her boundaries.”
Brian nodded. “What can we do?”
Alice leaned in. “Miriam’s planning a barbecue this weekend. I say we crash it.”
Hotdogs on a grill | Source: Pexels
Tom grinned. “Sounds good. How?”
“Everyone wears Hawaiian shorts,” Alice suggested, her eyes twinkling. “And we bring tuna pies — Miriam hates them.”
Ellen laughed. “That’ll definitely make a statement.”
“Make it fun and loud,” I added, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. “Show them what real boundaries are.”
Honor nodded. “Count me in.”
A person in floral printed attire | Source: Pexels
We spent the next hour planning every detail. Everyone had a role, from baking the pies to finding the brightest Hawaiian shorts!
Before we ended the call, Brian clapped his hands together. “This is going to be epic.”
“Remember,” I said, trying to sound confident, “the goal is to reclaim my home, not start a war.”
Alice smiled. “We’ve got this, Michelle. They won’t know what hit them.”
A smiling woman on a video call | Source: Pexels
Just when I hung up, David returned from grocery shopping. “We have a plan,” I explained, detailing everything.
He listened quietly and sighed. “I feel bad it’s come to this. They’re my parents, after all.”
“I know,” I said gently. “But they need to learn they can’t do whatever they want.”
He nodded slowly. “You’re right. I just wish it didn’t have to be this way.”
A couple chilling at home | Source: Pexels
“I understand,” I replied. “But it’s the only way to reclaim our home.”
David managed a small smile. “Alright. Let’s see how it goes.”
That weekend, I traveled back home, determined to handle the situation in person.
A woman driving | Source: Pexels
Soon, the day of the barbecue arrived, and Miriam’s loud invitations gave Alice the perfect opportunity to overhear. I waited anxiously nearby, ready for the call.
Soon enough, my phone rang. “Michelle, they’re here,” Honor said. “It’s time.”
“On my way,” I replied, taking a deep breath and heading to our backyard.
A woman on a phone call | Source: Pexels
As I approached, I saw the neighbors in their bright Hawaiian shorts, carrying tuna pies and ready to party. Miriam and Richard stood there, shocked and outraged.
“What is this? You can’t be here!” Miriam snapped at them.
Alice stepped forward, unfazed. “We’re here to enjoy the barbecue, Miriam.”
Miriam’s face turned red. “I’m calling the police! You can’t just crash my party like that.”
An angry elderly woman | Source: Pexels
Honor quickly called me. “Michelle, it’s time.”
I entered the backyard, feeling a surge of determination. “Miriam,” I began, “you’ve crossed the line. So I think I should be the one calling the cops.”
Miriam glared at me. “How dare you speak to me like this in front of everyone! This is unacceptable! Did you plan all of this?”
Two cops | Source: Pexels
“Unacceptable,” I said firmly, “is you changing the curtains, making inappropriate remarks to my neighbors, and throwing away my clothes! My neighbors will stay at this party, and you will serve them barbecue. Then, you’ll pay me for the things you threw away. Otherwise, I’ll call the police for damaging my property at MY home.”
Miriam’s facade crumbled as she stood speechless, her face red with anger and disbelief.
“You can’t do this,” she sputtered.
An angry senior woman in gray clothes | Source: Midjourney
“You have a choice,” I said, holding my ground. “Comply or face the consequences.”
The neighbors watched, some smiling, others nodding in agreement. Richard, realizing the gravity of the situation, gently tugged her arm.
“We should just do what she says,” Richard said quietly. “Let’s not make this worse.”
A sad elderly man | Source: Pexels
Miriam looked around, seeing the determination on my face and the support from the neighbors. She finally nodded, defeated. “Fine,” she muttered.
With no choice, Miriam served the barbecue with a forced smile while the neighbors enjoyed the party. The atmosphere was lively and joyous, with music playing and everyone having a good time.
I was glad that I had reclaimed my home and set the boundaries clear. It wasn’t just about the curtains or the clothes — it was about respect and understanding. And we had made that crystal clear.
An elderly woman serving food | Source: Midjourney
Do you think we did the right thing?
If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one about how a heroic act by a young boy brought a positive change in the lives of many.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
Leave a Reply