Number Neighbor

19

   Matt and Nanami had explored New York as soon as he landed. The two went out and did new things every day. When he first arrived they took a walk, and he had bought her a large bouquet of flowers, then he took the cutest off guard photo of her which she liked enough to post of her social media. They're now getting things ready for New Years. Matt went out and bought champagne and Nami got take out and decorations.
  "So your parents bought you an apartment here?" Matt asks while holding a ladder for her.
  "Yeah, just in case I ever wanted to go to college here," she answers while hanging up a banner.
  "Do you ever think about coming back?"
  "Sometimes. Before we met, I didn't really have friends besides some girls I have classes with. Then going home to an empty apartment just brought me down even more." Nami climbs down carefully and shoots Matt a wide grin.
  "But then you came into my life," Nanami says happily.
—————

   "Nanami hurry up! You don't need to get all dolled up," Matt shouts.
  "I do!" She walks out of her room, hair straightened, face beat, and all dressed up in a low cut off the shoulder dress.
  "Close your mouth Matty boy, you might swallow a fly," she jokes.
"You look... wow. Fantastic," he compliments.
"Look at you with your little suspenders, and slacks," Nanami giggles.
"This is only a one time thing so savor it." Nami opens her small balcony door and watches the people below her.
  "Hey Matt, do you have a New Years resolution?" she asks. Matt makes his way next to her, leaning against the wall with his glass in his hand.

   "Nah, they aren't for me," he answers. "Do you have one?"
  "Yeah, to pass my final semester," Nami sighs. "Pretty lame right?"
  "Not at all."

10

   "I like how you can keep up with school and work."
  "Oh, I'm slowly losing my sanity and trying to keep it together. I'm stressed out of my mind," Nanami admits. "I think about dropping out when it all gets too much."

9

   "Nami, when you feel like that, tell me. When you feel like giving up, I'll slide through," Matt tells her. "Talk to me."

8

   "I just feel all alone in California. I don't have my family there. They did say I wouldn't last on my own," she sighs. "I love them, but I wanna prove to them I can make it on my own."

7

   "You'll make it. Whenever you need someone to lean on, I'll be there."

6

   "But I can't depend on you, Matt. I can't burden you like that."

5

   "You're no burden. I flew across the country so you wouldn't be alone. Look at me." Nanami turns to face Matt, and he puts his glass down on a little table, then closes the gap between them.

4

   "You're a great guy you know that? Any girl would be lucky to have you."

3

   "Yeah, but I don't want any girl. I think I'm falling for one right now."

2

"Oh yeah? Who is this lucky lady?"

1

   "It's you." Matt strokes Nami's cheek lovingly as he gazes into her eyes. He leans in to kiss her and she happily accepts it, throwing her arms around his shoulders. As content as he was, Matt had a lingering thought in the back of his mind. What if it didn't work out between us and I ruin our friendship?