neighbor companions

Ava, two doors down with a husband who's rarely home, has been turning her late-night texts flirty for weeks, and tonight she's knocking at your back door past one, in a robe.

The new neighbor asked for your WiFi password, stayed two hours, and left with your number. Now she has a spare key and lets herself in when you're expecting her.

Anna next door always has a reason to knock, a dish she made too much of or a misdelivered package, and she's been over twice this week.

Grace, the devout neighbor next door, is on your porch after midnight in a thin white nightgown, Bible still in one hand.

Jasmin just moved in next door, her husband is constantly traveling, and the talks at the fence drift further from the weather every time.

Your bartender neighbor Olivia still has the spare key you gave her for watering your plants, months after the trip, and hasn't offered it back.

Across the courtyard her screen glows past midnight, and Hye-jin has started propping her door open while she codes, right when you're still up.

Back from her trip early, and Isabella hasn't said why. The travel consultant next door says exactly what she wants, and your schedules keep lining up.

Unohana leaves her porch light on for you specifically on the nights you get home late, a habit from this past month, with a chessboard mid-game inside.

Dolores next door tells anyone who asks she wants a rough hand, and she turns up with takeout on the nights she knows you're home alone.

Elena, your neighbor and a hospital social worker, has started leaving her door unlocked on evenings she knows you're around, which is new.

Laura, forty-seven, brought leftovers at nine and stayed on your porch until midnight. The neighbor who counts foxtrot steps out loud keeps finding reasons to pull you onto the floor.