A/N Thanks for all the new favs, follows and reviews. It really nice to know people are enjoying this as much as we are.

Chapter 5 – Korra

A sharp sound wakes me from a deep sleep. I don't remember what I was dreaming about as it was cut off with the unbearable ringing of the fire alarm. My body sticks to sheets with a thin sheen of sweat – something I always hate about these hot summers. A cool breeze brings some relief from the open window. No light broke through the old slat blinds. My eyelids fall back together for a split second before I start searching the floor for something to cover my underwear.

I pick up the first things my fingertips touch: a pair of knee length shorts that usually live in my gym bag and a white tank top that still managed to be white and not some off-yellowish brown color from all the fat at the diner. I don't bother with socks, just in case the building is actually ablaze. I give a small prayer that the alarm turns off before I can find my keys but no luck. It had to happen on my one day off this week. The one day I get to sleep like a normal person. I check my phone, squinting into the brightness. Four A.M. I had only gotten to sleep an hour ago. Guess that's what happens when you live a vampiric existence. Your body starts to acclimatize.

This happens a few times a year. Someone probably came home drunk and fell against the fire alarm. The noise gets louder the moment I open the door. It seems to fill every space. I want to cover my ears but instead use my hands to lock the door. I glance to the door next to mine, as I had become accustomed to doing. It was a muscle memory of sorts. I wondered if she heard it. She must. I had been told on more than one occasion that I slept like the dead.

I trudge down the four floors to the lobby and make my way outside. The night air bites at my bare flesh as the warmth from inside dissipates through the open doors. Most people were outside already standing aimlessly, staring up at the sky or down at their phones. I choose a spot by the small red brick wall that ran from the entrance to the street. The alarm was quieter now and I could hear the chirping of the crickets everywhere.

I scan the building for signs of fire but there is nothing. I turn my gaze to my neighbors. Mrs. Katara looked cold. If I had a jacket I would have offered it. She was a nice lady. There were a few faces I didn't really recognize. Some people took the opportunity to have a smoke. Sometimes I wished I smoked. In times like these it would give me something to do; to look smooth and purposeful and not just existing.

I catch Asami standing alone, white cigarette poised against her red lips. Of course she smoked. In the jungle of bodies she stood out. Her skin was so white it seemed to glow in the moonlight. I get drawn to her bare legs. This is the most I have seen of her. I feel like I'm spying. It's wrong but I let my gaze linger over her body. She's wearing a black silk kimono wrapped tightly around her waist. I imagine it feels like water. I follow the curve of her body up, tracing it with my eyes. She draws on the cigarette, letting a cloud of smoke slip past her lips until it vanishes.

Her head moves quickly like she heard a noise. Like I called her name but I didn't. She catches me looking and I look down quickly, trying to pass it off like I was looking around and not just staring at her. I slowly peek back up and she's still looking at me.

She moves towards me and my heart jumps in my chest. "Do you want a smoke?" She offers me one from the almost full pack.

"Ugh… No, thanks." My one chance to look cool and I blow it. Good one, Korra.

She just shrugs, taking another draw. "Didn't think I would see you out here," she says to the sky.

I lean back further putting my arms out on the hard brick. "It was my day off."

"Sorry," she apologizes, as if it were her fault.

"Don't worry about it. Are you working today?" It was somewhat sad our conversations seemed to revolve around work. I wanted to know other stuff like what age she was, if she had any siblings. Maybe if she was seeing anybody. But that wasn't normal small talk.

"Yeah, in a few hours."

"It's dedication to work on a Saturday."

"I just moved from the New York Office. There's more work to be done here than they let me believe," she groaned.

"New York?" That made sense – the winter jackets and the still white skin, not yet browned by California sun. "Did you like it there?"

She shrugged again, a sort of non-committal answer. "I don't know. It was nice. I guess." I started to think she was non-committal about everything. Answers, cities… people.

"What exactly do you do?" It dawned on me again that I had no idea.

"I'm a graphic designer."

"Anything I might know?" I wondered.

"I mostly work on international accounts for web design."

It sounded interesting and important but I couldn't imagine what it actually meant. I couldn't imagine if she sat at a computer or a drawing table. I didn't know if all those folders she had were drawings or just paperwork. I didn't want to seem stupid so I decided not to ask anything more.

"So, being a New Yorker you must know your bagels?" I questioned tentatively, to see if she actually ate my breakfast.

She seemed to pause for a moment before grasping what I was talking about. "Ohh… yeah. What's so special about a bagel with bacon and cream cheese?"

I felt hurt; she doubted my specialty. "Know that stuff you thought was bacon?" Fear rushed through her eyes. "It's vegetarian. It's fakon… fake bacon. The place I work is really healthy and so its bacon that's good for you. That's what makes it special. That, and I made it." I grin. Fakon gets them every time.

Asami coughs out a small laugh that distorts the cloud of cigarette smoke, making it into little puffs. She bites at her lip before speaking and I realize I'm staring at her lips again. "Well, I think it was the best bagel I've ever had."

The alarm stopped and people started to flood back inside. I took it slow, walking in stride with Asami. I held the door open as we walked inside. It was a quiet walk back up the steps. We reached our doors, both unlocking at the same time, both lingering in the hallway a little too long.

"Goodnight." I smiled.

"I think you mean good morning."

I closed the door behind me, shaking Asami's voice from my head. She would be the death of me if I let her. She's my neighbor. I have to see her every day. I felt myself smile. I get to see her every day.

I kick my shoes off at the door, padding softly on the wood flooring back to my room. I kick a few things out of my way, a shirt, a towel, and fall back into bed. Jazz music starts flowing through the open window. She must have hers open too. I put my hand against the wall, feeling the thrum of the music under my fingertips. She's just a wall away.

A/N Thanks for reading.