It took me less than three hours to move my stuff in from the shop.

After I moved in with Grammie, the size of my wardrobe had significantly decreased. It was more about the quality of the fashion, not the quantity, I suppose.

The apartment was furnished with the most basic furnitures, but it wasn't too much of a problem, it was alway easy to decorate than refurnish.

I was definitely surprised to know that this apartment was within my budget, consider the location this apartment was in. But the lady who was Quinn's mother's friend, who turns out to be Quinn's godmother, Myra, told me that she didn't want me to pay any commission at all.

"Quinn told me how much you've supported her when she had Beth, there is no way I could charge you, honey," she said fondly.

But still, the price was just incredibly low, it made me uncomfortable. There must be something dodgy about this deal. But I still couldn't find myself to leave this apartment.

It was just everything I wanted, needed, more than I could have, and I simply can't say no. So I signed the contract, earned a kiss on the cheek by Myra, and this amazing place I could call it home. 

Finn helped with the moving in, carried all those boxes, before boarding on the plane in the evening, back to Ohio. 

We haven't really talked in a while, at least, not after Grammie's death. I wasn't avoiding him, I just don't have anything to tell anyone, I'm grateful for his help. Not only for taking care of the shop, but being emotionally supportive and for taking care of dad for me. And for being here, unconditionally.

Before he went through the gates, I was pulled into a bone-crushing hug, "You know I'm here, anytime you want to talk, about anything. So call me, okay?" And gave me another hug when I replied with a watery smile.

It kind of reminded me, why I had a crush on him during high school. He wasn't the smartest person I've known, but he is undeniably loyal, and compassionate. Especially towards his ‘bro'. I'm really glad I had him as my brother.

It wasn't until I returned to my apartment, with all the vacant space staring at me in the dark, that I realized, I was completely alone.

I took a deep breath, neglected the urge to curl up and cry, and turned on the lights. I'm not going to cry, there's nothing to cry for, and there's nothing wrong with be alone. I'm alone, and I'm fine.

Instead of unpacking the CDs and shove one of them into the stereo, I put on my earphones, and started the spring cleaning playlist. I don't think I could handle the echoes of the music at this moment. It's too much.

At eight, I was pretty proud of myself, to have everything in place, with clean sheets on the bed, a few plants from the shop hanging from the ceiling, new bulbs in place, books on shelf, clothes in wardrobe. Everything is unpacked and perfect.

So I ordered Chinese, invited Rachel to come over and flopped on the couch.

Rachel was already sharing an apartment with her friend in Juilliard, when I was living with Grammie. It wouldn't be fair to her roommate if I just ask her to move out and be mine. No matter how many times Rachel suggested this, I couldn't bring myself to agree.

Finn and Rachel broke up after graduation, at the end, they just had to let go. And Rachel never had a boyfriend since then, while Finn was going stable with his new girlfriend, Stacey, in Lima. It was a different kind of love with her, but Finn was getting used to it, at least that's what he said.

They both knew it would be so hard, when they've felt so much about each other, when they were so in love. But there wasn't any other way for them, it was inevitable.

Quinn visited Rachel regularly for coffee, and keep setting her up for blind dates. Rachel tried, but they never last more than two dates. She just wasn't ready. The best way would be Quinn giving Rachel advice and guidance on How to Give Up and Forget About Finn Hudson, because she had already done it twice, instead of hooking her up with her boyfriend's super-hot-but-not-Rachel's-type friends. It would be so much easier.

The clear french glass reveal the view of the bright New York night, even I wasn't on a high spot, it was still splendid. The beauty of this made me fell in love with New York, once again.

I was so caught up with my life for the past few months, that I forgot I was living in the city that I've dreamt of, and loved, for all my life. I had a pretty good life, if I say so myself. So I just laid on the couch, gazed quietly, and felt better for the first time in the past months.

Rachel arrived two minutes after the food. She was amazed by almost every single thing about this place, especially the french glass. And she didn't hide her jealousy, as always.

"Kurt! How could you afford a place like this!" She asked, after finishing her spring rolls, "it's the upper west side! And it even comes with a stereo!"

I shrugged, "I wanted to know as well. I'm really glad you got Quinn to help me, the agent was her godmother, so she didn't charge me for commission. But still, I agree the rent is outrageously low for an apartment like this."

The thing about Rachel is, she loves you more than the jealousy she had. She was worried whether there would be leakage, or whether there was something wrong about the contract I signed, or stuff that I didn't think it would be a problem.

"Rachel, it's fine. Seriously." I smiled, "It's not like I couldn't live with a dripping ceiling or a pipe that constantly burst, this apartment is totally worth the trouble I'll have."

"Ha. Wait till you really have to fix the pipes yourself, you'll totally regret it."

"Oh shut up."

We caught up with each other's life, talked about anything and everything, shared a bottle of cheap wine, just like the old days. There was a faint hint of music from my unknown neighbor.

"Was that Sinatra?" Rachel tilted her head, "New York, New York?"

I wasn't a huge fan of Frank Sinatra, unlike Rachel's gay dads, who had every single vinyl album, whenever I went over to have sleepovers, Sinatra would always be on.

"Have you met your neighbors yet? He seemed to have a pretty good taste of music."

"It's really funny that you just assumed that it was a he." I rolled my eyes, while she shoved me playfully.

"Please, it would be highly unlikely for any female to know who he is in the current society, unless you have two gay dads who were obsessed with him"

Rachel left at ten, her place was fifteen minutes away from mine, I couldn't be more in love with this place than I am right now. 

It was good, having her around. It almost felt like, high school again. Even everything changed, we both grew up and dreams were modified, but she would always be here whenever I needed her to be. I won't be surprised if she shows up tomorrow morning in the shop to check whether I'm okay.

I was exhausted, and I needed to be at the shop at half six to pick up the delivery. But still, I couldn't sleep. So I got up, and made myself a cup of warm milk. Thank god for Rachel, bringing me some emergency groceries. 

I opened the door next to the washing machine, and stepped onto the balcony. I will battle with all the broken pipes just for this balcony.

The air was cool and crisp, unlike the view from the living room, the balcony was facing an apartment block right across the street. I leaned on the cold concrete, with the wind brushing pass my cheeks, messing up my hair. It was a comfortable feeling.

I miss being at Grammie's place, even I kept almost all of her stuff, it wasn't the same. This wasn't the loft at the top of the shop.

And most of all, I miss her. I stared at the starless night, wondered, whether I would ever get used to not having her around. It felt like she was just going on a vacation, and will turn up at my doorstep any minute, with a warm hug and the smile that radiates with energy. 

But she's never coming back.

"So, you're the new neighbor?" A voice snapped me out of the mindless state, it was a boy about my age, with a mug in hand. Smells like tea.

"You're the neighbor who had Frank Sinatra on loop for the whole night, I presume." I replied with a grin. Play cool, Kurt Hummel, play cool.

"Well, I'm not going to deny my impeccable taste of music." He held out his hand, leaving the mug on the wall, "Blaine, Blaine Anderson."

"Kurt Hummel."

There was something about him that I couldn't stop staring at, or everything. His large and absolutely addictive eyes, his messy but soft curls, his muscles that flexed when he extended his arm, his boyish smile. Open a dictionary and you'll find his face right next to the word perfect.

"Hold on." He said, pulling the burgundy hoodie he had over his head. Oh my god Rachel was right, there is something wrong with this place.

"Here, it's a bit windy out here." 

Oh. 

"Uh, thanks." I accepted his kindness, after all, it is a little bit chilly, "but what about you?"

"I'm fine, I've always been a human funnel." He shrugged with a smile, cupping his tea in his hands. And man, were those hands beautiful.

"So, why are you out here so late?" I turned and asked, trying to avoid the awkward silence, it's always hard to keep a conversation with new people.

"It wasn't that late, it's not even eleven. You?"

"Couldn't sleep. Probably it's because of the new environment thing, but seriously, I need to be asleep if I want to wake up in time." I sighed when the thought of waking up at five appeared in my mind.

"What time do you need to wake up at?"

Blaine looked sincere, and somehow I knew he asked because he cares, he wasn't prying or anything. No harm telling him, I guess.

"Five." And it's currently a quarter to eleven.

He look amazed, people have the same expression whenever I tell them about this. "That was really early, what business do you have at that time of the day?" 

"Well, I needed to be at the shop at half six to pick up the delivery, and it takes me an hour to shower and get dressed. I was already lazy, consider the fact that my grandmother woke at four everyday to pick the flowers herself, instead of getting it delivered." I smiled, "I'm a florist."

"You must be a pretty good one."

"I did fashion design in NYU, top of the class, saying that I'm good might be an understatement, my dear." 

The record of Frank Sinatra was still going on in his apartment, filling up the cool autumn air. He blushed when I said my dear to him, I think it was too dark for him to see my flushed cheeks.

"What about you?"

"It was nothing as interesting as yours. Currently in grad school, interning under an architect when I'm not in class." He sipped his tea, while the smoke of the hot drink disappeared in the atmosphere.

"As long as it's something that you like, then it's interesting." I shrugged, "a lot of people think fashion design was crazy."

"I love it, it was the only thing I wanted to do."

I smirked and replied, "And you're good at it, I presume?"

"Colombia, Ivy League, saying that I'm good would be a total understatement." He retorted, mimicking what I've said, "I'm epic, both in architecture and as a human being."

"And you have no shame."

We both laughed, and tried not to spill the drinks.

When we finally fell back into our normal forms, there was a comfortable silence between us, whilst we looked at each other's eyes. "It's late, I should go back to bed and try to sleep now." I said softly, hoping he would make an invitation for meeting up tomorrow. 

I'm not even bothered by the fact that I'm crushing hard and fast for my neighbor, being funny and nice and handsome---- every little detail of him makes my skin tickles, and I want to know more about him. 

But not now. I needed my rest, and I need to clear my head a little bit.

"Yeah, I suppose," he whispered, and leant over, brushing a strand of loose hair that fell over my forehead, "even I would like to talk some more."

I bit my lip, suppressing my blush, and mumbled good night before I turn away.

"Do you... Do you want me to bring over some coffee or breakfast for you?" He asked, before I went inside, "I mean, I thought you might want coffee because you won't have enough sleep or----"

The corners of my lips turned up, forming a smile, "it would be great."

I left him the directions to The Mirth, despite he still look pretty shocked, and went back in.

I fell asleep almost immediately when I closed my eyes, with the scent of coffee and cologne surrounding me.

TBC