Alyssa met Nick in April of that year...You know the year we're talking about. Nick had just moved into the apartment above hers at 3607 W Belmont Ave in Chicago.

He was looking to move in somewhere with a roommate so he could save money while he studied his way through graduate school. Alyssa was still adjusting to the new work-from-home lifestyle when she heard she would be getting a new neighbor.

The first weekend after moving in, the group of 4, Nick, Alyssa and their respective roommates, all decided to hangout so the boredom of social lockdowns didn't agitate the mid twenty year-olds. Nick first saw Alyssa walk into his new apartment with a white Drake University sweatshirt on and a glass of wine in her hand. Alyssa first saw Nick standing in his kitchen across the way in a brown cardigan.

Over the course of that first lockdown summer, Nick and Alyssa built a genuine friendship. Through movie, poker, and cooking nights, they learned everything about each other. Although they wouldn't admit it, they looked forward to every minute they could spend together.

As the summer came to a close, Alyssa's lease was up and she moved into a new apartment. Although she promised the friendship would continue, she was going to be a 10 minute drive away and Nick did not have a car to go visit regularly. Nick took advantage by offering to help move Alyssa into her new apartment, he knew this was his time to ask her out to dinner. After all the boxes and furniture were put in their place, Nick asked a question,

"What are your plans this weekend?" Alyssa said she didn't have any.

"I'd love to take you out to sushi." said Nick

"Yes, I love sushi!" replied Alyssa

"Good, I have a reservation for us on Friday" said Nick

And the rest was history!