Living Next Door to the Dunphys (Modern Family)

"What? You're joining the tournament?" Natalia asked with a raised brow. She was covered in sweat while a pair of blue boxing gloves rested over her hands.

"Yup!" Mathew nodded as he held the heavy bag for her as she unleashed a new wave of combos. "Wait- are you going to compete, too?"

Natalia huffed and struck the heavy bag with a rather powerful cross that pushed Mathew back—impressing him with her level of strength.

"Of course, I'm going to compete. And I'm going to win," She said without pause. "Why are you entering anyway? Wasn't boxing just a hobby for you?"

Mathew frowned at how she emphasized the word "hobby," a hint of judgment lingering in her tone. He couldn't entirely blame her, though; he was painfully aware of his lack of commitment.

Here he stood, an un-dedicated boxer about to enter a prestigious annual tournament in California. This competition attracted some of the most disciplined and passionate young boxers from across the state, all of them training rigorously for a chance at victory.

To Natalia, who had dedicated her life to boxing, it was hard not to scoff when she heard he wanted to enter a competition she took exceptionally seriously with a lackadaisical attitude.

"Uh, it was, but I'm serious about this! That's why I need your help. I've seen you box. You're amazing! I know that with your help, I can-"

"Stop. Drop out of the tournament. It'll save you the embarrassment." Natalia said as she threw another strong cross punch.

A loud, meaty bang filled the gym as Mathew abruptly moved in front of the bag to catch Natalia's punch in his hands. He winced and felt his hands go numb; despite the pain, he stared into her eyes with a roaring fire. Catching Natalia off guard.

"No. I have to do this. I know I haven't been taking boxing as seriously as you my entire life, but I'm serious about this tournament," Mathew's voice was steady and low. "I was wrong. I've realized that boxing wasn't just a hobby for me. What I feel from putting the gloves on and hitting the bag is something nothing else can give me. It's… fun. I think it's what I want to do with my life."

Natalia remained still, her eyes staring into Mathew's to find any lies. She didn't. "You sure this doesn't have to do with your run-in with death yesterday?"

"You saw that?"

"Everyone on YouTube saw that. Look, Mathew," Natalia sighed, pulling her hand away from his grasp. A rare, soft expression appeared on her face. "I know what happened to you yesterday was unsettling, but deciding to take up boxing because of it might not be the best choice."

"I get what you mean. I do. But I seriously thought about this! I want to be a boxer!" Mathew stepped closer to Natalia, causing her to blink at their proximity. They stared at one another for several seconds before she sighed.

"Prove it then." Natalia turned and pointed to Jason, who was off jumping rope. "One month. You have one month to beat Jason in a spar. If you can do that, then I'll help you. Think you can handle that?"

Mathew watched as Jason rhythmically jumped rope. The speed at which he jumped was incredible.

"Okay," Mathew nodded with unwavering determination. "I'll do it!" Walking away, he headed off to the bench, where he left his gloves and slipped them on.

Natalia sighed as she watched Mathew punch his heavy bag. Turning back to her bag, she placed her hands to steady it.

Sorry, Mathew. Hopefully, once Jason beats you again, you'll realize you weren't serious about this. Natalia thought as a tiny sliver of regret welled in her.

Shaking her head, she resumed her practice, hoping that that feeling would disappear.

It didn't.

••o••o••o••

"Haley?" Mathew tilted his head in confusion as he came to a stop in front of his front yard. There, sitting on one of the patio chairs of his house, sat Haley, her legs crossed and her fingers tapping on the armrest. "What are you doing here?"

"Finally. Do you know how long I've been waiting?" Haley huffed and walked over to Mathew. Her nose crinkled as she smelled the sweat from his body. "Listen, can we talk?" She said before looking over to her house. "Like, at a coffee shop or something?"

"Uh, sure? Let me go wash up."

After letting Haley inside, Mathew washed up and changed into some casual clothes. From there, she drove them to the nearest Cafe. Once they settled at a small, lamp-lit table and placed their drink orders, Haley turned to him with a teasing grin, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"So, what's going on between you and Alex?"

"Nothing. We're just friends." Mathew said as their orders arrived. After thanking their server, he took a sip of his black coffee.

Haley hummed, not believing his answer. Grabbing a spoon, she lazily swirled her drink. "Come on. Be real. You two hang out every day. Trust me, one doesn't spend that much time with someone unless they have a thing for one another. While not as pretty as me, Alex is still cute. She's my sister, after all."

"Is it really that hard to believe that I like Alex as just a friend?"

"Extremely."

"I take it you don't have many guy friends who are just friends."

"Uh..." Haley looked thoughtful as she thought about how many male friends she had. She didn't. "I have... a few."

"Your face says otherwise." Mathew finished his coffee and signaled for a refill. "Haley. I know we don't know each other well, but trust me. I like Alex as just a friend."

If she believed his words, she sure didn't show it. After taking a sip of her own drink, a caramel macchiato, she looked him straight in the eyes. "And what would you do if Alex liked you more than just a friend?"

This gave Mathew pause. Placing his mug down, he frowned and turned to Haley. "No, she doesn't."

"Come on. You're cute and tall, and you can actually sorta keep up with her. You're everything she could possibly want." Haley grinned. "Don't tell me you never noticed the stares she sends your way and how her face heats up around you. I just got back, but I immediately noticed."

Of course, I knew. Mathew thought. I'm not some inexperienced, bumbling teenager. It's not hard to tell that Alex likes me more than a friend.

Unfortunately, his short moment of silence told Haley all she needed to know. Her eyes grew wide, and her teasing smile disappeared. "Oh my god... you know! You know she likes you!"

"...I do."

"Then what's the hold-up? Why haven't you asked Alex out? Unless you don't like her? But why?! She's pretty and funny... in her own special way."

"It's not that. Alex is great. Really. It's just... I'm not really looking for a relationship. I have a lot going on right now." Mathew's mind went to the upcoming boxing tournament, and his focus was on growing his stats and winning mystery boxes.

In his past life, Mathew had navigated a myriad of relationships, each marked by their own unique stories and lessons, until tragedy struck during his senior year of college when he died. Reflecting on those past experiences, he realized that he often prioritized fleeting connections and pleasure over his personal growth.

Now, in this new chance of his life, he decided to intensely focus on his self-improvement using the power of his system.

Mathew understood that he had the opportunity to become a legend in this world—not through superficial pursuits or chasing after romantic entanglements, but by dedicating himself to a path of greatness that transcended all those before him.

At his answer, Haley looked unconvinced. "Yeah, right. You're what? 15, 16 years old? I didn't have anything going on when I was your age!"

Mathew sighed. From what I remember of the show, that's not saying much.

"Trust me. It's complicated." Mathew narrowed his eyes in annoyance. "What does this have to do with you, anyway?"

"It has everything to do with me! Alex is my nerdy little sister, and I want her to be happy!" Haley stood up. Her eyes grew wide at her own words. Almost as if she couldn't believe what she said.

Haley had come here with the full intention of teasing and playing with Mathew. However, she ended up doing everything she could to help Alex instead.

Perhaps it was her instincts as the older sibling that drove her to do whatever it took to encourage the boy Alex was clearly infatuated with to be with her. Or maybe it was the guilt she felt for not being the best older sister.

Regardless, she just wanted to see Alex in a happy relationship instead of being alone with her dull, old books.

At her raised voice, the lively ambiance of the café shifted, drawing the attention of several patrons who were quietly enjoying their drinks and conversations. Curious glances were cast their way; eyebrows arched in intrigue as they observed the unfolding scene.

To the onlookers, it appeared as though the pair were embroiled in a passionate lover's quarrel, with whispered conjectures flitting around the room like wayward butterflies.

The tension in the air became palpable as the clinking of coffee cups and the low murmur of conversation faded into the background, leaving only the heated exchange between Haley and Mathew at the center of their collective focus.

Feeling everyone's eyes on him, Mathew reached out and gently guided her down. "I believe you, Haley. I do. Just listen, okay? I get that you care about Alex. I do, too. She's practically my best friend here. But if we do date and something goes wrong, then everything will be ruined. Our friendship will end up strained, and it won't help that we live next door to each other. I don't want to ruin what we have. Do you get that?"

Haley wanted to argue but refrained. She glanced at her now lukewarm drink and contemplated his words. Ultimately, she found herself agreeing with him.

If Alex and Mathew were to start dating and eventually break up, the aftermath would undoubtedly be full of tension and discomfort.

Unlike her own previous relationships, where she could walk away and create physical distance, the nature of their living arrangements would complicate things significantly.

With Mathew and Alex living right next door to each other, they would be faced with daily reminders of their past together, making any chance of a clean break nearly impossible.

"I guess..." Haley sighed. "So, what? Are you two going to stay friends? As shy as she is, Alex will eventually ask you out... What will you do then?"

Mathew brushed his hair with a sigh. He was not looking forward to that inevitable situation.

"I don't know."

With nothing more to say, Haley and Mathew sat in an uncomfortable silence. Their once-warm drinks now cold.