[in progress] As hearts collide {chicklit}

Chapter one - here's to old [and new] friends

Saturday unfolded lazily as I reclined on a sun lounger in my garden, with a well-worn book cradled in my hands. The much-need downpour had brought with it a gentle breeze, a respite from the sweltering summer heat. As the pages of my novel fluttered and I lost myself in its world, I heard my name carried on the wind. I looked up to find my neighbour peering over the wooden fence. Jim had been a familiar sight - a constant presence in my life since childhood. Our parents had been inseparable friends, moving into neighbouring houses when we were both babies. But over the past few years, our friendship had waned so I was surprised to see him talking to me again.

"Hey Em! Long time no speak," he said a little awkwardly.
"Hey Jim, it has. How are you?" I asked, sitting upright.
"I'm cool - you busy?" he questioned, only his head visible over the worn fence.
"Not at all," I replied, setting my book aside. "Wanna come over?"

He squeezed through the gap in the fence, a feat perfected during our mischievous youth. Jim and I had explored every nook and cranny of our gardens, creating secret passages and imaginary worlds.

"You know," Jim chuckled, brushing dirt off his jeans and flopping down in the lounger beside me, "I don't remember that hole being so small."

"That's because the last time you wriggled through it, you were 12!" I teased, my laughter echoing his.

Jim's gaze swept over the graveyard of childhood memories - the swing set, the old oak tree where we'd carved our initials. "We've come a long way," he mused.
"We have." I laid back, soaking in the sun's warmth. "Remember when we used to play mud pizza deliveries out here?"
His smile softened. "And build forts out of cardboard boxes."
"Or pretend the treehouse was a pirate ship."
Jim's eyes sparkled. "We were unstoppable."
"But now," I said, "we're just boring teenagers."
He nudged me playfully. "Speak for yourself... I'm pretty cool."
I giggled, realising how much I'd missed these easy conversations. "So, Jim," I changed the subject, "who's the new guy?"
His expression shifted. "Alex," he said. "Met him at the footy club over the summer. He's been at Priory for one week and he's already causing drama!" Jim's eyes flickered to mine and I felt a small pang jolt through me. "So Lee wasn't thrilled about the flower incident in PE?"
He laughed. "Of course not... it's Lee."
I raised an eyebrow. "Yeah.. but Mia's loyal, he doesn't need to worry. How did Alex react?"
"He just laughed it off."
"Interesting," I murmured. "So, what's he like?"
Jim shrugged. "Cool, I guess. Doesn't give a shit, unlike everyone else around here."
"Could be a good thing, I guess..." I said, watching the sunlight filter through the leaves.
Jim grinned. "We'll see... He liked you, you know," he said, as if casually tossing a secret my way. I reeled back, my sun-kissed skin prickling with surprise.
"Me?" I blurted out, my voice an octave too high. The sun loungers suddenly felt too close together.
"Yeah," Jim confirmed, turning onto his side to face me. His unruly chestnut hair fell into his face, and I had the sudden urge to sweep it out of his caramel eyes. "He asked about you. And he wasn't the only one actually – it's that fucking PE kit, Em, giving half the lads the wrong idea! I felt like a protective brother, telling everyone to piss off. What were you thinking, wearing it?!"
"I didn't realise it was going to be that bloody small! I wouldn't have worn it otherwise..." I replied shrilly, feeling slightly offended. Uncomfortable, I leaned back in the lounger, closing my eyes against the sun fingers fiddling with my watch strap.

Jim nudged me gently. "Sorry, I didn't mean it to come out like that," he hesitated. "I wasn't trying to be a brother... I was just looking out for you, you know?"
I opened my eyes, squinting at the sun rays and sighed. "It's fine," I replied a little abruptly, desperate to change the conversation. "What are you doing tonight?"
"Cinema with the boys," Jim's eyes sparkled, the sun casting a warm glow on his face. "That new fantasy film just released. You should come."

I propped myself up on my elbows, squinting at him playfully and I wrinkled my nose. Fantasy wasn't exactly my cup of tea. Give me a gripping mystery or a heartfelt romance any day. "You don't want me to come, I'm not exactly a fan of dragons and wizards."

Jim scoffed, prodding me in the arm. "Oh, don't be a killjoy, Em. It's not about the film; it's about the popcorn. It's just me, Jamie, Eamonn and Alex."
Alex. The arrival of this tall, enigmatic newcomer had set hearts aflutter, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't intrigued. "And?" I replied coolly.
His grin widened. "And perhaps you might just have some fun. Come on, it's been a while since we hung out."

He wasn't wrong. We'd been inseparable as kids, but as the years slipped by, life had taken us in different directions. Still, some bonds never truly faded; they simply evolved.
"Ok," I conceded, "but if you steal my popcorn, I'll have to kill you." I narrowed my eyes, feigning seriousness.
Jim laughed, pushing himself off the sun lounger. "Ooh, I'm so scared." He teased, brushing some muddy remnants off his t-shirt from his less-than-stellar entrance. "Yeah, you bloody well should be," I retorted, playfully smacking his arm.
Feigning injury, Jim rubbed his arm dramatically. "You're ruthless, Em." Then, mussing my hair with his hand, he took off toward the house. "You're not going back through the fence?" I called after him.
"Sod that," he called back, disappearing inside, "I'll use the door, thank you very much!"

As I sat there, the afternoon breeze tousling my hair, I couldn't help but smile.