[in progress] As hearts collide {chicklit}

Chapter sixteen - surprise!

After a slow start, I'd settled into uni life like a cozy blanket in Winter. My new misfit friendship circle became a source of light and I enjoyed spending time with them when I wasn't in class or studying. But I'll admit, the first year was more full-on than I'd expected.

Every time I spoke with Alex, he painted such a vivid picture of life at university - like an American teen movie. My life at uni was fine, but it was devoid of the kind of parties and social life that Alex waxed lyrically about.

I'd still not spoken to Jim after our weird phone call. I'd called the following day to chat about it, but he didn't answer, messaging to tell me he was in class and he'd call me later. He never did. I'd texted a couple of times but it felt like he didn't want to hear from me, so I just stopped. But it bothered me that I didn't still didn't know what had caused that reaction.

Alex remained a constant, always checking in, sending me messages and calling to brag about his sex life. Space and time had made it a little easier to sit through these conversations without feeling a deep seated pain in the centre of my chest. Whenever he mentioned Jim, I'd conveniently change the subject or promise I was going to call him later. Sometimes, he'd share fragments of Jim's life during the course of a conversation as if I knew already. It seemed his band were now fully formed, playing on campus and at local mic nights.

"We should surprise him at his next gig! Head down to Brighton for the weekend? What do you think, you up for it?" Alex asked, during one of our calls.
"I dunno... depends on the weekend to be honest," I lied, unable to share that we'd not spoken in over a month.
"He's got a Battle of the Bands thing in a couple of weeks, hold on... at some pub near the uni next Thursday. Come on, let's go! I'll pick you up and we can go there together, find somewhere to stay for the weekend and then head back on Sunday."
"But I've got class on Fridays..." I started, but Alex was unrelenting.
"Em, you can miss one class! Didn't you say that your new mate, what's his name...?"
"Tim," I answered.
"That's the one! He's in the same classes as you? Just look over his notes."
He continued to wear me down as I mulled it over. Deciding that Al wouldn't give up, I really had no choice.
"Tim's notes are shit, but since you won't let me hear the end of it, fine. But we're finding a local B&B or something, ok?"
"Ooh, I see where you're going with this, you filthy minx!"
"Alex!" I chastised.
"Kidding!" He replied, chuckling to himself.
"How's things going with that Julian guy?"
"I've told you before, nothing is happening with him, he's a mate!"
"Yes, but you haven't got the greatest track record with being just friends with guys, have you?" Alex said, and though I knew he was only joking, it hit a nerve.
"And what the hell does that mean?!" I cried defensively.
"Chill Em, it was only a joke... I was talking about our little kiss. Do you get this pissy when Jim calls?"
"I'm going now Alex... I've got a class in 30 minutes." I replied, desperate to remove myself from this conversation. Had Jim told him what happened? Or that we'd not spoken? So many unanswered questions.
"Ok, I'll check the B-" I hung up before he finished his sentence, finding some comfort in how much that would have annoyed him.

That evening Julian and I had dinner together - well, by dinner I mean instant ramen noodles and cans of cider in the communal kitchen, and I told him about Al's plans to surprise Jim.
"That's a great idea, Jim will be surprised to see you both." Julian said, slurping some of his noodles off his fork.
Yeah, I'm not sure... it means missing creative writing and it's my favourite class." I protested, pushing my noodles around in their bowl.
"Em, it's one class - you haven't seen them in ages. You should go."
"Yeah, you're right..." I resigned. Julian was unaware of what had taken place between Jim and I, so to him, it seemed like a simple choice.
"It's crazy to me that both of your best mates are guys..." He said, taking a swig of his lukewarm cider. "And you've never dated either of them?"
"Nope." I neglected to mention that I'd kissed them both.
"Huh... strange." He replied, taking another bite.
"What's so strange about it?" I asked, taking the bait.
"Oh I dunno, Em... you're a gorgeous girl, and both of these guys never wanted to date you?"
I blushed at his words. "Well, Al tried it on a bit when we first met, but then we just got along after that. And Jim's been my mate since we were little. You can be friends with the opposite sex and not want to sleep with them, you know." I pointed out, taking a bite of my noodles, before deciding I wasn't really hungry anymore.
"If you say so..." Julian said, relaxing back in his chair with a smirk on his face.
"You're an idiot..." I joked, taking both our plates to the sink. He chuckled in response.