“Do you remember your first real kiss? No, not that timid peck of the cheek but the first real one that lasted and lasted and lasted what seemed ages?

Yes, that one. You know the one that left both of you breathless?”

I stopped typing and smiled at what I’d just written. Then I looked out of the window and the person that I’d shared that real first kiss was there right before my eyes. Ok, she was on her knees planting some Begonias and whatnot but there she was. I felt so lucky to have her in my life after all these years.

Part 3 I’m a Believer

During that autumn and into winter I worked in the garden on the good days and at being Georgina on wet ones. She had planned to spend Christmas with her boyfriend so had talked me into playing her at the house for two weeks.

She took a photo of herself on her phone, followed by one of me, and sent them off to someone she had contacted.

Two days later the answer was positive so she made arrangements. In the middle of November I found myself in a small private clinic having a little cosmetic surgery on my facial features.

Living Next Door to Alex - Chapter 8
By Julie D Cole

This chapter submitted after the competition closing date but the story continues as requested.

I didn’t have chance to move before Rachel pushed past Gemma and I.

‘No way it’s me first not some opportunist looking to cash in. He never mentioned anything about a girlfriend to me.’

Ben and I enjoyed the rest of the meal in silence, it was the good kind of silence. Oh the Pecan cobbler was simply amazing, totally off my diet but so worth it. Once we finished eating, Ben paid the check and he was escorted back to his car. It was around ten o' clock at night, and nearing my curfew. Not that Lily would have minded if I stayed out at all hours of the night. She is kind of cool like that, and with mom and dad away and Lily manning the fort I'm sure I could have managed to stay out a little past ten.

Chapters 7-9 of 9