When Hearts Collide

A New Neighbour

The night was quiet—too quiet. Even the wind seemed to move carefully, as if not to disturb the stillness. Streetlights spilled their pale glow across the pavement, casting long shadows from the rows of flowerpots that lined the fences.

And then I saw him.

His shiny black hair glistened under the soft amber light, falling in smooth layers that framed his face perfectly. The breeze shifted a few strands, revealing his pale skin—porcelain, flawless, almost unreal. He wore a single black earring that glimmered faintly each time he turned his head. From where I stood, I could trace the sharp line of his jaw, the kind of jaw sculptors tried to carve but never got quite right.

Then there were his lips—soft, full, tinted the color of wine—and his nose, straight and elegant. Even in the dim light, his beauty was arresting.

It was definitely Aiden.

“Aiden?” I breathed, barely trusting my eyes.

My heart skipped once, then twice. The realization hit hard. Did that mean the new neighbors… were the Parks?

Jane’s voice cut through my daze. “Wait—what? Aiden? As in the Aiden? Where?!”

“Shh!” I hissed, but it was too late. Her excitement could’ve woken the dead.

Across the street, Aiden turned, his head tilting slightly.

“Wait, I think I just heard my name,” his voice carried faintly over the road, calm but curious.

Oh no.

“Hide!” I grabbed Jane’s wrist and yanked her behind a row of flower shrubs that decorated the fence. We ducked just in time as he scanned the area.

Flashback — 20 minutes Earlier

“Can I borrow some of your clothes and makeup?” Jane dropped her jacket on my bed with the seriousness of a soldier preparing for battle.

I blinked at her, halfway into slipping on my own hoodie. “Why?”

She twirled a lock of her hair dramatically. “There’s this angelic-looking guy I saw in the neighborhood earlier. Total heartthrob. I can’t go out looking like an extra when destiny could strike tonight.”

I sighed, already knowing where this was going. Jane’s crushes were like weekend sales—new ones every week. “You’re impossible.”

“Possible and fabulous,” she countered, grinning.

“Fine. Clothes in the wardrobe, makeup in the drawer. Knock yourself out.”

“Oh, you’re a saint!” she squealed, darting for the closet like she’d just won a lottery.

I rolled onto my bed, watching her rummage through my neatly folded clothes. She pulled out a short, black, long-sleeved dress that I hadn’t worn since forever.

“This one,” she declared.

“Too short,” I muttered. That dress was basically a self-esteem test.

“I like it short,” she said, stripping off her top without hesitation.

I groaned. “It’s above your knee!”

“Granny, please,” she said, posing in front of the mirror. “This is moderate. It could be shorter, honestly.”

“You’re exposing too much skin. Pull it down.”

“It’s dark, no one’s looking at me,” she said smugly, then added, “Besides, what if I run into Mr. Angel Face? I need to be ready.”

Before I could argue, she ran off to show Aunt Mira, probably to get validation.

When she came back, she had the smile of a champion. “Aunt said I look lovely. So there.”

I rolled my eyes. “You bribed her with flattery, didn’t you?”

She ignored me. “Now makeup time! You too.”

“Why me?” I protested.

“Because you’re not going to make me look like I hang out with a zombie,” she said, dragging me up. “Now sit still. I’m turning you from average Anne to glam Anne.”

I gave in—mostly because she wasn’t going to stop until I did.

Back to Present

Now, crouched behind the flowers, I regretted everything.

“Shut up,” I whispered, clapping my hand over her mouth before she could squeal again. “You’ll get us caught.”

Jane mumbled something against my palm that sounded suspiciously like, “Totally worth it.”

I peeked through the leaves and pointed. “He’s right there—by the gate. And lower your voice!”

She leaned too close, her perfume filling my nose. “Oh my God, he’s even hotter in real life,” she whispered, not nearly as quietly as she thought.

I groaned. “Jane, please.”

We stayed hidden for a moment, barely breathing, as Aiden turned toward his friends again. His laughter echoed softly through the night. It was effortless, low, the kind of laugh that made you curious about what he found funny.

I didn’t realize I was staring until Jane poked me.

Then, suddenly—

“Can someone remind me why we’re hiding again?”

The voice came from right behind us. Deep. Smooth. Slightly amused.

We both froze.

Slowly, very slowly, we turned around.

And there he was.

Not Aiden—but someone else entirely.

He had piercing blue eyes, bright and sharp, framed by long lashes that cast shadows on his cheeks. His pink hair was damp, clinging to his forehead like he’d just stepped out of the shower—or the rain. Drops of water glimmered on his collarbone under the streetlight. His lips, parted slightly, curled at the corners as if he was holding back laughter.

He was beautiful in a different way—colder, edgier.

For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

I blinked. “Who… who are you?” I stammered.

The boy’s smirk deepened. “The guy you’re hiding from,” he said softly, tilting his head. “Or maybe the one you didn’t know existed.”

His voice was low, almost melodic. And when he took a step closer, the faint scent of rain and cologne filled the air.

A shiver crawled up my spine.

I wasn’t sure if it was from fear—or something else entirely.