Last Heartbeat

by T. R. Lykins

  Chapter Nine

  Alexia

  The drive over to Phillip’s is quite nice. It is a private area, which I believe is close to Megan’s beach house. I turn down the next street and see her house right there. What a coincidence. I pay no attention to that because he told me that his parents rented out the condo during the summer and it has to be in a nice area where people would like it.

  A few more turns and my GPS say’s that I am here. I look up at the condo building and see that it is even nicer than I thought. Wow! It must be nice to live here rather than at the dorm. I can’t wait to see more of this area. It has to be private too, because there isn’t much traffic around this area.

  I find a parking place and then text Phillip to let him know I am here. He said that he would have to come down and let me in. I get out, sit on the bench near the doors, and wait. He texts backs and says that he will be right down. As I wait for him, I can feel the nice breeze coming from the ocean. I close my eyes and relax for a minute, knowing that it shouldn’t take long. I could really get us to this.

  I hear the door open and look up. I see Phillip grinning at me. Seeing him takes my breath away, and that shocks me a little bit. Wow! I really am in trouble.

  He comes over and sits down besides me. “It is almost time for the pizza delivery guy to get here, so we can sit here for a minute if you want.”

  “That is fine with me. I like the feel of the breeze, this evening. It really is nice here.”

  “Yeah, it does feel good. Oh, here comes the pizza. I am starved. Are you hungry too?”

  “I can always eat pizza, and I like about anything on it too. I can’t wait to see what kind of surprise pizza you got for me.”

  Oh my. He just keeps grinning at me, like he is happy to see me. I like that. He makes me my tummy do flip-flops.

  After he gets up and pays for the pizza, he turns around and says, “Well, let’s go see what kind of surprise I have for you then.”

  We walk into the building and he stops at the security desk to tell the guy sitting there, to put my name down and let me in whenever I come over. He turns and heads to the elevator, and I follow him in. This elevator ride seems to be taking forever, and being so close to him, I get a good smell of him. He smells delicious. It’s definitely not the pizza kind of smells either. Hurry up, elevator, I say to myself. He smells way too good.

  Finally, the door opens. We go to his condo and he opens the door. As you can imagine, I am blown away with the awesome view. I head over to the open balcony doors and look out. I love it here.

  I turn to him and smile. “This is a amazing view. You are lucky to live here and not at the dorms. I think I would even sleep on this balcony.”

  He laughs. “I do sometimes. I love it here too. Do you want to eat the pizza out here?”

  “Can we please?” I ask looking up at him with a smile.

  “Yes I’ll go get some plates and something to drink. I mostly eat out here instead of the inside. I’d rather be out here every chance I get.”

  “Can I help with anything?”

  “Nah, I got it. You go sit right over there and enjoy the view. What would you like to drink? I have coke, maybe tea and beer.”

  “I would love to have tea, but if you don’t, I will take a coke. I don’t drink beer.”

  “I will see about the tea. I don’t drink beer either, but I keep it here for when I have friends over. You met Tyler and Jacob last night. They can put it away fast.” He heads back inside to get the food and drinks.

  I am amazed that he doesn’t drink, but then I begin to think about what he told me on the plane and that makes since. He can’t drink and be on transplant medicine. This makes me sad for him. I know how it is to have to watch what you drink and eat, because of a transplant. The medicine might stop working or you could have a reaction. No time to think about that. I have to try to get through this project and hurry. The more I am around Phillip, the more I like him.

  “Here we go. Pizza and Coke what more do we need? Sorry I was out of tea. Hope you like this pizza. It is one of my favorites.” He sits down beside me and opens up the box. I can’t believe my eyes! He got my favorite pizza from my favorite pizza place. I look up and see him smiling at me.

  “How did you know my favorite pizza is The Moon Doggie? I have loved this pizza for a long time. This is from my favorite pizza place when I am here. I like all of their pizzas, but this one is the best.” I beamed at him.

  “You have to be kidding me. This is the best pizza ever! My brother and I ate so many of these pizzas when I was growing up. We couldn’t get enough. Finding out that someone else loves it too is amazing for sure. Well, let’s eat so we can tackle this project and be finished with it. Have you looked at what we have to do?” He places pizza on my plate and hands it to me.

  “Yeah, I looked at it a little bit today. I had another class. I really didn’t get into it much. Can’t believe we have to do the project on properties of DNA. I wasn’t into biology in high school. I hope you are you are good with this biology stuff.” I take a bite of pizza and make a groaning sound because it is the best pizza.

  He laughs at me for making that sound. “Glad I picked the right pizza so you could make that sound. I like it. I will have to surprise you more often to get you to make that sound again.” So he takes a bit and groans too. After he gets done chewing, he says, “I believe this project might take a while longer than we planned, because I was hoping you knew more about biology than me. I guess we will have to work on it every day. How about you come over after classes everyday this week, and maybe we can finish it fast?”

  “Sure I can come over as long as we can work on it on this balcony or at the beach. I could get use to being here. It is so nice here. Maybe tomorrow I will buy the pizza so you’re not out too much money. I feel like I at least should help pay for pizza or some food if we will are going to be working so hard.”

  “That’s okay. My parents set me up with a really good food allowance. They know I like to eat more than most people. I think we should get started so I won’t keep you to late.”

  “That sounds like a plan. I will put these dishes in the dishwasher, grab my books, and go to the restroom. Then I will be ready. Where is the restroom by the way?” I get up and grab the plates to take with me.

  “It is right down that hall to the left. I will get my books and computer. I will be sitting out here when you get done.” We both go our separate ways to do our things so we can get to studying.

  I put the dishes in the dishwasher and find the bathroom. I take a few extra minutes to compose myself. Being around him is already getting to me. While we were eating and talking on the balcony, I felt at home here with him. I felt like I was supposed to be here, and this confuses me. I’m not supposed to get attached to anyone. I told myself I wouldn’t before I came to school. I won’t leave someone behind to be hurting over me when my time is up.

  “Quit being sorry for yourself,” I say to myself. “Enjoy the now. You deserve to be happy even for a little while.” But I don’t want people to get attached to me. I am making this harder than it should be. Ugh! My thinking is driving me crazy, and I am taking too long in here. He probably thinks I have fallen in or something. I wash my hands and decide to just get this project over with. Go with it for now and not worry about everything else.

  Here goes. I open the door, retrieve my books, and head to the balcony. When I get to the balcony, I see Phillip leaning against the rails. Oh my goodness, he looks like a model standing there. He hair is blowing in the wind and his muscles are flexing the way you would see in a magazine. I am so in trouble, I think to myself, but I step outside anyway.

  Chapter Ten

  Phillip

  I get the text from Alexia saying that she is here and waiting on me downstairs. She is a little bit early. The pizza should be here soon. I grab my wallet to take it with me. Hopefully, the pizza will arrive when I get downstairs too. I head for the elevator and ride down. I li
ke taking the stairs sometimes, but I don’t want to be sweaty by the time I see Alexia.

  As I get to the outside door, I look out and see her sitting on the bench. Her eyes are closed, the wind is blowing her amazingly long hair, and she looks like she is enjoying the breeze, so I watch her for a moment. She looks so peaceful. I hate to interrupt her. She is so beautiful that it hurts to look at her, and now sitting here at my condo makes my stomach feel funny. Maybe I am really hungry. I hope that is what this really is that I am feeling in my stomach.

  While I stare at her for a moment longer, Jack comes up to me and touches my arm so I don’t get startled. He grins at me and turns his head toward Alexia. “That must be the girl who has that smile so big on your face. If I had a chance with her, you would have to work hard to keep her away from me. So are you going to invite her in or are you just going to look at her all day?” He turns and heads off laughing. I just realized that I really have it bad. I need to figure out what to do with it. Should I go with it or ignore it? Maybe I need to let nature take its course and see what happens.

  I open the door to head out, and Alexia opens her eyes. I smile at her. That is all I can do because seeing her eyes again takes my breath away. Yeah, I can see I have it bad. I walk over to her and sit down beside her. I get a good smell of her because the breeze blows her scent my way. She has the most amazing scent. I could smell her all day. I wonder if I hugged her close and put my nose close to her skin if she would freak out. I am freaking myself out just thinking about it. She would run off screaming.

  I quickly let her know that pizza is almost here so we should wait on it. I really just want to sit here and let the breeze fill me with her sweet scent. Then I think the pizza guy should hurry before I reach over and grab her to hold her close. I even want to kiss her so badly.

  Thank goodness the pizza guy saves me. This project keeps getting harder and harder and we haven’t even started on it. I get up and pay him giving him an extra tip, because hey, he just saved me.

  We go inside with the pizza and I head over to Jake, who is the security officer. I tell him who Alexia is and let him know that she is my study partner. I tell him when she comes over he should let her in, so that she can come on up whenever she likes. He smiles really big at me likes he knows something I don’t but puts her name on the list. I don’t have many people down on the list. I like keeping it that way. Just a few of my friends can come and go.

  I turn to Alexia and we head over to the elevator. The ride up seems it takes like forever. Being this close to her sets my skin on fire. I don’t know what this is, but I think I like this feeling I am having around her. Let nature take its course, I think to myself. Maybe it will be something more, or maybe not.

  We get to the condo and I open it up. Then I see her face light up like a Christmas tree, because the view is amazing. She is looking at the view of the ocean, but my view of her is even better. Her eyes just glow, or maybe it’s the reflection of the light. No, I believe they are glowing, and it’s the best view I have ever seen. She heads straight for the balcony and steps out. I put the pizza down on the table so I can follow her. The wind blowing her hair is so breathtaking that I almost trip on my way out. She looks like she loves it here and says so. I would love to keep her here that is for sure.

  She turns and smiles up at me. She says that she would sleep on this balcony. I let her know that I do, but now all I really can think about is her sleeping with me on this balcony would even be better. She is really getting to me. I suggest we eat out here, being that this is where I eat most of the time.

  I ask her what she wants to drink. So she doesn’t like beer… That’s good to know. I let her know that I don’t either. She seems surprised by it. Maybe she forgot that I can’t have it with the medicine I am on. Even if I weren’t on it, I wouldn’t drink. That is how I lost my brother. Since that day I vow never to drink and I plan on keeping my vow. I keep this myself because everyone would think I am crazy but I know how bad drinking effects people. They do crazy things when they drink just look at my friends.

  I go get plates and drinks. I hurry so I don’t miss seeing her. I put everything down on the table outside and ask her if is she ready for her surprise pizza. I see her eyes light up just at seeing the box, and I find out that this is her favorite pizza place. I open the box and learn that this is Alexia’s favorite pizza too.

  Now I know that I have to get to know her more. She is full of surprises. Anyone who likes my favorite pizza is the greatest in my book. I hand her some pizza and her drink. We talk about how wonderful this pizza is and that it was my brother’s favorite too. Alexia is easy to talk to and she makes this place feel more relaxing for me, like she should always be here with me. Having her here with me makes the pain of losing my brother easer. She has this calming effect on me

  We discuss the project and how we both don’t like biology. I ask her to come over every evening, so we can get the work done fast. Looks like it may take longer because we both aren’t as good at biology as I hoped. As we talk, it just seems so natural. I have decided for sure to let things happen. I really don’t know if I can stop it at this point anyway. I really like being with Alexia, and maybe she will feel the same way, if we see more of each other.

  Alexia gets up and takes the dishes to the dishwasher. She looks like she belongs in that kitchen. She goes down the hall, and all I can think about is how much trouble I am in. I get up and lean against the balcony rail to see what is going on at the beach. I can see a bunch of people over at Megan’s party. I should feel like I am missing out on the party, but really I don’t because this feels right here with Alexia.

  I hope Jacob and Tyler don’t get in to much trouble. I told them to call me for a ride if they get too drunk. I believe they will, because they are responsible sometimes. I hate that people don’t heed the warnings about drinking and driving. People only think about themselves too much and not the cost of someone’s stupidity. How, in just a fraction of time, a life can be lost or so many lives can be changed.

  I hear Alexia coming. Now it’s time to get studying. She waits for a moment before she comes out. I wonder why. I turn around and see her. I smile at her and grab my books. I love the way she just looked at me.

  Chapter Eleven

  Alexia

  He smiles at me when he sees me coming out the door, and my heart starts beating faster. Yeah, he has that effect on me already. I think I like how he makes me feel alive. I am going to just go with it because he probably doesn’t feel anything for me though. Since he is a player, he has probably many beautiful girls. He won’t even look that way at me. I better get my books and get this work done. I don’t want to burden him. He probably had other things to do tonight.

  I walk over to the rail to look at what he may have been looking at and see what looks like a party a little ways over at a beach house. He probably was wishing that I would hurry back so we can finish studying and he can go to the party. Looks like a lot of people are there.

  I turn to him and say, “If you had plans this evening, we could do this another night. I see that party over there and I bet you were supposed to go to it. Looks like a lot of things are going on.”

  He walks over to me. “No, I didn’t want to go. Megan asked me to, but I told her no. Jacob and Tyler are over there. I hope they call if they get to drunk to drive. I’d rather stay here and do biology homework than go to another party at Megan’s. Let’s get this work started so I don’t keep you out too late.”

  We get our books and computers out of our backpacks, to start our first night of studying. It goes by so quickly that I hardly notice that two hours have gone by. We got a lot done. We definitely need several more weeks to get everything that is on the list done. I hope he doesn’t stop our study session for a little while longer because I like being here. Every now and then, we can hear the party still going strong, but Phillip doesn’t look sad about missing out.

  He asks me if I want something to drink and then
goes to get it. I get up to stretch and lean against the rail to see the water. The breeze still feels so good. I hear Phillip answer his phone and say, “I will be right over.” Then brings me out my water.

  He looks at me a little bit sad and says, “That was Tyler. I am sorry. We have to cut the studying short for tonight. Jacob has gotten too drunk. Tyler can’t get him to leave the party. I have to help get him out of the party before he gets into trouble. He tends to cause trouble when he is heavily intoxicated.”

  “Is there anything I can do to help? Maybe I can help you convince him to leave.”

  “I don’t know how you can unless you bat those pretty eyes at him. He may follow you anywhere.” He laughs.

  “Sure he would. My eyes work that way on every guy.” I laugh at my joke.

  He stares seriously at me. “I know if you batted your eyes at me, I would follow you anywhere. Just try and see.” He winks.

  I believe he is flirting and I do as he asked. “Well, let’s go save Jacob, sweetie,” I bat my eyes at him. I even throw in my biggest smile. Two can play this flirting game.

  He reaches over and grabs my hand. “Let’s go. See? It worked just like I knew it would. You keep that up and you won’t get rid of me.” Still holding my hand, he grabs his keys and we head out the door. We make it outside with him still holding my hand. His hand is larger than mine, but it feels so right in my hand. I hope he doesn’t stop holding it anytime soon. When we get outside the door, I think we are going to his car, but instead we head to the beach. He sees my confused look.

  “It is quicker this way to get to Megan’s. I really don’t want him to get sick in my car either. I will bring him back to the condo and let him rest it off before taking him back to the dorm.”

  “I can take him to the dorm so you don’t have to. I have to go that way,” I offer.

  “No. You will not be taking Jacob back, especially when he is drunk. He gets flirty with the girls and fights with the guys. Our mission is to get him to leave and get him back to the condo.”