Last Heartbeat Read online

  I get ready to respond when I hear a girls voice calling Phillip. Oh, that’s Megan. I remember her from the introduction from Kristen. Phillip looks up and sort of makes a face like he doesn’t like her but then smiles at her. I wonder if she saw that face before he turned on that beautiful smile in a second heartbeat.

  She must not have. She runs up, jumping right into his lap and giggles. “Oh why are you all the way over here when the party is in full swing? I have been looking for you all night. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were just ignoring me tonight,” Megan says with pouty lips.

  Phillip says, “Not trying to hide from you Megan. No one can do that. Just hanging out here with some friends. You know Jacob and Tyler, but have you met Alexia yet? I just ran into her sitting on the beach.”

  Megan looks at me and snarls her nose up and says. “Yeah, she came in with Kristen and we have met.” She looks me in the eye. “You’re not trying to steal my man Phillip, are you?” She asks with evil eyes.

  “No, I don’t want Phillip. He is all yours. I just met him, so why would I want him?” I say and get up. “Thanks for having me to your party, but I have to go.” I turn and walk away.

  Wow! What was that? I thought Phillip said that he wasn’t dating anyone. Maybe she is one of the girls he strings along. I know he is incredibly handsome, but I will not be played by anyone. I don’t have time on my hands for that, being on borrowed time, so I must make sure I make the best of everyday I have. Time for me to head out and get some unpacking before my class tomorrow.

  I look for Kristen and find her dancing with some guy. I walk over and tell her that I’m leaving. Then I ask her if she will be okay by herself. She says she will be but not to wait up for her. I laugh and shake my head.

  Once I get to the dorm, I’m still thinking about Phillip while I get unpacked and ready for class tomorrow. I can’t get him out of my mind and I don’t know why. He has a girlfriend too many, by the way. I know it must just be my hormones kicking in. He is too gorgeous, for my hormones to not go into overdrive. I never have felt like this about anyone before. I sigh and lie down on my bed, thinking that I will never get to sleep tonight.

  The next thing I know, I wake to my alarm going off. I jump up and look around to get my bearings. I did sleep well last night and I had an amazing dream, which included Phillip. Blushing, I look over to see if Kristen is still asleep, but her bed is empty. I hope she just went home with someone and didn’t crashed her car into a tree or something, I hope she is really okay. I really like her and we can be good friends in time. I think about that as I get ready for my first day.

  Chapter Four

  Phillip

  Jacob, Tyler and I get to Megan’s party a little later, and it is already going strong. The music is so loud that I wonder if the neighbors will call the cops. As soon as we get to the door, we walk in and see people everywhere. Bodied grinding against each other to the loud music and kegs of beer litter the party. The crowd is so thick that you can actually smell the sweat in the air along with the beer. Girls in short shorts and tank tops so small they don’t hide much from your eyes are on the dance floor. Maybe I will get lucky and get my mind off Miss Blue Eyes.

  The guys head to the kegs to get started with drinking. Jacob hands me a beer and I tell him that I’m driving, so not tonight. He downs the beer in a big gulp and goes for another one. I laugh at him and tell him that I’m going out to the beach. He waves me on.

  I get outside and the breeze feels good. It’s a breath of fresh air from being inside with all those sweaty bodies. Sort of makes me feel alive. The sun is just setting as I get closer to the edge of the water, and it makes the waves seem to glow. It’s so relaxing out here that almost forget I am at a party.

  I turn around to go back into the party and see my blue-eyed girl, just lying in the sand, off to the side so no one will bother her. She looks beautiful and peaceful lying there. I should just leave her alone. Just turn around, go back to party, and leave now. I turn to leave, but my feet take me toward her. I fight my feet and stumble, kicking sand on her. Oh no. Not so smooth Phillip. Now she will think you are drunk for sure.

  As I look down at her, she sits up in a hurry dusting off the sand I just kicked on her. I can’t help myself but smile at her. She is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. I have been around a lot of girls. Something about Alexia just does something to me that no other girl has done.

  She finally gets all the sand off and looks to see who did the nasty sand kicking. She frowns at me. I know she is mad, but I think she is maybe happy to see me again. No, I am wrong. She is more than mad; she is pissed off big time and about to give me an earful. This girl has a lot of spunk for being so little. I think I might actually try to get to know her after all. I tell her that I am sorry, but she is still angry.

  What is all that noise? Ugh! Why are Tyler and Jacob coming out here? They both look plastered already. How do they do that so quickly? Oh no, Jacob has already spotted Alexia. Now how will I keep him away? Jacob starts flirting as soon as he stumbles over to us. Alexia is angry, so I know she won’t put up with it; at least I hope she won’t. Ah, there’s my girl. She is already telling him off and me too. How did I get into their conversation?

  Then I hear a voice and I know who is coming, Megan. I have been trying to stay out of her sight for a long time. She never gives up. Megan runs right up and jumps onto my lap. I look up and see Alexia. The face Alexia just made. What was that? That makes me think she doesn’t like Megan. I’m glad, because I don’t either.

  I introduce them, but they have already met earlier. Alexia gets up and says her goodbyes, but I really wish she’d stay. These three bozos just ran her off, and I want her with me, not this bunch.

  After Alexia leaves, I pick up Megan and sit her on the sand. “Why did you jump into my lap? You haven’t ever done that before.”

  Megan frowns “Why not? You know I want to go out with you. Give me a chance like all your other girls. Maybe you will like what I have to offer.” She smiles up at me and bats her eyes.

  “Whatever you think you know about me is something you know nothing about. I am picky with who I am with. You haven’t been so nice, so I am not going to give you a chance.” I get up and then go walking down the beach to clear my head a bit.

  I love walking on the beach anytime of the day, but the night is so relaxing and peaceful. I think about Alexia and now I know she must believe I really am a player. I wish I hadn’t been with the few girls I had been with and just saved myself for the most special girl. I know most guys would have just laughed at me for thinking that. Being with someone just for the physical need and not for love isn’t good for anyone.

  What has me even thinking like this? As I try to come up with some reason, I see Alexia in my mind. No, I can’t think about her. The three amigos just ran her off. Time to get my best guys home before they start puking. I don’t want that in the car for sure.

  Chapter Five

  Alexia

  Why did I wake up so early? I’m not even a morning person. I need to go find coffee and in a hurry, so I will make it through my first class. I walk across to campus to the food court and get my coffee, deciding to get a bagel too. Walking back across campus to my first class, I am so lost in thought about how lucky I am to even be able to go to college that I almost run into Kristen.

  “Good morning sunshine,” I say, smiling.

  Kristen frowns. “It is too early to be good. I stayed at my friend’s room last night, and he has an early class so I had to leave. Now I am going back to bed. I made sure all my classes were late. I’m not a good morning person. How about you? Did you find a guy to hook up with last night?”

  Only if she knew I am a virgin she would probably be shocked. I just smile, “No one caught my eye, so I just came back to the room and unpacked.”

  “Sorry about not getting lucky. Well, I’m going to the dorm and crash for a few more hours. See you later.” She turns and goes on her
way.

  I think to myself, I’m not disappointed about not getting lucky. I want to wait on that perfect guy. I wonder why everyone is in a hurry to have sex. Maybe it is because I’m still a virgin and I might be missing out. I guess I am too old fashioned in thinking that I should wait on the guy who I am in love with. I made my mind up to stay a virgin until I am in love, and I know I can do it.

  I head to my first class thinking that maybe I should have slept in a little later and not gotten up so early. As I get to the building’s doors, I see Phillip ahead of me. I hope he doesn’t see me. I head to the correct room and enter my first college class - Biology.

  I find a seat near the back because I don’t like being in the front. I put my backpack on the back of the seat and get my things out for class. I wonder how many students are in my class. Looks like the room is half full so far, so maybe I’m not the only crazy person to have biology as a first class. I start doodling on my paper, waiting until class starts. Then hear someone sit down at the chair next to me.

  I see who it is to greet them. To my surprise, it is Phillip. Oh no. This can’t be happening. Why do I keep running into him? He must be stalking me. So I say, “Hey, are you stalking me or something?”

  He laughs “I can’t really be stalking you if I have to take this class to graduate. I did get lucky and to wait until you came to CCU. Now I will have you to take all the notes so I can sleep in class. Sounds like a plan to me.”

  “Really? You think I’m writing all the notes so you can sleep? I don’t think so, mister. How are you even up so early after partying so late and being drunk? By the way, your girlfriend is pretty.” That sounded mean and I sound jealous.

  He looks at me and frowns. “Megan isn’t my girlfriend. Just so you know, I don’t have one. She just likes hitting on me. I don’t even like how she acts or looks. I wasn’t drunk last night either because I had to get my drunken friends home safely. I don’t mind being here early. I like the early morning time. I waited to take this class later in college because I really don’t like biology. I am so glad I did wait to have a pretty girl to cheat off of.” He smiles and then says, “This day can’t get any better.”

  I think he is really crazy. He thinks I’m going to let him cheat off me? I don’t like cheaters of any kind.

  The room is getting full, so now I can’t find another seat. I wish I could. This guy is going to drive me crazy for sure, and now I have to sit by him for a whole hour. Hopefully tomorrow I can change seats.

  Just before the professor comes in, I say to Phillip, “I don’t like cheaters, and that means you can’t cheat off me. I believe you’re wrong about how I look. You need glasses, because I’m not pretty.”

  The professor comes in and introduces himself, telling everyone what is on the syllabus and what is expected of our work in class. Then the professor does something I thought only happens in grade school. He says to take a look at our seats and who is beside us, because from this day forward, that is where we will be sitting the rest of the year. What? Who does this, nowadays? Now I have to sit beside Phillip everyday! I am wide awake now, that is for sure.

  I can’t even concentrate on what the professor says next. This is going to be one long day. I stew over what the professor just said for a long time. I look up to see what is going on and notice everyone leaving. I look over and see Phillip putting away his things.

  “Where is everyone going?” I ask Phillip. I must look confused to him.

  He turns and says, “Class is over. Time to go. By the way, I’m glad the professor assigned us to work on the project together. We will have to get together soon to get started on it. When will be good for you?”

  What did he just say? I’m confused. What project is he talking about? Oh no! I must have missed something while I was being angry about the assigned seats. No. No. No. Now I have to ask Phillip what I missed. He will think I have lost my mind for sure. “

  Um… What project do we have to do together? I must have missed what the professor said.” I frown at him.

  “I almost missed it too, because he was talking so fast. Who assigns seats in college anyway? He must think we are still in grade school. But we have to do our first syllabus assignment with the person sitting beside us, which happens to be you and me. No one was sitting on either side of us. Now you’re stuck with me the rest of the year.” He smiles at me like he is going to enjoy this much more than I am.

  It really can’t get any worse, this day, can it? How can I be stuck with this one guy? I should be staying away from him. I look up at him to see him still smiling at me. “Well I guess you have to work hard to be my study partner,” I tell him. “I have to get good grades in this class. I have another class soon. I guess we need to get together soon to study.” Reluctantly, I write down my phone number and hand it to him. “Text me when you can.” I turn to leave, but he grabs my hand and turns me around.

  He looks into my eyes. “I will text you soon. I can’t wait to study with you. I believe we will be a good team together. You know, I’m not a cheater. I was just joking, okay? Believe me when I tell you, you’re pretty. Wait, no. You’re not pretty.”

  “I told you I wasn’t”

  He smiles. “You’re not pretty, but you’re the most beautiful girl I have ever seen. You shouldn’t interrupt me when I’m not finished talking. Well, I have to go. Don’t forget, I’ll be texting you soon. Never think you’re not beautiful.” He turns and walks out.

  Wow! What away to start the first day and my first class! I am so confused about this guy that I can’t think straight. Why him? Why does he think I’m beautiful? I know what I look like, and I’m just a plain average-looking girl. There’s nothing special with how I look. I think I need more coffee before my next class. I need to forget everything that just happened. First day of school and there’s so much drama already going on. How could one girl be so lucky?

  I leave the building and walk back to get my coffee. I have plenty of time before my next class, so I decide to find a nice quiet place to read my new book. I get coffee and even found a muffin to go with it. Now to find my quiet place, I look around and find a nice shady spot under a big tree. Sitting down, I pull my books out to get my biology book and skim over my syllabus.

  I’m looking at it and see that this class shouldn’t be too hard, but I’ll be learning a lot too. What is the project I have to do with Phillip? I am so confused about Phillip and the way he makes me feel. I have been extremely sick before, and my hormones have not been active like this for other boys. I know I will get over this soon.

  Chapter Six

  Phillip

  This has to be my lucky day to walk into biology class and see her sitting in the back by herself. I know I shouldn’t do what I am about to do, but I can’t help myself. As always, my feet are already headed in her direction, so I move toward her and then sit down right beside her. I hope she doesn’t look up just yet so I can look at her for a bit. But no, she notices me first thing and then her smile turns down. Her smile is so gorgeous, and I can’t think straight.

  Then she asks me if I am stalking her. I laugh and tell her that I’m not. Who knew that waiting to take biology the third year would make me lucky, that I’d have class with this beautiful girl? She has this wittiness about her that draws me in. I have never met anyone like her.

  I try to play it cool and tell her that I have someone I can cheat off and do my homework with now, but she seems to get mad at me for trying to be funny. Okay… That didn’t go so well. Maybe I should take that back. Does she really think I cheat? I hope not, because I have worked hard to do as well as I have since I came to school. Not like most of my friends, who like to party too much and barely get by. This class is going to be my favorite - having her in it is the reason.

  She tells me that my girlfriend is pretty. What girlfriend? She looks a little bit jealous too, and that puts a smile on my face. I let her know that I don’t have a girlfriend really fast. That is why she left the beach so qu
ickly last night. How could she think Megan was my girlfriend? Maybe because of the way Megan jumped in my lap. That won’t happen again I’ll make sure of that. The professor calls everyone to his attention as soon as he gets in the door.

  What! Did the professor do what I think he did? Yes he did! I laugh to myself, because the look on Alexia’s face says, Yes. She seems surprised by getting assigned the seat right next to me for the rest of the year. Yes! This will be the best class ever.

  The professor is going over the syllabus and I believe Alexia has spaced out over something. I try to listen so that I can tell her what he is saying. It is hard to keep paying attention when I can even smell her perfume. It smells so good like flowers and vanilla. Makes me want to get closer to her and take a deep smell of her skin.

  Okay, now I know I’m in over my head and don’t know what to do. Who does that? Who wants to smell someone’s skin because they smell good? Especially since they first met the day before.

  I have never in my life wanted to smell any girl I have been with before. Maybe I will not be lucky after all. Having to sit here day after day with this torment? It is already killing me to not just reach over, put my arms around her, and pull her close to me.

  Then the professor starts to talk about an assignment we have to do with the person right beside us. I listen closer to what he is saying. I glance then to both sides of me to see who will be my partner, but the only person next to me is Alexia. Yes! Maybe not though, being around her more could be too much to handle. I think that maybe if I get to know her I will get over this infatuation. That is what this has to be - yes, infatuation. This assignment will fix that for sure, and maybe we will be just friends.

  I write down the assignment and put my books away. I noticed Alexia looking a little bit confused. Why, I wonder, is this girl looking this way? Then she asks where everyone is going and I tell her that the class is over. She really must have been spacing out over something important. I let her know about us being partners on the assignment and she makes a face. This girl and her faces are going to be the death of me.