Last Heartbeat (12 page)

I don’t drive far because it doesn’t matter where I go to the beach. I do like the more private areas, and I just found a nice place. I get my chair, food, and book and make my way to the beach. This is why I wanted to go to school here.

I set everything up and eat while I read my book. Yeah, this is what I needed. I want to forget about today and relax. I know I will have to finish my biology project though so I think I will do it all by myself. As I get into my book, I relax even more. I don’t realize it is getting late until it is almost dark. I guess I need to head back to my dorm room.

As I finish packing up my things, I get a text from Phillip. He wants me to come over and work on our project tonight. I don’t feel like it. I text back and tell him not tonight, that I am busy. He texts back several times trying to get me to come over, but I tell him no. I turn my phone off and head my to my dorm.

I realize once I get back to my dorm that I finally am relaxed for the first time today and that makes me smile. The beach and a good book, plus an awesome burger and fries, was just what I needed. I go in my room and see that Kristen isn’t here. I sort of glad for that too. I decide to get ready for bed. When I go to take off my shirt, I noticed that I still have his t-shirt on. How did I forget that I was still wearing it all day? Must have been all the stress. Oh well. Now off it goes, and on with my pajamas. I brush my hair and teeth then get in bed. I am restless, so I get my book out to read for a while. I set my clock so I will be able to get up in the morning. Sometimes I fall to sleep when I read and tonight I might do that. Best to be prepared.

My clock goes off and I smack it to hit the snooze button. Today I get to snooze and I like it. In between my sleeping, I start to think about yesterday, waking up with Phillip. Yes it was nice, but I don’t care for all his stress and drama. Today, I plan on ignoring him in class.

I get up to get ready. While in the shower, I think about how I will dress extra nice today and make him appreciate what he is going to miss out on. I put on my sexy short shorts and really cute top that hugs my body in all the right places. I even take extra time to fix my hair and makeup. I look in the mirror and think,
Wow,
who is this woman looking back at me? I go to grab my things and backpack.

The dorm room door flies open and in comes Kristen. I smile at her. I know she has been out all night. She was just kidding with me about that yesterday. Now it is payback time. “

I see who really is doing the walk of shame.” I laugh.

Kristen grins wide at me. “Yeah, you know it all, girl. Yes, I am doing it and proud of it. Look at you! You are super hot with that outfit on, and look at you hair! It is gorgeous. Who are you dressed up for?” Is it Phillip?”

“I haven’t dressed up for anyone, just for me only,” I lie. “You are right about Phillip, being a player, by the way. Megan told me all about him and her getting together after I left yesterday. How dare him to ask me to be his girlfriend and then turn around and screw around on me as soon as I get out the door?” I tell her all about yesterday, and she seems surprised about Phillip.

“I can’t believe he would do that with her. He always stays away from her no matter what or where he is. I saw him just the other day go out a different door because she was coming in the way he was headed out. He actually ran out that other door to get away and it was that obvious to anyone around. She is like the plague that won’t go away,” Kristen tells me.

“Well she knew a lot about when I left and what was in his bedroom. How would she know that if it weren’t true? He was even late for class like she said and he didn’t speak to me during the whole class. I think that is suspicious of him so it seems to be true.”

Kristen looks like she still doesn’t believe it. “I don’t get it. I have known both of them and have been to a lot of parties with them both. All I have ever seen is that Phillip blows off Megan every time. This doesn’t add up to me unless he finally caved into her advances. Still I don’t believe it. Maybe she told you a big lie to get you to stay away from him.”

“Maybe she did. That doesn’t answer why he didn’t talk to me in class yesterday.” I say this, but I remember him coming in late and then I ran out the door so fast he couldn’t have said anything.

“No it doesn’t, but you should ask him about it and he will probably tell you. Did you stay after class and ask him why he wasn’t talking?” Kristen asked.

I frown. “No. I was upset, ran out the door, and then ran right into Megan.”

“See? You didn’t even give him a chance. I bet he was wondering why you ran away so fast. Has is called or texted you since then?”

“Yes. He has texted me to come study. I told him no and turned off my phone.”

“Well turn on your phone and let’s see what you have missed,” she suggests.

I grab my phone and turn it on. As Kristen predicted, it has several texts from Phillip. He kept texting me to come over and that he was sorry about not getting to class early enough to talk to me. Maybe Kristen was right and Megan was lying. How did I get into so much drama with Phillip and Megan? I don’t need this stress.

“Okay, it looks like he is sorry and I now believe Megan was totally lying her face off. When you get to class, ask him what his problem was yesterday and ask him about what Megan said. Just plain and simple, use your mouth to ask questions. Do not hide out and think the worst until you know for sure what is going. How did you get into this drama so fast? Megan will probably make your life worse if you date Phillip. Don’t let her know she can bother you because that will make her worse. Phillip must really be interested in you since he has texted so many times. You are the first girl I know of who has caught his attention for more than a few minutes, and that makes you a lucky girl. I say hear him, out and if you hear the right answer, go for it. Who knows he might be the one for you.” Kristen smiles.

“You make it sound so simple. Maybe he is the one, but I don’t know if I’m good for him. I sure hope he wasn’t screwing around with Megan as soon as I left the condo. I think that would break my heart a little just knowing he was that bad of a person. What if I ask him and it is true?” I look up at Kristen and she is still smiling at me.

“I see it and it is so clear to me now. How could I have missed, what was right in front of me? I am usually good at reading people, but I missed it,” she says, like she knows a secret.

“What do you see so clearly?” I ask, wondering what. I’m a little bit scared to find out.

Kristen jumps from her bed and walks over to mine. She sits down beside me, puts her hands on my face, and looks right into my eyes. “You are already in love with Phillip. That is what I see and that is why you are already afraid he might break your heart. What if he tells you nothing happened and he had a good reason to not talk to you yesterday? Maybe he was afraid that he was already falling for you too and might be as scared as you about these feelings. Just talk to him and see what he says. I know you love him already. If he is seeing Megan than get out of it now before there will be no going back. As I see it right now, you would still be okay if he doesn’t feel the same. Listen to your heart and you will know if things are right between the two of you.”

“I do have feelings for him. Not sure what they are yet. I guess I will talk to him. I am not as confident as you are though. I don’t know if I should get involved with anyone. My life hasn’t been the perfect one, and I’m afraid to bring anyone else into it.” I tell her hoping she doesn’t ask what happened in my past. “What is going to be your major anyway? You seem to be so smart about everything and give the best advice.

“Well my major is going to be psychology because I plan on being a marriage counselor, so I am already getting good at helping people. I believe Phillip would be lucky to have you in his life, so don’t ever think you’re not good enough for anybody. I am glad to have you in my life and I have just met you. You bring life into this world and light up everyone around you. Now I have to go to shower or I will be late for my class. You look beautiful today. Go knock Phillip’s socks off.” She hurries to the bathroom.

I am smiling by the time she gets to the bathroom. I look at the clock and find out now I only have a little bit of time to get to class. I grab my things and out the door. I think all the way to class. How can I be brave enough to ask Phillip if he slept with Megan? He may get mad at me and tell me that it isn’t any of my business who he sleeps with. I sure hope he didn’t. Every time I think about him and her together, my stomach feels queasy.

I get to class with barely a minute to spare. I see Phillip has already made it before I did and he seems happy that I made it to class. Wondering if he thought I wasn’t coming or hoping I wouldn’t be here. I get ready to say hello to him, but the professor tells everyone to be quiet and have a seat.

The professor starts class right away and I barely have time to think about anything but the notes I am taking. I look over and see Phillip taking his notes. I know I have to wait until class is over to talk to him.

As soon as class is about over, Phillip tosses a folded-up paper on my desk. I pick it up and bring my gaze up to his. He smiles at me, and it takes my breath away. I look down and unfold the paper. What I see is a letter to me, and I think,
Why
write a letter? I stop listening to the professor and read my letter.

 Alexia,

 I want you to know that I am sorry about my bad mood yesterday and it had nothing to with you. I want to talk to you about it when we get done with all of our classes today. I hope you don’t have plans for this evening. I want you to come over to my place and I will even cook dinner for you. I know I can’t cook much, but I will cook something. I really would enjoy cooking for you. So please don’t say no.

 I did follow you out of class yesterday and I heard what Megan said to you. So you know, I never did anything she said. I have never had her in my condo or any other girl. That is my private place and I don’t let people in unless they are special to me. She did come by my condo yesterday and she must have seen you leave. The security guard wouldn’t let her in and I told him to never let her in. As I got to school yesterday, she cornered me as soon as I got out of my car. She told me she came over and kept on hitting on me. I told her to leave me alone. She got mad at me and told me I would be sorry. Even told me she would make you sorry for knowing me. I just wanted you to know she is very selfish and will try to make you upset with me. I wanted to tell you all this yesterday, but you wouldn’t answer my texts or calls. I am so sorry for any hurt she may have cause you, and I wish I could take away any pain she may have done. Please forgive me for the pain you might have felt. I never want to cause you any kind of pain or suffering ever.

 I thought you looked really nice in my t-shirt yesterday and planned on telling that. I hurt you with my bad mood and you left before I could tell you. As much as you looked great in my shirt, today your beauty takes my breath away. When you walked in class, I just couldn’t breathe. You looked like an angel sent from heaven. I mean it. You are the woman for me and I hope you will be mine and only mine. I sure hope you are really taking notes in this class. I can’t take notes when my mind is only on you. You will have to tutor me in this class. I will be waiting to hear from you whether you’re coming over tonight, so please say yes.

         XXXOOO

         Phillip

P.S. I can’t get your kiss and your sweet lips off my mind.

I get done reading his letter and I can’t believe what he wrote. I sit in my seat in shock for a few minutes. I look up to see what Phillip is doing, but I am sitting in the class all by myself. Everyone is already out of the class and it is over. The teacher looks up at me and asks if I am all right. I say yes to him and get up to leave. I am still in shock.

I decide to go get some food and think about everything Phillip told me in his letter. I decide to head to my favorite place to eat and think. Yep. The beach is calling me, so I must go to my happy place and ponder on my letter.

Chapter Sixteen

Phillip

Alexia is out the door before I can say a word to her. I get up quickly and try to catch up with her. As soon as I get closer to her, I see her wipe her eyes. Now my heart is broken for sure. I did this to her, with my bad mood and not telling her why. I will catch her and make things right. But before I can, I hear that voice that gets on my nerves, and it stops me in my tracks to avoid it. She seems a little bit louder than usual. I ease closer so I can get to hear what Megan is saying but keep out of sight. She is talking to Alexia and asking her to the beach. Why would she do this?

Then I think about what Megan said about making us sorry. Is she going to do something to her at the beach? I hear Alexia tell her that she is busy and has class soon. I think,
Smart girl
, but Megan keeps on and Alexia keeps telling her no. I get ready to go to help Alexia’s, but Megan starts saying other things to Alexia. My ears can’t believe what she is saying to Alexia. How did she know what size bed I have? Megan is relentless as she keeps running her mouth. This has to stop now or I am going to have to beat up a girl.

Then Alexia stops my heart, by what she says back to Megan. She tells her that Megan can have me and that she isn’t interested in me before she turns and hurries off toward her dorm. I step closer to watch her go, and then Megan turns and sees me.

She comes over to me and says, “I just did you a favor. She isn’t interested in you at all, so now we can be together.”

I think about what Megan said to Alexia. Now I’m more furious with this girl in front of me. How can she even think she just did me a favor with that huge lie she told Alexia? Did she think by running Alexia off that I would be interested in her? How many times do I have to tell her that I’m not interested before she gets that into her head? Megan has to be crazy.