Yours Truly, Second Heartbeat

8 Past and Present

Nick:

I read my messages with Alexi, and I can never drive away all my concerns. Alexi was attacked at Night Palace on the night of the welcoming party. When I visited her at the house, my fury was all over me and I was ready to kill someone. Seeing the cut on her forehead and bruises on her body, make me even more furious.

Alexi of course tried to talk me out of it. She said that Bobby did even worse to them and I feel relieved about it. But still.

Yesterday I was having sleep over at her place and she couldn't sleep. When she was finally asleep, she had a nightmare, like it was adding to her nightmares of Maya's death. I wanted to stay tonight with her, but she said that she needs to get ready for her classes tomorrow. With a heavy heart I go back home today.

Feeling restless, I dialed the number that I gave her yesterday. Since her phone was broken, I gave her my other phone to use.

"Hmm...Nick?" Her voice hoarse as she answers my call.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm good." She answers but doesn't sound convincing at all.

"Are you sure? Did you make the camomile tea yet? Maybe I should come over and stay with you tonight. I can-" I was about to scramble down the couch when Alexi stopped me.

"Nick," her tone is soft but able to freeze at my place. "I promise, I'm really fine. I just need to rest and get some sleep, that's all. A good rest would do it, and I need to get ready for tomorrow's classes." She says, "I know you worry about me, I'm okay, Nick." She adds.

Alexi's voice may be soft but there is firm in it, making me surrender.

After a long silence, as I tried to comply with her, "Alright, I think I just overreacted."

"No, you're not. I don't mean it like that, Nick. I-" her voice is covered with guilt.

But I don't mean it like that either, "I know." I cut her off, "I know, Lexi." I smile even if she doesn't see it. "But, let me know if you need anything. Okay?"

Alexi inhales at the end of the line, "Hmm, I will." She sounds hesitant, "And...Nick, I...I-"

I scoff at her awkward tone. "I know, I know. I love you too, Lexi. Good night." I say it, even though it almost sounded like a joke but I meant it. Knowing Alexi's natural personality, she finds it hard to say it out loud, but I know what she's thinking.

Alexi laughs at my remark, "Hmm...yes all that you said."

I chuckle at her reply before the call is ended. As I stare at the screen to look at the time, a notification entry makes me smile, a reply from Rylen. I asked him what he's doing tomorrow and he just replied back.

~Have a class in the morning and another after lunch.
~Sorry for my late reply, I was doing some work on my laptop and I didn't hear my phone notification.
~Do you need me for anything?

I know and understand Rylen is busy since he must make reports about the welcoming week, he did told me a few days ago.

~I know, you are the busiest person I ever know.

I'm joking and before I can send another message, his message enters.

~Do you want to check out the place that I mentioned the other day?
~We could go there for lunch
~If you want to...

I smile, delete back my unsent message and reply him.

~Which one? The seafood?

~If you prefer that, I'm alright with anything.☺️