Heartbeat Allegro

Chapter One

Ah yes. College. Most of those days I spent my time studying music pieces in the sweet solitude of the music room. Quite frankly, it seemed that the music department was dead for most of the time, and that I was the only one there on a regular basis. Well...along with Professor Black, head of the music department. I mean, he wasn't always lonely; at times I'd strike a conversation with him and for almost hours on end we'd talk complete nonsense.

I remember significantly one day, he wasn't in his office; but I thought nothing of it. However, this is where the story begins. That day was the day I met the beautiful (and shy) Sierra Solares, "a transfer student from New York," according to Prof. Black. The way she looked had really caught me off guard. Her chestnut brown hair, soft white skin, and a disarming smile.

"David, this is Sierra. She's a transfer student of NYU," Black said. "She's also a music major, just like you."

"God she's beautiful," I thought to myself. I was immersed in a dream,  and completely unaware of the fact that she had extended her hand out to shake mine.

"Ah shit," I said, under my breath. "Sorry about that." The fact that she laughed at me kinda made me blush a bit.

"Well, I'll uh...leave you two alone so you can talk. Why don't you show Sierra around the campus?" Black said.

"Oh...yeah, sure." My heart was palpitating.
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Sierra and I went up the stairs and into the campus courtyard.
"So uh...what made you wanna come to UC Dartford?" I asked her as we walked around.

"Oh, you know, New York was too cold for me, so I kinda decided to come here to California, and I heard that this school has one of the best music programs in the state," she replied.

"Well, you're definitely right. Our music department's pretty kick ass...even though 80% of the time it looks pretty abandoned,"

She gave a light laugh. "Wow, even the way she laughs catches me off guard," I thought. "What instrument do you play?" I asked.

"I play the cello, and a bit of violin. I'm hoping one day I'll be able to perform professionally, and this school seems to be perfect for building that dream."

"Huh. Nice, well I really hope you like it. You know, there's more to this school than just the music. There's a perfect view of this one place in this one part of the school...come on, I'll show you."

I took her by the hand and we walked a few more levels up, till eventually we got to the roof, and there was the view: a clear, breathtaking view of the Malibu shoreline. I looked at Sierra, who looked completely mesmerized by the scene.

"Well, what do you think?" I asked.

"Oh my god, it's amazing!" She said, taking in labored breaths.

"Hey, are you alright?"

"Yeah I'm...fine..."
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We took the elevator downstairs, which was a silent ride for the majority.
"So...what happened up there?" I asked, slightly worried.
She sighed. "It's just something I have with my heart. Whenever I get too excited, my heart begins to beat faster, and when that happens...well...I feel faint."

"Are you alright, though?"

"I should be. I just have to stay calm most of the time, which sucks because I can't do anything exciting," she pouted. We walked out the elevator and back out into the courtyard in almost awkward silence.

"What if...uh...nevermind." I said.

"What if what?" She asked.

"Nothing, it's a bad idea."

"Come on, tell me!" She said, lightly nudging me with her elbow.

"What if...I took you out to go to exciting places? Maybe you could learn to have some fun every now and then." I proposed, almost instantly regretting my words.

"But we barely know each other," she told me.

"I mean, yeah," I said. "But maybe we could...you know...work on that...?" I said, sheepishly as I looked down at my feet.

She laughed a bit, then looked at me. "Hmmm...I guess it couldn't hurt to go have fun every now and then. I'm up for it!"  she smiled with zeal.

Upon hearing that, I knew that this was the start of a beautiful friendship, and the feeling made my heart skip.