Disclaimer: No, nothing. Seriously. Have you noticed a pattern here?

Two Hearts: One Beat

"W-what?"

Gordo looked at his friends' Lizzie and Miranda, nervously smiling. They were gaping in astonishment. He sat down on the fresh green grass. Tears filled Lizzie's eyes as she sat close to him, wrapping her arm across his shoulders. Miranda dropped to the ground across from them. Gordo felt choked up in sadness.

"I've got to go for a while…" he explained again, looking at Lizzie, "I've been accepted at Harvard, and… and I've decided to go. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. You know," he seemed to be pleading, "it's what I've always wanted." Miranda's eyes widened, and Lizzie started sniffling, squeezing his shoulder with her pale hand. Gordo smiled in a melancholy way, massaging her hand gently.

"Hey, it'll be fine," he reassured, getting off the ground and helping Lizzie to her feet. For a second, the two best friends gazed at each other, smiling softly. Seemingly breaking out of his trance, Gordo looked down at their feet, blushing pink. Suddenly, Lizzie's voice echoed throughout his body, sending chills down his spine.

"Just do one thing for me, Gordo," Lizzie whispered, lifting up his chin and looking deep into his azure eyes, "promise me you'll come back." Gordo smiled with his eyes.

"I promise."

David Gordon sighed, running his hands along the frame of his dorm room window. His roommate watched him with worry reflecting in his pale eyes. He moved as to talk to David, but stopped, as though he thought better of it. Suddenly, David turned around and looked at the man watching him.

"Are you okay, Dave?" the man asked. David sighed again and hung his head in defeat. His brown curls framed his face even still. He never lost his trademark hairstyle, or his skinny figure. Although he had grown considerably over the last few years, he was still less than six feet tall, and had almost a boyish appearance. But, David didn't trouble in his looks or his height. It didn't seem important to him.

At Harvard, David had finally been where he belonged. He knew that he should have fit right in with the other students, but he didn't try. It wasn't always like that at first; people noticed him. The men around Harvard respected him completely, and the girls often looked at him out of the corner of their eyes. He ignored these invitations however, and stayed in the shadows.

"Fine," David responded, glancing at his roommate, "I'm fine, Rob." Robert scoffed, rolling his eyes and putting a hand on David's shoulder.

"Dude!" he cried, laughing, "let's go chill for a bit. We can grab lunch somewhere."

David shook his head. "No, I really don't –"

"C'mon, Dave! I barely know you, and we've been roommates for, what?" he glanced at the calendar hanging at the back of the room, "two months?"

David looked at Robert's eager face, and sighed. "Sure."

Robert smiled and put an arm around David's shoulders in a friendly gesture. David tried to smile, but he was deep in thought, longing for the one thing that made his life whole…

He heard her voice everywhere.

Robert led him to his car and opened the door proudly. He grinned as David climbed in and fingered the material.

"Nice," David commented. Robert nodded his head happily.

"Took me forever to save up for the front seats," he replied, thrusting the keys into the ignition and shifting into gear. "Oh well. The front seats are the only important ones." David gave a short laugh and lapsed into silence once more. Robert watched his roommate with a thoughtful expression on his face. Then, his mind seemingly made up, he drove down a little side road. The road soon broadened, opening up into a small parking lot. Robert found an empty space and parked quickly. Then, he helped David out of the car.

"Where are we?" David asked curiously, looking at his surroundings. Robert led him down a small path, still not answering his question. The trees seemed to smother them; they grew everywhere. When David looked up, the sun was hiding behind one of them. Finally, the trees seemed to melt away into a large, grassy field. The road was now lined with picnic tables instead of trees. Robert led David to one of the many tables and bid him sit.

"We are," Robert said, finally answering David's question, "at a park."

"Yeah, I can see that," David replied, slightly annoyed, "but why are we here?"

Robert sighed loudly and looked at David.

"We are here because you need to be here. Dave… you're always so depressed. No one knows why."

Suddenly, David surprised Robert by standing up and clutching his fists so tightly that the knuckles turned a ghostly pale. Then, embarrassed, David sat down again, breathing heavily. He put his head in his hands, shaking slightly.

"Sorry Rob," he whispered quietly. Robert smiled and patted David's back.

"Don't worry man," he replied, "just talk. I'll listen."

David sighed quietly turned his head to look past Robert. He seemed to be staring into space: lost in his own world. When his eyes refocused, he looked at Robert with a spark in his eyes. This is what he needed – an excuse to talk about himself; spill everything that he was hiding for so long. David felt his courage soar.

"I'll start with my name, I guess," David said, looking at Robert. He nodded. "Okay. My name is David Zephyr Gordon, and I am an only child. Um… my parents are psychiatrists, and they are still married. I love curly fries." He stared at Robert and blushed in humiliation; "I'm sounding like a complete dork, aren't I?"

Robert laughed, but shook his head no. David looked at his hands and continued.

"I have two best friends; both girls," – Robert smiled – " one of them is Miranda. There is only one word to describe her; spunky. We've been friends for a long time, but not as long as Lizzie and I have been friends." David's face twisted in pain. He sighed and rubbed his forehead with a hand. Robert stared at him.

"Lizzie and I…" David started, his face thoughtful, "we're really good friends. We have been for years – as long as I can remember. Her friendship is really important; she holds me together," suddenly, David smiled. "Lizzie…"

Robert stared at David as he began to talk as if he were in a daze.

"I don't know why… I feel confused. One day, I'm laughing and joking with her, and the next…" David sighed, "whenever I get too close to her, or we accidentally touch, I –" David gulped; "I mean, I can't fall in love with my best friend…

I feel so horrible. What would happen if this ruined our friendship?"

Robert gazed, openmouthed, at the man sitting across from him.

"What are you going to do?" he asked. David looked at him roommate in embarrassment.

"I don't know," David groaned. Robert gave him a sidelong look, and leaned forward on his crossed arms.

"Does she love you back?" he asked quietly. David shrugged and sighed.

"As a friend? Yes. As something more? I'm too afraid to ask. I couldn't stand losing her. She's too important." David seemed to be thinking hard. He placed his hands on the sides of the table and stood up, closing his eyes.

"C'mon Rob – we'd better be going now. I'm really sorry I laid my problems down on you…"

Robert looked at David and laughed. "Sorry? I understand why you're so depressed. Jeez," he looked at his hands, "wow. I'm sorry man."

They both smiled quickly, and left the park. Robert drove David back to the Harvard campus, and left again, telling him that he would be gone with some of his friends. David walked into the room alone, and his thoughts overcame him. He felt like he was drowning – again.

~*~ Sound the bugle now – play it just for me

When the seasons change – remember how I used to be

Now I can't go on – I can't even start

I've got nothing left – just an empty heart ~*~

David closed his eyes and lay down on the bed, covering his face with his hands. Nothing was worth this much suffering. He shook violently.

"Lizzie…" he cried softly.

~*~ I'm a soldier – wounded so I must give up the fight

There's nothing more for me – lead me away…

Or leave me lying here ~*~

Everything he tried didn't work. He tried to forget. He tried to forget her hands, her face, her eyes, her hair…

It wasn't enough to heal to blinding pain in his heart. It was like a thousand knives, all twisting and turning beneath his skin. It couldn't be helped. He needed to see her again. But, he didn't even have enough money to make a trip to see her, and he doubted she would come to see him.

~*~ Sound the bugle now – tell them I don't care

There's not a road I know – that leads to anywhere

Without a light I fear that I will – stumble in the dark

Lay right down – decide not to go on ~*~

David grabbed his pillow and piled it on top of himself; watching the clock slowly move its hands. He turned his head to the side and stared at the phone beside his bed. He was itching to call her, but somehow, he knew it would make him even more homesick. He fought an inner battle, tears streaming down his face. With shaking hands, he pushed the phone away, getting up with a sigh.

David walked to his dresser and pulled out a photo album he brought with him to Harvard. It was old – older than him. Before he was born, his mother used it to keep her wedding pictures. Then, she bought a new, better album, and used the older one to hold pictures of her son. Trembling, David turned the first page and wiped it clean with his shirtsleeve.

The first page was filled with pictures of a young Lizzie and him; playing at the park, hitting each other, laughing… David glanced at one that caught his eye. It was another picture of them, except that instead of playing or laughing, they were kissing. David smiled at his younger self. Suddenly, he wondered if his mother kept that one on purpose.

As David flipped through the pages – and years – he began to observe the changes that took place. First it was the duo: Lizzie and himself. Then, it was the three amigos – Miranda joined their little horde. He also noticed that he was always the shortest, usually standing in the middle between the two girls. David had to laugh. He used to be so worried about his height. Now, it just didn't bother him. So what if he was still less than six feet? David turned the page.

As soon as David reached pictures that were taken recently, he almost turned back. But, he stopped himself and peered through blurred eyes at pictures. It was amazing to look at Lizzie's shots: she was so beautiful – so graceful. Looking at the pictures now, he noticed how mature she had become. David smiled. He still couldn't believe how much their trio had grown. They were adults now – old enough to face life. Old enough to get married… raise children…

David closed the book and rubbed his eyes. He missed them so much. He left everything behind; his family, his friends, most of his belongings… his true love…

Why was he even here? He could get an education elsewhere…

~*~ I hear the wind call your name

It calls me back home again

It sparks up a fire – a flame that stills burns

Oh it's to you I'll always return ~*~

David picked up the large album and moved to return it, when a picture fluttered to the ground. He picked it up carefully between his fingertips.

It was a shot of Lizzie and him sitting on the porch swing, smiling at each other warmly. It was taken the day before he brome the news that he was accepted at Harvard, over two years ago…

~*~ I still feel your breath on my skin

I hear your voice deep within

The sound of my lover – a feeling so strong

It's to you – I'll always belong ~*~

David turned back down on his bed again, tossing and turning with restlessness. Trembling, he got up and turned off the light. His eyes pierced through the ambiance, taking in his familiar surroundings.

~*~ Now I know it's true

My every road leads to you

And in the hour of darkness darlin'

Your light gets me through

Wanna swim in your river – be warmed by your sun

Bathe in your waters – cuz you are the one…

… I can't stand the distance – I can't dream alone

I can't wait to see you – ya I'm on my way home ~*~

Soon, David was fast asleep; his blankets were askew, and his face tear-stained. Robert watched him sadly, after turning on the light. Then, with a thoughtful expression, he held up a piece of paper to his face, and nodded. He turned off the light.

"Goodnight Gordo," he said quietly.

Hey! I know you guys!

Anyways, here's my newest story (as of June 21, 2003) *hehe*

Ohhhh! Half-cliffie, I know. How in the world did Robert know David's nickname? Hmmm….

Anyways, if you're wondering, I'm not going to call Gordo David throughout the whole story. Just now. *haha* I know… I hate that too… *twitch* Must type Gordo. Gordo. Gordo. *hehe* that's a little better!

Oh yeah… Gordo and the crew are about (ABOUT) twenty years old.

Please review! Thanks muchly!

"Happiness is like peeing your pants. Everyone can see it, but only you can feel its warmth."

I will leave you with those words of wisdom.

Plz review!

Cheers **

Tic-Tac  ^_~