The Transfer Student, and Secrets

'Even though it's in the middle of September, how could it be so hot? Is this the effect of that global warning thingy?' I thought to myself with an aching head as I went to the school's Peer Center, in there lies bed the same as those in the hospital for students who doesn't feel but not for my class. As the Peer Center contains board games, magazines, and even an electric guitar, the Center ended up as our place to hangout.

Loud? Noisy? Rude? Undisciplined? We've earned those titles three years ago(Philippines, before the K-to-12 program, has a high school program for four years after six years of elementary program). Even the teachers gave up on scolding us since we've been at it for almost three and a half years. Even so, our Class President is also the president of the school's Student Council, so we are somewhat privileged to go wild as long as not to disturb other classes.

"Ma'am, the heat's kind of getting into me so let me rest for a bit."

I said as I get in the Peer Center. Since our school doesn't have a nurse, which kinda sucks, the Peer Counselor is responsible for looking after the unwell students. Since no one answered me, I decided to open the door of the counselor's office.

"Ma'am are you there?"

As I opened the door I heard—

"Kyaaaah!"

Numbed at the scene in front of me, my mind froze for seconds before saying, flushed.

"Waaaaaaa! I'm sorry! I didn't do it on purpose. I did not see anything! I—"

'—saw everything.'

Instead of her beautiful half naked figure, there was something else that caught my eye. Frozen on where I stand, Nicole get closer to me and—

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"…do you know what Beatlock Disease is?

Hearing what Nicole said, I was momentarily shocked. Actually shock was not the only thing on my face, but also her hand print.

'Man, she should've listened to me first before smacking my face.'

"I've heard of it before. A few years back, a celebrity also died from it so it's pretty well-known right now"

"…yeah, it is what you said"

"Officially, a weak heart muscle makes the heartbeat irregular. It's in the same category as Cardiomyopathy [1]. It's a strange disease that happens to one in a million people.

Have you heard? The amount of times a person's heartbeat in their lifetime is decided by birth? But a person who has this illness has less heartbeat than anyone else."

Pausing, Nicole took her cellphone out of her pocket. After fiddling with it for some seconds, she showed it to me.

"The device planted on my chest is connected to my phone, take a look."

Displayed on the phone is a photo of Nicole, ECG [2], and numbers that amounted to at least two hundred million.

"That is the amount of heartbeats I have left. There's about 220 million beats left. You might think there's a lot left, but in 6 or 7 years my heart will stop beating. The device on my chest is what's supporting my heart and reminds me of the remaining time I have left. In truth, I have nothing wrong with my health but the maintenance is expensive. My lifespan will shorten the faster my heart beats. That's why I'm prohibited from doing strenuous activities exercises."

When I recall listening to this heavy conversation, I could remember that I thought to myself, 'Ah, she sure can talk' is what I recalled from my memory.

"So that's why you sit out during PE. Why did you talk to me about this then?"

"I thought that if you knew about my condition, you'd choose to keep it a secret rather than tell others about me. At my old school, it was uncomfortable because of the rumors about me. From the way you look, I wouldn't think that you are a bad person who's spread rumors."

"You… had it rough, huh."

"Not really. Other than my short life span, everything is ordinary. But in truth, I want to get along with everyone else. I want to have fun like them. If things keep going like this, I would prefer to life my life out with every second I have left. But I'm afraid to do it, since it would only shorten my lifespan."

Looking at Nicole speaking those words, I thought that she really looked so sad as she was talking to me.

"It's been a while since I spoke with someone so I went a little bit over. Forget about it. Keith, please keep this a—"

"Nicole!"

Before she finished what she was about to speak, I cut her off. She looked at me confusingly.

"We're those… your true feelings? If that is true…"

I remember I said something really crazy back then. Gosh, that was so embarrassing.

"I'll help you! I'll help you enjoy life to its fullest and make your heart beat life crazy!"

See? I've said a line straight out of a manga. It's so embarrassing.

Looking at Nicole with a shocked look on her face awaiting her response, in the end I only got—

"Huh?"