Lifetime Theory

By Charles Hackney II

Steven has spent his entire life alone. He did not understand why he could not die and why he was destined to live his life alone. When a long lost friend returns into his life, he begins to realize that he is not as alone as he thought.
As Steven becomes introduced into the community that he had long thought impossible, he begins to realize that there is a bigger plan for all of them as the overseers of there community, The Founders, being to let their ultimate plan be known.

Lifetime Theory follows Steven and his friend as they deal with betrayal, love, and the potential lose of everyone they hold dear.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charles Hackney II
• Release date: Dec 13, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466141186

Book preview

Lifetime Theory

By

Charles Hackney II

Copyright 2011 Charles Hackney II

Smashwords Edition

Smashwords Edition, License Notes:

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

PART ONE:

Steven

Chapter 1

Upon reflection, my day hadn’t gone too badly. Sure, I found out my best friend, and the current love of my life was moving in with her jackass of a boyfriend, but I think I handled that news pretty well. By well, I mean the fact that I hit Chris upside the head when he told me, but at least I managed to stop there. I guess I wasn’t so mad at the fact that they were moving in together. It was more of the way I was informed...

At lunchtime earlier that day, I sat inside a small coffee shop across the street from the newspaper where my best friend, Jessica, and I worked. I had my laptop open on the table, and cooling cup of coffee sitting next to it.

I had taken to skipping the actual eating portion of the meal. No need to force myself to eat, but sometimes I did, if for no other reason that to keep up appearances. Coffee, however, was something that, even though I didn’t need it, I just couldn’t give up. Maybe that explained why my coffee was always cold when I finished it. I didn’t completely want it, but I couldn’t not drink it. It was habit. A very strong habit.

As I took another sip from of my cold coffee, I spotted Chris walking across the street. He was obviously coming from the newspaper building, where he would have visited Jessica. He glanced at me through the window, a slight glimmer in his eyes. It sent a shiver down my spine.

I watched him as he walked through the front door coffee shop. I closed my laptop as he approached my table. Hey. He said as I finished my coffee.

What’s going on, Chris?

Um, can I sit? He asked me, and I wondered why he seemed so nervous.

If you want. I picked my laptop off the table and placed it in it’s case. What can I do for you, Chris?

I just came from seeing Jessica.

I figured. How was it visiting an actual working environment? I asked him, a slight grin on my face.

I’m going to ignore that. Chris informed me.

I’m thrilled for you. I said, trying my hardest not to just completely check-out of whatever conversation he was trying to have with me.

You know, I thought I was going to have a hard time telling you this, but now I can see it’s actually going to be pretty easy. Thanks for making it easy for me.

I’m losing interest fast, Chris, better get to the punch line. I told him as the waitress appeared next to the table.

Can I get you two anything else? She asked us. Her breathed smelled of cigarettes.

I’m fine. I told her.

I’m good. Chris added, and she turned and walked away.

Listen, Chris, as much as I love having these stimulating talks with you. I grabbed my laptop case and stood. I must be getting back to work.

Oh, then I’ll be really fast. Chris said as he stood. Jessica’s moving in with me.

It took me a moment to process what he had said. She would never move in with a bum like you. I said with a smile. I mean, you have seen your place, right?

She’s already said yes.

That I wasn’t expecting. How could she leave our posh, Manhattan apartment for a small studio in the Bronx? She must not be thinking straight. I would have to talk to her about that later.

It’s not going to last. I told Chris. She’s going to come to her senses and realize that you’re a bum, a nobody. She may have said yes to you, but that’s before she’s had time to think about it. She’ll change her mind. I’ll be sure to see to that.

You know just because you’re a loser who didn’t have the nerve to tell Jessica how you felt about her doesn’t give you the right to come between us.

I don’t know what came over me. I felt this surge of anger course through my veins. I guess all my hatred for him, and for myself for missing my chance with Jessica just erupted. I didn’t remember hitting him. It wasn’t until he was lying on his back on the floor that I realized what I had done. I just quickly grabbed my laptop case and left.

But that was then. Now I stood in the lobby of my building, waiting for an elevator, and all I could do was think about what I was going to say to Jessica. Chris had probably already told her about what happened earlier. I knew she would be pissed at me, but, hopefully, I could make her see the truth about him.

Four minutes later, I walked through the front door of our two bedroom apartment. Jessica? I called out.

I’m in the kitchen. I heard he reply.

I quickly took off my coat and placed it on the couch as I walked through the living room. Listen, I know… I started to say as I walked into the kitchen, but was interrupted by the sight of a red wine glass being thrown at my head. I quickly ducked to the right. What the hell! I yelled at Jessica, who was standing on the other side of the island, behind a box.

What the hell? Jessica shouted back, grabbing another wine glass off the counter. What the hell were you thinking? She screamed as she threw another glass at me. This one fell short, hitting the floor in front of me.

Can we please put the wine glasses down?

Yeah, okay. She said as she placed the glass in her hand back down on the counter. Let’s try these. She quickly moved to the refrigerator, opened it, and threw two eggs at my face. I was hit by the first, but managed to move before the second one hit me.

What the hell? I asked as I tried to wipe the yoke off of my face with my right hand. I stopped when I heard the hysterical laughing coming from Jessica. Yeah, this is hilarious, Jess.

More than you think. She responded. Hold on. She then took her phone out of her pocket and snapped a picture of me. My hand over my face, trying to keep the remaining egg from dripping into my eyes.

Delete that. I told her.

Not until you and I talk. She told me as she threw a towel at me. I reached for it, but didn’t catch it in time. Why the hell did you lay Chris out on the floor earlier?

He deserved it. I wiped my face with the towel.

He always does…according to you.

This time he did. I placed the towel in the sink. I looked up at Jessica and was surprised to see her drinking wine. Thanks for not throwing that one at me.

I wouldn’t have wasted the wine. She said with a smile.

Ha ha.

But, seriously, Steven, what’s the deal?

I leaned back against the counter. I don’t know. I mean, I didn’t mean to hit him. I don’t even remember it that clearly. It just…happened.

I’m surprised it took this long for you to hit Chris. You never really have liked him all that much.

Because you can do better, Jess. You have done better.

So you’ve said, Steven, but I don’t see it that way. Chris and I get along really well and we love each other.

So it’s true? You’re going to move to the Bronx?

Yeah, I’m moving.

And you just had to send him to tell me? Why couldn’t you do it yourself? Didn’t I at least deserve that?

I’m sorry about that. She said as she moved closer to me. I was going to tell you tonight, and I don’t know why Chris told you. I didn’t ask him to. That wasn’t fair to you.

Thanks for recognizing that. I told her as I tried to force a smile across my face. That’s something I guess.

You know that just because I’m leaving doesn’t mean we aren’t going to still be the best of friends.

I just find it hard to believe that you’re giving all of this up for the Bronx. I told her. I wanted her to know I wasn’t happy, but I no longer felt I would stand a chance keeping her here.

She walked over to me with a smile. I know you’re not happy with this, Steven, but you need to get used to this.

You have no idea how unhappy I am. I told her. Am I’m going to miss you.

She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me. I’m going to miss you, too.

I leaned my head slowly down on her shoulder. I could smell her coconut shampoo. I never really liked the smell, but now that she was going to be leaving soon, I found myself liking it now more than ever.

You can’t go. I whispered in her ear.

What’d you say?

I can’t let you go. I said a little louder as I backed away from her. You need to stay here.

I can’t. She told me as my heart sank.

But you really don’t understand. I told her as a moved closer, but she backed away.

But I do. She told me, causing me to stop in my tracks. Women always know when someone feels strongly for them the way that you do towards me.

Then why didn’t you ever say anything? I asked her. A glimmer of hope rising in my chest.

That wasn’t my place, Steven. It was yours. Why didn’t you ever say anything?

I was scared you didn’t feel the same about me.

I’ve known you since college and I’ve never known you to be scared of anything. She told me.

I know the timing of this conversation isn’t perfect, and that I probably have already missed my chance... I said as I realized it was all over.

Yeah, you did. She told me. I love you, Steven, you know that. In college, yes, I fell for you, but you became something more. Our relationship, my feelings for you, evolved past hormones, into something real.

Then it’s not too late

Yes it is, Steven.

You know I’ll always be here for you. I told her.

And that’s what makes you so awesome. She said as she gave me a kiss on the check. Because that’s what I need. No matter what happens between me and Chris or me and anyone else. You’ll always be here for me, and knowing that means for than anything.

I didn’t know whether to be crushed or hopeful. I had missed my chance with Jessica, but, as she said, she knew I would always be here. That had to count for something.

You’re welcome. I managed to say.

There. Now that that’s over, you want some wine? She asked as she turned away from me.

Of course. I said as I started to follow her.

I had not even walked three feet before I felt my left foot start to slip out from under me. I could feel myself fall backwards. My head hit the edge of the kitchen counter on my way down. My head split open, I hit the floor. I could hear Jessica scream my name. It took a few seconds for my eyes to straighten out. I could barely make out Jessica’s figure that was standing over me.

Hold on, I’m calling 9-1-1. She told me as she took out her cell phone.

No. I told her. I could taste the blood in my mouth. Don’t call an ambulance. I reached up and grabbed her cell from her hand. It slipped out of my hand and fell to the floor.

Steven, you’re hurt. I could hear her say. We’ve got to get you to a hospital.

No! I told her. I could feel the blood spill from my mouth and drain onto my cheek as I spoke. Don’t take me anywhere.

I’m not just going to let you stay here injured, Steven. You’re losing too much blood for me not to anything. We need to get you to a hospital. She said through tears as she reached for her phone.

No…Jess…don’t… I gently placed my hand on hers.

I’m not going to do nothing. She grabbed my hand and squeezed it.

I’m…fine. I said as I felt myself being dragged away. Slowly everything went black, and I felt nothing.

Chapter 2

It seemed to me like it had only lasted a second or two, but I knew it was much longer, it always was. I took a quick intake of breath as the pain in my head returned. I blinked my eyes a couple of times. My vision was fine, and slowly the pain in my head became a distant memory. I could no longer taste the blood in my mouth.

I slowly sat up on the floor, leaning back against the kitchen cabinet. I could her crying coming from the other room. I knew it was Jessica. I knew I would have a lot of explaining to do. I reached up with both hands and grabbed the top of the counter, and pulled myself up off the floor.

I slowly made my way out of the kitchen, into the living room. Jessica was sitting on the couch, her head in her hands. I hated that she was so upset. I didn’t know exactly what to say to her. I never did know what to say