Heart Rate Zero

Chapter 8: The Surprise

They stand in front of the old claw machine, filled with stuffed animals, keychains, and small toys. Julian puts in a few coins, moving the claw carefully left and right. Maya watches, crossing her fingers.

MAYA

It never works. I’ve tried so many times. The claw is too weak.

JULIAN

(Concentrating)

Not if you know how to use it. You have to find the right angle… there.

He lowers the claw. It grabs onto a big, fluffy white teddy bear with a red bow around its neck. Slowly, it lifts the bear up and drops it into the prize slot.

MAYA

(Eyes wide)

You actually did it! How?

JULIAN

(Handing her the bear)

Practice. And maybe a little bit of luck. Here. For you.

Maya takes the bear. It’s soft and warm, and it smells like the arcade. She holds it close, smiling so wide her cheeks hurt.

MAYA

Thank you. It’s… it’s perfect.

JULIAN

I’m glad you like it. You know, you smile a lot more when you’re not working. It looks good on you.

The music from the machines seems to get a little louder, or maybe it’s just Maya’s heart beating faster. She looks at the bear, then at Julian.

MAYA

You keep saying nice things. I don’t know how to reply.

JULIAN

(Laughing softly)

Just be honest. How do you feel?

MAYA

(Pausing, looking away for a second)

I feel… confused. This is not how I planned things to go. I told you I wanted heart rate zero. I told you we were opposites.

JULIAN

(Steps closer, not touching her, just close enough that she can hear him clearly)

And I told you opposites can work. Maybe your heart rate doesn’t have to be zero. Maybe it can be something else. Something good.

MAYA

(Looking back at him, voice quiet)

But what if I’m wrong? What if this is just… fun, and then it stops? And then I have to go back to normal, and it’ll be worse because I’ll remember this.

JULIAN

(Shakes his head gently)

I don’t want this to stop. I want to keep learning about you. I want to keep making you smile. Even if it’s just for tonight, that’s enough for me.

Maya holds the teddy bear tighter. The flutter in her chest turns into something warmer, something that feels safe and happy. She realizes she doesn’t want to fight it anymore.

MAYA

(Softly)

Okay. Maybe… maybe zero can become something else. Just… take it slow, okay?

JULIAN

(Smiling, relief in his eyes)

I can do slow. I can do anything.

They walk toward the door, still talking and laughing. But as they get closer, Maya stops. She sees someone standing near the entrance – Marcus, Julian’s assistant. He looks stressed, and when he sees them, he walks over quickly.

MARCUS

Julian. I’m sorry to interrupt, but there’s an emergency at the office. Something came up with the new project, and they need you right away.

JULIAN

(Face changing instantly – the fun look gone, replaced by the serious CEO expression he usually wears)

What is it?

MARCUS

The prototype has a glitch, and the whole launch is in danger. The investors are calling, and we have to make a decision tonight.

Maya watches the change in him. It’s like he’s put on a different mask. He looks busy, important, and far away.

JULIAN

(Turning back to Maya, his expression softening a little but still worried)

I’m sorry. I have to go. This is… really important.

MAYA

(Nods, even though she feels a little disappointed)

It’s okay. Work comes first. Go handle it.

JULIAN

(Takes a step closer, hesitating)

I’ll call you. As soon as I’m done, I promise. I’ll make it up to you. Whatever you want.

MAYA

(Smiling, trying not to show how she feels)

Go. Don’t worry about me. I had fun tonight.

JULIAN

(Looks at her for a long moment, like he wants to say more, but then just nods)

Good. I did too. Really.

He walks out with Marcus, leaving Maya standing alone in the doorway. She holds the teddy bear, looking at the door. The fun night feels like it already happened, and now everything is back to how it was – but it doesn’t feel the same anymore.

MAYA

(Internal Monologue)

Heart rate… back to zero? No. It’s not zero. It’s all mixed up. Happy, sad, confused, excited. What does that mean?

She hugs the bear tight, watching the street where Julian left.

MAYA

(Whispering to herself)

Whatever it means… I think I’m okay with

Maya walks out onto the sidewalk, the bear in her arms. She stops for a second, looking up at the sky. Her phone buzzes in her pocket. She pulls it out.

It’s a text from Julian:

“Just left. Already thinking about tonight. Be safe. I’ll text you the second I can. – J”

Maya smiles, her cheeks warm again. She types back:

“Be careful. And hurry back. – M”

She puts her phone away, holding the bear close, and starts walking down the street. The neon lights reflect in her eyes, and for the first time, she doesn’t mind that her heart isn’t zero anymore.

FADE OUT.