Dormant

Chapter 20

Tristian

"You're an evil bitch. You ruin everything. Ever since you've made your way back into my life you have been ruining me. I meant it when I said I want absolutely no kind of friendship with you. I was reconsidering it at first, but now? I want nothing to do with you. Stay the hell away from me."

My thumb hovers over the delete button in my phone. That was the voicemail left by an angry Natasha, who sounded like she was on the verge of tears. I'm guessing Emelet finally broke things off with her, which was the second part of my plan of revenge.

A shaky sigh escapes me as I copy the transcript and place it into my notes for safekeeping. I felt a bit of remorse for befriending Violet and the rest of the group just to plan on tossing them to the side once I ruin Natasha once and for all, but I know that it's for the best.

For now, I had to work on my project for my photography class. The art show is in a week and I have absolutely no idea what I'll be doing. I'm not the best when it comes to analyzing myself, especially my improvement.

That's why I made a stop at the counseling center to see Dr. Mclahen. He was understanding but told me he couldn't help me with the assignment because I would be "missing the point my professors trying to make".

I was frustrated and ready to flip a table when I got a call from my mom.

"Tristian! My love, how are you doing?"

"Hey, mom. I'm doing okay, still figuring some stuff out." I put a hand into the front pocket of my jeans as I walk back to Andy's apartment.

"If you need anything, always give your mother a call. We all miss you around here."

"I bet you do. Listen, I need some help with an assignment."

"Oh? I guess I can help. What is it?"

I nibble on my bottom lip before speaking. "Is there anything about me that you think I should work on? Like something that I let define me too much?"

"Tristian-"

"Please. And be honest, this is really important to me." I beg in a pleading voice, impatiently waiting for her to speak as she breathes gently through the phone.

"Well, Tristian. It's no secret that your relationship with Danielle took a toll on your behavior." She's careful with her words, as if I'll explode at any given moment.

"You're carrying a lot of pain and anger, and you tend to redirect it onto everybody, sometimes even me. That's all I'll say for now, my love. Stay safe and call me whenever."

I grunt in response and quickly enter the apartment with a tight lipped frown. Andy notices but doesn't say anything, only asking if I had anything to eat. Nodding my head, I grab a bottle of water and go straight to my room.

I never really thought of the way I acted after being kicked out of Colombia. But now that I think about it, I remember wasting away in my bed for days..weeks.

Every time my mother came into my room to try and understand what was going on with me, I yelled at her. I yelled at my aunts who came to help, and I yelled at my cousins. I remember destroying my room and driving my fist through a wall. I used to wonder if there was anything left to like about myself beneath the anger and mistrust.

I now define it as one of the lowest points in my life, only because it physically pains me to think about it. I've been letting all my hurt and betrayal define me for so long, that I truly don't know who I am.

I sit on the floor right in front of my bed, staring at the wall blankly. My throat starts to get sore, and the tears in my eyes blur my vision despite my constant efforts to blink them away.

I can't lose my shit everytime someone brings up Danielle.

I take a deep breath and slowly calm myself down before my emotions get the best of me. I can feel my heart beat ease within each breath, which encourages me even more.

I walk to my desk and pick up a photo of Danielle and I. There's not just one, but multiple. I don't know why I didn't throw any of these out sooner, but I did. I ripped each of them to shreds until the pictures were no longer recognizable.

For the first time in a while, I can feel the weight finally lift off my shoulders.

***

short chapter for the week, more to come very busy :(