Out Of The Blue ( Out Of #1 )

08

Loren

After the night Asher showed up unannounced at my family dinner, he disappeared for three days.

It was long enough that even Carlos noticed. Aiden, Asher's best friend, seemed to know something, but he refused to meet my gaze, leaving me with a vague, uneasy feeling. Over those three days, I felt like I'd uncovered something I wasn't supposed to.

I caught Carlos stealing glances at Aiden, his face reddening whenever Aiden leaned close to whispering something. I wasn't clueless-I could piece things together. But if Carlos trusted me, he would have told me by now. And yet, none of that was my biggest worry.

I was sitting in math class, attempting to concentrate on the lecture, but my brain wouldn't cooperate.

I tapped my pen against the open notebook, trying to drown out the distracting thoughts. Suddenly, my phone lit up with a message from an unknown number.

I hesitated, debating whether to read it, but curiosity eventually got the better of me.

Unknown: How's your day?

I stared at the message, thrown off. Whoever this was, they were speaking like we were close.

Loren: Um... yes? Who is this?

The reply came almost immediately.

Unknown: Who am I? Already forgotten me? It's only been a few days.

Loren: If I knew, I wouldn't have asked. Answer the question.

Unknown: You really don't remember me, beau?

A chill went down my spine as the realization hit me.

Loren: Asher?

Unknown: Yes, love.

What the actual hell?

Loren: Where have you been?

Unknown: Somewhere.

Somewhere? He disappears for three days without a word, then casually texts me as if nothing happened? And where did he even get my number?

I couldn't remember ever handing him my phone. And it certainly wasn't Carlos-he'd warned me to stay away from Asher.

Loren: That's not a real answer.

Unknown: Don't worry. I'll be back soon. I just have a few things to take care of.

I rolled my eyes.

Loren: Alright.

Unknown: Oops, gotta go. Duty calls. Bye, beau.

Loren: Yeah, bye.

He didn't respond after that. I stared at the screen, brows knitting together, before setting my phone down. With a sigh, I turned my attention back to the board, trying to shake off the nagging questions swirling in my mind.