Chasing Astrid Malone

26. ANYTHING BUT NORMAL

I woke up rested, having slept better than I have in days. I reached out for Tristan, but the bed was empty. Dressed and ready, I ran downstairs, hoping to find Tristan. His SUV was gone, as well as Josh's car. Mom was out late, so I'm sure she's sleeping. I made a bowl of cereal and texted Brenda.

Me: Picking me up for school?

Brenda: I just pulled in haha. You ready?

Me: give me a couple minutes I'll be right out

I shoveled in my cereal and left. "OW OW HOT MAMA!"  Brenda hollered out the window.

Today would be easier.

"I wanted to ask, but Tristan was around. What made you decide against Cameron?" The truth didn't feel as impossible, now that I told Tristan, it was like a weight off my shoulders.

"It's pretty messed up, you sure you want to know?"

"Duh! Spill. I did warn you he's a player, I'm just saying." I walked Brenda through that night, leaving out the moment we spent on the couch. Before I could finish, by telling her how I broke down at home, she was cutting in.

"That's insane! Two years and he never said anything? You didn't even know you were on his radar until last week. If that never happened to your dad he may have never noticed you. Does he have a savior complex or something? It's kind of messed up, but also a little romantic. It does explain why he hasn't been into any other girls. His dad was a drunk, that must have been hard for him."

My head was spinning as she blurted out every thought that came to her mind. Romantic? Was she feeling bad for him?

"I know it's not his fault, what his dad did, but stalking me for years and then hiding it from me. He lied too, he said no more surprises after Molly, but he knew he was hiding this all along!"

"Relax A, I agree with you. I just think it's not unforgivable and it must not be easy for him either. Don't get me wrong I'm pumped you chose Tristan, he's clearly the better choice."

She parked the car and we walked into school, going our separate ways. The day flew by, still avoiding Cameron. Brenda and Carly ate lunch with me in the student council meeting room, and Carly apologized the whole time.

School ended and I met Brenda at her car. She asked about the sleepover again, but I didn't have an answer yet. Carly thinks it's inappropriate and passed on the whole idea, turning ABC girl time into a double date.

Brenda dropped me off and I did homework, the normal routine I was used to making me feel comfortable. My mom made dinner, and she didn't push me for answers or pity me. I don't know if she knows yet, but I was happy to ignore the situation, and spend time with her.

It was getting late and I still hadn't heard from Tristan, not that he should have to talk to me every day. The calm quiet was exactly what I needed, but I felt a pit in my stomach. I missed him. Without him, my thoughts kept wandering to Brenda's words.

I thought about texting Tristan and decided not to be clingy. I went to look for Cameron's last texts to me, thinking maybe I should text him. They're gone. I searched his name in my contacts, gone. I know I didn't do that. Someone took my phone and deleted him, then a thought crossed my mind.

Searching through settings I found the blocked numbers option, knowing I've never blocked anyone, it should be empty. There it is, Cameron's number. There were only three people who could have done this. My mom, highly unlikely. Josh and Tristan are the only two it could have been.

Josh has never done anything like this before, that I know of. My suspicion is leaning toward Tristan and I don't like the feeling at all. Did he go through my phone, or just tried to get rid of Cameron. Even if he thought he was helping, he had no right to do that. I need to calm down, I don't even know for sure that it was him.