STMH Chapter 6

This one is a shorter chapter. The next few chapters might be a little short too.

Chapter 6

Blake

                “I’m going to go look for him. He’s been going through a lot lately. The breakup definitely was at the worst timing,” Axel says. A frown forms on his face. I can see the anger in his eyes as well.

            “I heard recently that Tristan’s mother passed away a few months ago,” Charlotte replies. “Marie breaking up with him while he’s going through grief is quite heartless.”

            “I agree with you on that one,” Axel replies.

            “I’ll try to help you find Tristan,” I say speaking up, surprising myself. Charlotte stares at me. Her eyes are a little wide. She’s as shocked as I am.

            “That’s really nice of you,” Axel says and smiles at me. I smile back shyly.

            “Hey, girl, can I talk to you for a minute alone,” Charlotte asks.

            “Sure.”

            Charlotte drags me a few feet away. “Blake, are you out of your mind right now?”

            “No, I don’t think so.”

            “Blake, you’ve never even spoken to Tristan before,” Charlotte says with exasperation.

            “I know, Charlotte, but I’m trying my best to come out of my shell this year. I think helping Axel to find Tristan would be a step in the right direction. Plus, I’m going to try to work up my courage to actually speak with him,” I reply.

            Charlotte’s expression softens after my little speech. “Alright, I’ll help you and Axel look for him as well then.”

            “Thank you, Charlotte, I really appreciate that,” I say and wrap her in another hug.

            We walk back over to Axel. “Alright, we’re both going to help you look for him.”

            “I appreciate it, ladies. By the way, what are your names? Also, I’m going to give the both of you my phone number. You can call or text me if you find him. I’m going to search around our favorite places. Most of them are in the next town over,” Axel says.

            “I’m Charlotte.”

            “I’m Blake.”

            “Alright, thank you again, ladies,” Axel says. He gives us his number and then he takes off.

            “Charlotte, where are you going to search,” I ask her.

            “I’m going to search on the other side of town.”

            “Alright, I’ll start searching in the areas around here,” I reply.

            I start walking down the street from the school. There are quite a few shops in this area. I wonder if Tristan is in any of them. There are also quite a few parks in this area too. The parks around here are quite beautiful.

            The first place I stop to look is the ice cream shop. It is quite hot outside. I don’t see Tristan in the store though, I keep walking down the road.

            I head over to the grocery store next. I have seen him there a few times. I’m usually shopping with my mom when I spot him. I go up and down a few aisles. I start to get quite thirsty. I go to the front a few bottles of water. I buy one for myself and one for Tristan. He’ll probably be thirsty when I find him. After I pay for the water, I go back to searching for him. I look around the rest of the store. I sigh when I don’t’ find him.

            The search around the store took me a lot longer than expected.

            “Where should I look next,” I think to myself.

            I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. Charlotte has sent a group message to Axel and I. “Hey, have you two had any luck finding him?”

            “Not yet,” I reply.

            “Me either.”

            “I haven’t had much luck either. I’m going to keep searching where I am.”

            “Alright, I’m also going to keep looking. I will send out a text if I find him.”

            “Same, I’ll send you ladies a text if I find him as well. Thank you both for sending updates.”

          “No problem. We’re worried about him too.”

            “Yeah, we are. Tristan is a good guy.”

            “He really is.”

          I stop replying after that. I continue to walk down the street. I really don’t know where to look right now. I really don’t know Tristan all that well. I’m really wishing that I got to know him years ago. Maybe then I would know where to search for him better.

            It’s really close to six o’clock already. I need to tell my parents where I am before they start to worry. I shoot them a quick text message. Luckily, I’m only a few blocks away from home.

            I start walking towards Mountain Park. That park has a lovely lake near it. That is one of the spots I go to when I want to clear my head. I walk down the path that leads to the lake. I stop in my tracks when I see Tristan laying down on one of the benches.

            I grab my phone quickly and send the group a text message. “Hey guys, I found Tristan! He’s at Mountain Park.”

            I start walking towards him. Then I stop. I’m too nervous to approach him right now. Charlotte did have a point earlier. Maybe I am out of my mind. I hate that I’m so shy. I really want to make sure he’s alright.

            “Come on, Blake, you searched for him all this time. “You should just approach him,” I think to myself. “I know it’s hard for you to talk to people you haven’t before. Talking to Axel was easier because Charlotte was around. You told Charlotte you are trying to come out of your shell earlier. You need to try to do that now. You need to tell Tristan that people are worried about him.”

            I start walking towards him again before I stop again. My nerves are still getting to me. I really hate how shy I am. “You can do this, Blake.”

            “Tristan,” I say aloud.  He sits up and looks over at me. I feel my heart race in my chest.