Chapter 3:

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-"I'll see you tomorrow then!"

-"Yup. See y'a Claire!"

Astrid was finally leaving work for the day. After starting it not in the nicest way, she decided to go to the mall for some Starbucks and maybe some shopping at the same time.

The next week were about to get heavier with that one legged boy and since she wasn't a very patient person, she had to relax as much as she could.

Hayden definitely wasn't the kind of guy that could get motivated with just some words, no matter the negotiation. The total opposite of the kind of girl she was. But she had to make it work and she will. He was stubborn but so was she. And she will show him that she won't be giving up anytime soon. It was perhaps a job assigned to her before but now it became a personal challenge. And the lords knew how much she liked be challenged. Astrid will make Hayden walk, no matter how much time it will take.

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Astrid finally got to the mall. She went through the shops, wondering around. She bought two new leggings for workout and a bunch of new t-shirts that were on sale. She wasn't going to let that opportunity slip. Beside, she got paid last week and she had already paid rent so she could afford a little something for herself for once.

She was walking in the alleys, pleased with her purchases and went for the Starbucks. She ordered a raspberry refresha, the weather was getting hotter now that they were approaching July. She also took two donuts and left.

Astrid was now back in her car, shopping bags on the back sits and her drink on one hand. She put the radio on, "Run Away with Me" from Carly Rae Jepsen playing. She put the volume up and sang along.

She had forget her morning. And it was fine. She was enjoying the rest of her day and the thought of being free. She was happy in that rightful moment. A good drink and a good song. No need for anything else right?

She was turning around the streets, driving to her apartment. But she had to slow down when a few trucks were blocking the road. Just great.

She honked a few times, to get those men's attention so she could actually pass. She groaned when they didn't move. She opened her window and yelled.

-"Hey! Mind moving a little, some of us would like to get home!", she shouted.

A dude finally saw her and parked closer to the sidewalk.

Astrid gave a thank you gesture with her hand, even if the space to pass by was still not huge but it was just enough for her car. The guy didn't even bother looking at her and went back to discharge whatever was in his truck.

She quickly try to catch a glimpse and saw it was actually movers. She looked behind the vehicle and saw a huge house. She saw two girls and a very tall woman. She couldn't really see their faces but even from afar, they still appeared familiar to Astrid.

Her weird feeling came back in her stomach. She had suddenly the violent urge to puke. She shook her head and pressed the accelerator.

Her head hurt for no reason and her heart was racing. She tried her best to focus on the road and not to crash. Thanks for her, there was no cops around cause she would have gotten a bad bill to pay.

She finally got into her apartment and threw her bag on her couch and went directly for the kitchen, reaching for a glass of water. She coughed and put a hand on her heart. It was still beating hard in her chest.

She went to sat and tried to get a hold of of her breaths again, Stormfly whistling loudly, sensing her owner wasn't feeling good.

She was supposed to enjoy the rest of her day, not having to deal with a panic attack that she didn't even know why she was having.

The doorbell suddenly rang and made her jump. She swallowed, her dry throat making it hard. She went for the door and was welcomed by her best friend.

-"Heather?", Astrid blinked.

-"Hey! I'm on vacation!", a dark haired girl cheered on her doorway.

-"Hey.. thats.. that's great!", Astrid tried a smile.

Smile that Heather didn't buy.

-"Ooh? I know that look. Something is bothering you.", Heather raised an eyebrow while getting inside.

-"What are you talking about? I'm fine.", Astrid chuckled nervously.

-"Honey, I know you since we are 15. I think I can tell when something is up with you. So don't play dumb and tell me what's wrong.", Heather sighed, putting her hands on her hips defiantly.

Astrid closed the door and stayed with her back turned to her best friend. She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She faced Heather and gave this time a real sincere smile.

-"I uh.. I'm fine. Really. It's just... huuh I had a hard day. I need to take care of a guy that lost his leg and it's hum.. kind of rough.", Astrid sighed.

She waited for Heather's answer till the dark haired girl sighed and went to hug her blond friend.

-"Maww girl, I'm sorry.", Heather rubbed Astrid's back, then jerked her away, "Is he cute?!", she gasped.

-"Heather!!"

-"What? Just curious. Well he lost a leg, doesn't mean he can't be cute.", Heather shrugged.

-"Urgh!", Astrid rolled her eyes.

-"Alright alright sorry, just tried to light up the mood.", Heather scoffed.

Astrid went back to the couch and flopped on it, untying her ponytail and sighing.

-"It's been a weird day, sorry.", Astrid scratched her tense scalp.

Heather frowned sadly at the sight of her best friend. She sat next to her and put a hand on her shoulder.

-"Hey. You can talk to me. I'm your best friend. I'm here for you.", Heather said with a soft voice.

Astrid lifted her head and looked at Heather. She smiled.

-"Thank you Heather."

Heather winked.

-"I'm going to take a shower real quick. We can hang out after?", Astrid asked.

-"That's why I'm here after all.", Heather grinned.

Astrid scoffed and headed for the bathroom. She locked the door and looked at herself in the mirror above the sink. Her smile disappeared right away. She let out a shaky breath and shut her eyes tight.

She wasn't worried for Hayden.

No.

She was worried that she might have recognized those ladies by that new house. She was more than worried. She was terrorized.

She swallowed her fear, stripped down and got into the tub. She turned the hot water on, splashing her face first. Water gliding along her thin body and smooth skin. Washing the sweat out of her face.

But mostly the tears.

-"Why the hell am I crying?", Astrid cursed under the water.

She rubbed her face with water and tried to calm down.

It was the first time in years that she was crying.

No wonder she was frustrated.