Tangled Strings (sequel to Red Strings)

Chapter 43

Skyler's POV

I try to keep myself busy, by going grocery shopping for my mom and cleaning up around the house but ever since Luke had texted me I had going into an existential crisis of sorts just wondering what the point was. I sink deeper into the couch pulling my phone out of my back pocket. It's a selfie of Natalie and Calum with the caption wishing you were here,. I smile moving my thumb over the image, as the front door slams shut.  "Mom?" I call out assuming she's back from work. 

"Hey, sorry I got in so late." I sigh "It's alright, dinner's on the stove." "That's so sweet you really didn't have to do all this." "I know. I want to." My mom walks over to me looking over my current state. 

"You need to go out and have some fun!" I cross my arms. "Mom I-" "No excuses, I'll hold down the fort." I glare at her "Go!" "Fine, fine!" I say surrendering.  

I stand up picking up my bag. But she stops me from leaving the living room.  "Go change." she instructs, then sniffs the air. "And shower!" she motions upstairs and I roll my eyes throwing my arms up and climbing the winding the stair case. 

The second I walk out the door I regret not bringing jacket, the cool air hits my bare arms and sends up my spine. I can hear the faint sound of music coming from where Cole Dallas used to live.  He was in year 12 and on his second victory lap when we went to school together. 

I see a couple girls stumble out onto the street grasping onto each other and singing the lyrics of Taylor Swift song far to loudly to be considered normal. I cross my arms taking a step out onto the street "Skyler?" I look around trying to locate where the sound was coming from "Skyler Andrews?" My eyes fall on a much older looking Brandon his face now containing stubble and his usually perfectly styled hair down. 

"Shut the fuck up! Is it really you?" "Yeah, I guess so?" I reply awkwardly the sound of music becoming louder. "I never thought I'd see your pretty face again" "Um thanks... I guess?" I shrug awkwardly.  "Are you heading over to Cole's?" "He still lives there?" I blurt out genuinely surprised. 

"Yeah he's on his like third victory lap" I grin. "Come on, everyone will be happy to see you." "Is everyone still here?" "Well, Sabrina and her girlfriend took off for some fancy ass British school, but other then that, yeah." "I thought all of you would be gone by now," "Yeah well so did I... but shit happens and you have to adjust." Brandon says.

He looks off into the distance and I can tell something big must have happened. I bite my lip nodding slightly. "Alright come on." he says breaking the silence he stretches his hand out towards me, I stare at it and then grab it he chuckles pulling towards the noise of the house. 

The stench of alcohol hangs in the air, and makes me scrunch my nose in disgust.  The music is loud and everywhere I look there's people. Some I recognize, most I don't. Brandon let's go of my hand when he see's Mallory who's currently leaning against a wall with a red head I can't remember and the name of and a short blonde who's name also escapes me. 

"Look who decided to come after all." Mallory smirks. Brandon sends her a disappointed look and she slumps her shoulders. "It's good to see you." she whispers. I look in between them never really thinking they'd still be talking to each other. "Well I need a drink." the red head says taking a few steps forward obviously trying to defuse the tension. "You want one Mallo-" Brandon and Mallory both look at each other then glare at him. 

"Right sorry I keep forgetting!" The red head smiles apologetically then disappears into the crowd. I look over at them and they're talking quietly among themselves. I take this as my moment to escape and head on the dance floor. I get lost in a sea of bodies moving and colliding with mine, I feel as though in the crowed of people a weight gets lifted off my shoulders.