Tangled Strings (sequel to Red Strings)

Chapter 43

Who cares? I think throwing my arms up in the air and singing along. Then suddenly my cheeks feel wet and I'm crying I try to snap out of it but it's no use it all comes flooding back. I'm a failure. "Are you ok?" I hear someone ask as I sink down onto the floor, I shake my head. "Oh god, how can I help?" she asks sounding panicked. I don't know I think. "I'm going to get you out of here... ok." I nod and she groans pulling me up from the ground. "Brandon!" she shouts I see him run over and wave a hand in front of my face. "Hang in their Skyler."  

They pull me outside and the breeze hits me again, but this time it's comforting. Brandon sets me down on a bench before running back inside, I reach out to grab the stranger beside me hand trying to steady my breathing. When I look up, I swear I've gone delirious because I think it's Natalie. 

"N-Nat?" I question leaning in closer to her, she laughs leaning away from me her face lighting up when she smiles. "It's Emma actually, how much did you have to drink?" "I-I didn't…" I struggle trying to gulp down the lump in my throat. "Then what happened?" "I- I don't know, I just keep freaking out." I tell her refusing to let go of her hand.

"Well do you think it might be panic attacks?" "Can we talk about something else?" I beg.  "Please?" "Ok, ok fine um... who's Natalie?" I sigh "My best friend, we've known each other forever." "Where is Natalie tonight?" she presses on. "She's in LA with my best friends." I see the realization hit her.

"Oh you're that Skyler and Natalie!" I smile. "How many Skyler and Natalie's do you know?" Her face lights up again, now that I can see her clearly I understand why I thought she was Natalie. The resemblance was uncanny except her hair was longer and was died red at the ends and her lips where fuller. 

"You look a lot like her." I tell her she chuckles. "Yeah, I get that a lot." "Thank you." I sigh finally letting of her hand. "Anytime." she grins. "So, why are you back here?" she asks me after a few minutes of silent "Oh you know, missed the family." I lie "Yeah, I get that. My little sister just got her yellow belt we're all so proud of her." I smile "That's awesome" we look at each other and I sigh.

"Skyler!" Mallory yells running awkwardly towards us with a hand on her stomach. "Are you alright?" "Yeah, I am now... thanks to…." I forget her name. "Emma." she laughs again. Ash and Sylvana would love her. "Mallory I told you not to run!" Mallory rolls her eyes. "I'm fine Brandon!" "Yeah well what if you weren't?" "I don't need to explain everything I do to yo-" "Um guys?" Emma says interrupting their arguing they both turn to face her.

"This arguing is not good for the baby." My jaw drops and suddenly it's quiet.  They both freeze, their hard expressions softening. Now that she says it, I wonder how I had missed it before.  The dress she was wearing didn't fit her body quite right and she was glowing. 

"Whatever I'm going inside." Mallory says stomping off but it's not hard to tell she's upset. I look at Brandon and he shrugs before running after her. "Was that supposed to be a secret?" Emma asks once they've left. "I thought everybody knew" "Wow, I never thought that sh-" "Nobody ever does." Emma sighs cutting me off. 

I nod sitting back on the bench, I think back to what Brandon had said before. Shit happens and you have to adjust. "Hey, if you ever need someone to talk to..." Emma says handing me a business card I take it confused before reading the gold writing. 

Emma Casey 

Talent Scout 

"You're a scout?" I ask suddenly self conscious. "Huh? Oh.. yeah my dad owns the company so it was pretty easy to get into," she blushes standing up. "Cool." I reply reading over her phone number. "It's alright, pays the bills... or whatever it is adults say." I smirk "Thanks." "Like I said, anytime."