Tangled Strings (sequel to Red Strings)

Chapter 43

I watch as Emma walks back into the house, when I realize I'm alone a wave of tiredness washed over me and I decide to head home. The walk is short but it feels like forever, I try to shut the door behind me and roll my eyes when I find my mom curled up on the couch asleep. 

I pull a blanket on top of her and kiss her head before heading to the kitchen and putting up Emma's business card. Then I make myself a snack and snuggle into bed I grab my phone and stare at Luke contact like I have every night since I left, I don't know why maybe I hope if I stare at it long enough he'll call. But someone else's name lights up, it's Michael I gulp answering the phone. 

"Michael?" "Skyler we're coming home." he tells me shortly. "Why?" I ask. "Because we miss you, and because we all want to be together for Christmas." I freeze hearing Luke's voice. "Luke? Oh my god is that you?" I hear his uneven breathing through the phone. "Yeah it's me." "Why? Why would you want to see me when I messed up so bad?" I whisper 

"because we both made mistakes, and I'm unfortunately still in love with you and I think you love me." I know that he's scared but he's trying to come off confident.

"b-but what if we're unfixable, what if we're all so tangled up we'll never be the same." The line is quiet. "Maybe." Luke says carefully. "Are you scared?" "Absolutely" "And you still want me to come see you?" "Absolutely" It's quiet again. 

"I love you too." I reply slowly I can almost feel him smiling. "Good, then I'll see you soon?" "Maybe?" "Maybe?" "There's somethings I need to work out first." "Dorkay?" I giggle. "Dorkay." "Alright bye" "Good night."

As soon as I get off the phone, I have a stupid grin on face the I sigh oping up my laptop and typing in password. I click on the chrome application and type the words panic attack into google. 

Natalie's POV

"Hurry up Natalie!" my mom hisses and I roll my eyes as I chuck the rest of my stuff into the suitcase, praying it wouldn't burst open. "Sorry mum! But you shoulda warned me about this!" I said and I push back some of my disheveled hair.  I had straightened it last night, but I had to wake up earlier because I had received a last minute text from my mother.  She had returned from San Francisco but she had texted me so late, I was leaving the house early in the morning while the rest of the boys were fast asleep.

"The taxi is outside, hurry up!" my mum said and I rolled my eyes as she grabbed my suitcase for me as I began to write a note to the boys.

Hi boys!

sorry my mum dragged me off without a warning,

hope to see you all soon though.

love you all

xx

-Natalie

I leave it on the kitchen counter as I quickly run up the stairs and do a last minute sweep of the room.  I had slept with Calum, and thank god my mum didn't come up and have to shake me awake herself.  Then I would have an even bigger problem in my hands.

I look to see Calum fast asleep, hair messy as he was enveloped in the sheets.  I walk forward as I move a piece of hair from his face as I quickly gave him a peck on the cheek, as I felt my eyes water up.  I pulled away quickly, hoping that he wouldn't wake up.  When he didn't move, I sighed in relief, quickly heading out and into the yellow cab.

"To LAX please." my mother says as the driver nods, before going out the driveway and onto the road.  I look back at the house one last time, wishing desperately I could go back, but it was too late as we continued on.