Tethered (Book Two of The Invisible String Series)

Thanksgiving: Part Two

"Yes."

The teen takes the ring from me, letting out a whistle. "Damn. This is nice. When are you going to propose?"

I gently pry the box out of her hands, moving to put the ring back in its discreet hiding spot before someone else comes barging into the room. "That's actually what I was about to talk about before you so rudely interrupted us. Don't you know how to knock or were you raised in a barn?"

Olivia rolls her eyes, falling back onto the bed with a huff. "Not a barn. An orphanage."

I blanch a little, afraid that I might have crossed a line until I realize the teenager is smirking at me which makes me shove her over on the bed so I can sit back down. "Anyway, back to the subject of proposing. I have an idea, but I wanted a second opinion on it. I was going to wait until after New Years, because proposing during Christmas is totally cliche, but I definitely want to do it before the band goes on tour at the end of March and Lizzie returns to filming. So I was thinking...her birthday maybe?"

MK beams, dragging Ash over to join us on the bed. "Alright. We're going big or going home then. What's the plan?"

"That's where you two come in. I wanted to propose to her here, under that big tree in our backyard. Lizzie made the comment about how it would look beautiful with lights hanging from it and everything, so I'm gonna do that and I need you two to distract her while we get everything set up."

The twins share a look, probably doing that weird twin telepathy thing they do before they nod and I spend the next few minutes going over everything that I have planned so far. By the time we're finished hatching out a rough plan everyone seems on board, and we eventually decide to head back downstairs before anyone else comes looking for us. I let the twins and Scarlett go first, eyeing the teenager still lounging on my bed that has been uncharacteristically quiet for the past few minutes.

Walking over towards her, I notice the far-away look in her eyes and gently nudge her, earning her attention. "Hey, you okay?"

The teen nods half-heartedly, making no move to remove herself from her spot and looking like she's not okay at all, causing me to frown as I sit down next to her. "Okay, you're a terrible liar, kid. What's going on?"

I watch as the teenager bites on her bottom lip as she sits up, looking so much smaller than she is as she plays with a loose string on the sleeve of her jacket, her gaze falling from mine to lock onto her fidgeting hands. "I, uh, was just thinking about what you said earlier. About you and the band going on tour, and Lizzie filming again...I guess I realized that you guys weren't gonna be around forever."

I swear to god, or whatever higher being out there, that my heart actually and physically breaks as I realize the reason for her sudden change in mood. "Oh."

Olivia clears her throat, straightening her spine just before she goes to slide off the bed, giving me a small smile that I instantly see through. "It's nothing, really. I was just thinking out loud. We should probably head back downstairs, though."

Reaching out, I grab a hold of the teenager's jacket, gently pulling her backwards. "Woah, hang on there, kiddo. Can we back it up a bit?"

The teen lets out a loud sigh, refusing to turn back around to face me. "Look, I shouldn't have said anything. It's cool, Y/N. I get it, okay? You and Lizzie are literal celebrities and have these awesome, busy lives that you have to get back to."

"Olivia-."

This time the teenager does turn around, eyes glassy and like she's barely holding it together. "No, don't. I don't want that big speech about how you'll still try and find time to hang out or talk. I've done this before. You all will eventually forget about me and life will move on."