Tangled Strings (sequel to Red Strings)

Chapter 3

Skyler's POV

"Pizza, pizza, pizza pizza!" Michael sang grabbing it from Natalie and setting it down on the table near the front of the bus. I turn back to me and Luke's game and notice that I'm losing. "Pizza's here!" I say jumping up and pausing the game "hey!" He whines standing up as well "we never finished" "what?" I say grinning widely at him Luke rolls his eyes 

"you're a sore loser" he point out. "I'm not" I argue walking to Natalie and grabbing a paper plate from the stack, I take a slice of cheese pizza and sit down on the couch opposite the counter. "I bet you I can chug this before you." Luke smirked tossing me a bottle of water, "1...2..." we begin to drink Ashton laughing hysterically as water spills down onto my lap. "Done!" Luke says dropping the bottle, I look at my own drink and notice that it's only half empty, Luke smiles kissing my cheek as I gulp down the last of my water. 

"I think I have water sweats" I pout wiping the corner of my mouth "water sweats?" Ashton mocks pulling out his phone "whatever I'm hungry" I say leaning over Luke's legs to grab my pizza. "Great show tonight" "crowd was hysteric bro" "did you see the girl in the banana costume?" They slide into easy banter as we continue to eat. 

"I never got a tour!" I say standing up and putting my plate away "I'm sure Luke will show you around" Michael teases "wait I wanna come!" Natalie says walking over to us "alright then are you two ready?" Luke smiles clapping his hands together 

"ready" we say in unison "alright front of the bus lounge, back of the bus beds and party area" he declares sitting back down we both glare at him. "You're an idiot" I laugh "that was officially the worse tour I've ever been on" Natalie adds 

"so what's been going on ladies?" Michael asks grabbing another slice "since we left school, I mean" he clarifies "well you guys are legends" Natalie begins "sometimes girls walk into our school in hopes you'll be there" I giggle "you know that teacher will the comb over" "Mr. Landsworth?" 

"yeah he got engaged" "to our drama teacher!" Natalie adds "I always thought she was hot" Michael adds "I know" I reply rolling my eyes "Mallory got a new boyfriend" "Really? Who?" Calum asks "new student names Brandon or something" Natalie explains "god you guys are so lucky to be done with school, I'm failing everything" I confess 

"Skyler!" Luke screams "what?" I blush Michael chuckles "you and me both" he proclaims reaching over to high five me. "I missed you guys" Ashton smiles 

"aw Ash is getting emotional on us Nat" I say looking over to her "you know what that means" "cuddle?" Natalie questions raising her voice "cuddle" I agree both of us reaching over to tackle him. 

Natalie's POV

"Since when was it cuddle time?!" Ashton yelled as me and Skyler laughed.  "It's always cuddle time!" I said nuzzling against him.  "Alright alright get off!" Ashton said somewhat jokingly however he escaped me and Skyler's grasp, before hiding behind the couch.  "Jeez Ash you're a party pooper!" Skyler said "Am not!" Ashton said defensively.

"Here babe I'll cuddle you instead." Calum said wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me towards him.  I was somewhat taken aback, I mean he couldn't even hold my hand in the pizza place!  I couldn't get my hand around it, however, I obliged to Calum's arms, leaning back into them....trusting them.

"Come on we have to start couple things now!?" Michael groaned.  "Oh come on Michael we're gonna have to get used to it.  It's you and me....against the world...." Ashton said putting his arm around Michael's shoulder.  "Really?  What about that girl tonight?" Michael said pushing him off.

"Wh-what girl?" Ashton said blushing a bit.  "You know the one in the orange dress?" me and Skyler teased as Luke poked Ashton's cheek.  "Ooooo Ash gotta crush there huh?" "NO!" Ashton said turning beet red now.  "It's confirmed!" Skyler yelled.

Ashton groaned and I looked at Calum who seemed deep in thought, his chin on my shoulder.  I wanted to desperately ask him why he had done that in the pizza shop, and why he had been all cold.  However I didn't want to start a fight.  I mean, we had many fights being together for over a year, and we would get over them no problem.  But this one....I could feel like there was something different, something else behind it.  

I didn't push it.  Not tonight.  I knew Cal was tired, and I was just as tired.  But....still.  

"Do you wanna sleep?" "What time is it?" I asked rubbing my eyes. "Around 11.  It's Saturday tomorrow right?" "Yeah.  I have an afternoon shift at the mall." I said.  "You can stay, the mall's a half hour away.  Besides babe, you're tired and I don't want you driving in this state." "I have to take Sky tomorrow though for her job too!" I said.

"Ughhhh workkkkkk" Skyler groaned.  "How longs the shift?" "4 hours, maybe longer."  "I'm TIRED." Luke suddenly said getting off the couch.  "Well then looks like its been decided.  We're going to bed early tonight." "Uh YOU guys are headin' to bed early.  Me and Ash are gonna stay up." Michael said.

"Fine boys.  Night." I said standing up.  "You and me can share." Cal whispered into my ear, as I smiled, as we went back to the beds.  "Which one is yours?" I asked looking at the curtained beds.  "This one." Cal said as he pointed to a bottom bunk.  

"Alright then." I said stretching.  "Wellllll do you want pjs or something?" Cal said eyeing me.  I smirked and said "What do you think?" Cal shook his head and said "Tease."  

I rolled my eyes as Calum dug through his things before finally finding one of his plaid shirts.  "This will work I think...." Cal said before chucking it at me.  I quickly changed into it, the plaid shirt coming midway down my thighs.  "Well this is perfect for you." he said before he opened his curtain and said "Go ahead."

I smiled and I quickly hopped in, before Calum squished in with me.  "Comfy there Cal?" I asked poking him.  "Fine thanks." he joked giving me a kiss.  "Night Cal." "Night Nat."