Tangled Strings (sequel to Red Strings)

Chapter 6

He gave me a smile and I tried to muster up the best one I could.  I felt my stomach twisting into knots as we struggled to get out of the airport, girls flocking to the car, and I couldn't drive.  I tried desperately not to panic, as I saw security guards come and help vacate them back, allowing us to get through.

I took a deep breath as I drove out of there, relieved.  We continued to head on our way home, before we finally arrived to the Glob for a pit stop, and we all got out of the car.  "Wow, the Glob hasn't changed one bit!" Ashton said as we went inside.

"Yeah, well, why would it?" I joked as the small bell clinked above us, and we walked in.  "My, my if it wasn't the boys from 5 Seconds of Summer!" a way too familiar voice called.  I cringed.  Mallory.

She strutted forward, a can of Pepsi in her hand.  "Wow boys good to see you back.  Surprised our superstars returned so quickly!  Wouldn't you agree Natalie?" she said turning to me.  "Oh I think they needed to take a bit of time away from the big arenas and return to their roots.  But they live for it.  They'll be back on the road in no time." I said faking a smile.

"And I can see barely any difference in these boys, other than the fact they just got even taller and definitely handsomer while they were away...." she said sending Calum a wink.  Calum tenses slightly before saying "Thanks, but I heard you had a boyfriend....don't you Mallory?" "Please, just call me Mal." she said grinning, stepping closer to Calum.  I clenched my fists.

"Well MAL, I think we had all agreed to go to a dinner celebration with our families....I don't quite think you'd want to interfere with that now...." I said, my sarcastic tone not so subtle.  

"Well then I suppose I should leave you all to it.  Hope to see you all around soon!" she said her voice like nails on a chalkboard.  The second I knew she left the shop and went around the corner, I could finally breathe.  "My god, I'm just about ready to rip her vocal cords out!" I said grabbing a can of Arizona.  

"Come on Nat, she can't be THAT unbearable." Ashton said shrugging.  "Oh Ash you don't want to go down this road...." Skyler said warningly.  I whipped around before Skyler said "Brace yourselves..." "Ash she is not just UNBEARABLE....she is a complete LIAR, BACKSTABBER, oh did I forget to mention: BITCH and totally and utterly the worst person alive on the face of the Earth!" I said my can of Arizona becoming squished in my hands.

"Well at least I know not one things changed." Luke said as we quickly paid and left.  I sighed as we got in the car.  "Yeah.  Not one bit."  

Eventually the evening rolled around.  We let the boys head off to their families to "rebond" essentially.  Calum invited me to be with his parents and sister, but I turned him down saying I could spend some time with him later.  

Luke and Skyler did their own thing, in fact, Skyler went over to Luke's house to visit Luke's family.  I on the other hand was fine being locked away in my room.  Caving in on myself so no one had to see.  Perfect way to spend the night right?

I was kicking myself at the fact I could've easily spent time with Calum, without him seeming to be....well....ASHAMED.  I didn't want to talk about had happened recently with Calum and the idea of being "friends".  Yeah.  Friends.

I stared at my ceiling, silently pondering what I should do.  Should I just call Calum and try to work through this whole thing?  Should I just go over to Calum's and just act like nothing was wrong?  Or should I  just sit here and continue to stare at my ceiling until something good happened?

I sat up, feeling a wave of adrenaline wash over me.  That was it, I was going to solve this whole thing....NOW.  However, just as I felt my spirits being lifted, I immediately felt them drop again.  I fell back onto the bed again, before I continued to stare at the ceiling.  

I looked to the clock, seeing it was only 8.  You have got to be kidding!  I sighed before grabbing my laptop and going downstairs and grabbing a tub of ice cream before bringing it back upstairs, spoon in hand.  I quickly typed in "The Notebook".  

I finally found a good quality HD version online, before beginning to play it, chowing down on my ice cream.  I guess it was nice to be alone.  To just take a break from the world and just take everything at my pace and enjoy life from where I was.

Finally after the movie was over, after going through tears and laughs, I finally added the final touch to my pedicure.  I looked to see it wasn't too late, and besides my nails hadn't dried completely.  So I quickly put some music on my phone, and I plugged myheadphones in, as I began to sing along.

Go ahead as you waste your days with thinking

When you fall everyone stands

Another day and you've had your fill of sinking

With the life held in your

Hands are shaking cold

These hands are meant to hold

Speak to me, when all you got to keep is strong

Move along, move along like I know you do

And even when your hope is gone

Move along, move along just to make it through

Move along

Move along

So a day when you've lost yourself completely

Could be a night when your life ends

Such a heart that will lead you to deceiving

All the pain held in your

Hands are shaking cold

Your hands are mine to hold

Speak to me, when all you got to keep is strong

Move along, move along like I know you do

And even when your hope is gone

Move along, move along just to make it through

Move along

Go on, go on, go on, go on

When everything is wrong, we move along

Go on, go on, go on, go on

When everything is wrong, we move along

Along, along, along

When all you got to keep is strong

Move along, move along like I know you do

And even when your hope is gone

Move along, move along just to make it through

Go on, go on, go on, go on

Right back what is wrong

We move along