Tangled Strings (sequel to Red Strings)

Chapter 9

    

Natalie's POV

"Welllllll" Ashton looks at Michael and he smirks and said "We're gonna take you to a spa first actually.  Natalie you need to get cleaned up, those cuiticles need to get freshened up honey."  Michael did it in his best Vally girl voice that she could, before I smiled and said "Guys you don't need to take me anywhere.....really." 

"SHE'S SMILINGGGGGG!!!!' Skyler screamed before I smiled again and said "Well I am a bit happier now thanks to you two." "Awwwww" they all cooed in unison as Skyler tried to cuddle me.  

"But really a SPA you guys are absolutely nuts it'll cost a fortune for both me and Skyler together and it depends what we get and then-" I started rambling like crazy before Skyler stopped me.  "Natalie relax.  They're in a band remember?" she said as I sighed in relief "Right."

Finally we pulled up to the spa, and I hopped out of the car, a little conscious of my plain shorts with a simple loose tank, my favourite tribal bandeau under it.  We walked in, as Ashton awkwardly walked over to the counter and said "Hello!"

The lady looked up, obviously not impressed with the Ashton's childish attitude and Michael's bright hair.  "May I help you?" she asked, voice strained.  "Yes, we need something that could help possibly cure a break up for this young lady over here, and just a regular freshening up for this one." Ashton said hoping it could make sense.

"So two full packages?  That includes facial, manicure, pedicure, waxing and massage." she said typing away at her computer before looking up again.  "We'll take it!" Ashton said and the lady quickly typed in some things.

We got led back, and we begged them to let Ashton and Michael back with us, which they allowed, with some slight annoyance.  

As we were getting our nails done Ashton kept cracking jokes before he said "Hey Natalie why didn't you go to school today?" "I wasn't feeling well." I said swallowing.  I hadn't felt like getting up today, and my mom allowed today as my day off, even though it took a lot of convincing.

"You know Calum misses you." Michael blurted.  "I can imagine." I said half heartedly, as my nails got their final glossy coat.  I had gotten my toe nails in a deep ocean blue, with white flower designs, and on my finger nails were light teal.

Finally we had finished up before Ashton and Michael led us out.  "Thanks guys.  I should really pay you back though." I said as we got back in the car.  "Natalie, we're earning tons of money, and it's our money and we can choose what we spend it on.  So we spent it on your little girls day." Ashton said as he began to drive.

"Thanks.  I mean it." I said before Ashton said "Now, it's time for some ice cream!"  We stopped by my ice cream shop, grabbing my ice cream, as we got back in the car and started driving again.

"And we have one final stop!" Michael announced.  "And what's that?" I asked as we got on the highway.  I recognized the way we were going.  We were going to the beach.  Our beach.

"We're going to the beach!" I said excitedly.  "But we don't have our swimsuits." Skyler pointed out the guys.  "Oh come on, you can just head in with your clothes!" Michael said.  "What about towels?" she asked seeing if Michael had any backup. 

"I think we have towels in the boot.  Besides, guys, it's nice today and we figured it might cheer Natalie up.  Since we haven't been at the beach for....well forever." Michael said as Ashton continued driving.

We opened the windows, the wind blowing at us, everyone's hair sticking up and getting blown back.  We turned up the Green Day music at it's max volume, as American Idiot began to blast.

Don't wanna be an American idiot. 

Don't want a nation under the new mania 

And can you hear the sound of hysteria? 

The subliminal mind fuck America. 

"Wooooooooo!!!!" we all cheered as we continued driving at top speed.

Welcome to a new kind of tension. 

All across the alienation. 

Where everything isn't meant to be okay. 

Television dreams of tomorrow. 

We're not the ones who're meant to follow. 

For that's enough to argue.

We continued to sing the song, until we finally arrived at the beach, and we all jumped out, as we began to run to the water.  I could feel the familiar tickle of sand in between my toes, as I continued to sprint towards the water.

I finally hit the hard wet sand, and felt a wave crash onto my legs.  The water was slightly chilly but I couldn't be bothered.  I immediately took off my tank, and went in, hoping my bandeau wouldn't fall as we swam.

Suddenly Skyler jumped onto my back as I shrieked before we both fell into the water, the salt water engulfing me in some odd sense of comfort.  The ocean always helped me get through anything.

Once I came up for air, I splashed Skyler before suddenly I felt another splash of water hit me.  I turned around to see that Ashton was grinning widely, showing off his dimples.  "Oh Irwin you are going to pay for that one...." I said splashing him.

We continued to swim and splash around in the ocean blue, before we laid on the sand for a bit, the sun slowly making its way westward.  "What time is it?" I asked before Michael checked his phone and replied "4:30".  

I sighed as my phone began to buzz in my pocket and I picked it up, guessing it would be my mother.  "Hi mom." I said "Natalie when are you going to come home?  I know Michael and Ashton took you out but when are you gonna head back?" my mom asked before I quickly asked Ashton what time we'd be back.

"Probably 5 ish." he replied laying back down on the towel.  "Probably around 5:30" I told my mother before I said bye and laid down on the sand staring up at the sky.  The relaxation that was with me was an alien feeling.  I had never felt this calm since.....well forever.

"Should we head back?" Skyler asked staring at the sky.  "Alrighty then gang, let's head back!" Ashton announced getting up.  "Gang?" Michael asked and smirked a little.  We all piled into the car again, before finally heading back.

We took a quick swing by the Glob however, because Michael wanted a slushie and me and Skyler figured we could always just grab some Arizona from there too.  I went in, and grabbed my Fruit Punch flavoured Arizona, before heading to the counter to check out.

But as I continued to walk, I heard a familiar voice.  A laugh.  I knew it way too well.  Who, was it?  

Calum.