Tangled Strings (sequel to Red Strings)

Chapter 10

Wherever you are, I caption the photo rolling over in my bed and pulling the cover's up to my head. 

Natalie's POV

I didn't march over, like Skyler perceived, but I was tempted to go and slap Calum in the face though.  Hard.  Really hard.  Or at least rugby tackle him into the floor and hope that he got a concussion.  

I however, retreated and figured I could avoid him.  I mean, I knew I could.  When I was younger I would sneak around the house all the time, trying to get the candy my mom not-so-stealthily hid.  

"Alright that'll be 3.50." Drew said popping his bubble in his bubble gum.  I had my gum and Arizona all together, as I dug out the change in my pockets.  I only came up with 3.30.  

"Ugh." I groaned, trying desperately to find my 20 cent coin.  My pockets weren't helping and I hadn't gotten anything.  I looked to see if I had dropped it on the floor of the shop but came up empty.  "Do you not have twenty cents?" Drew asked.

I sighed and said "Listen Drew can I just pay you this and pay you back the next time I come around." "Sorry Natalie but I can't do that.  I used to do it before and there were tons of kids not paying me back.  I'm not running a free for all business here, I'm trying to keep a living." Drew said.

"You know that I always pay you back!" I said and Drew looked at me and said "Listen, I trust you Natalie I really do, but if I start showing favours I'm in for it.  So either come up with your twenty cents or give up your gum." 

"Alright I'll take off the gu-" "I'll pay for her." Calum suddenly said.  I turned around, as he dug around his pocket, before pulling out a twenty cent coin and putting it on the counter along with my change.  "You don't need to." I said coldy, before turning back to Drew and saying "Listen I'll just take the Arizona.  I can skip the gum." 

Drew nodded before taking off the price of the gum before giving me back the extra change.  I shoved it in my pocket, before grabbing my Arizona and marching out the door, slamming it.  The bell clinked behind me, as Drew yelled "Careful with the door!"

I rolled my eyes before Calum yelled "Natalie!"  I felt my eyes watering, as a tear slipped and I furiously wiped it away.  "Natalie!" his voice sounded closer.  I felt him tug at my arm and he said "Natalie...." I whipped around facing him. "What do you want Hood?" I spat before he retreated.

He opened his mouth to say something before he closed it again.  "Listen Natalie I never meant to piss you off..." "Yeah well if you wanna stop doing that, it would be pretty helpful right now." I said walking away.  

"Natalie-" "Calum, you can't just turn around and pretend that we're friends right away after a SERIOUS relationship.  I'm sorry but you don't seem hurt at all." I said walking away. "Oh I'm not HURT?  It killed me having to say that we weren't together." Calum said, trying to fight back.  "Yeah, who were you saying that to?  Your management?  The fans?" I mocked.  

"Natalie will you just drop that!  I was trying to PROTECT you!" "Well you can't really protect something if you don't actually care about it or love it enough." I snapped before Calum took a step back, as if I had punched him the gut.

"Do you actually think that I never loved you?  I never cared?" "Yeah.  I actually do." I said my voice beginning to crack.  I could feel that lump growing in my throat, as I felt my eyes water up.  I swallowed and turned away from Calum.

"Natalie...." he said as I whispered "Don't try to say you love me.  Or that you care.  Lie to me again.  I dare you."  "Natalie I do....." he sighed biting his lip.  "I do care.  As a friend." he said.  "I can't even consider you as a friend right now, because I see you as an ex.  I need time Calum, something that in a way neither of us have." I said before walking away completely.

"Natalie can we at least....TALK?" Calum yelled before I felt the tears about to stream down my face and I ran from the Glob, and all the way home.

Now here I was days later, staring at my bedroom ceiling, wondering how in the world I was going to be able to say goodbye to the boys while avoiding Calum at all costs.  I heard my phone beginning to vibrate on the bedside table before I saw it was Skyler, and I sighed turning onto my side.

I heard my mother knocking on the door.  "Natalie, Skyler's been calling the house non-stop and she's banging on the door.  She's telling me that you're not answering her calls." my mother said through the door. "She wants me to come say bye to the boys.  Before they leave again." I answered and sighed.

"Natalie, please at least hear Skyler out, I'm sure you want to say goodbye to your friends before they leave again." "But I had a fight with Calum and I don't want to." I whined before suddenly Skyler came into the room.

"That's it Natalie you're coming to say goodbye to them, whether you like it or not." Skyler said pulling me off the bed.  "But-" "No Natalie we're going, and you have no decision in the matter!" 

I suddenly got dragged off my bed and out of the house.  "But Skyler it's like Calum and everything and I just don't feel up to it, and me and Calum fought just a couple days ago and I don't want have to do this, please, please, please not now, it's not a good day." I begged.

Skyler looked at me and said "You can leave when you want to.  But at least do it for Michael, Ashton and Luke.  Please."  I sighed a hand at my face, as I finally sighed again and said "I'll try." "Thanks.  It means a lot."

We got into the car, as we drove over to the airport, and we finally get parked, and Skyler turned to me and said "Ready?"  

I swallowed.  "I hope so." I choked out, as we got out of the car.