Tangled Strings (sequel to Red Strings)

Chapter 19

Skyler's POV

"You do realize we literally just ate?" Ashton asks pulling up a stool at the kitchen counter.  "Yup" Natalie and I nod reply in sync.  "Plus that was like three hours ago and I'm hungry again!" I argue setting out the final cup. "Are they going to make us fat?" Michael whines sitting next to Ashton.  "No!" I say unconvincingly nodding my head. We made casual dinner small talk laughing about how the lady on the plane who sat in front of us wouldn't stop singing Christmas songs.  And the tiny bald man who sat across from us who cringed every time someone on the plane would swear. 

The boys explained how they had writing session days twice a week and how they would work in pairs, there was a recording studio right next door to the house and sometimes they would meet and write with other people in the business. Then Natalie told us that she would have to head to Uni next week to collect her itinerary for the year and get a tour.  

I noticed that she didn't make eye contact with Calum the entire time. I bit my lip for the first time realizing I was the only one here with no idea where they were going. Luke grabbed my hand under the table which comforted me as everyone started to talk about the scary concept called the future. 

I walk down Melrose into a vintage shop.  "Excuse me how much is this hat?" I ask holding it up to the sales clerk, she turned to me her jet black hair tied into a high ponytail.  "$25.99" she tells me popping her gum.  "Ok thank you." I reply, which strangely makes her laugh.

"How long have you been in LA for hun?" "About two weeks." I confess, she nods.  "Makes sense" "How'd you know?" "Well for starters you have a pretty thick Australian accent, second you are way to polite." "Um thanks." I blush she shrugs popping her gum and walking off. 

I put the hat on and try to adjust it in the mirror. I see two girls in the mirror they look about 13 and 14.  "Excuse me, are you a youtuber?" The shorter one asks nervously as I take the hat off "Youtuber?" I reply confused. They nod furiously.  "Oh like danisnotonfire? Me? No no I don't think I'm funny enough for that!" I sigh "You don't have to be funny to be a youtuber!" the taller one argues.  

"The ones I like are all funny." the shorter one confesses "Thank you!" I smile making the other one roll her eyes. "I'm Justine by the way, and this is Lauren" the shorter one informs me "Nice to meet you, I'm Skyler" Lauren's eyes go wide.

"That's how we know you!" she smiles with realization.  "Oh you're dating Luke Hemmings!" Justine adds.  "Yeah... I guess?" I say timidly "Michael's always been my favourite." Lauren confesses, I grin at her.  "Me too." I agree making them both laugh.  "I like Calum." Justine adds. 

"Can we take a picture with you?" "Really?" "Yes really!" Lauren assures me "We knew you were way too pretty to just be a normal person!" she continues wrapping an arm around my shoulder and snapping a photo. "Believe me I am as normal as they come, mid-life crisis and everything!" I assure her.  "Maybe you should become a youtuber then?" I look at her skeptically and she jumps up and down excitedly. 

"We'll be your first two subscribers won't we Justine?" Lauren says excitedly "Absolutely!" "I wouldn't even know what to vlog about." I chuckle amazed at how much faith they have in me. "Literally anything!" "Alright I'll think about it." 

They both squeal.  "Our friends our going to be so jealous we met you!" "We all think you and Luke are perfect together." "Thanks." I reply "You guys seem to know a lot about youtubers" I say still thinking about the idea. Dan and Phil got a radio show out of it maybe someone would like my videos. "Oh yeah." "Loads." they assure me obviously exaggerating.