Tangled Strings (sequel to Red Strings)

Chapter 26

Finally it's finished.  It wasn't quite as torturous as I expected but it was hard.  I numbly got up and got back into the studio, as I put the headphones on again.  I waited for Ashton's cue.  "The Only Reason- Natalie style take 1."  I smiled a bit as I took a deep breath before I began to sing, a capella.  

Don't talk, let me think it over

How we gonna fix this?

How we gonna undo all the pain?

Tell me, is it even worth it?

Looking for a straight line

Taking back the time we can't replace

I swallow before continuing, glancing at the notes and the lyrics.

All the crossed wires,

Just making us tired

Is it too late to bring us back to life?

I take another deep breathe before closing my eyes and letting the music take over.  

When I close my eyes and try to sleep

I fall apart, I find it hard to breathe

You're the reason, the only reason

Even though my dizzy head is numb,

I swear my heart is never giving up

You're the reason, the only reason

I finally finish the song, and once I sing the last note, I open my eyes and suddenly I see Calum there.  There's tears in his eyes and I realize that he's been listening the entire time behind the glass.  I'm just sitting there though.  I'm just sitting there, cowardly.  

"That was great!" Ashton says and I rip the headphones off and burst out of the studio.  I look at Calum and don't even know what to say.  "Well Nat, I was gonna say we can do another run-through but it seems that we only need the one...." Ashton says trying to difuse the awkward situation.

Me and Calum are still looking at each other and he then blurts out "You know I would never sleep with Skyler."  I can smell his cologne, and I can see that his hair still looks a little damp.  At least he cleaned up, I silently thought to myself.  

"Well that still doesn't explain why you were nearly naked with her in your bedroom." I state coldly, and I can see Luke out of the corner of my eye.  He's tensed up, and I can tell that I'm not helping his problem with the whole situation either.  

"Move back." he suddenly says and I reply "Excuse me?" "You heard me.  Just move back." he said.  I then get closer to him, and I look straight up at him, and say firmly "I am NOT moving back.  Especially because of-" "Me.  It's always me huh?  You keep telling me how you've 'moved on' and shit when in reality you still care.  Don't deny it Natalie: you still FUCKING care." Calum says.

"You're right.  I'm not moving back because of you.  But not because you're my ex Calum.  Because the way you've been acting has been pretty goddamn childish.  I'm sick of the bullshit, ESPECIALLY from you." I angrily reply.  Calum seems hurt, and he steps back.  "Childish?  I'm the one being childish?  Says the one who RAN." he snaps and I feel like I've gotten slapped.  

"You two need to stop." I suddenly hear Ashton cut in.  I look to the side, as Ashton sits there.  "You've both made mistakes, obviously.  Everyone does.  But you two need to stop trying to hurt the other one-" "I DIDN'T HURT HIM THOUGH!  THAT'S THE FUCKING POINT!  I HAVEN'T DONE SHIT!" I yell.