Tangled Strings (sequel to Red Strings)

Chapter 27

"It's no ones fault Luke, honestly it was an accident for a reason." Michael says as we continue looking at Skyler as I then bite my lip and begin to sob again.  "Shhh shhh Natalie it's gonna be ok....." Michael says as he rubs my back as I then say "This is not ok Michael.  I hurt her, I left her my mess to clean up again and look at what happened.  I do this to her every time, and because I never learnt my lesson this had to be the consequence!" I begin to sob again, and Michael is still comforting me, as Calum just stands looking at us.  I can sense some jealousy, because obviously it should be him comforting me, but of course, he's in such a bad mood that he just glares.

Suddenly I can feel Skyler's hand move in my own.  I look up to see that Skyler's eyes flicker open.  She groans a little bit and she squints a little.  "Ugh where am I?" she groans and I look at her and see that she's finally regained conscious.  

"Holy shit," Luke whispers as he holds Sky's face in his hands and tears well up in her eyes before he says "Thank God you're ok."  Sky then looks over to see that I'm sitting beside the bed as well.  "Hey Nat." she says and I let out a sigh of relief as I give her the best hug I can while she's laying down.  

"Oh yeah look whats in your nose," I joked wiping away some tears.  Skyler looks down to see.  "Holy shit I'm closer to being Hazel Grace then all of you!" she says smiling.  How is she smiling at a time like this?  She's Skyler though, and that's just who she is.  She looks around and then says "Where's Ashton?" "Still have no idea." Luke states biting his lip.  

"I'm gonna try and call him." I state and Luke and Skyler nod as I get up and go out into the hall, before beginning to dial Ashton.  The phone starts ringing and I silently whisper "Just answer it Ashton, just answer."  Finally I hear someone pick up.

"Hello...?" he asks and I say "Holy shit thank GOD Ashton!  Where are you?" "Why?" "Ashton just tell me!"  Ashton is silent before he whispers "I didn't know where Sylvana's house is, so I kinda kept driving around USC.  Then I got the guts to text her and asked her where her place is.  I'm here with her right now and she mentioned that you were out for Skyler and I didn't want to intervene, so I'm with her right now."

"You still didn't tell me why you were even out!" I said leaning against the wall.  "Skyler told me to not let Calum being all asshole on me stop me from getting an awesome girl like Sylvana.  And you can say that I may now be officially taken...." Ashton says and I squeal a little bit.  "Aw Ashton THAT'S AMAZING!"  

Ashton laughs on the other end.  "Why're you freaking out so much?  It's not like we're getting married or anything!" "YET!" I squeak before I shut the line quickly.  I come back to the room and the others look up at me.  "Well?  Anything from him?" Luke asks worryingly.  

I smile and then say "Well he's staying at Sylvana's right now, but I have no doubt he'll come whenever we need him."  Luke breathes out a sigh of relief.  "I was scared he had gone off and maybe something had happened to him too." Luke states.

Suddenly theres a knock at the door and we all look up to see its a lady in a white lab coat, with black hair pulled back into a ponytail.  "Are you the doctor?" I asked and she nodded and said "Allow me to introduce myself.  I'm Dr. Ryerson."  I shook hands with her and she also shook hands with the others before she said "Alright now I came here for the important part obviously- which is our diagnosis." 

Luke tenses up and I then ask "It's nothing life-threatening is it?" "Oh no, no.  The accident wasn't that major to have any injuries such as broken or fractured bones.  However, we are worried about Skyler's head in particular, due to the fact that's where most of the trauma occurred." Dr. Ryerson stated, looking down at her clipboard.  

"So possible concussion?" I asked and she nodded.  "There may also be some neck issues, and we think it's best that we keep Skyler overnight for certain tonight to gage how serious the concussion could be.  We can arrange a couple tests and scans to further look at what may be wrong, but those would be done tomorrow." she said.

"Would you mind at all if one or two of us stayed overnight?" I asked and she shook her head.  "If all of you would like to stay, be my guest!  But Skyler does need some rest, and it would be best if only one or two of you stay overnight with her." she suggests looking around at all of us.  "Well I'm staying." Luke states.

"I'll stay here too." I say pushing back some of my hair.  Skyler then starts "You guys, none of you have to stay I'll be fine-" "Uh Skyler you're in a hospital so clearly you're not fine." I say as I plonk down into the chair.  "I'll just let Sylvana know that I'm staying overnight." I said shrugging.  Dr. Ryerson nodded and then said "Well goodnight to all of you, and I'm assuming I'll see you two tomorrow morning?" She pointed to me and Luke.

I nodded and said "Bright and early."  She smiled and said "Well goodnight!"  She walks out just as quickly as she came in.  I pull out my phone and quickly let Sylvana know that I'm staying overnight, as Michael and Calum make their way to the door.  "We'll see you tomorrow yeah?" Michael says and I nod, as he gives my forehead a kiss, before leaving, Calum just being silent as they left.