Tangled Strings (sequel to Red Strings)

Chapter 32

"I really need a girlfriend" Michael mumbles under his breath, "Let's rent a movie?" Sylvana suggests and everyone agrees "all the movies on demand are crappy" Michael pouts "there's a video store around the corner?" I suggest, "great idea muppet, Luke and I will go" "we will?" "yes we will... let's go." I smiles at the exchange as soon as I hear the door click I sit up moving closer to everybody. "Okay, so Luke's birthday on Friday any ideas?" 

"Birthday sex?" Sylvana suggest Ashton chokes "Sylvana!" I squeal, "What?" "Would birthday sex, be better or worse then make up sex?" Natalie chimes in making Calum make a strange noise. "Is this what girls talk about?" Ashton asks his eyes still wide, Sylvana pats his chest before kissing his cheek. 

"Focus people! Luke's birthday!" "We could go go-karting?" Calum suggest I scrunch my nose. "We could go to a concert?" Natalie suggest. "Too many people," I reply. "You guys could always throw him a surprise party," Sylvana suggests. "That's it!" I clap. "We could have it here? Invite some people?" "We can invite 1D?" Ash suggests and I nod "Perfect!" "I'm going to order his cake from that place on Main Street that make those muffins he's obsessed with!" I tell them and Calum nods.

"Ash will you be in charge of inviting people?" "Sure," he agrees pulling out his phone. "Natalie, Vana decorations?" Vana nods giving me a thumbs up/ "Calum you'll have to keep Luke out of the house for at least two hours." "How am I suppose to do that?" "No idea." "Fine," he agrees and I grin. "Wait what's Michael doing?" Natalie asks. "Oh, he's going to drive me to the airport so I can pick up Liz..." "Wait Liz is coming?" "Yup she confirmed her flight this morning and Mali-koa!" 

"My SISTER'S COMING!" Calum yells excited. "She has an audition in town but she agreed to fly out early with Liz for his birthday." "Oh my god that's amazing!" Natalie says. "Yeah... and don't worry Liz said she has a friend in town she wants to visit so we'll drop her there and pick her up after the party." "What about my sister?" "She's our chaperone." I smirk.

"Whatever I'm actually super stoked to see her." Nat awes hugging him. "So any questions?" I asks feeling proud that I had planned this all out "Yeah, does birthday sex happen before or after the party?" I flip Sylvana off. 

Natalie's POV

"Oh my god Sylvana hurry the fuck up!" I say as she runs down the stairs.  "Sorryyyyy!!!" she says as Luke suddenly comes by us.  "Where are you guys headed?" "Well I need to do some shopping, and both Sylvana and I need to head to the school library to get a book or two out.  We should be back soon though." I said twirling my keys in my hand as we walk out the door.  

"Good excuse," Sylvana smiles and I shrug before saying "I'm a decent liar."  Sylvana rolled her eyes as we get in the car, and I try to head out to the shops as quick as I can.  

"Ok balloons first!" I said glancing at them, a basket in my hand.  "Hm... what colour do you think will work best?" "Well depends on what we're exactly picking it out for..." "Oh for what?  The birthday sex?  Damn I should ask Skyler what matching lingerie she'll wear!" I joked and Sylvana said "Let's go with....blue, green and black.  Oh and let's get the white ones too." 

"Alright then," I said tossing a bunch in.  Then of course there were matching streamers, candles, plates, untensils.  "Oh my god we have to get matching napkins!" I said as I reached out from some black napkins.  "Matching napkins?" Sylvana asked and I glared at her and said "It's very important to have matching napkins!" "Whatever you say Ms. Party Planner," Sylvana said as I rolled my eyes as we headed to the check out.

"Skyler got the cake right?" I ask as we drive into the university campus because surprisingly I did need a book or two for my literature as well as my philosophy class.  "Yeah she ordered it today.  I still can't get over the fact you guys held off Luke's birthday this long!" Sylvana said as we walked into the library as I looked at down the aisles of books before I headed down one.

"Well since we were all so busy, we just kinda got him a cake and left it at that.  He didn't want much anyways at the time but Skyler's felt bad since then so we figured we would give him a second birthday!" I said as I stood on my tippy toes as I reached for one of the books.  

"So quick question...." Sylvana started as I grabbed another book before scanning the shelves for my other book.  "Yeah?" "When are you and Calum getting back together?"  I ignored it, as I continued to pretend to look for the book even though it was literally right in front of me.  "Natalie?  Earth to Natalie!" Sylvana said waving her hand in front of my face.  I blinked and turned to her and said "Sorry I zoned out.  But hey, I found my philosophy book!" I grabbed the book before heading to the desk to check it out.

"Natalie you didn't answer my question...." "Sylvana it's not even an answer I know to be honest.  I don't think Cal and I would ever get back together!" I said before I grabbed the books again, as we headed back to the car.  "Really?  Bullshit!  You two LOVE each other for God's sake what the hell is holding you back?" Sylvana asked as we got in, as I chucked my books to the backseat.

"Nothing, it's just that I think Calum and I are trying to work on our relationship in a more friend wise matter rather then immediately get back together!" I said trying to sound smart.  "More like friend's with benefits," Sylvana commented and I rolled my eyes and replied "It was the ONE time we had make up sex.  Hell we were both drunk." 

We're silent as the engine hums as we're nearing the boys' place. "Natalie you realize his sister's coming right?" Sylvana said and I sighed.  "I know.  And if I break his heart now I'll be in fucking trouble.  But I can't play with his heart either!" I said as I turned into the driveway, before turning off the car.  "Natalie just talk to him about it." "How the hell do I even bring it up? 'Hey listen I know we fucked and all but I think we should get back together cause I'm still in love with you and I'm pretty sure you don't have anyone else on your mind.'  Cause THAT'S how I'm gonna bring it up!" I said as we both got out of the car.

"Natalie, he fucking LOVES you!  Trust me, he's head over heels for you, and at the end of the day, if two people love each other, they'll find a way back to each other." Sylvana says before grabbing the supplies and going into the house.  

A couple days later, and it was soon going to be the arrival of some of our...."international" guests.  "Mali-koa is coming today!" Calum yells bounding around the kitchen.  I laugh a little sipping at my coffee.  "You're literally acting like a 5-year old on Christmas Day," I joked taking a seat on the breakfast bar stool.  "I haven't seen her in FOREVER, plus she's excited to meet you!" Calum said as he sat down beside me.  "Well I have met her before, when we were sending you guys off." "That was AGES ago!  C'mon she'll be happy to meet you." Calum said grabbing my hand in his.

I smiled and said "What if she doesn't like me?" "Are you fucking kidding me?  She's gonna LOVE you!" "Oh my god how much have to told her about me?" I ask burying my face in my hands.  I can sense Calum smiling before he takes his hands off and whispers "Enough that she thinks you're wonderful." 

I give him a small smile and then say "So what time is her flight coming in?" "Around noon.  Liz is on the same flight actually, but she said she wanted to keep her arrival a surprise for Luke." Cal said as I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.  "I'm gonna go and make myself look a little decent, and we can then be on our way alright?" I said to Calum and he nodded excitedly.

We walked into the busy airport as we looked around to see the arrival gate.  There were people everywhere and bit by bit people were getting greeted by family, by friends.  I stood on my tippy toes as I tried to spot her crop of raven black hair.  "Mali-Koa!" Calum suddenly yelled waving his arms around and I strained to see her.  I finally did see her and she smiled and ran over to us both before throwing her arms around Calum.

She pulled away before squeezing Cal's cheek and said "So how's my little brother doing?"  Calum groaned before she pulled her hand away and she then turned to me and said "You must be Natalie!  Calum's told me so much about you!  All good things though."  I smiled and said "And you must be Mali-Koa.  Calum's been jumping around the house the entire morning he was so excited.  And can I also say that you're even more gorgeous in person?"

She laughed and said "Calum did say you were gorgeous too!  Now should we be on our way?"  Calum groaned and said "God you two are two peas in a pod!  C'mon I'm sure you're a little jet-lagged Mali." "Yeah just a bit.  But I slept a lot on the way." she said as Calum grabbed one of the suitcases and we headed back to the car.