Invisible String

37

Alex's POV

"Damn Al, have you gone on your social media?" Ash asks.

"No why?" I ask with furrowed eyebrows.

"Dude the whole situation is getting out of hand. They're going after Nat." Ash says.

"What do you mean?"

"Look for yourself." Ash says as she throws me her phone.

I catch her phone as I look at the window that's opened.

"Oh god." I mumble.

'Demi Lovato comes after Natalie Swift once again after not getting a response from the female artist.'

"Demi is out of her damn mind." Tobin yells as she comes into the room. Her phone in her hand as she points to the screen.

"It seems so unnecessary." Christen says and I nod.

"Let me read to you what Demi says." Tobin says as she sits down. "Alright here goes 'I just think she's too much of a baby like her sister. Doesn't admit that she's wrong. I don't understand why she's even hiding just like her sister, I guess they both know that what Kim said was right' oof that's not good."

"That's not good at all." I say.

"She also talks about how come Natalie just decided to release music but then go into hiding. I don't know the whole thing is a mess." Ash says.

"Demi always seemed cool." Christen says.

"She hit a big nerve though." I say.

"What do you mean?" Christen asks.

"Chris come on, Demi just hit the biggest nerve there is for Natalie." Tobin says and I nod.

"Which is?"

"Taylor." I say. "It's a soft spot for her, so if she 'comes out' from hiding there's a good chance it'll be because of this."

"I wouldn't blame her." Ash says and I sigh.

I continue to look at the article and I shake my head as I read what Demi says.

'She's only known because of Taylor.'

False.

'We all know Taylor bribed a record label for Natalie to get a contract.'

Umm false?

'Natalie is known for being in the background and it should've stayed that way. People have said she's completely rude and honestly it seems that way.'

"That seems like an assumption of someone. She doesn't know Natalie does she?" Tobin asks.

"I mean. I don't think she does." I say with a shrug. "I don't think they've ever even talked."

"It sounds more to me like Demi thinks that Nat has a re-"

My phone rings as Christen talks. A picture of Nat pops up as I grab my phone from the table.

"Hello?"

"Hi sunshine, how's camp?" Nat says enthusiastically.

"Someone's in a good mood." I say which makes Nat chuckle.

"Meh, I like to think everything is okay. You know what they say, when life gives you lemons make lemonade."

"I don't. I don't think- are you sure it's a good time to use that phrase?"

"Mm yes, yes I do. But by that question I can tell you've heard." Nat says.

"I have and I'd love to have a word with her privately." I say.

"Don't. I don't need her coming after the two most important people in my life. Then there would be some serious damage done that I don't want to do. She just hit a spot." Nat says.

"Well I love you, promise you won't do anything you wouldn't do?"

"I promise Al, I'm not rude like she says. I just don't like to talk to people and some take it the wrong way. I'm trying to be more open but it's definitely hard when people think I'm a carbon copy of Taylor or want to be like her. Taylor is her own person as I am my own."

"You're not going to talk back then is what I'm supposing right?" I ask.

"Al we gotta go for the team meeting." Christen whispers and I nod as I wave her off.

"Do you think I should?" Nat asks.

"I think you should do whatever you feel is right. I also believe she just wants to get a reaction out of you and I know she won't succeed at that." I say.

"Al let's go!" Tobin yells from outside the room.

"Give me a minute damn it!" I yell back.

"You're right." Nat says and I smile but obviously she can't see me. "She won't succeed in getting a reaction out of me."

"Alexandra!" Ash yells.

"Go to your meeting Al. I love you."

"I love you too. I'll call you as soon as I can okay?"

"I know you will. Oh hey while you're at it tell Tobin to call me when she can, I'd like a word with my number one fan." Nat says with a laugh.

"I'm your number one fan." I scoff.

"Sorry baby you're like my number thirteenth fan." Nat says as she cackles.

"Ha ha you're so funny. I'll get you back don't worry. Watch out Natalie Liliana."

"Aw no baby not the middle name." Nat says and I can practically see her pout.

"I love you." I say as I make a kiss noise through the phone.

"I love you. Good luck. Say hi to Tobs for me."

"Oh you guys are going to the next level I see, nicknames huh." I say.

"I'd like to say Tobs and I are chill."

"Oh god. Okay I have to go. Bye I'll talk to you soon. Make wise decisions." I say.

"Listen to your own words Al, make wise decisions. I'm watching you."

"That sounds creepy."

"Yeah I realize that now. Just be careful. Have fun at camp."

"Have fun doing whatever you're doing that you won't tell me." I say rolling my eyes.

"Baby you know I can't tell you."

"I- hey!" I yell as Tobin grabs my phone. "What the hell?"

"Hi best friend! We gotta go. But I'll make sure I call you back with Alex. Don't know if she'll be the one calling but hey it could be me. Yes. Oh yeah for sure. Great call you soon bye." Tobin says and hangs up.

"Excuse me?"

"You're excused. Come on we're going to be late." Tobin says as she drags me out of the room.

"You're unbelievable Tobin Powell Heath."

"Some would say I'm out of this world." Tobin says with a smirk and I close my eyes as I shake my head.

"Oh god."