Red Strings (5 Seconds of Summer fanfic)

Chapter 14

Skyler's POV

I nearly had to snap my fingers in front of Nat's face to make her pay attention. "Alright let's begin, let's see what we're working with here Natalie Lane, Calum Hood I assume you've familiarized yourself with Summer Lovin."  

I look at Luke who starts to make kissy faces making a smile spread across my face. "Yes, miss." Calum said politely standing up and readjusting his shirt. He then put his hand out to Natalie and helped her up causing her to blush. 

Luke shuffled closer to me now that they where gone and whispered "have they practised?" I looked at him a smirk plastered on my face before shaking my head and turning my attention back to the stage. "Alright, let's begin" she began clapping her hands together Calum took a deep breath and Natalie clasped her fingers together in a way that told me she was nervous. 

She looked at me quickly and I gave her a thumbs up, know she's do amazing like always. "1...2..3" "Summer lovin had me a blast" Calum sang "Summer lovin happened so fast" Natalie continued. 

Just then the doors to the theatre swung open causing everyone in the auditorium to turn around. I rolled my eyes when I say Mallory standing there books in hand. "She makes Nat jealous doesn't she?" Luke asked I turned to face him is eyes where wide, I slump into my seat a little more. 

"Calum doesn't like her like that, you know" I smile at that of course I could tell he liked Natalie but it was always good to be reassured. "Do you like her like that?" I tease half heartedly, I watch his face heat up and he runs his fingers through his hair, a nervous habit I presume. 

"N-no" I can't help but feel smug instead up making eye contact I begin to fiddle with my thumbs still feeling his gaze. "why not she's quite pretty" I say knocking our shoulders together "yeah well maybe you should date her" he retorts, a silent chuckle leaves my lips. 

"But no I don't like her," he says again "well good"  I whisper biting my lip when our eyes meet. We hold our stare for what feels like minutes neither one of us daring to say anything. "Alright that was fantastic for a first run through" he emphasizes "Andrews, Hemmings" 

She says causing us both to break our look and look up at her "I would love to hear your voices on harmonies." I nod getting up and walking toward the stage. After we run through the song he moves to "Beauty School Drop Out" and the four of us end up sitting on the stairs talking about something random for the rest of the practise. 

"So are you guys excited for the beach tomorrow." I nudge Nat and she glares at me "Oh my god," I say randomly "What?" Calum asked obviously confused "We haven't exchanged numbers yet" theres a moment of silence "That's really weird actually." 

I nod in agreement each of us pulling out our phones and passing it around. "Nice background," Luke teases returning my phone "shut up, penguins are amazing" I respond Natalie groans "please please do not ever bring up penguins around Skyler ever." I whack her arm as a sign of protest causing Luke and Calum to laugh. 

"See everyone tomorrow," Mr. Meyers says interrupting our conversation. "Hey," Mallory says suddenly appearing as we tried to exit. "Hey," Luke replied "So we're throwing a party tomorrow tonight if you guys wanna come," she winked "All of us?" Calum clarified, Mallory rolled her eyes "Yes, all of you." She sighed. 

Natalie's POV

I looked at Sky, who shrugged and we began to walk from the theatre and we pushed open the front doors to the school, a blast of the breeze hitting us.  

It was nice, the sun was beating down on us generously, and the breeze was relieving, especially after the hectic day I had been having today.  

"So do you know where Mallory lives?" Calum asked, breaking me from my thoughts.  I realized what he had asked and I said "Vaguely.  I mean, you can always google it or something."  Calum nodded, feeling the awkwardness between us.

"So, do you guys want us to drive or…?" "Don't worry we have a ride.  She lives on the other side of the school."  We both nodded.  We had only been to Mallory's house once or twice, forced by our mothers.  

"Well then, we'll pick you up around 7 then?" Luke asked and we both simultaneously responded "Yup."

Soon the boys went their way, and before we knew it, Friday rolled around.  The second we had left Cal and Luke at our corner, me and Skyler looked at each other, before breaking out into a sprint to Sky's house.  We stumbled through the door, taking the stairs up to her room two at a time, before dumping our bags and slamming the door in her frigid cold room.

"Alright missy, we need to decide what you're gonna wear." Sky said, forcing me to sit on the bed.  She then opened the door to her overflowing closet.  She began to dig out dresses, one by one, before I finally said "Sky it's only a party." "Yeah, well you got Calum to dress for Nat, so I'm gonna help you." "I can decide for myself thanks!" "Um, no.  I'll handle you tonight."

Sky gave me a pair of bleached jeans, and she threw me one of her shirts, with a special cut out design on the back.  I then grabbed her pair of combat boots, and cropped leather jacket before putting it all on.

Then she sat me down and gave my hair a quick curl, before doing my makeup.  She gave me a mostly natural look, with a strong smoky eye.  I then got up out of the seat, letting Sky get ready.

She wore her leggings, with her sneaker wedges and a high-low tank.  She grabbed her own sweater, before finally getting me to straighten her hair, and she quickly put on some shadow and lipstick.

By the time we had finished up our preparation, it was 7, and Luke and Calum came by, with their truck.  "Fancy ride huh?" Sky joked to Luke, giving him a punch in the shoulder.  Luke grinned at her before saying "It was my dad's."  

We finally got to Mallory's.  The sun had begun to set, the sky turning into a watercolour sketch.  We looked at the house, with drunk kids already out in the front lawn.  Wow, it wasn't even dark, and there were people who were wasted.  

We headed in, the hallway crammed with all sorts of bodies, music blasting from the living room.  We pushed our way through, to head into the kitchen.  The chips and finger food was out, and the alcohol was set out.  Me and Sky never drank, the most we had probably ever hd was a sip of champagne on New Year's Eve.  

We grabbed the red cups however, finding a bottle of Coke, pouring it for both me and Sky.  

We held our cups, looking around at everyone, seeing people going out for a smoke.  I could smell the mix of weed and tobacco from where I was standing.  I could hear people slurring their words together, and the music was pounding so much, it seemed like it was going to be deafening soon enough.

"CALUM!  LUKE! YOU CAME!!!" Mallory's shrill voice shrieked, somewhat slurred as she stumbled towards them.  The boys glanced at each other, as Mallory grabbed their hands and said "Come on, join the game we got going on….it's Truth or Dare…."