Red Strings (5 Seconds of Summer fanfic)

Chapter 25

Skyler's POV

I grabbed a bowl of cereal and sat down on the couch flipping through the channels. I took a big mouthful of cereal and decide to watch reruns of Friends because some how that show was alway on. I sat cross legged on the couch scrolling through my phone as the theme song began to play. 

I bit my lip throwing my phone to the other side of the couch and groaning, I felt kind-of responsible for what had happened between them and I really hoped they'd work it out. I sighed focusing my eyes on the TV for a brief second before grabbing my phone again. I still hadn't talked to Luke since the thing with Michael happened, I decided to give him his space until he was ready to talk to me again. I shifted uncomfortably still unable to get comfortable. 

Before giving up completely and walking upstairs into my room and opening my laptop. Googling Hemmo1996 which I had learned was Luke and Calum's screen name I gasped when I noticed a new Video had been posted earlier today, I debate waiting for Natalie before watching. I click on it slowly attempting to read the title at the same time Rolling In The Deep- 5 Seconds Of Summer (cover). 

"Hey!" Luke said at the camera shyly making me smile I noticed that they where in the music room at school. Calum began to play the guitar and I watched smiles appear on both of there faces. They sounded really good Calum tone was perfect for the quite parts of the song and Luke belted the chorus flawlessly. 

As the video ended I thought about what Luke had told me about needing more people before they form a band, and how good he would be at performing. I shake slamming my laptop shut. I need to stop thinking about Luke I tell myself texting Natalie, when there's no response after a few minutes I take it as a good sign, heading back down stairs 

"Mom I'm going out!" I yell slamming the door behind me. I put my head phones in and walked to the local Video Store which was about a 15 minute walk, browsing around for a while.  "That'll be 7€ please" The guy at the cash register said drumming his fingers on the desk "Hey, kid!" A long blonde haired woman who I assumed was the manager hollered 

"what did I tell you about that!" She said giving me an empathetic smile, he shrugged holding his hand out. "Good song" I say handing him the money. He looked at me and smiled handing me the change and the bag. 

"Thanks" I said grabbing it and walking out of the store. I get half way back before my phone buzzes loudly in my pocket making Looking Up by Paramore stop playing. I groan pulling it from my back pocket. 

My house CODE RED!!!!! -Natalie 

Natalie's POV 

"I-I can't answer that." I whispered hoarsely, walking backwards away from Calum.  "Natalie..." "I'm sorry Calum, but I need to think." I threw the longboard onto the ground as I began to speed off.

"Nat!" he called, but I felt the tears spilling down my cheeks, and didn't bother turning back.  I tried to go as fast as I possibly could on the board, finally reaching my house, as I texted Skyler, hoping she would be around to listen.  

Natalie: My house CODE RED!!!

Skyler: wat happened?

Natalie: too long to explain. r u even around?

Skyler: i was at the vid store. im nearly there anyways

Natalie: alright. see u 

Finally when I arrived home, I quickly jumped off the board, walking into the house.  "Hello darling!" my parents called and I quickly called back "Hey guys!"  I walked into the kitchen, longboard in hand.  

"Hey love." my mom said, cup of coffee in her hand as she sat by the kitchen table, with my dad.  My dad looked up from the paper and said "How was Skyler's?"  I smiled and said "It was good.  Did I miss anything major?" 

My mom shook her head and then said "Natalie are you ok?"  I nodded and said "Of course I am.  Why wouldn't I be?" "Somethings up darling.  Your eyes are red" my mom said, as she patted the spot beside her.  I sat down and said "My eye was itchy.  But still nothing major mom." "Natalie." my dad said, looking at me straight on.  

I shuffled a little uncomfortably and said "Can I just talk to mom?"  My dad sighed and said "I'm guessing its about boys."  I blushed and said "Could be."  My dad gave me a small smile and said "It's ok love.  I'll leave you two to it."  He left, his slippers padding away on the wooden floor.  

I didn't explain too much.  I just said how Calum had asked me out for a date, and yeah I liked him, but I could feel myself hesitating because of stupid Mallory, and he asked if I could be his girlfriend and I just left him there, telling him I needed to think, even though he probably hates me more than ever, and by the end of all this, I was sipping a cup of tea, as it did little to soothe my anger and nerves.

My mom just listened and when the door rung, and Skyler came over, she understood it was one of those best friend support moments.  She gave us our space and me and Skyler ran up the stairs before collapsing into my room.

"Tell me everything." Skyler said before I said "I don't even know where to begin." "Alright so you got to the Glob.  Then what?" "Calum came over, and he told me he wanted to remind me he did like me more than a friend, but then I said how could he cause he kept flirting with Mallory even though he told me he hated her, and I told him I had thought I had figured him out, even though I hadn't, and then he asked me if I trusted him, and I said I might not be able to trust him with my heart, so we kissed, well technically he kissed me, but then I asked him what the whole thing meant to him, and he asked if I wanted to be his girlfriend, and I told him I needed to think and just ran off."

I said it all in one breathe, before falling onto my bed, as it caught me.  I trusted my bed more than I trusted Calum.  Congratulations Natalie, you win the award for having trust in a unatimate object.

"Well in a way you had the right to be like that.  But Natalie, Calum honestly really likes you!  The way he talks about you..." Skyler said reasurringly.  I wiped some tears from my eyes before saying "I just don't even know Sky.  Is it worth?  Is it worth to have Mallory constantly intervene between my relationship with Cal?" "FORGET MALLORY FOR ONE SECOND!  Pretend she's not around.  Pretend she doesn't even exist!  Now, WOULD you still go for Calum?"

I paused before saying "I don't even really know." "Natalie if you knew you couldn't be heartbroken would you go for it?" "Skyler, any girl would!" "Natalie, do you think Calum is worth it?  Worth the time....worth everything?"

I thought about it for a second.  I had a guy at my doorstep, just about ready to call me his.  But why was I hesitating?  I was just so scared of falling.  It was like when we were on the ferris wheel.  It seems great, but then it starts to shake, and you feel like you're gonna fall....but then again you don't.

"Where's Cal?" I blurted out and Skyler shrugged and said "I wouldn't know." "So call someone who would!" I said before I began to type in Luke's number in my phone.  Come on...pick up Hemguin!  Cause Luke loves penguins after all.  

"Hello?" Luke asked groggily and I said "Hemguin where's Cal?" "He's still at the Glob I think.  Why?" "Nothing major.  Can you head there?" "Sure.  But..." "Yeah?" "Is Skyler gonna be there?"  I then looked at Skyler and said "Yup." 

"Alright.  See you soon." Luke said and I said bye.  I turned to Skyler and said "Could you maybe come with me...." "Sure thing.  But I'm not getting involved!" Skyler said as we grabbed our longboards, and headed towards the Glob.