‘We may well have some impeccable timing here,’ Owen says with a sly smile. ‘If we just happen to be searching around Pulse, we may also happen to hear Green Noise’s set, which starts at seven-fifteen.’
‘Impeccable timing,’ Josh echoes.
The name Green Noise instantly rings a bell and I look down at Hennie. Her expression is perfectly neutral, but I know her better than anybody.
I will never deprive her of the pleasure of drum and bass.
‘You’re going,’ I inform her.
She frowns, and I can tell she’s guilt-ridden. ‘I don’t have to.’
‘Yes, you do, actually. Legally,’ I whisper, sweeping her into a hug. ‘I insist on it.’
‘Hennie is a big fan too, you guys should all go together,’ I announce, then turn to Elliot with a grim look. ‘Which means you’re stuck with me again, I’m afraid.’
I know the situation can’t really be helped at this point, so at least I don’t feel quite so awkward about it. I had also strangely savoured this afternoon with Elliot and don’t completely hate the idea of more time alone with him. If I were to actually observe us as a pair and the interactions we’ve had today, we might even have looked like friends.
Arewe friends?
He nods without a word, an almost undetectable smile still teasing his mouth.
We agree to stay in touch via the group chat, and make our way to the Jungle exit together before going our separate ways. It’s quicker for the others to get to the Light Teller’s through theFirecrest stage area, whereas Elliot and I opt for a quieter route through the Yellow Camp towards Route 16.
It feels strange to be walking next to him without the drumstick linking us together. And it’s even stranger that a part of me misses it – the feeling of safety and comfort that comes along with sharing it. Keeping me tied to his orbit. I’ve gotten so used to him leading us through crowded pathways and directing me through more difficult areas that I can’t help but feel untethered now.
Without much further consideration, I pull the drumstick back out of my backpack and hold it out to him.
Raising his eyebrows a fraction, he takes his end without any comment and I ignore the small, warm glow of relief that swells inside me as we walk in tandem once again.
The sweltering sunstarts to cool and I finally feel like I can take a deep breath, my grateful lungs expanding to their fullest. And I realise that I actually feel more at ease within the festival than I ever have. Steering clear of large areas and densely packed crowds is easier thanks to Elliot’s navigation and efforts, and I know I always have the opportunity to stop and take a pause if needed. It does still feel like an exercise in bringing my adrenaline to its limits, but it feels a little like I’ve found a way to live inside of that feeling here.
Elliot and I fall in and out of easy conversation, and when we walk in companionable silence, it feels oddly… comfortable.
When I realise we haven’t eaten for a while, I eagerly steer us in the direction of a glossy camper van that has the wordschurroslit up in lights.
‘I desperately need sustenance,’ I beg, dragging him behind me.
‘I thought we were in a hurry to win your tickets?’
‘We are, but I need sugar. My life hangs in the balance.’
He lets me lead us confidently to the counter, but steps in front of me when we arrive at the front to order a large portion for each of us; with chocolate sauce for me, salted caramel for him.
They’re handed to me shortly after, wrapped up in crisp, white paper, speckled with brown sugar and glistening in a dark-golden hue. I nearly moan with anticipation.
‘Letting go?’ Elliot asks, gesturing down at the drumstick.
Ignoring him, I desperately attempt to lift the casing up to my mouth to try to take a bite of one of my churros.
‘Oh my God,’ Elliot murmurs with an exasperated laugh, tucking his own churros under his arm to reach over and easily pluck out one of mine, holding it in front of my face.
‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ I’m mildly horrified but find myself giggling when he points it closer to my lips.
‘Hold still, princess,’ he commands, his voice wobbling with mirth as the churro moves unsteadily towards me.
I open my mouth wider as he places it gingerly into my mouth, and I can’t resist bearing my teeth when I bite down on it and shaking my head wildly, not unlike a rabid animal. His blue eyes alight with mischief, he grins and throws the rest of it into his mouth. I gasp in mock outrage.
‘That was mine, you cad!’
