Page 2 of Lost Summer
“He is accommodating at times like these. He’s a good egg,” Orion confirmed with a nod, her eyes crinkling in the corners.
“Our neighbours don’t speak to us,” I observed, glancing around at the rows of identical houses, the twitching net curtains across the road stilling as Orion whipped her head around to follow my gaze.
“That’s because I live within a community. Also known as the lower end of society,” Orion quipped, a grin spreading across her features.
I snorted, jamming my overstuffed duffel bag into the heaving backseat, wedging it between a giant sleeping bag and a fluffy duvet. I eyed the precarious-looking pile with a frown, silently hoping it would all stay in place during the journey.
“At least you help each other! Every time Benny so much as barks, we have a call from the council.” I rolled my eyes, irritated.
“Miserable bastards,” Orion muttered, her lips curling into a sneer.
I nodded in agreement, heaving a sigh of relief as my bag remained securely in place where I’d wedged it.
“We won’t be cold,” Orion chuckled, seemingly oblivious to the mess.
The sound of crushed wrappers crunching beneath my Converse-clad feet made me grimace. “How far do we have to carry all of this?” I asked, surveying the overflowing car with a growing sense of dread.
Orion waved a dismissive hand, her enthusiasm infectious as a smile tugged at the corners of my lips. “Oh, not far. I’m so excited, Delly!”
“Me too! I’ve wanted to see Oasis for so long!” I exclaimed, the anticipation bubbling up within me.
“Right?! You know we’d pay two hundred quid to see them!” Orion remarked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
“Have you got the vodka?” I inquired, mentally running through the list of essential festival supplies.
“Honey, I’ve got everything but the kitchen sink,” Orion responded with a wink, tapping her metallic silver nail against the iPhone perched on the dash. The opening chords of The Kooks’ “Naive” filled the car, and Orion started tapping her fingers in sync with the beat. “Check the traffic,” she commanded, her gaze flickering towards the road ahead.
I swiped at the screen, humming along to the familiar melody as I zoomed in on the map. “Urgh, it’s busy!” I groaned, my heart sinking at the sight of the congestion.
“As expected. Just imagine all those fit guys heading to the festival,” Orion mused, a dreamy expression crossing her face.
“Do you ever think about anything else?” I asked, shaking my head in amusement.
Orion pouted at me, sliding her oversized sunglasses onto her face. “Sweetheart, I want some sexy indie boy to come up and claim me mid-song.”
“Kissing you while it’s raining like they do in all the films?” I teased, picturing the romantic scene in my mind.
“No. He could kiss me in the sun, sweat dripping down our backs...” Orion sighed, her body swaying to the rhythm of the music.
“Or under the moonlight?” I suggested.
“Don’t tease,” Orion said, rolling her eyes. “Look, we have the weekend away from work, college...parents...”
I nodded, gazing out at the residential streets, filled with the hustle and bustle of everyday life as Orion continued.
“We’re only nineteen once. Soon, it will be bills, pets, kids...”
“Early mornings?” I added, watching as Orion shuddered in mock horror.
“Gross. Don’t.”
“But it will, you’re right. So this weekend, whatever happens at the festival...” I sang, eyeing my best friend expectantly.
Orion turned to me, a sparkle in her pretty brown eyes. “Stays at the festival.”
2
ADELE
