4. TED
4
TED
O nce we collected our drinks—two cans of lager that fizzed and foamed over the edges—I took a step back to absorb the atmosphere. The music thrummed through the air, infectious and wild like a pulse of life, as festival-goers bobbed their heads, danced clumsily, and lost themselves in the chaotic freedom around us.
“Here’s to an unforgettable weekend!” I shouted, raising my can toward her, leaving behind the remnants of sober hesitation as she mirrored my gesture, her laughter bubbling over the sound of the crowd.
“To unforgettable weekends!” She clinked her can against mine, sending a rush of energy through me as we each tipped back our drinks, taking large gulps that burned just a little.
“Should we find a spot to sit?” Adele asked, glancing over the sea of buzzing bodies. “I say we settle down before we lose the energy to get up again.”
“Great idea.” I grinned. I led us through the heaving crowd, dodging elbows and flailing limbs as we made our way toward the stage.
“Over there! That looks like a good spot!” Adele pointed toward a patch of grass bordered by a row of hay bales, where a bunch of people sat with waves of joy washing over them as a band kicked into their next song. “So what now?” Adele asked, her voice barely rising above the music as she took another sip from her can, watching me through her eyelashes.
“Now? Well, how about we dance?” I suggested, feeling bold.
“Dance? In this?” she whispered, her expression torn between excitement and disbelief, her cheeks flushing deeper in the warm yet rainy night.
“Absolutely,” I replied, gesturing toward the stage where the next band was warming up. The thumping bass vibrated through me.
Adele smirked, a small laugh escaping her lips as she rolled her eyes. “You’re on. But don’t judge my moves. I can only do the awkward shuffle.”
I laughed, my heart racing with exhilaration as I took her hand, leading her out of the circle and into the sea of swaying bodies. We made our way to the front of the crowd, where a group of familiar faces bounced in time to the advancing notes.
When the band kicked into their catchy opening track, I pulled her closer, feeling the warmth of her body against mine, the connection between us growing with every heartbeat. It was such a rush.
Adele danced like no one was watching, lost in the rhythm. Her movements were playful, sometimes teasing, and I liked how she would glance over her shoulder to catch my eye, a cheeky grin spreading across her face as she wiggled her hips. I followed her lead, embracing the moment with laughter, executing my version of the dance moves she called the shuffle.
“This is ridiculous!” she yelled through a fit of giggles, her eyes shimmering with delight. “I love it!”
“See? Not so awkward after all!” I shouted back, matching her energy. The sound of her laughter rumbled in my chest, like music beneath the blaring speakers.
The crowd surged and pushed me closer to her, and suddenly, I was driven by an impulse I could no longer ignore. I leaned down, brushing my lips against her ear as I inhaled her intoxicating scent. She smiled at me like she was telling me it was okay. I grinned back, losing myself to the music once more.
“Wow, I didn’t expect this!” she exclaimed, her cheeks flushed and gleaming from the combination of the music, the dancing, and the spattering of rain that had become heavier yet still refreshing, like a shower after a long day.
“It’s even better than I imagined!” I agreed, unsure what I was referring to—the festival, the music, or how she made me feel just by being beside me.
Adele raised her drink, splashing a bit on my cheek.
I chuckled, wiping it away with my thumb and meeting her gaze, feeling the spark ignite again. We were lost together in this wild moment, entirely engulfed by the joy of being young and alive.
“Let’s find a place to sit again. Grab more drinks, maybe,” I suggested, reluctant to break the spell our dance had cast but aware that tiredness would soon settle in if we didn’t rest.
“Okay!” She nodded, eyes shining with mischief. “But only if you promise to share your deep philosophical theories on music while we’re sitting.”
“Deal.” We started edging toward the fringes of the crowd, our fingers laced.
God, this feels so right.
But I had only just met her, barely twenty minutes ago! My heart raced as I tried to wrap my head around it—the sheer impossibility of it all. Yet here I was, picturing some fantastical future where we told our grandkids one day, sitting with wrinkled hands and silver hair, how we’d met by chance at a music festival. Adele’s voice snapped me out of my reverie.
“Just so you know,” Adele teased, her tone mock serious, “I might need to take a break soon. Dancing is exhausting!”
“Know this: the deeper the exhaustion, the better the memories,” I replied, smirking as I glanced sideways at her. “And trust me, I’m here to make memories.”
“You’re quite the philosopher!” she exclaimed as we navigated back through the throngs of people huddled under makeshift tents. Some were secure in cosy circles of warmth, while others withheld energy and excitement, their eyes sparkling with anticipation.
“Just trying to sound smarter than I really am,” I joked, watching her smile dance in response.
As we found a spot near a low wooden fence that lined the festival grounds, I prepped us for another round of drinks. “What will it be?” I asked, eyeing the busy bar stall flanked by a line of eager festival-goers.
“Something fruity, please. Let’s stay away from the lager for a while!” she declared, her grin transparent and refreshing.
“Fruity coming right up!” I winked as I spun around, heading for the bar.
“You’re awful! But in a good way.” Her eyes shone with affection as she relaxed back against the fence, arms resting casually at her sides, a relaxed vibe that made my heart swell and my thoughts muddled. “I’ll come with you.”
She’s fucking stunning.
As we waited in line, Adele turned her attention to me.
“So, what’s your take on all of this?” She gestured expansively at the festival, her brow furrowing slightly. “Is it as good as you expected?”
“Hell, yes! This is everything I didn’t know I needed. And now I’m ready for a wild ride!” I laughed, glancing at her with intrigue. “Or at least a snippet of your life outside of here.”
“Ha! Not today,” she retorted, sticking out her tongue playfully. “I’ll save the serious stuff for Monday when I’m back trying to get my life in order.”
“No, we can’t do that! Festivals are for letting loose,” I advised, leaning in closer to her as the scent of rain drifted in, permeating the air. “Today? Today is about adventure.”
She turned to face me fully, her expression shifting into soft seriousness yet still tinged with playfulness. “Adventure, huh? Like what? Climbing trees and challenging strangers to impromptu dance-offs?”
“Definitely, and maybe even karaoke if we can find a spot,” I explained, feeling suddenly bold.
“Oh no, no, no,” she laughed, the sound bright and infectious. “You’ll not catch me belting out ‘Wonderwall’ in public!”
“Challenge accepted!” I announced, pointing toward the buzzing crowd. “But come on, let’s find a karaoke tent. I’ll cheer you on from the front row while you try to hit those high notes.”
Adele rolled her eyes in mock dismay, but her smile belied her feigned annoyance. “You are relentless, aren’t you? Alright then, but only if you promise to go first.”
“That’s my girl! Always ready to put me on the spot!” I grinned, feeling a charged excitement build as we approached the bar.
After placing our drink orders, I scanned the crowd breathlessly. Standing beside Adele, the force of life and spontaneity enveloped me.
The bartender slid us our fruity drinks—bright and cheerful with little umbrellas perched precariously on top—and as we clinked our plastic cups, I felt that same spark of connection digging deeper.
“To unforgettable memories!” Adele toasted, her eyes twinkling.
“To unforgettable memories!” I echoed, sipping mine as tangy fruit flavours burst between my tongue and palate, refreshing and zesty. “Now, let’s find that karaoke tent. As a matter of priority.”
We wandered away from the bar, drinks in hand, veins alive and humming.
“Can you feel that?” I asked, barely able to keep my voice steady over the noise. “This festival vibe. It’s amazing!”
Adele paused to take a sip of her drink, the vibrant colours of her lips contrasting against the tropical concoction. “Totally! It’s like...like magic!”
“Exactly, festival magic!” I replied, gesturing to the sea of laughter and dancing feet surrounding us.
The vibrant energy of the festival pulsed all around us, saturating the air as we ventured deeper into the crowds. Just then, a riotous shout broke through the thrum of music and laughter—powerful and unmistakable.
“There they are!” Adele’s friend’s voice cut through the haze like a beacon. She bounded toward us, her electric blue hair a wild flash against the waves of people, her excitement illuminating the space like fireworks.
“Hey! I thought I’d find you here!” she declared, skidding to a stop beside us, a wide grin plastered across her face.
Adele’s eyes lit up as she turned to her friend, her joy infectious. “Orion! We were just about to dive into the karaoke tent!”
“Only if you plan on singing ‘Wonderwall’ without cringing!” Orion shot back, a teasing glint in her eye. “But if you’re ready for major embarrassment, I’d be delighted to record it!”
“Perfect!” I grinned. “I’ll take requests while you two sing.”
“No way! You’re twisted!” Adele laughed, her voice bubbling over in that same uncontrollable delight I’d come to cherish.
Orion elbowed her friend gently. “With those charms? He’ll have all the free beers he could want!”
I chuckled. This was fun—a whirlwind of laughter with two of the most captivating girls at the festival.
“Okay, let’s get to that karaoke tent and have some real fun!” I insisted, the thrill of the moment pulsing through my veins as I took the lead.
Adele and Orion fell into step beside me, and soon Lloyd, Greg, and Max joined us, all grinning like idiots, their laughter cutting through the night. The alcohol had clearly hit them hard, and their unsteady footsteps and slurred voices were more than enough evidence.
Lloyd staggered a little but caught himself, his arm slinging loosely over Orion’s shoulders. “Karaoke...bad idea, Teddy,” he warned, his words dripping with mock seriousness. “You can barely hold a note when you’re sober. What makes you think a pint or three is gonna help?”
Orion practically snorted, nudging him with her elbow. “Oh, is that a challenge? ‘Cause I think I can out-sing all of you, easy.”
“You’re on, blue-hair,” Greg shot back, his voice teetering between amusement and bravado. “No way you’re taking me down, though.” Greg’s balance faltered, and he almost tipped over before catching Max, who grinned like it was perfectly normal.
Adele chuckled, walking close to me. “What’s your go-to karaoke song, Ted?”
I grinned, glancing down at her. “Usually, it’s something classic—a bit of Queen or The Stones, y’know, something people can’t argue with.”
Greg piped up from behind. “Nah, mate. You always pick Bowie after a few beers!” He shook his head, a goofy smile plastered on his face. “‘Let’s Dance,’ right? Gets the crowd every time.”
“See, that’s my problem with him,” Max added, slurring through his words. “Ted’s got this thing where he thinks he’s David Bowie . It’s fuckin’ hilarious, but it’s not even close.”
“Oi, shut it, both of you,” I warned with a wink, pointing at them. “Not everyone appreciates talent when they see it.”
“ Talent , my ass,” Lloyd quipped, bursting into a faux operatic rendition of something unintelligible, causing everyone to erupt into drunken laughter.
Adele squeezed my arm, grinning up at me. “I’ll take a front-row seat for that.”
I shot her a glance. “Maybe one day.”
My words held the promise of another day together, maybe not here, but in the future. She bit her lip and tried to hide her smile, but it was too late—I’d caught it, and I wasn’t letting it go.
As we neared the karaoke tent, the murmur of excitement grew louder.
Max surged ahead, his gangly frame moving with surprising agility despite the booze. “First up!” he shouted, waving his arms dramatically. “Prepare your ears , people!”
Adele laughed beside me, her voice light and airy with anticipation. “Looks like Max is ready to break the sound barrier.”
“Oh, you have no idea,” I said, turning to face her as we stepped into the tent. My hand brushed hers again, and without even a second thought, I intertwined our fingers again—the small, comfortable warmth of her grip felt too natural to resist. She didn’t pull away.
Inside the tent, the lights were dim. Rows of chairs lined the walls, and a few people slouched in them with tired smiles, beers clutched like treasure. At the front, a makeshift stage with a rusty microphone flickered under cheap neon signs commanding you to Sing Your Heart Out!
Max had already grabbed the song list, flipping through it with exaggerated flair. “David Bowie...The Beatles...Cyndi Lauper!” His grin split wide. “Oh, it’s happening!”
Adele peered over my shoulder, trying to sneak a glance at the list. Her breath warmed the side of my neck, making my chest tighten with a need too raw for words.
“I think we’ll start with something epic, right?” Greg called from the other side; his goofy grin so infectious, even the walls seemed to hum with it.
Orion let out a snort of laughter. “Epic? More like tragic.”
I glanced back to find Lloyd sprawled across the nearest chair, his arms outstretched like a king surveying his subjects. “Let the failures commence!” he roared with an exaggerated flourish.
“Alright, alright,” Max huffed playfully. “Let’s do this.” He sprinted to the stage. “For my loyal audience, we shall begin with a heartfelt rendition of ‘Livin’ on a Prayer!’”
The crowd groaned, fragmented laughter exploding as Max’s warbled opening notes rattled off-key into the microphone.
Adele’s laughter was immediate, her hand clutching her stomach, doubled over. I could barely catch my breath either, the sight of Max attempting his best Jon Bon Jovi-wannabe rendition too ridiculous for words, his gangly limbs flailing with exaggerated devotion to the song. His voice cracked terribly, and yet the entire tent broke out into a raucous cheer as though we were witnessing a rock god’s debut.
“Is he...is he serious?” Adele asked amidst her giggles, her eyes glittering with amusement.
“Max is always serious...in his own way.” I shrugged with a goofy grin. “He genuinely thinks he’s nailing it right now.”
Adele beamed up at me, her face still flushed from laughter. “This is amazing. I didn’t think anyone could sing that badly and still be that confident.”
“That’s Max for you,” I said, shaking my head in mock disbelief. “But what about you—what’s your go-to karaoke song?”
Her face froze for a moment, then she snorted. “Oh, absolutely nothing as dramatic as this. I’d probably just do something stupid…like ‘Wannabe’ by the Spice Girls.”
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “You? Spice Girls?”
“Yep,” she confirmed, shoulders relaxing as she eyed me playfully. “Gotta embrace the cheesy pop sometimes. Besides, it’s a perfect group singalong.”
“Fair point. I can see that. In fact, I demand a performance of ‘Wannabe’ next.”
She raised her fruity drink, pretending to be outraged. “What, right after this stunning masterpiece from Max? How can I possibly follow that?”
We both turned our focus back to Max, who was now dramatically belting out the chorus. The collective voice of the crowd joined his off-key yells.
“OOOH, WE’RE HALFWAY THERE... WHOAAA, LIVIN’ ON A PRAYER!”
I clutched Adele’s hand tighter, leaning closer to her ear so she could hear me over the chaos, “Can you imagine trying to top this?”
She grinned, her face inches from mine. “No way. I’d rather never sing again if I had to follow Max.”
“Maybe I’ll save ‘Let’s Dance’ for later, then.” I winked.
The crowd chorused along with Max’s off-key rendition, but as I stood there, watching Adele’s face light up with carefree joy, I realized the music and the shouting around us felt distant—like background noise. The only thing I could focus on was her.
She turned back to me, catching the intensity in my stare. The laughter faded from her lips, replaced by something softer. This was the moment.
“You okay?” she whispered, her brow furrowed ever so slightly like she wasn’t sure if I was serious or just messing around.
I could feel the charge building between us, like the air before a storm. Every part of me screamed to close the distance.
I leaned in closer, her scent—vanilla and something sweet—filling my lungs. Her eyes flicked from mine to my mouth, and my pulse quickened. No words. There wasn’t a need for them anymore.
“I want to kiss you right now,” I finally breathed.
Her gaze softened, and for a heartbeat, everything suspended, the crowd fading further away. She gave me the slightest nod, her lips curling into a shy, knowing smile.
And then—finally—I closed the gap.
Our lips met, warm and soft and nothing like I’d imagined, but somehow everything at once. The world around me fell away entirely. Cheers, music, the din of festival chaos—it all dissolved into the quiet intensity of this single moment.
I cupped her face gently, feeling every second stretch as she leaned into me, her fingers curling into my jacket. It wasn’t rushed or clumsy, but slow and deliberate like she’d been waiting for this. Just the two of us in the middle of madness.
When we parted, the distance barely a breath, her eyes fluttered open, and she smiled again, that same soft, sweet smile that tugged at something deep inside me.
“Was that brave enough for you?” I murmured, my forehead pressing lightly to hers.
Adele exhaled a small laugh, her cheeks flushed, eyes shining. “Very.”