. drink up baby

[colton abernathy]

CURRENTLY: AT SABRINA CARPENTER (MAIN STAGE)

COLTON

"It's kind of crazy that we've never met before." Colton is deep in conversation with a girl he's just met, who's telling him that she too is from Connecticut. He's having to really focus on her words, tipsy from the beer that's warming in his hand, far from his first today. His eyes keep drifting to her glossed lips, enjoying the flashes of white teeth he gets as she speaks animatedly. Somewhere behind him he knows his friends are lurking, or at least, they had been there earlier. As soon as 'Espresso' starts the crowd erupts, cheers breaking out at the opening bars before seemingly every single person in attendance started singing along word-for-word. Having two younger sisters, it's a song that has haunted him since they arrived in the Hamptons, though it's easy to put them out of his mind as he slips his arms around the waist of his new friend, hugging her from behind and laughing easily as she belts out the lyrics. Briefly, he glances over his shoulder to see his friends, meeting Ruby's eye and immediately turning back to the stage.

[ruby anderson]

CURRENTLY: AT SABRINA CARPENTER (MAIN STAGE)

RUBY

The sun was hot and no matter how many times Ruby re-applied sunscreen her cheeks were a permanent shade of pink. Their fake ID's were proving to still work their magic as the beers and seltzers were flowing endlessly. Ruby pulls her arm around Mirren's shoulder and they both squeal when the sound of Sabrina Carpenter's band begins to play. Nothing could halt the high, energetic feeling that surrounded Ruby after winning Olivia Hamilton's contest and spending the weekend with her two best friends. Well, that was until Ruby meets the new friend Colt's made. Her heart is in her stomach, taking a sip of her now warm white claw to settle the shock she feels. The jealousy increasing inside of her as sees the pair dancing, Colt's arm wrapped tight around her waist. Her eyes narrow when he turns around, directly looking at her before immediately glancing away.  "Aw, isn't this cute?" She gives Mirren a disgusted look just as they watch the random girl begin to grind her hips against their friend.  "Ruining a good song," Ruby dramatically scrunches her face, sticking her tongue out.

[mirren hewitt]

CURRENTLY: AT SABRINA CARPENTER (MAIN STAGE)

MIRREN

Mirren swore there was nothing that could ruin her day. Not the beating sun, not the relentless crowds, and definitely not any poor attitudes from her friends. Taking another massive sip of her High Noon, Mirren shoves her sunglasses a little further up her nose before a drum beats straight through her heart and a giant smile breaks out on her face. Finally screaming to the opening notes of Sabrina Carpenter's set, tugged closer by Ruby as they jumped in unison. She couldn't believe that Ruby had actually won the sweepstakes; their hotel room was now full of Charlotte Tilbury swag, their phones full of selfies with Liv Hamilton, and hearts full of the wild confidence of being young, hot and on their own. It's why she shakes Ruby off when she sneers, "drinkkk," emerging from her lips as she holds her chilled can against Ruby's glossed mouth. "Let him get cooties," Mirren decides, swaying back and forth to the beat until she launches into Espresso and she shrieks again. "We'll sing our hearts out and can go stalk Cat's Cradle without him right after shhh." She holds a wobbly finger up to her lips to mime a secret. "Gotta be sneaky."

[colton abernathy]

CURRENTLY: AT SABRINA CARPENTER (MAIN STAGE)

COLTON

Festivals weren't Colton's usual scene, too crowded, too hectic for his tastes. It had taken twenty minutes of lining up to get these drinks and they had cost twice what they should have, though he too was grateful that the fake IDs were doing the job. His new friend grinds against him as he's pressed into her back, making him bite his lip, his heartbeat kicking up a notch. "Hey, I should go speak to my friends--" he starts as the song finishes to rapturous applause. She turns in his arms, cutting him off with her lips against his, her arms snaking up around his neck. It's a deep, hungry kiss, loaded with youthful lust and fuelled by underage drinking, no doubt. He kisses her back with the same energy, his tongue pressed against hers, his hands moving lower from her back, exploring her barely covered curves. Finally they pull apart, her face glitter transferred to his grinning face. "Hey." He glances back to see if Mira and Ruby are where he left them. "Come meet my friends."

[ruby anderson]

CURRENTLY: AT SABRINA CARPENTER (MAIN STAGE)

RUBY

Ruby welcomes the cold drink that Mirren pushes up against her lips. Taking a long sip as Mirren held it steadily for her and feeling some of it drip out of her mouth when she was finished. An in synced giggle falling out of their mouths as Ruby wipes her mouth with the back of her hand.. She joins in swaying to the beat of Espresso, shrugging her shoulders at the cooties remark and trying to forget the scene ahead. This  song would be stuck in her head for the remainder of the evening, without a doubt. Ruby eyes light up at Mirren's suggestion on sneaking away to see their favorite, Cat's Cradle. "We need to push ourselves to the front. I need to make eye contact with Taylor, so he'll instantly fall in love with me!" A true teenage dream, even if she was to be twenty in a month. Though she's tried her hardest, she peers over at Colt and the random girl, at the wrong moment. Their lips locked in a hot and heavy embrace. Ruby hates how much it affects her, stomach tightening in knots as she nudges Mirren. They pull apart and the girls immediately move their attention, not to be caught lurking. "Cute glitter." Eyes rolling at Colt, quick enough for only him to notice followed by a fake smile in the direction of the girl he's brought over to them. "I'm Ruby and I need another drink. Anyone else need one?" Ruby questions, her hand lacing with Mirren's in hopes to sway her in coming along, her eyes scanning out where the closest beer stand was located.

[mirren hewitt]

CURRENTLY: AT SABRINA CARPENTER (MAIN STAGE)

MIRREN

"I feel like if I give Joe the slow burn he'll like it," Mirren adds, turning back to sing the chorus without an ounce of embarrassment. If there was one thing she loved about festivals, it was that absolutely no one cared. Unless you were actively seeking someone out in the crowds, you were in your own little world. Unfortunately Ruby's world seems to be crumbling, Mirren's brows drawing together as Ruby's tone veered mean. So what if Colt wanted to have a little fun? Mirren could swallow the hypocritical actions for a day to just be in their presence, smile likely a little warmer toward the mystery girl. Though she definitely needed to reapply her lipgloss she looked relatively harmless. "I'm Mirren," she waves, the crowd roaring as Sabrina surged into another song. One she was admittedly unfamiliar with, taking Ruby's cue with a bright idea. "I'll come with - we'll be back, ok?" Mirren promises, looping her arm through Ruby's as they trot away. "C'mon, let's run to the Cat's stage."

[colton abernathy]

CURRENTLY: AT SABRINA CARPENTER (MAIN STAGE)

COLTON

Colton turns self conscious under the direct stare of his friends, quickly wiping the back of his hand across his mouth to banish any lipgloss residue. Ruby is immediately hostile, though hostile in a way that seemed incredibly obvious to him and likely just a little frosty at worst to anyone who didn't know her, though he feels a twinge of irritation. "Our moms are friends," he explained to the girl, who seemed to have just as minimal interest in this interaction as the girls did. It was a blasé way to describe the most meaningful friendships of his life, but then they were pissing him off, so blasé be it. "Wow, well. I guess we're on our own," he says, his lips curling into a smirk as his two friends disappear as quickly as they had appeared, leaving them to pick up where they had left off.

[ruby anderson]

CURRENTLY: AT CAT’S CRADLE (MAIN STAGE)

RUBY

The ‘our moms are friends’ comment brings another eye roll from Ruby before Mirren agrees to her plan of finding the nearest beer stand. The excitement she was feeling earlier returns when her best friend loops their arms together, the infamous pair running away. The emotions of envy and confusion tucking away as Mirren speaks of the genius idea - sneaking away to Cat’s Cradle’s set. Soon enough cold beverages are in hand as they make their way towards a new stage. With several drinks in and that public display of affection, her mind wanders to someone else. “So. It’s been a month now. Do you think I should take Everett up on the date?” Ruby slurs, pressing the question into Mirren’s ear due to the level of noise. Her drink slipping between her lips to take a much needed sip, as they walk hand in hand into the crowd. “Oh I think I see a spot up there!” She takes the lead, bumping several shoulders, and getting a few dirty looks along the way until they were placed in the spot she’d scoped out. ”I’ll send Colt our location right now. And then you help me decide what to say to Everett!!”

[mirren hewitt]

CURRENTLY: AT CAT’S CRADLE (MAIN STAGE)

MIRREN

It’s all but the perfect escape, Mirren and Ruby hustling to join the forming crowd across the grounds. Fresh drinks in hands and excited determination spiking at the thought of glimpsing one of their favorite bands, the pair was unstoppable as they threaded their way through. Taking moments to drag sips now and again, Mirren drags her heels at Ruby’s casual conversation swap, mouth hanging open in shock. "Its been a month and you still haven’t committed? Ruby!" Though her relationship with Everett left Mirren with mixed feelings, mostly tied her tentative history to him through her boyfriend, she knew him to be kind and attentive and honestly, someone Ruby might need to calm down the snappy energy that seemed to spark the second anything didn’t go her way. The way it fueled her now benefitted them, watching her friend shove her way to an open spot so close to the stage she could almost touch the barrier. But at the end of the day she just wanted her to be happy and worry-free, slinging her arms around her best friend from behind. "I think you have plenty of experience with boys, my dear - just…idk! Tell him to come out East! Take the reins!”

[colton abernathy]

CURRENTLY: AT CAT'S CRADLE (MAIN STAGE)

COLTON

It's easier to lose himself without the presence of his friends, leaning in to continue kissing the girl he is fairly sure is called Caitlyn. She smells sickly sweet, vanilla and strawberry, though his mind is starting to wander. Was he being embarrassing? Did they ditch that quickly because he'd pissed them off? Distracted, he takes the excuse handed to him by his phone vibrating, looking down to see a new location for his friends. "I'm going to Cat's Cradle," he says, hesitating as he wonders if she'll want to come along, if he wants her to come along. "Okay, sure!" maybe-Caitlyn responds, taking his hand-- that was that question answered, then.  Leading her through the crowds, they have to push to reach closer to the pin Ruby had dropped, causing plenty of irritation in the crowds. At one point maybe-Caitlyn has to let go of his hand and Colton briefly feels a jolt of relief, before feeling guilty about said relief as soon as her slender hand slips back into his. Oh well. Eventually they make it, and Colt leans in to kiss Mira on the cheek, ruffling Ruby's hair from behind. "I thought you two were going to get drinks, you snakes."

[ruby anderson]

CURRENTLY: AT CAT’S CRADLE (MAIN STAGE)

RUBY

“I knowww,” comes out in an extremely exaggerated tone while Mira looks at her with such disbelief. The truth was she had wanted to spend as much time as possible with her best friends. Ruby laughs at her comment of her having more experience, little did she know just what the blonde girl had truly been up to. A smirk tugs at her lips as fishes her phone out of her lululemon belt bag, dropping a pin to Colt. Ruby had been extra cautious of their thread before arriving to the festival, following the demands of Colt to delete all the back and forth messages between them. Ruby begins to compose the message to Everett, the words she was previously slurring evident in the typed message to him. Nudging her friend to get her approval, the pair giggling as she hits send. Immediately after Colt joins them, random girl tucked behind him. It’s then in that moment that Ruby decides to ignore Colt the remainder of the evening, even as he fluffs her hair up. The giddiness she had from texting Everett hiding the jealousy she felt within. “Oh my gosh!!” Ruby and Mirren scream at the same time as the loud music comes in through the speakers. ”Ugh just look at Taylor, Mira!! Oh and Nico!” She squeals, pulling Mirren in closer and taking a long sip of the white claw in her other hand.

[mirren hewitt]

CURRENTLY: AT CAT’S CRADLE (MAIN STAGE)

MIRREN

Hell hath no fury like a woman scored. Mirren has absolutely no clue where the phrase comes from but she's elated that Ruby's angry enough to be the one the crowd hates, landing them an absolutely prime spot at the stage. So, so grateful to be here with her friends, sipping cold drinks and knowing they'd be back to the beach soon enough, the bubble of happiness only expands, arms wrapped tight around her blonde best friend and remembering once again how close they could truly be. Not even the appearance of Colt's...who knows, can stop her brilliant smile, wiping the spit from her cheek just as a set of drums kick off and the whole crowd whirls into screams and shouts and countdowns. "JOE I LOVE YOU!!!” She shrieks as Cat's Cradle come to life on stage, whipping back around to Colt with a classic, youthful drunken idea. "Colt, I'll Venmo you $100 if you let me get on your shoulders.”

[colton abernathy]

CURRENTLY: AT CAT'S CRADLE (MAIN STAGE)

COLTON

Colt's interest in his new conquest is rapidly deteriorating, his desire for another drink increasing to take its place as his foremost thought. He's almost forgotten that she's there, too distracted by Ruby's refusal to look at him. It stirs irritation within him and he opens his mouth to say something about it, alcohol and sun getting the better of him where he knows he should really try to be more discreet. Thankfully he's saved by Mirren's foolish request, rolling his eyes though his face splits into another grin. "No need for the $100, just get me a drink after this set." In truth he'd love the close contact, craving time with Mirren after she had spent the previous few days with her boyfriend-- a sore topic. He crouches down to let her clamber up, standing up and only slightly losing his footing before he finds an even keel. If the people around them didn't hate them before they certainly did now. "God, you weigh a ton," he jokes, his hands holding her steady by her smooth thighs.

[ruby anderson]

CURRENTLY: AT CAT’S CRADLE (MAIN STAGE)

RUBY

Ruby hollers even louder when Mirren yells that she loves Joe. The blonde clapping as her friend jumps up and down beside her. There was no stopping a ridiculous amounts of screams and squeals once any form of a boy band came on to the stage. She keeps up with her mission, ignoring Colt and giving the stage her undivided attention. It's diverted when Mirren asks Colt to hoist her in the air. Trying to again act unfazed by him giving anyone but her the time of day, she helps steady Mirren before she climbs upon his shoulders. Her phone is out with a matter of seconds, trying to capture a momental moment for the trio. "Smile guys!!" She takes the photo and is shoving it back into her pocket when a tune she recognizes as a favorite of hers begins to play. "Ugh I love this song!!' Her body sways besides her friends, singing along as Mirren shouts the lyrics above her. I love this song too, murmurs the cute next guy to Ruby before asking her to dance. A dream come true for the teenager, dancing with a boy to Cat's Cradle. She allows him to slide in behind her, grabbing her hips.

[mirren hewitt]

CURRENTLY: AT CAT’S CRADLE (MAIN STAGE)

MIRREN

"Deal!” Mirren has to shout into his ear, crowds surging as a guitar riffed over the multitude of speakers. She loved that concerts made her heart almost physically beat out of her chest, bass so deep and heavy it filled her only thoughts aside from the lyrics burned into her memory and the love she had for those around her. Scrambling to be sent into the air, vantage point perfect as the stage spreads from her limitless view. As one of the first to end up that tall naturally some of the band member's attention drifts to the flurry of movement, Mirren's hands moving to the beat as she belted out her favorite lyrics. Only pausing when she noticed someone slide closer to Ruby, shifting and almost toppling over before she managed to kick the stranger's shoulder. "That's my best friend get her up here!!” Rarely demanding, Mirren just knew they needed this moment, this farfetched form of reuniting and pathway back to their closest of friendships, one hand finding Colt's below her and the other Ruby's as she was propped up too. "I love you guys!! ” She yells, knowing it's meant for her friends, not just the band in front of her.