. lives found, loves lost

[tate mccarthy]

TATE

Biting into what turns out to be the most delicious arancini he's ever tasted, Tate is slowly chewing as he looks across the food truck area. His eyes are narrowed on a particular server handing over a heavily overloaded sandwich to another festival-goer, he's 90% certain that it's Charlotte's ex boyfriend but suspects that maybe his edible is hitting too hard. "You remember Charlotte? My sister?" he asks Olivia, wondering if she'd know her from school. But looking down at her, his muddled brain gets distracted, a huge grin spreading across his face. "Have I told you that you look good today?" He had, up to a hundred times. With a mouth still full of penne vodka pasta and breadcrumbs, he leans down and kisses her, mouth thankfully closed. "Those gummies were strong, huh?"

[olivia hamilton]

LIV

Olivia smiles as the group maneuvered through the various food trucks, influencer duties finished smoothly and finally enjoying the perks of the company around. Her hand was tucked into Tate's and if she were any bit sober she'd realize all of the phones that were out, obviously taking photos of the pair. Charlotte's name sounded familiar as tried to place the name with a face. The gummy that she shoved into her mouth after being 'off the clock' seemed to be hitting them both at the same time. "You have a little bit of something here," she giggles as removes the remainder of the breadcrumbs tucked on his upper lip. "A few times, but right back at you," returning his kiss with an equally hungry one  after cleaning his face. Before they could pull apart, she could hear Freddie's groaning.  "Mhmmm. This has already been the best. Don't you guys think?" She questions, satisfied with the day thus far. Cora squeezes into her side and hands Olivia a cold drink.

[tate mccarthy]

TATE

What a time to be alive. The relief he felt at being able to shake Aisha off for the weekend added to his enjoyment, finally able to spend some time with Freddie that wasn't colored by their tumultuous relationship. It was also their first group outing as an official couple, making Tate tactile and flirty, unembarrassed by PDA. He laughs as she cleans him up, holding out the remainder of the arancini ball for her to taste. "You've gotta have some of this, it's insane. If the line weren't so long I'd go get three more." After their kiss, he turns back to give Freddie a wink. It felt good for things to be so easy, so carefree. The sun had finally made an appearance and work felt a million years away. "It's been good. Don't go telling your partner in crime any more detail than that," he says, directing the warning to Cora, suspiciously eyeing the phone in her hand.

[freddie beaumont]

FREDDIE

Freddie claps his best friend in the entire world on his back as they settle on a food truck. His new girlfriend Olivia tucked into Tate's side as Freddie as Tate reads off his order and Freddie sees his eyes wandering to another booth. He helps himself to some Island Noodles that he heard Olivia mention was a popular Tik Tok festival must have. Joining back into the group, he's greeted with a decent public display of affection from the two. The celibacy streak he was on, hurting him a little bit as he looks away. Especially knowing that a big temptation - Jane was somewhere on the grounds. But he was anything but determined. He lets out a dramatic groan as they begin to pull apart, his eyes rolling as Liv continues to giggle. Cora handed the group drinks and Tate teases her about reporting back to Aisha. Something he's aware she's without a doubt doing. "Hope I'm getting a good report over here," he shrugs his shoulder as he has a bite of his noodles. Aisha was pissed at him currently, but what was new.. "I've been a very good boy."

[rosie de la cruz]

ROSIE

It never comes. Not another snap at her character, nor a desperate plea to put this behind them, just this slow, simmering silence as they stare each other down yet again. Knowing that Beni'd never apologize, and she'd never give him the answers he wanted, an armistice that angered her as much as it saddened her. Both warring inside as she finally takes a step back, then another, eyes wary until she felt confident enough that he wasn't going to be following her for a second time. “Goodbye.” The ghost of a word left in her wake, enough emphasis in it to make it known that that was it. It takes walking halfway across the sprawling grounds to catch up to her, palms pressing frustratingly to her eyes when she finally stops walking. "Hey, hey, it's ok," Nora soothes, Rosie even more frustrated to find the hint of tears she knew had formed as the adrenaline relented. “I'm fine, I'm fine,” she promises but accepts a hug anyway, blinking the blur out of her eyes when Nora pulls away and her hands drop. It's only when her eyesight clears that her heart jolts, realizing just who she'd locked eyes with. Widening even further at Cora, Freddie, drifting quickly to Liv before grabbing Nora's hand and heading the other direction, unable to fathom how this moment could get any worse.

[tate mccarthy]

TATE

Tate finishes off his food, brushing his hands against each other and then his shorts to rid himself of crumbs. Suddenly overcome by a burst of affection, he pulls Olivia into his arms for a tight squeeze, breathing in her perfume. About to let go, he scans the crowds, trying to assess where everyone was going to give them a sense of where to go next... when he locks eyes with someone he knows unmistakably, intimately, a face that will be burned into his memory forever. He straightens up, not sure what to do with his face, his heart thumping hard in his chest. "Um," is all he manages. "I'll be right back." He kisses Liv on the cheek, handing his cup to Freddie. "Rosie, Nora, wait," he calls, easily closing the gap between them. Once he has, he's not sure what to say, going for a 'hi' but stopping in his tracks when he sees Rosie's eyes glazed over with at least the threat of tears. Immediately he bends over, his hands instinctively going to her face, thumbs brushing at her eyes. "Rosie, what's happened? Are you okay? Nora, talk to me, do you guys need help?"

[rosie de la cruz]

ROSIE

It's never not going to hurt, seeing him with someone else. A fact that Rosie seemed to continue to test, blinking away another memory trying to burn in her brain of his arms, a slim waist, the recognition that had registered on his face as she slips past another group. Watching as Nora peered over her shoulder. "He's following us," she murmurs, Rosie's heart only picking up further until she hears her name over the crowds. “Fuck,” whispered under her breath, hesitating before she spun. Hating how quickly he noticed, how easily he invaded her space. Like their proximity wasn't a problem, all but willing her eyes to clear as they flit rapidly over his features. "She just had-" Nora starts, trailing off quickly when Rosie's gaze cuts her direction. She loved her best friend but she had a propensity for spilling more than she should, Rosie unwilling to give up her ghosts for someone that should also be one to her. “I'm fine, we're fine.” she swears, so aware of his touch on her skin and the way her heart wanted to lean into it. Overwritten now by her mind as she pulled away, also aware of the onlookers. “You don't have to...we're good.”

[tate mccarthy]

TATE

His muddled mind can't grip on to a tangible thought, each one slipping through any attempt to pin it down. It hadn't been the best possible time to have an edible, after all. Looking at Rosie was bringing up all sorts of emotions, longing meeting awkwardness meeting pain meeting joy, none of them strong enough to beat the other out as the dominant response, leaving him with his head spinning. It didn't help that she was teary, a state he had only seen her in a handful of times in their whole time knowing each other. "Rosie," he repeats, his tone hurt at her dismissiveness though he knows that he has no right to be. His initial panic has given way to sadness as he realizes he's overstepped, straightening up and removing his hands from her perfect face. "Are you sure? You don't look fine." Her dismissiveness stings, but then, what did he expect? To be welcomed with open arms?  "I didn't expect to see you here.. it's not really your scene, is it?"

[freddie beaumont]

FREDDIE

Freddie and Cora took a quick shot, out of eye view of the lovebirds or so they’ve dubbed them. They’ve walked a little bit further from the original food truck they’ve stopped at, the group trying to figure out what the next destination would be. It’s such a fast moment he barely registers Tate kissing Olivia’s cheek and bolting from her side. He’s surprised to hear the name ‘Rosie’ falling from his lips. All eyes of the group watch as Tate jogs to a familiar face and begins to speak with his ex-girlfriend, Freddie steps in front of the girls, particularly Liv. Shielding her maybe but mostly giving his best friend the space he needs without some prying eyes. ”So we never decided? What’s the plan?”His obvious distraction question is met with rolled eyes from Cora and a laugh from Olivia. It’s okay, Freddie, Olivia smiles as he attempts to block her from the scene taking place. I’m trusting him, you know and they have a long history she finishes speaking and Freddie respects her words, as she shrugs her shoulders. Cora suggests the group get another drink and Freddie agrees.

[rosie de la cruz]

ROSIE

She's not in the best place either, trying to reconcile with the heightened emotions that lingered from Beni and the brightened spark of recognition from Tate she'd had to quickly tamp down. He still read so familiar yet misplaced, feelings scattered so far and wide she worried her control might slip for good. Rosie's eyes dip down at her own internal warning, trying to find a focus that wasn't his face, or his concern, or the verge of tears she balanced on. She wasn't his to comfort now, but damn did it hurt when he said her name. “Don't,” she warns in vain, finding the grip to flick her eyes back. Wondering why he'd followed, what he wanted, touched by his questions but knowing deep down that they should avoid each other. They'd done this back and forth before, reuniting after college and starting something that they'd just recently let go of. But she was all too aware the outcome of this would fare much different, curious eyes on them behind his shoulder. “I'll be fine,” she eventually offers instead, trying to placate his worries as Nora hovered tentatively beside her. Rosie dares a glance in her direction, all but reading the guilt on her face. Ok, then. “What Nora really wants to say is that we knew someone performing and I just got in a fight with him. That's why we're here, and that's why I probably need a drink.” It feels so funny to be so blatant but her fuses are blown, ghost of a smile so temporary on her lips before she tilts her head. “But I will be fine. Promise. I appreciate it but you don't have to do this anymore.”

[tate mccarthy]

TATE

Tate briefly remembers to glance back at the group from which he's just come, where he's greeted by Freddie's broad back, presumably blocking Olivia from having too much of a front row view. He feels a rush of affection for his best friend, though it quickly dissipates as he turns back to Rosie, her full lips on the cusp of a pout. It's the second time he's seen her be completely different to his mental image of her and it's unnerving. His worries are distinctly not placated as she goes on to explain more of her predicament, making his stomach turn nauseous. 'Someone performing' and 'him' are all he needs to hear, his mind trying to run through the list of acts he had barely paid any attention to. Of course she had moved on. And why shouldn't she? He's aware his new girlfriend is stood a few feet away, though that does nothing to make him feel better. "OK," he says finally. He pinches the bridge of his nose, squeezing his eyes shut as he tries to get his head straight. "Sorry. I don't know... I didn't mean... I'm really fucking high. It's good to see you, I'm sorry, I guess I'll go, then."

[rosie de la cruz]

ROSIE

It's strange, to stumble around one another. Their last conversation had been awkward and tense, Tate reconciling with how quickly she'd uprooted her life and what he knew of her, Rosie vulnerable enough to make her intentions clear about still wanting him. She feels it again now, watching him hesitate, something in her settling as she turned back to Nora. “Can you get me a shandy, please?” she asks calmly, eyes catching her friend's with enough force that she gets the message, spinning in search of the nearest bar. Gently, Rosie rests her hand on his forearm that was shielded from view. “It's ok. I know it's weird.” Both her being here at a festival of all places and them not being...well, them, trying to dispel the muddled feelings as her thumb flicks his wrist. “It's good to see you too, Tate. Always is. Thank you for checking on me.” Her eyes dart furtively over his shoulder again, ever aware of the audience. “Have fun, ok? I meant it before.” Rosie's voice lowers, mind drifting back to the night she'd had to pry this from her own throat. Trying to convey a little more believability this go round, lips upturned in the hint of a smile. “If you're happy, I'll be fine. I'll figure it out.”

[jane ridley]

JANE

Jane was slowly becoming addicted to Aperol slushes. Discovered at one of the trucks onsite on the first day, she's now blissfully unaware of how many she's consumed over the sun-streaking weekend, sunglasses perched on her nose as she sipped from another one and maneuvered the phone in her hand. She'd just deposited Stassi backstage, a knowing look exchanged between the pair as she maneuvered her way through trailers and Jane sought to find her other friend somewhere on the sprawling island. It doesn't take long for her to get Liv's pin to update, stalking through the crowds in that signature way she did. Always getting second looks, face tipped high and legs fully on display through sheer mesh. Such a small but powerful thing, coming up behind Freddie when she finally spots them and dipping her chin into his shoulder. “Hello, hello,” she greets, arms wrapping around his sturdy waist. It takes her a minute, but when she's met with silence she finally notices Olivia's (and Cora's for that matter) eyes were trained in a different direction. “What's going on...” Jane trails off when she follows suit, immediately recognizing the girl whose Instagram she'd stalked from Freddie's phone and Tate not two feet from her. Her head whips back. “No but what the fuck is actually going on?”

[olivia hamilton]

LIV

Freddie steps in front of Olivia as Tate begins speaking with Rosie. Truthfully, it's an awkward situation. She feels curious about their interaction, what's been said, etc but she remembers at the end of the day, he chose her. Her eyes look over the top of Freddie as he plays guard dog. She taps Freddie on the shoulder as she tells him it's okay, loving how protective he was of his best friend. It showed the loyalty that Tate always boasted about the infamous Freddie Beaumont. She sips on the remainder of her tequila soda, the limes floating around in the water made from the ice. Jane was en route, Liv having dropped a pin to her location. Her best friend spies her, finally and she wraps her arms around Jane's shoulders. "Hi!"  Liv knows her well, that it'll only be a matter of seconds before she sees what the rest of the group was sneaking glances at. Rosie and Tate still conversing. Olivia laughs at the defensive tone, looping her arm through Jane's. "It's fine. He's speaking with his ex, just a tiny bit awkward. But that's what alcohol is for!" She pulls her in the direction of the place Freddie had gotten their tequila sodas. "He chose me, Janie baby. He can speak with her!" She murmurs, as tugs Jane (who's still watching) and Cora to the booth. Even if the entire interaction made her feel a little bit stiff, what else was she to do? Olivia felt confident in herself and his choosing of her at the end of the day.

[tate mccarthy]

TATE

What had been his first truly carefree day in weeks had become meaningfully less so. Tate is aware that this is the kind of moment he would replay later on, paying close attention to any cues he might have missed, anything he could have said or done differently. Should he have even come over in the first place? He kicks himself for being so out of sorts, since it would mean his recollections would lack the clarity he knows he'll later crave. He watches Nora retreat, glad at least that Rosie had her best friend by her side. "It's especially weird because it's so not you," he repeats, still not able to adjust to the new version of her. In some ways it helped that she was different, made it easier to disentangle the present from the past. Her touch feels good against his skin and he nods. "I'm always here if you need me, you know? It doesn't have to be weird." But of course it does, and it is. He glances back again, about to suggest that she could come and say hello before his sense catches up with him, stealing the words from his throat. Instead he wraps his arms around her petite frame, giving her a squeeze. "It's good to see you," he repeats, before lowering his voice. "Freddie will probably want to say hi. I can get him to come find you later?"