Solstice

by Lorence Alison

  “Indigo?” Elena said out of the corner of her mouth. “Like the color?” I giggled, just grateful someone had come to fetch us.

  Indigo started over a small dune and around a few overgrown bushes. A girl behind me made a scoffing noise. “I’m not dragging my luggage in the sand. This is Louis Vuitton!”

  “It’s not a very long walk,” Indigo said cheerfully. “It’s fine!”

  The girl grumbled as she hefted her monogrammed suitcase into her arms. She looked like a waddling designer penguin as she forged ahead. Away from the ocean, there was no breeze, and the air felt even hotter. Swarms of gnats buzzed. A mosquito landed on my arm. It probably wasn’t the best idea for me to have worn thin-soled Toms sneakers—the sand was in my shoes in a matter of seconds. On the other hand, I was in a better position than most of the girls, who were wearing towering wedges, block heels in soft suede, and, in one girl’s case, stiletto booties that wobbled so badly that a few steps in, she kicked them off.

  “How’s everyone doing?” Indigo called cheerfully. “It’s not much further, friends. We’re supposed to have four-wheelers to transport you guys over the unbeaten path, but they haven’t arrived yet.”

  “What’s with nothing arriving on time?” Elena muttered. “Is this what they mean by island time—nothing is punctual, and no one cares?”

  I shot Elena a look, startled by how easily that casual, rude generalization fell from her lips. Okay, so the Solstice Festival had a few hiccups, but she didn’t have to insult the island itself. But maybe she was just tired.

  We finally came to a flat field of cleared land, hemmed in on all sides by pines. Young, attractive people packed every square inch. A lot of them were lugging their bags, and quite a few were drinking out of red Solo cups. I could smell the booze.

  “Ooh.” Elena’s eyes lit up as she spied a pretty girl wearing a yellow Solstice bikini carrying a tray of Solos. She snatched drinks for herself and me, but I declined—the last thing I wanted was to get dehydrated so quickly in this heat and sun. I needed to get rid of my stuff first. Charging my phone would be great, too. Or, at the very least, another bottle of water. Was this deserted field really the concert area? Then again, the concert didn’t technically start until tomorrow. Maybe they were still working on getting everything ready.

  “Excuse me.” Elena elbowed a girl in a beautiful peasant dress who was standing beside us, squinting around as confusedly as we were. “Do you know how far the venue is from here?”

  The girl’s big blue eyes blinked. “Someone told me this is the venue.”

  “Wait, what?” Elena spluttered.

  “I think she’s right,” I said. When I stood on my tiptoes, I noticed a stage surrounded by speakers and lights. Beyond that was a huge semitruck with its back hatch wide open. Next to that was a food cart—smoke billowed out its top, and there was the smell of something being fried wafting through the air.

  Okay, not quite what I was expecting. Though I still got a little thrill—soon enough, I’d be seeing Lavender, right here.

  But Elena looked horrified. “Where is the VIP area? Where are the cabanas? Why are we standing in the middle of a Best Buy loading zone?”

  “Shh,” I whispered. “I’m sure we’ll get this figured out.”

  “Y’all got your tickets?” a voice called. A perky blond girl, also in a Solstice bikini, had approached. She held a big electronic scanner that looked like a cross between a price gun and an iPad. Elena and I rummaged for our Solstice passes, and the girl scanned them with the machine.

  She was about to move on to the next group when I tapped her arm. “Is this where the concert’s going to be?”

  “Yep!” she cried brightly. Though her eyelid twitched. And she kind of cringed, like she worried we were going to hit her.

  “And where are our accommodations?” Elena demanded—a little bossily, I thought.

  The girl cocked her head. “You didn’t bring camping gear?”

  Elena snorted. “No! Do I look like a camper? I reserved a suite. The highest-priced package available.”

  The girl chewed on her lip. “Um, you’ll have to speak to someone else. Look for someone in green Solstice board shorts, okay? They’re on lodging detail.” Then she walked away, waving her scanner in the air like a beacon.

  “Green Solstice board shorts,” I repeated, then glanced at Elena. “Listen, camping isn’t that bad.”

  Elena stared at me, wide-eyed. “Maybe for you it isn’t.”

  I bristled. “What’s that mean?”

  She seemed to realize her gaffe and sighed. “Sorry. It’s just so hot. I just meant—I hate camping. I can’t sleep on the ground. I need my down pillow, my Sleep Number mattress—you know, the basics.”

  “Okay, Your Highness.” I was joking—sort of.

  I grabbed my duffel and marched through the throng of people, trying to tamp down the feelings of uneasiness that were beginning to rise. I’d never traveled with Elena before, but I hadn’t figured we’d clash. I didn’t want to bicker with her. And she was right—the Solstice website did make it out like this festival was a little better put together than what was here. Still, I found it ironic that I, Adri, the boring one, the responsible one, the predictable one, was rolling with the punches, while Elena was panicking at every unexpected turn.

  I spied plenty of girls in Solstice bikinis, but I didn’t see anyone in green board shorts. We did, however, come upon an angry mob gathered around a sign on an easel near the stage. I moved closer; on the easel was a schedule of festival acts. Over the logo for Blankface, tomorrow’s headliner, there was a big stamp that read CANCELED.

  “This is bullshit,” a beefy guy with dark skin grumbled. “Blankface was the reason I maxed out six credit cards to come here!”

  “This was my quinceañera gift,” added the girl next to him, who had long dark hair and fingernails painted with sparkly polish. “I should have gone on that African safari after all.” She whipped out her phone but then scowled. “And I can’t even bitch about it because there’s no freaking cell service here. Are we in hell?”

  “That isn’t even the worst,” a sardonic-sounding girl piped up. “I heard a rumor that Blankface isn’t the only band that’s canceling. Other people are planning to drop out, too, now that they’ve seen the conditions.”

  “Like Lavender?” I felt a streak of panic.

  The girl gestured around, seemingly not hearing me. “Have you noticed it smells like garbage around here? Someone told me the flies cause mega-huge hives that leave scars. My friend’s already planning to see a plastic surgeon when she gets home. Imagine, a fly bite eating away at your face!”

  I opened my mouth, about to say that perhaps she was overreacting. Then someone else piped up, “And what’s with there being only one food truck? I looked at the menu—it’s hot dogs and hamburgers. Nothing keto. Nothing paleo. How am I going to get my macros right?”

  “I need chia,” someone else said. “I need soy protein.”

  “Hey!” another voice rose from the din. “I heard someone’s trying to build a wireless router behind the food truck! We should check it out!”

  A stampede headed in that direction. I turned to Elena. She looked like a traveler in the desert who’d just found out the beautiful oasis she’d come upon was all a mirage.

  “Where are the spas?” Elena said in a small voice. “Where are the pop-up boutiques? Where are the beaches and Jet Skis?”

  “Come on,” I said, grabbing her arm. “Let’s at least find a campsite.”

  After much shoving and elbowing, we finally neared the stage and the big semitruck I’d noticed earlier. A line of people stood by it, passing their suitcases to a guy inside the trailer. A guy wearing green board shorts. Aha!

  I rushed up to someone waiting in line, a girl dragging two enormous Tumi wheelie bags. “Why’s everyone throwing their bags in there?”

  “Because this, apparently, is bag check.” The girl lowered her big, glamorous sunglasses t
o take a closer look at my Marshall’s bargain-rack valise. “I guess you don’t have to worry about a luggage tag. Nobody will want to steal that thing. But what am I going to do?” She gestured to suitcases, which were made out of alligator skin. “These are a limited edition. I can’t just leave it.”

  “Oh God, oh God,” Elena murmured, rocking back and forth. I patted her shoulder. The sun beat down on the tops of our heads, singeing our necks—I could already see that Elena’s skin was getting bright red. Then she whipped around to me, her eyes wide. “Adri,” she said with horror. “Have we been scammed?”

  “Scammed?” I repeated.

  “We’ve totally been scammed,” Glamour Girl echoed. “I am so suing this place when I leave.”

  Elena looked like she was going to have a panic attack. But suddenly she spied someone across the field, and her eyes lit up. “Hey!”

  I followed her gaze. A broad-shouldered, floppy-haired guy in a sun’s-out-guns-out muscle tee stood about twenty feet away, talking to a group of tipsy-looking girls. He blended in with everyone else here—young, attractive, privileged, drunk. But when he turned and spied Elena, I realized … I knew him. Knew him well, actually.

  “Is that…?” I started to say, but it was too late. Elena was sprinting toward him. He turned and held out his arms for a hug. Elena squeezed him tightly, rising on her tiptoes. I blinked hard, aghast. It was Steve. Elena’s on-again, off-again, total-jerk boyfriend was … here?

  “Hey!” Steve said, smiling brightly at me. “Adri! Amazing to see you here!”

  I just stared. This had to be some kind of joke.

  “How was your flight?” Steve asked. “Is this your first time in the Caribbean? Do you need some water?”

  You aren’t going to win me over with your sweet-guy act, I thought acidly. I glanced at Elena, who suddenly looked a little guilty. “This is quite a coincidence,” I said slowly.

  “Um, well…” Elena’s smile wavered. “Look, it all came together super last minute. But it’s going to be so fun!”

  “Fun?” I repeated. I still didn’t understand what was happening.

  Steve slung his arm around Elena. “I’m Zack’s cousin—as in the guy who founded this thing. So we have a total in. You too, Adri!”

  I blinked hard. “You’re related to Zack Frazier? Funny, Elena never mentioned that.” I looked at her hard, but Elena wouldn’t meet my gaze. Terrible conclusions were forming in my mind. Did Elena’s father really surprise her with tickets … or did she nudge him to buy them for her when she found out Steve was going?

  “Adri.” Elena’s voice came out like a squeak. “Don’t be…”

  “Be what?” I knew my voice was sharp, but I was so caught off guard—and hurt—I couldn’t see straight. Why wouldn’t Elena have told me? Then again, I knew full well why.

  Steve just smiled. “Me and Zack went through many torturous family Christmases together. In fact—” He waved at someone in the crowd, and in a blink, a handsome, hip, familiar guy was before us. “Zack!” Steve said. “Say hello to my girlfriend, Elena, and her friend Adri.”

  “Hey there.” Zack had a moon face. Dorky dark-framed glasses. He was too skinny, too short, but he had an expensive haircut and probably an expensive watch, because didn’t all zillionaires have expensive watches?

  The mood in the crowd shifted with Zack’s presence. Everyone whispered like he was royalty. Even I felt a little flutter—I knew I should turn on the video app on my phone and record him while giving Hayden a shout-out. Except I was still so, so angry. I didn’t want to give Elena any indication this was okay.

  But then I realized that we had an audience with the leader of this festival—and maybe we could get answers. I turned to Zack. “So what’s with the false advertising? Elena’s been a little upset that we can’t find the luxury accommodations you guys promised.”

  Elena’s smile wavered. “Uh, I’m not upset!”

  “It’s all good,” Steve said quickly. “Zack’s got it covered.”

  Zack smiled at me reassuringly. “You just wait until tomorrow when the music starts. We’ll work out all the kinks. I’ve got an incredible team on it, and they’ve promised me that everything will be up and ready by the time we get going.”

  “But, um, what about tonight?” I asked. “Are those luxury suites … somewhere? If we have to camp, I wouldn’t mind setting up a tent and getting out of the sun for a while.”

  Steve looked horrified. “You don’t actually want to camp, do you?”

  “I don’t see any other options,” I argued. “I didn’t realize camping was so beneath everyone.”

  “Adri,” Elena warned. “There’s no need to be nasty.”

  Um, have you forgotten what Steve did to you? I wanted to shout. That was nasty.

  “We’ll have it all worked out,” Zack said again, grinning. “I was just talking to my guy right now. The facilities are on the next ferry from the other side of the island.”

  “Wait, how were you talking to your guy?” I asked. “Do you have cell service?”

  Steve laughed politely. “You have a lot of questions, Adri. Why don’t you just relax, enjoy yourself? It’s all going to work out.”

  Elena giggled. I tried to catch her eye, but she wouldn’t look at me. “And what about the food truck?” I gestured to the growing line at the only food establishment on the field. “Some people are vegans. Some people have food allergies. Are you addressing any of that?”

  Zack smiled at me wanly. I wondered if he was stoned.

  “And what about the porta-potties?” I remembered a girl complaining about that earlier. “Are you bringing in more of those? And where’s the first-aid tent?” Okay, now I sounded like my mother, but it was a good question. When I glanced around, I didn’t see any area that would address medical needs. In fact, all I could see was a tent for something called CBD Beauty, its logo a big pot leaf. “What if someone gets hurt?”

  “You’ve really thought all this through,” Zack said, grinning. “I hope you’re not a reporter!” He clapped his hands together and laughed loudly as though he’d said something truly hilarious. Elena laughed, too—though nervously. I didn’t crack a smile. “But you guys have seen nothing yet,” Zack went on. “Through those trees is the beach—and a ton of yachts are already docked. Jay-Z’s, Lavender’s, a bunch of Silicon Valley bigwigs’ … and more are en route.”

  “Through those trees?” I asked, pointing to the pines to our right.

  “Yep. There’s a yacht full of hot models, too.” He nudged Steve, and Steve, like a jerk, grinned lasciviously. I glanced at Elena to gauge her reaction, but she wasn’t watching. Of course. “It’s going to be a real party. The trip of a lifetime.”

  Maybe it was the relentless sunshine, maybe it was my exhaustion, or maybe it was my annoyance at Elena, but I suddenly felt a strong sense of injustice. “So … you’re going to invite everyone on that yacht?” I gestured around to the crowd. Even though I found most of them spoiled and ridiculous, I didn’t want them to bake out here in the sun.

  “Adri.” Elena’s eyes were wide and pleading. She was looking at me like she couldn’t believe I’d just crossed the famous, do-no-wrong Zack Frazier. Even Zack backed up, a little shocked. But all of a sudden I didn’t feel like waiting for answers. I was so angry at Elena for keeping this from me, I broke from the group. I just needed to be alone for a while. I needed to clear my head.

  “Adri, wait!” Elena cried. “Where are you going?”

  “To find some water,” I shouted behind me. “To get the lay of the land.” And maybe to find a tent, because I would rather stick needles in my eyes than get on a yacht with that guy.

  I felt Elena watching me as I stepped away. It suddenly felt symbolic, my leaving the group. If Elena followed me, I would let her lies about Steve slide. But if she stayed where she was … well, I didn’t know.

  I took another few steps, then peeked over my shoulder again. Elena hadn’t moved. And there was my answer. />
  @SolsticeFestZa: IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR ALL FESTIVAL TRAVELERS! Due to unforeseen circumstances, our limos are having engine issues, so we’ll be sending shuttle buses instead. But because space is extremely limited, IF YOU CAN FIND YOUR OWN TRANSPORTATION TO THE FESTIVAL SITE, PLEASE DO SO. (1/2)

  @SolsticeFestZa: Some options: Jimmy’s Limo Service, Whirlwind Private Aircraft LLC, or the Highwinds Helicopter Charter, which is located only two miles from the Myla airport! See y’all soon! (2/2)

  Replies:

  @B. YOLO: Dude. Have you looked up the prices of those plane and heli charters? I don’t exactly have three grand to spare just to get me to Myla. (PS: I’m posting this from an internet café in Myla—there’s no service anywhere else! Have we landed on another planet?)

  @VendoCh88: DON’T GO WITH HIGHWINDS CHARTER. Yes, they have wifi on board, but we ran out of gas halfway to the festival site and THERE’S NO SIGN OF RESCUE. #LostonaDesertIsland

  @CiCiCutie: Guys! My uncle’s chartering a seaplane for a bunch of us—there’s still space! And don’t worry about paying—his hedge fund’s footing the bill. They’re able to write it off as a charitable donation/state of emergency rescue! Isn’t that rad? #NotLostonaDesertIsland

  @HaydenATL: Has anyone seen a girl named Adrianna anywhere? Dark hair, big smile, probably wearing a Lavender t-shirt? I can’t get in touch with her and want to know if she’s okay.

  @B. YOLO: @HaydenATL, uh, didn’t you read my tweet? NO CELL SERVICE. No one can reach anyone. But also, haven’t seen your friend.

  7

  BEYOND THE SEMITRUCK/BAG CHECK was a road. Down it, only an eighth of a mile or so, were a few more roads, homes, a small white church, and—miracle of miracles—a little market with a Coca-Cola sign in the window.

  I stamped through the parking lot. Several bicycles were tipped up against the building’s facade, and I could hear voices inside.

  “Rich kids dropping garbage everywhere,” one of them said. “It’s a disaster.”

  “They can’t contain them all on that field,” another voice grumbled. “And do they even know about—”