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Hand in hand, Markus and North were standing in line with their tent, luggage and essentials to survive the weekend, awaiting access into the festival grounds.
“Hey, this is the one we met at, right?” Markus chimed out, reminiscing on their first time dancing together and how North taught him the importance of learning about the headliners, at the very least.
North hummed out a laugh and nodded, “Yup and you know, I don’t think I’ve heard you actually listened to that band since.”
Two years ago, the festival was still thriving, full of life and excitement especially as it was the last band to play for the weekend. At the cusp of nightfall, the band made their grand entrance; red smoke and blast of guitar chords set off the crowd. Enthusiastic screams and jumping which cause a wave effect to ripple throughout the crowd.
Legs tired and with aching shoulders, North had escaped the core of the excitement close to the stage and found herself pottering back up the field where the mass of people was never ending. Whilst she was no longer blasted with high energy, the buzz of excitement was still thick in the air. Groups of people accepted her passing with a headbang, which she returned in kind.
She found a nice space for her to still view the band as they got to their next song, where she called out her own woo’s and clapped. However, the guy she ended up standing next to was not clapping. Instead, he was holding a cup of half-drunk beer and looking around.
Just as she looked up, he looked down.
The sleep deprivation mixed with excitement of the music was not a deterrent for him. He leaned down slightly, smiling at her, “Hey, want to be my new best friend? My previous one seems to have wandered off.”
“Sure.” She shrugged, she had made many passing friends on her way to that spot, but none asked to be their “best” friend. She took it as an invitation to stay with him for the rest of the band's performance, the view wasn’t bad and she wasn’t being pulled into a mosh pit.
“Markus.” He said, when no response came he looked over at her, “And you, best friend, got a name?”
“North.” A slight smile crossed her lips.
“I have to admit, I do not know any of their songs.”
“What?” Disbelief took over her expression as she was forced to look at Markus from that comment, “You are joking me! This is the last headliner and you have no idea of their songs. Did you not do your research?” She crossed her arms over her chest but she continued to bop her head to the music, appreciating the slick riffs and expert beats.
Shaking his head, he laughed, “I did not. I’m actually here as a vendor, but it’s my turn to have a night off.”
“The best night to have off, then. Well, hopefully you’ll be converted tonight.” Her attention return to the stage. He took her lead and nodded his head in time with the drums. They joined in when the singer asked them all to flip off the world and North joined in with the chants.
Markus began to clap as the guitar drifted off which was stopped promptly by North reaching out and grabbing one of his hands, “Not yet. Geez, you weren’t kidding.”
Her hand was soft, so soft, “I did tell you.”
“I’ll tell you when to clap!” She laughed and held onto his hand a little while longer as the song was almost at the end, just a couple more 4-beats and she gave his hand a squeeze before beginning her own enthusiastic clapping.
As the night fell and the display of fire, smoke and lights shot through the darkness the two continued to dance together; North gave perfect indications of when to put his drink down to clap and even nudged him when there were certain hand motions to show support to be conducted.
After the fourth round of screaming and clapping, Markus leaned down again, “Well, I think I will be listening to them after this to remember this night.”
North nodded in a matter-of-fact way, “Good! I told you this was the best night to have off.”
His eyes stayed on the woman by his side for a moment longer before he spoke again, “I do have to head off, we got an early start. But, I don’t think I’d forgive myself if I left without asking for my mentor's number.”
To this, North laughed, “Okay, but I lost my phone. I can give you my social media, or e-mail?”
Markus frowned, “Wha- E-mail? How old are you? Who emails nowadays?”
It was North’s turn to frown, “E-mail is a great way to communicate! Better than whatever the kids use these days.” She put her hand on her chest and gasped, “I sound so old…”
“You are old for using e-mail.”
She slapped his arm playfully, “Hey! Do you want it or not?”
Just as playfully, Markus rolled his eyes and passed his phone over to her, “Shove your social names in, I’ll be able to find you and I’ll take your email too, just in case my carrier pigeon isn’t feeling up to it.”
“You’re in thin ice of not getting my details, best friend.”
“Alright, alright” He raised his hands, palms facing her with a light tone in his voice, “You win. I’ll contact you.”
She looked over at him, eyes up and down. She couldn’t believe how good he looked, even in the dark, “You better. I’ll be disappointed otherwise.”
“Can’t be upsetting the elderly now, can we?”
She flipped him off and they both shared another round of laughter and a hug. North watched as he became just another body in the crowd before turning to enjoy the rest of the show.
True to his word, she received a message:
Markus : [ Hey, told you I’d message. I refuse to email - that is still outrageous for anyone under 65.]
She contemplated not answering, this could just be another weird guy she met but the honesty in his words and enjoyment she experienced in the short time with him compelled her to reply,
North : [ So harsh, but I’m glad an email didn’t stop you.]
His response was instant.
Markus : [ Ha-ha, you are far too pretty and sweet for an e-mail to get in the way of me messaging you.]
Okay, she thought, he’s smooth, handsome and a sweet talker.
North : [ So, what festival are you needing your best friend for next?]