The Beautiful Monster

The Summer Jam Music Festival was jam-packed with people. It was almost like trying to walk through campus on the first day. People moved all over the place, whether they were in groups or going solo.

However, no one was stressing about exams or downing coffee to try to get an ounce of motivation.

Here, everyone was high on music, fun, or… something else.

Alyssa held Elias' hand as the four of them ventured through the large fairground. There were two big stages set up for various acts to perform at, whether they were pop, EDM, or alternative.

There were also tons of vendors selling merch, local art, and food. Even with the sun beating down on them, it was a good time.

"If I didn't have to buy a dress for graduation, I would buy all of this merch," Zoe sighed wistfully as she admired all of the shirts, bags, hoodies, and other items for sale.

"You just like to buy things," Alyssa smirked, knowing of Zoe's compulsive shopping habit. Zoe dragged Alyssa out to shop with her whenever she had the chance to.

Alyssa had far more control over her money, but she ended up breaking down a lot and buying things too.

"She has so many clothes that they're somehow finding their way into my closet," Cole said as he gave Zoe a pointed look.

"Well, you don't mind, right?" Zoe asked, looking hopeful.

"Of course not. You know that you're welcome to keep anything over at my place," Cole replied with a smile. He leaned over to kiss Zoe.

Alyssa glanced away, feeling happy for her friend but upset for herself. She had maybe a few things over at Elias' place. She didn't want to ask to keep things there.

Whenever she accidentally left something there, like a shirt or her hairbrush, he always brought it back to her.

She tried not to overthink that, though. Maybe he was just being nice and thinking she needed her things back.

"Most of the big acts are after sunset," Cole said as they walked by the vendors, admiring some of the merch for sale.

"Let's just try to stay cool until then," Alyssa said, not wanting anyone to get dehydrated. She spotted a black tank top hanging up in one of the merch booths.

It had the festival name across the front in white letters. She turned to Elias as she stopped him from walking. "I see a tank top that would look good on you."

Elias smirked as he looked at the tank top that she was referring to.

"What is your obsession with seeing me in a tank top?" he asked her, looking at her curiously.

Alyssa pulled him down so that she could murmur next to his ear.

"More for me to admire," she replied. She loved how he looked, so she wouldn't mind seeing more of it out there for her to admire.

Plus, it was burning up today. His button down had to make him feel miserable.

Her and Zoe went with cute crop tops and jean shorts. Zoe also fixed their hair into delicate braids and did their makeup.

She wasn't lying about the glitter. Alyssa had no idea if it was ever going to come off her face, but she hoped the sweat would just get it to run off eventually.

"Fine," Elias replied before stepping up to the booth and buying one of the tank tops. He led her off to the side and unbuttoned his shirt, glancing up at her once some skin was exposed. "Don't make me drag you back to the hotel."

Alyssa felt heat flare across her cheeks as she smiled at him. She liked when he talked to her like that.

"What? I can't admire my boyfriend?" she asked innocently as she watched him take his shirt off. She let her eyes roam over his chest and arms, momentarily wishing they were back at the hotel right now.

Elias slipped the tank top on, pairing it with his dark, fitted jeans. He gestured to himself.

"How about this?" he asked, looking unsure.

"You look so hot," Alyssa told him before leaning up to kiss him. She placed her hands on his sides as he cupped her face, letting the rest of the world slip away for a few moments. She pulled away with a smile, feeling her lips tingle.

"Thank you," Elias laughed as he rubbed her arm affectionately. "You look gorgeous today."

"Thanks," Alyssa replied shyly, playing with a loose strand of her hair that had broken free from her braid.

She glanced the way that they came from before sighing. "Come on. Before they think we snuck off."

"We almost did," Elias commented before taking her hand and leading her back to Zoe and Cole.

"Hey! That looks good!" Zoe said once she saw Elias. "I don't think I've ever seen your shoulders before."

Elias rolled his eyes playfully as everyone else laughed.

"Yeah, yeah. Let's grab something to eat. NFNITI's set is in like an hour," he replied.

Alyssa and Zoe shared an excited look.

"This is going to be awesome," Zoe said before leading the group toward the food vendors.

The day flew by way faster than Alyssa expected it to. After looking at all the vendors, eating, and watching a few acts, it was already sunset.

The big acts were getting ready to perform, so the group decided to try to get as close to the stage as possible.

Alyssa walked through a sea of people just lingering around, talking and drinking. She checked the time and saw it was pretty close to the time for the headliner to play.

As if on cue, people started to speed toward the main stage. She flinched when someone almost ran into her.

"These people need to slow down," Zoe muttered as she tried to catch up to Alyssa.

Alyssa glanced around for Elias as the crowd started to surge around her. She caught a glimpse of him, but he was a few feet away.

She turned around to try to find Zoe, but a large man came into her sight as he barreled toward her. She wasn't even sure if he even saw her, but he was about to run right into her.

She closed her eyes and prepared herself since it was too late to get out of the way. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her back push her out the way.

She stumbled forward, immediately whipping around to see Elias right next to her. She gave him a confused look.

"You were way over there," she said. He couldn't have possibly gotten to her that quickly.

"I'm fast," Elias replied with a chuckle. He put his arm around her shoulders and guided her back to the group as they settled in a spot about ten feet away from the stage.

Alyssa supposed that he was, but she didn't know anyone that fast. Maybe she just miscalculated the distance. She pushed the thought away, focusing instead on the stage lights that just came on.

Cheers rose from the crowd as the band walked onto the stage, lifting their hands to the crowd in greeting.

When the opening riff echoed through the fairground, the crowd started jumping. Alyssa locked her arms with Elias and Zoe, not wanting to get separated.

Zoe cried out excitedly as the song picked up. She jumped around, holding tight to Cole's arm too.

"Yeah!" she cheered with everyone else.

Laughter bubbled from Alyssa as she jumped too. She glanced at Elias, sharing a warm smile with him.

She was glad they did this trip. She was glad for every moment that they spent together. These were some of the best years of her life, and she hoped that didn't end with this year.