Part 1
You spent a long time curling your hair. You even burnt your hand twice. Anything for the flower festival, which Maru, Penny, and Abby had convinced you would be amazing.
You knew you were dancing with Elliot as friends, but you weren’t sure how people would react. Your stomach was in knots. Your hand was behind your neck, grasping desperately for the zipper. It must be caught in something.
You heard two knocks at your door. “...Coming!” You called. You fought with your zipper a little more, but it wasn’t budging. You sighed, and held your dress up at the front as you peeked your head around your front door.
It was Elliot. He was standing so regally, his long auburn hair freshly brushed, wavy and perfect as ever. It was so silky looking, and it glistened in the sun. He considered you with his steady eyes, and brushed off his white sleeve. He was wearing a dress shirt, a baby-blue vest, and baby-blue dress pants with sparkling black shoes. They looked freshly shined. “Hello, Y/N. I thought it would be appropriate if I were to walk you to the festival.” Elliot smiled. Am I crazy, or is there a hint of nervousness in his tone? You thought.
“That’s considerate of you.” You smiled gently. “I’m actually having a bit of a problem.”
“What’s that?” He asked, concern springing onto his face.
You opened the door a little wider, revealing your half-on dress. “Can you zip me up?”
Elliot smiled and came inside, shutting the door behind him. You gathered your hair and put it away from your head so he could see what he was doing. “Ah, yes. It’s caught in the fabric. One moment.” He said. He used the gentlest of touches to separate the fabric from the zipper track, and zipped it up smoothly. “Better?” He asked.
You pulled your dress down a little, making it sit right. “Much.” You turned to face him, fluffing out your curls. “Okay, well, how do I look?”
He studied you carefully for a moment which made you blush. “Magnificent.” He decided. “Your flower crown goes wonderfully with your dress. You look like a goddess.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.” You said sheepishly. “Should we go?”
Elliot and you walked from your house to the forest, chatting mostly about the weather. You were too nervous to have a more substantial conversation, and you thought he might be able to tell. So, he was humoring you.
The forest was decorated with garlands of flowers and long pastel paper banners. They were draped from tree to tree, with a giant section of land cleared out in the shape of a square in the middle. On the left, tables were decorated with bright tablecloths and many spring dishes. People were congregated around it, sampling all the food. To your right, you could see many clumps of people off to the side chatting with one another. The center of the field was mostly bare, except for Haley, who looked like she was practicing her dance moves. She carefully did the necessary steps over and over, carefully treading on her pointed toes. There was festive music coming out of two speakers on either side of the field, so everywhere you went you could hear it.
“It’s lovely.” You decided.
“Sure is. Oh, there’s Leah over there.” He said, giving Leah a wave. She waved back. She was standing near the food but closer to the entrance, and was wearing a white babydoll dress. Her hair had flowers braided into it, and you noticed her wearing makeup.
“Do you want to go say hi?” You asked.
“Only if you’ll accompany me.” Elliot smiled.
You smiled back, and walked with Elliot to where Leah was standing. “Hey, you both look nice!” She said with a grin. “The punch is amazing, guys.”
“I’m not falling for that again.” You said.
“Whatever do you mean?” Elliot asked. You gazed up at him. He was probably a whole foot taller than you, which you realized for the first time right now.
“It was spiked at the egg festival.” You explained.
“Isn’t there always alcohol in it?” Leah asked.
“Y/N! Did no one tell you that?” Elliot asked, grabbing your hand with both of his. This sudden movement surprised you, and you drew in a sharp breath of air.
“N-no…”
“That’s horrible! So you mean to tell me you unwittingly engaged in drinking?” He asked.
“Yeah, pretty much.”
“Sounds like all of college…” Leah mumbled.
He dropped your hand and crossed his arms. “I’m ashamed. I am a terrible friend, Y/N. I should’ve told you. I didn’t realize…”
“Elliot, it’s not your fault.” You said.
“But it is.”
“It’s just one of those things that everyone knows and we don’t talk about.” Leah said. “I’m sorry, Y/N, that that happened to you, but don’t blame yourself Elliot. If anything, blame the person who made the punch.”
“Pam.” Elliot said, his voice lowering. “Where is she?” He looked around.
Leah craned her head. “Not here yet.”
“Then I must have a word with her before she arrives. Forgive me, Y/N, but I promise to be back soon.” He said. He turned on his heel, and hurried away from the festival, disappearing into thick forest.
“So… you and Elliot…?” Leah asked.
“We’re here as friends.” You sighed. “Leah, I’m going to have some punch after all.”
“Hell yeah. Power to you. I’ll be here if you need me.” She said.
You sauntered over to the punch bowl. It was red liquid that was being held in a giant crystal bowl with a bunch of matching crystal cups. It sat on the table with a robin's egg colored tablecloth. You looked over at the other tables of food and noticed spinach salad with berries, potato salad, cupcakes, cookies, roasted chickens, and devilled eggs. Eggs, again? Haven’t they had enough since the egg fest? You thought. You sighed, and filled yourself a glass of punch. I wonder where Gus is. He’s usually by the food.
“Y/N. What the hell are you doing with Elliot?” A gruff voice came from behind you. Your stomach jumped as you remembered the same voice hurrying out of your house a few days ago.
You turned to see Shane, dressed in a baby blue tuxedo. His hair had been styled, and it looked like he had trimmed his beard. His eyes, however, betrayed him, revealing tiredness. He was eyeing you with a confusing mix of anger and softness.
“We’re here as friends.” You said, downing some punch.
“That shit is spiked.” He said, taking your crystal cup out of your hand.
“I know.” You muttered, picking up another cup.
Shane sighed. “Okay, so Sams on the list, so is Sebastian… now Elliot?” He rubbed his forehead.
“What list?” You asked. “Besides, I thought you told me to stay away from you.” You had a flashback to his body pressed against yours, and then him flinging himself backwards and hurrying out of your house.
“I’m not good.” He shook his head. “No one here is good enough.”
“Good enough for what?” You choked down another sip of strawberry punch, feeling the burn of vodka in your throat. You put another scoop into your cup.
“For you.” Shane said, slamming your glass onto the table, spilling some on his baby blue sleeve. “Ah, fuck.” He said once he noticed how hard he had slammed the cup. You noticed Marnie and Lewis whispering in a corner, staring at you. Shane wiped his sleeve.
“You barely know me, Shane. What makes you the expert?” You asked. You thought about how much you liked his late night visit, but how much it confused you.
“I don’t know. I know bad, I guess.” He said.
“Elliot is a gentleman, and like I said, we’re here as friends.” You said, turning on your heel and walking away, towards Sam, Sebastian, and Abby.
They stared at you as you approached. Shane made no effort to chase you, but you realized they must had been watching your conversation closely.
The three of them had dressed for the occasion. Sebastian was wearing an unpleasant scowl, which clashed with his dressy clothes. He was wearing a white button up and blue dress pants, meanwhile Sam was in a full suit. Abby had a white minidress on with her handmade crown. She flipped a purple strand of curled hair around her finger nervously as you approached.
“Y/N, the hell was that?” Sebastian asked bluntly.
“I’d rather not talk about that.” You said.
Abby gazed at you evenly, and then brightened her face. “We’re at the flower festival, guys, let’s ignore whatever that was and have fun.”
You thanked Abby in your head for trying to change the subject.
“Is that creep bothering you?” Sebastian asked, pulling a lighter out of his pocket and flicking it between his fingers.
“No, it’s okay.” You said.
“Y/N, are you sure? He was yelling at you. That’s not okay.” Sam said, rubbing the back of his neck. His blonde hair was the neatest you’d ever seen it. Not a hair was out of place. That must’ve taken him forever, you thought.
“Let me and Sam go talk to him.” Sebastian offered.
“God! No! You guys aren’t listening. It's okay. We’re kind of friends. We just had a misunderstanding, that's all.” You said.
“Y/N, I hate to say it, but that guy is kind of bad news.” Sam grimaced. You had noticed how little Sam would talk negatively about other people, and appreciated him for it. It was kind of shocking to hear him say something like this, even though it was mild in comparison to Sebastian.
“She doesn’t want to talk about it.” Abby said firmly.
“At least you’re not dancing with him.” Sebastian sighed.
“Where is Elliot, anyway?” Sam asked, craning his neck around.
“He left for a moment.”
“It’s ungentlemanly to leave a date by herself.” Sebastian mocked.
“Don’t make fun of him, he’s really nice.” You said. You found yourself growing more and more frustrated with Sebastian as your conversation went on.
“I’m sure he is. Just wait until after the festival, when he tries to get you to go home with him. Oldest trick in the book, Y/N.” Sebastian said, tucking his lighter in his pocket and crossing his arms.
“He’s not like that.” You said.
“I’m sure.” Sebastian sneered.
“Jealousy is an ugly color on you, Seb.” Abby said.
“Not jealous. Realistic.” Sebastian sighed. “Anyway, tomorrow we’re meeting at my house around lunch to watch our show. I’m expecting you’ll be there, Y/N?”
“Yeah, whatever.” You said. “I’m gonna go find Gus.”
“See you tomorrow, Y/N!” Sam said cheerily. He’s overcompensating for Sebastian’s bitterness, I’m sure, you thought.
“See you.”
You wandered over to Pierre, who was selling a few things. He was selling an adorable pink bunny rabbit, but he was charging way too much for it. You decided maybe next year you could get it, if you still desperately wanted it.
You asked Pierre if he had seen Gus at all, and he just shrugged.
You noticed Harvey talking to Maru and Penny, and you waved at them. Penny waved back enthusiastically, so you went to go join their conversation.
“You look amazing!” Penny said, wrapping you in a tight hug.
“So do you!” You beamed, admiring her long, frilly white dress. “And Maru, you look great!”
Maru smiled back at you with red lips. “Thanks, Y/N.”
You looked at Harvey. He was wearing a crisp, tailored suit that was the color of the sky. He smiled at you.
“Harvey, you look so fancy.” You giggled.
“You do, too.” He said. “I mean that as a compliment, by the way.”
“So did I, I promise.”
“Where’s Elliot, Y/N?” Penny asked.
“Oh, he’ll be back soon.”
“Elliot?” Harvey asked, looking from Penny to you.
“We came together.” You said. Harvey’s face was hard to read, expressionless. “As friends.” You finished. Harvey’s face morphed for only a second, into an expression of relief, but quickly settled into his neutral state again.
“Well, he’s a great dancer.” Harvey said.
“Oh! There he is!” Penny pointed behind you.
There Elliot was, arriving under the archway with Pam. They were chatting jovially.
“I have to go. See you guys!” You said, giving your friends a quick wave and rushing over to Elliot and Pam.
“… and that’s when I told him ‘enough’!” Pam said happily, doubling over with laughter.
Elliot gave a polite chuckle, and then noticed you quickly approaching. “Ah, Pam, there she is.”
Pam soberly straightened herself up and looked at you. “I’m sorry, kid. Didn’t know no one told you about the punch.” She said in her raspy voice.
“Oh.” You said, looking at Pam and Elliot. “It’s not a problem.”
“Okay, well, you two kids enjoy the festival!” Pam said, waving happily at Elliot and dashing off to the food tables.
“What did you say to her?” You whispered.
“Nothing, really.” Elliot said, extending his arm to you. You latched on without thinking, sending a lurch into your throat, but gripped his arm happily. He felt warm, comfortable, and safe. While you were walking with Elliot, you really felt like nothing would bother you again. He had such a calming effect on everyone it seemed, even Pam. “I'm so glad I made it back in time! Do you hear that?” Elliot asked, raising his other hand into the air.
“The music?”
“They’re starting the dance. Come, Y/N.”