The Island Of Freedom

Chapter Five

Seemed like Selma's scolding was over as she moved toward the friend group. The girls rejoined the guys, and Selma immediately scooped in the space between Avid and Oswald as Evi halted near Thomas. The group stood in a small circle, as people mingled around them. A popcorn smell lingered in the space as the show coordinator's voice echoed in the field.

"Here," Thomas said giving Evi a beer can, she timidly took it.

"Is everything okay?" Avid's green eyes scanned the girls.

"Yeah, it's fine," Evi answered and opened the can. "So you guys are going to listen to The Adicts?"

"Oh, right," Avid said and looked at Selma. "On our way." He opened his palm for Selma.

"You are going too, Evi?" Selma asked after intertwining her fingers with Avid's.

"No, I thought Thomas and I would go to our camp, until The Avatar performance."

"You did?" Thomas glanced at her.

Evi nodded. "I want to rest for a bit and change my looks for the evening." She sipped on a beer. "We planned to do it together, Selma." She raised her eyebrow addressing Selma.

"We can do it after this performance," Selma agreed.

Evi stepped closer to Oswald. "Give me the car keys. We will wait at the camp."

"Both of you?" Oswald's narrow eyes traveled between Evi and Thomas.

"Yes, both of us." Evi stretched out her hand, raising her eyebrow and waiting for the car keys.

Oswald stared at her. "He is a stranger, Evi."

Thomas cleared his throat. "Not a stranger, mate," He placed his palm on Evi's lower back. "a good friend, actually."

Evi stared at Oswald closely as he hesitantly took out the car keys from his jeans' back pocket. He dangled the keys on his index finger, looking deep into her eyes. His eyesight shifted to Thomas and the guys started at each other intently for a few moments. Evi quickly grabbed the keys from Oswald's finger since he seemed to be distracted.

"Right," Oswald soon replied, with a nod, squinting his eyes.

"See you guys, after The Adicts." She caught Thomas's hand and walked to the right side of the field.

The air felt suffocating as the pair traveled through the masses of people. People holding tight in some places, bringing more heat than the sunlight. The fresh air brushed against Evi's face as they left the crowded space and traveled up the hill. She felt unsure if she should let go of Thomas's hand as they were no longer in dread of losing each other among all the other people.

"Maybe we had to buy something to eat," Thomas said after he let go of Evi's hand, the coldness of her palm felt strangely desolate.

"If you are hungry, we have food at the camp, don't worry," she responded, picking up the pace while traveling up the hill.

"So why do you want to change?" Thomas asked, following Evi.

"What?"

"You said you want to change your outfit." He stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans.

"Right," Evi nodded. "Not just the outfit, I have body paint." She smiled.

"Oh, fun." He lifted his left eyebrow.

"I can do you too," Evi said and Thomas laughed. "I mean paint stuff on you." She grimaced her face, slightly bending her head to the right side.

"Yeah, I got that part," he said with laughter as they traveled further. "It will be dark, so that might be pointless."

"It glows at night." Evi smiled. "We did that last year, I mean Selma and me. We went to this local festival, and the photos looked amazing."