TO HAVE & HAVE NOT

20

Olivia

I was introduced to Carlos at One Oak, the trendy nightclub pulsating with energy and beats, where the night felt like it was just beginning and the world outside ceased to exist.

Unfortunately, I was far too drunk to engage in anything resembling a coherent conversation; my thoughts were a chaotic jumble, clouded by the haze of vodka and whatever else I had been downing like water.

Our interaction was nothing more than a quick introduction, a fleeting moment of recognition before we drifted apart into the thrumming crowd, lost in the swirling masses of revelers.

Once One Oak finally closed its doors, signaling the end of a wild night, the party didn't stop for me. Instead, I found myself whimsically ushered into the hills for an exclusive house party, where the atmosphere was intoxicatingly electric, full of people basking in the glow of their indulgence.

To my surprise, Carlos was also there, a familiar face amidst the haze of strangers. I was told later that we danced together, swaying to the pulsating rhythms that seemed to govern the night, but the details eluded me like wisps of smoke in the wind. My memory was a difficult puzzle to piece together, fragmented and foggy after the copious amounts of cocaine and alcohol I had splurged on as the night wore on. The lines between laughter and oblivion blurred, leaving me uncertain whether those moments with Carlos were real or just figments created by a buzzed mind yearning for connection amidst the chaos.

Just a few short days later, I was heading to Coachella, anticipation coursing through me like electricity as the vibrant atmosphere of the festival loomed on the horizon.

I couldn't imagine experiencing this incredible event without my best friends. I invited Tommy, whose infectious energy consistently amplified my excitement, and my sister Aaliyah, who had a knack for finding the best spots in any festival crowd.

Little did I know, fate had a delightful surprise in store for me: Carlos would be gracing the stage.

The moment I arrived, the air buzzed with laughter, music, and an undeniable sense of freedom, amplifying my already heightened spirits.

As I navigated through the crowds of festival-goers, Aaliyah's voice sliced through the noise—a hint of urgency that caught my attention. "He's coming over here," she told me, her eyes wide as they followed an approaching figure.

Confused, I spun around, my heart racing as I came face to face with Carlos, his tan brown skin glistening with sweat from his earlier performance, the glow of the festival lights reflecting off him like some kind of ethereal being. His smile was wide and sparkly, effortlessly charming, as he teased me, "We meet again. This time, I hope you're a little more sober for me." My cheeks flushed with embarrassment at the memory of our previous encounter, and I shot him a sideways glance, trying to play it cool as I fumbled for words. "I didn't mean anything by it," he finally managed to say. However, Carlos's demeanor remained warm, a playful twinkle in his eye as he reassured me, "Just glad to see you."

Before I could respond, I impulsively held up the bottle of tequila I had brought along, the liquid sloshing inside it like a storm waiting to unleash. "Shot?" I asked, half-jokingly, hoping to mask my nervousness.

His grin widened, a conspiratorial spirit igniting between us as he nodded enthusiastically and was surrounded by the electric crowd of Coachella.