1974 || 5SOS

Chapter 4

Scarlett

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue over the stretch of sand that whispered promises of adventure and carefree days. As we rolled up to the beach, the waves crashed like a steady heartbeat, each pulse blending with the faint, scattered laughter drifting on the breeze. The salt air clung to my skin, promising a day that would linger in memory.

Luke, Calum, Michael, and Ashton piled out of the car, each of them clutching their acoustic instruments like cherished treasures. Luke, with his wild curls and mischievous grin, slung his guitar over his shoulder, a familiar companion that was always ready for a song. Beside him, Michael followed, his dark hair falling into his eyes, the guitar in his hands emanating an air of brooding intensity. Calum brought an acoustic bass guitar, its sleek body reflecting the bright light of day, while Ashton, leaning casually against the car, carried a cajón—a wooden drum he could sit on and slap with his hands, his playful spirit evident in the way he grinned at the others.

As they set up in a loose circle on the sand, the air was thick with anticipation. Luke strummed the first chords, a lively tune that seemed to call to the very essence of summer. Calum joined in, the bass harmonizing beautifully with Luke's guitar. Michael's fingers moved skillfully over the strings, adding depth to their impromptu jam session. Ashton settled onto his cajón, creating a rhythmic heartbeat that pulsed through the air, drawing the attention of those nearby.

I stood slightly apart, a few paces back, feeling the music wrap around me like a warm embrace. Kitty laid down her towel I front of the boys and beckoned me over. I walked over and put my towel down next to hers.

My heart raced as I watched Ashton play, his focus unwavering, his charm radiating effortlessly as he played. There was something about him that made the songs really feel alive—like he knew a secret about it that we didn't.

"Hey, Scar," Kitty leaned over, a teasing glint in her eyes. "You might want to watch out. The girls will start flooding in soon, and you know how it gets."

I laughed, a flutter of nerves mingling with excitement. Sure enough, just as Kitty had predicted, a group of girls from nearby began to wander over, drawn in by the magnetic pull of music. The beach quickly filled with the vibrant energy of youth, as the girls swayed to the rhythms, their carefree spirits matching the warm, salty breeze.

Kitty popped the cap off a beer and offered it to me. I grateful accepted it and took a sip.

Kitty giggled, "Doesn't taste that great, but you get use to it."

"You said that about the MJ too," I laughed, "Does all the fun stuff taste bad?"

"Ya know, I've never thought about that. I guess all the fun stuff does have its cons, but that's life!" She clicked her bottle to mine, and we both took a sip of our drink. "Tastes better than shrooms though! Ugh! Talk about tasting like actual shit."

My eyes widened, "You've eaten psychedelic mushrooms?"

She nodded, "It blows your mind in a good way, Scar. Makes you see life from the outside, like you're looking at it with a new pair of eyes."

"That sounds like something I'd want to try...someday," I mused, though my mind raced with worries—what if I didn't handle it well? But there was also a thrill, a pull toward stepping beyond everything I'd always known.

Kitty smiles reassuringly, "When you're ready you'll know till then let's get rid of all this beer before the boys take it all!"

With that we both sip our beer and go back to listening to the boys play.

As the day went on the boys had set down their instruments and started playing music on the Transistor Radio, but I still found myself drawn deeper into the moment. Kitty had gotten up and started dancing with some of the other girls. My cheeks were feeling warm and I was holding my fourth beer. It was almost empty and I was contemplating getting another.