#floatopia2k21

Kali figured she’d be able to grab a bite to eat before the next band came on, exiting the water only to find her way to the food boats while sipping on a bottle of water. The introverted girl usually didn’t like crowds like this but in her short time on Fire Island she’d come to really appreciate the celebration- mainly for the music and the food. She’d finally chosen a line to get in and had been waiting for about ten minutes when the loud beat of a drum caught her attention and her gaze turned towards the stage. A new band was warming up and for a moment, Kalisa was lost in the sounds, small smile on her face until a voice from behind her caught her attention. “Oh.” She said softly, bashful smile coloring her features. “I’m so sorry, you can go ahead of me. I’m still trying to figure out what I want... the uh, music distracted me.”

Devon rested against the side of the DJ booth, a half-burnt cigarette hanging loosely in his lips as his fingers flicked through a box of borrowed records. It was the closest he’d got to ‘ joining the party ’ since his arrival at Fire Island eight years ago and he was ( begrudgingly ) enjoying the atmosphere; the orange horizon, the smell of barbecues and sound of laughter. The DJ certainly knew their target audience — summer vibes and family-friendly sing-along classics. The bands themselves were talented, and Devon felt an ancient itch to join them, to see if he still had it. He held back, as always, and instead agreed to protect the DJ’s precious decks as they went to grab a well-deserved pint from a nearby bar. A figure approached, and Devon removed his cig to throw them a serviceable smile. 

“E’enin. Any requests? I’ve got full reign o’the decks ‘til the professional gets back for another round of Bryan Adams. I think I saw some Aqua at the bottom, here.”

​​Halide watched in perplexed fascination as the newest competitor tackled the second round of the obstacle course... in a full lobster costume rather than a swimsuit. “I can’t tell if I should be impressed,” she murmured, “or really, really confused right now.” 

Just when you think you’ve seen it all. 

The soft wisp of a laugh tickled her throat and she shook her head... moments before realizing she’d actually spoken out loud. Her gaze swiveled to the left and snagged on the closest face. “I— sorry,” Hali inwardly cringed. Right on cue, her cheeks flamed pink. “I have this habit of—” talking to myself, apparently. 

She tucked her lips over her teeth, if only to stop herself from blurting that, too, then expelled another, rather sheepish laugh. “Sorry. Ignore me. I think all this sun has gone to my head.”