There’s snow coming down when Kai and his friends arrive at the festival in Willow Creek.
Miki: We’re too early. *to Vern* I thought you said that the festival started now.
Vern: It does, but maybe people were turned off because of the snow. It’s not like we’re staying anyway, right?
The food and merchandise booths are open, but the stage is still empty.
Kai: *to Miki* I’m going to buy a t-shirt. What color should I get?
Miki: Buying a t-shirt to prove to your mom that you actually came – brilliant! We should all do that. Black is the only color I wear, so I say black.
Kai walks over to buy a t-shirt.
Kai puts on his new purchase and returns to Miki.
Kai: Good news! The vendor says that the weather will be warming up later.
Miki: Who cares? We’re not staying here anyway.
Kai: I’d like to stay. I want to hear the music.
Miki: Why? It’s a chance to do what we want to do.
Miki seems determined to get into some trouble today, so Kai turns to his more reasonable friend.
Kai: Are you really planning on leaving the festival? Don’t you want to stay and listen to music?
Liliana: Vern’s brother was able to get us some fake IDs. We were planning on going to the Blue Velvet bar.
Kai: But why? What’s the fun in that?
Liliana: Are you seriously asking what’s fun about going to a bar?
Kai: Yeah. We’ll be old enough to go to any bar we want to soon anyway. But music festivals don’t happen all the time.
Liliana: *unsure* Vern and his brother went through all the trouble, so –
Kai: But we didn’t ask him too. It’s just Vern trying to act cooler than he is again. *turns to the stage* Oh look, the first act is starting.
Joy Oladokun begins to play. It’s a song that Kai likes. In the middle of the set, Miki begins to get restless.
Miki: *whispers to Kai* Now’s a good time to disappear.
Kai: *whispers back* I’m not going.
Miki: What?
Kai: I only came because of the festival, so I’m staying. You all can go and do whatever it is you planned, but without me.
Miki: *disappointed* But I thought this would be a chance for us to get to know each other better.
There’s that flirty tone again. Kai realizes that Miki might have a crush on him, but sneaking off with her is not what he wants to do.
Kai: Naw, I’m good.
Miki: *hurt tone* Whatever, asshole.
Kai steps closer to the stage while Miki turns and leaves with Vern and Liliana.
The second act steps up on stage as the crowd begins to get bigger. Unfortunately, Kai’s enjoyment of the music is hindered by his disappointment in his so-called friends. Rather than backing out of their little mission and staying there with him, they leave. He wonders if it may be time to start searching for new friends.
Bebe Rexha, the final act, steps on stage. It’s late and getting dark. Kai finally realizes that he will have to travel back home in the middle of the night alone. But his worries dissipate when Bebe begins to sing, making Kai very glad he stayed.
The festival reaches its end as Bebe Rexha leaves the stage. Kai begins to plan his journey home.
It’s after midnight, and I’m still up working on a painting. Partly because I want to finish it, but also because I’m worried about Kai and know that I won’t be able to sleep until he’s safely home. Now I see why my parents were such sticklers for curfews.
Kai finally arrives.
Kai: You waited up for me?
I do my best to play it off, but it’s apparent that I did.
Prosperity: No. I had a painting that I needed to finish for work. *ascends the stairs* Good night!
(Generation 2 Chapter Summaries)
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