You get me dizzy

When Zayn suggested it a year ago, Leo thought he was joking. They could barely make rent as it is, but that…that was insane.   “Eight hundred pounds for a three-day festival? You’re f*****g kidding me, right?” he asked after interrupting Zayn for the umpteenth time.   Zayn sighed. “Well, the tickets cost that much. With the plane and everything-“   “That’s how much a ticket costs? I can barely make rent and you’re-“   “It’s VIP, Leo.” Zayn tried to reason, staring at him over his laptop.   Leo rolled his eyes. “That doesn’t mean anything to me.”   “Beyoncé, Imagine Dragons, The Script….,Coldplay.” Zayn read from the screen, wiggling his eyebrows at Leo. “And if we get VIP tickets, we can meet them. Also, Steve Aoki?”   Leo leaned back into the couch, pursing his lips as he thought about it. Coldplay and The Script have been his all-time favorites since forever. And Steve Aoki is a must because Leo needs to get cake in his face at least once before he dies. But a thousand pounds…maybe more? For the whole ordeal? He wasn’t sure if it was worth it.   “And how much would everything cost? With plane tickets, camping and everything?”   “I made a spreadsheet.” Zayn said and turned the laptop to show him the costs.   Leo shook his head. “Of course you did.” He looked at the screen. “So…a thousand-five hundred for everything, including drinking money.”   “And we’ve got one year to pull it all together. I’ve got some money now, I can buy the tickets and you’ll buy the plane tickets later and give me the difference.”   “Or…we could get normal tickets and maybe try and sneak in into the VIP area? How does that sound.” Leo suggested, because f**k him if he’d ever pay twice as much money just so he could get a photo with his favorite artists.   “Leo, it doesn’t work like that.” Zayn groaned.   “Um, may I remind you of Leeds 2015?”   “That was pure luck.”   Leo scrunched his nose. “No it wasn’t. All we have to do is wait for the security guard to look away and then we can sneak in. Trust me, we can do that.”   “What if we get caught? You know we’ll probably get kicked out of the entire festival, right?”   Leo huffed. “It’s either that or I won’t go. I can’t throw money away like that.”   Leo licked his lips, waiting for Zayn to answer. “Okay. f**k, okay. We’ll do it like that.”   Now, fast forward one year, where he finds himself in the back of the LAX airport shuttle, trying to fight his way through the mass of people who are putting their luggage in the luggage compartment.   “Zayn ’m getting killed over here!” He shouts and looks around for a mop of black hair.   When he can’t find him, he pushes against a man who’s been shamelessly shoving at his back.   “No one wants to take their luggage onto the bus, I know, okay? But don’t fuckin’ push me.” Leo hisses at him and the man makes a face, stepping back.   Five minutes later Leo finally manages to shove his suitcase into the compartment and extract himself from the madness.   “How in the world…” he mumbles when he gets onto the bus and finds Zayn already in one of the seats, scrolling through his phone.   “There’s a compartment on the other side of the bus as well, but no one ever bothers circling to get to it.” Zayn explains as Leo drops down next to him.   “You got the tickets?” Zayn nods. “The tent?” Zayn nods. “The-“   “Just assume that I’ve triple-checked everything we need, okay?” Zayn says and pulls out his earphones from his pocket.   Leo rolls his eyes. “Fine.”   Zayn groans when Leo takes one earphone out so he can stick it into his own ear, but doesn’t fight it, because they’ve got a three-hour bus ride to the festival site and he’ll need all the rest he can get before the campers’ party tonight.   Leo closes his eyes as Zayn plays his Coachella playlist and smiles, happiness bubbling in his chest. Pre-festival feelings are the best.   ***   The bus drops them off at the entrance so everyone can get their bracelets around 5pm that afternoon and Leo’ half-sleepy, half-excited. The jetlag had kicked in half an hour into the bus ride and even though he managed to sleep during their 12-hour plane ride and on the bus, he still feels like he needs a RedBull.   The queue for the General Access bracelets is infernal and Leo whines the whole time they wait in line until they finally get their bracelets and head towards the camping site.   “If I get you some RedBull and a cigarette will you promise to not whine once in the next four days?” Zayn pleads as they flash their bracelets to the security before they’re let in.   “Yeah.” Leo promises, like a liar.   They find their designated camping spot and Leo busies himself with folding out the chairs, hoping that Zayn is aware of the fact that he can’t be bothered with setting up the tent right now.   “Can you help?” Zayn bitterly asks when he sees that Leo already dropped down on one of the fold-out chairs and lit up a cigarette.   “I’m busy right now.”   “For f**k’s-“   “Hi, need help?” someone asks and they both turn their heads to see a guy walking over with a smile on his face. He extends his hand to Zayn first. “’m Noah. I overheard your northern accent and I had to come say hi.”   “Ireland?” Zayn asks, shaking his hand.   Noah nods and then walks over to shake Leo’ hand.   “I’m over there with some mates, the big tent. Also wanted to apologize in advance for any future disturbances since we’re going to be neighbors for the next few days.”   Leo looks up at him over his sunglasses. “What disturbances?”   “Y’know…loud music and yelling, the lot.” Noah explains, placing his hands on his hips.   “Yeah, we don’t mind.” Leo assures him by waving his hand. “We’re pretty loud ourselves.”   Noah looks between the two of them. “Oh! How long have you two been together?”   Leo and Zayn stare at each other for a second before they burst out laughing.   “We’re not-“ Zayn starts, at the same time as Leo says, “He wishes.”   “Oh, sorry.” Noah says and laughs along with them, then turns to Zayn. “Let me help you.”   Leo watches them as they struggle to put the tent up.   “Can you believe their stupid rule of one case of beer per person?” Leo asks and stares at the two cases of beer him and Zayn have brought.   Noah turns to look at him from where he’s struggling to get the legs of the tent into the ground. “We’ve got that covered.” He says in a low voice before he yells at someone from his camping spot. “Oi, Shawn mate, come over a bit. Bring the fake tent!”   A guy materializes out of Noah’s giant tent and smiles as he walks over with a rolled up tent in his hands.   “What’s a fake tent?” Zayn asks.   “This.” Shawn answers and unravels the ‘fake tent’, only to reveal that there are about five different types of liquor bottles tightly bundled up in some polyester fabric.   “That’s genius.” Leo says, filled with respect. “Noah mate, I think we’re going to be best friends.”   Noah laughs and then focuses back on the task at hand as Leo goes through his second can of beer for the day.   Their tent is finally set up around 6pm and Leo thinks it’s time for a shower before the ‘camping party’, as he heard people call it. The showers are public and Leo chooses the last shower because he thinks they’re always the cleanest.   Two hours later he finds himself on a fold-out chair in someone else’s camping spot, with music blaring loudly from a few yards away.   There’s a girl who’s been trying to chat him up ever since he arrived and Zayn disappeared somewhere about half an hour ago. Leo isn’t really feeling it right now, because she’s coming on too strong but she’s pretty. Her way of talking reminds Leo of his ex girlfriend, but her eyes remind him of his ex boyfriend, which is weird, and the fact that he’s a bit tipsy is not helping at all.   “Who are you here to see?” she asks him, and Leo finally feels like he’s interested in the conversation.   “I came here for the EDM, mostly.” He answers. “You know, Aoki, Kygo, Alan Walker.”   “So you’ll be spending a lot of time at the Outdoor stage then.” She concludes and Leo shrugs. He hasn’t really paid much attention to the festival layout.   “Probably. Who are you here to see?”   “Oh…Coldplay is nice. But I came for Styles.”   “Who?”   She makes a face. “Aren’t you from England?”   “Yeah, so?” Leo asks. What the f**k is she on about?   “He’s from England. He’s an indie...ish singer.”   “Ah. I don’t like indie, so. Also, I’m not a big fan of those tiny stages in tents.”   She laughs then and Leo frowns, because he’s not sure which part of what he just said was so funny.   “What?”   “He’s not-he’s a headliner. Plays the Coachella Stage tomorrow and on Sunday.”   “Two weekends in a row?”   “No, two times in one weekend.” She answers, looking at Leo like he used to look at his grandparents when they asked him about technology. He might be 26 but he’s not that old.   “Well, I’m not interested in hearing him play, to conclude this conversation.”   She loses interest in Leo after that, who sets out on a mission to find Zayn.   He finds him a few tents away, chatting to Noah and one of his friends who Leo hasn’t seen around here before.   “Hi lads.” He says and pulls his white shirt down before extending his hand out to the new guy. “Leo.”   “This is my mate Levi.” Noah says and pats the guy on the back, just as he was about to shake Leo’ hand.   “Levi.” The guy answers and smiles, squeezing Leo’ hand. He’s got a VIP badge around his neck and Leo thinks (just for one second) to grab it from him and run away. It might make their job for the next two days a lot easier.   “Didn’t know they were giving out necklaces instead of bracelets this year.” Leo says, making conversation.   “They don’t, I work with one of the performing artists.”   Would it be too weird to ask for an extra pass? Probably. So Leo just settles on nodding and making conversation about last year’s festival.   Two hours later Leo’ drunk out of his mind and almost gets into a fight with someone who makes a mean joke about people who come here for EDM, so Zayn thinks it’s time to go back and get some sleep. After all, the first act starts at 11am.   ***   Leo’ never been wired to wake up before noon on Fridays (or any day for that matter), since his job always starts after 1 or 2pm, and that’s why Zayn has to shake him awake.   “You sleep like a f*****g log.” Zayn says and Leo flips him off before he turns on the other side to get more sleep.   “Leo, I swear to God. There’s an act I want to see at half past three.”   “Go alone.”   “I can’t. You’ll forget to lock up.”   “Lock up what? Our tent?” Leo mumbles, trying his hardest to focus on going back to sleep.   “Yes!? You weren’t listening when I explicitly told you that I got a lock for the zippers? Leo…”   “Go with Noah.”   “He’s already at the festival, waiting for us.”   Leo dramatically groans and wipes his eyes before he stretches and finally sits up in his sleeping bag.   “Fine.”   He searches through his suitcase for some clothes as Zayn lays out today’s schedule.   “Imagine Dragons play at 9pm, and before that there’s Alan Walker on at six.”   “Who plays at three then?” Leo asks and smiles when he finds what he was looking for. A white shirt (a different one from last night, mind you), paired with a green jacket and some black skinnies.   “SZA does.”   “Do you think I should take my black or my green Vans?” Leo asks Zayn as he grabs his toothbrush. He knows Zayn’s going to lose it soon.   “Lord help me if you don’t-“ Zayn starts, frustrated, and Leo laughs as he ducks out of the tent and out of the way from whatever it is Zayn just threw in his direction.   He showers quickly, brushes his teeth and dresses up, before he throws a last look at himself in the mirror and bolts out of the showers.   Zayn is waiting by their tent, and after Leo throws his pyjamas inside, he locks up.   They don’t have to wait in line today because they already have their bracelets, and by the time they’re inside the festival grounds, Leo’ mood shifts.   “We’re at f*****g Coachella Zayn!” he tells his best friend, shaking his shoulder in excitement. “First drink’s on me.”   Zayn smiles at that, completely forgetting how Leo annoyed him just minutes ago.   They get Gin and Tonics and then walk toward the stage where they’re supposed to meet up with Noah and the rest of the group.   They’re greeted with loud cheers and pats on the back, and there’s a cup of beer in Leo’ hand, followed by Noah saying that they need to drink it all in one go ‘because it’s tradition’. What’s he going to do? Say no to free beer?   “Where’d you get that?” Leo asks when he sees the VIP badge around Noah’s neck, that wasn’t there the previous night.   “Levi gave it to me. We’ve been friends since Uni and all that. UCL graduates, Music Engineering.”   “You went to London to study?”   They start up a conversation about how hard it was for them to get a spot in the student’s dorms a few years ago, and how Leo graduated with a degree in Psychology but ended up taking on a completely different career path.   They watch SZA as they sit down on the grass and Leo thinks he’s really glad Noah came up to them and offered to help them with their tent because (1) otherwise there would be no tent for them to sleep in and (2) he wouldn’t have had so much fun until now.   ***   It’s past 5pm when SZA finishes and Noah lets them know that he’ll drop by the VIP area to say hi to Levi. The rest of the group goes back to the camping grounds to get some drinks, so Zayn and Leo are faced with a dilemma. Now, Leo’ never been one to shy away from uncomfortable situations, and today is no different.   He places a hand on Noah’s shoulder and leans in. “I’ve gotta ask you something.”   Noah’s face turns serious and Leo looks around before he continues.   “Can you distract the security guard so Zayn and I can sneak into the VIP area?”   Noah stares at him for a second. “Hahha yes I can.”   Leo’ whole face lights up and he steps back. “You’re the best.”   Noah points at him and nods in agreement before they head over to the VIP entrance. He motions for someone to come over to him and soon enough, Levi appears and walks over to them.   Noah explains the situation to him and Levi smiles, eyes crinkling, before he takes Noah over to the security guard and starts up a conversation with him.   “This is it.” Leo says and takes Zayn’s hand. “This is it.” he repeats.   Zayn shakes his head. “I’m going to throw up.”   “Do it in there then, I’m sure they’ll clean it up in no time.”   Zayn’s smile is everything Leo needs before he pulls him along. His heartbeat gets stronger with every step he takes towards the entrance and he makes sure his sleeves cover his wrists so the green of the General Access bracelet won’t show.   Two more steps, one more step and…they’re in.   Leo lets go of Zayn’s hand and walks quickly as far away from the entrance as possible.   “We f*****g did it, I told you.” Leo tells him as he does a little dance.   It’s not a whole other world in the VIP area per se, except of the fact that there’s a lot more seats, beanbags, people with blue bracelets and an open bar.   “You f*****g idiot.” Zayn laughs, looking around.   “Told you we shouldn’t pay twice as much.” Leo tells him. “And as per usual, I was right.”   “Don’t take the fun out of it by rubbing it in my face.”   Leo laughs. “That’s something I never thought I’d hear you say out loud.”   Zayn flips him off and follows him over to the open bar.   Leo licks his lips as he looks down at the menu on the bar. “A gin and tonic please. A lot of gin, very little tonic.”   The bartender laughs as she starts preparing the drink and looking at Zayn, waiting for him to order. Zayn orders the same thing of course, and they decide to drink it all in one go.   She’s obviously impressed by their skill of drinking an entire drink in less than ten seconds, so she doesn’t even hesitate to make them another one.   “Man, I don’t know, I don’t want to get drunk.” Zayn says, chickening out when the glasses are being placed in front of him.   “I’ll just take these then.” Leo tells him and takes the cups, one in each hand, before he turns around to look for Levi and Noah. He’s sure Noah will be a team player and take one of the drinks off his hands.   Zayn’s disappeared again and Leo finally locates him at one of the tables in the corner. He grips into the cups even harder so they won’t spill over and makes his way towards them.   On his way to their corner he’s eyes and ears just in case he can spot Chris Martin.   He’s pulled out of his thoughts when he stumbles upon a small group of people blocking his way to the guys. He finds a small space between the two tables, but there’s someone blocking it as well, because they’re too engrossed by their phone.   “Excuse me, can you move?” Leo asks, staring at someone’s back.   The guy ignores him and Leo huffs. This f*****g guy, he swears. The drinks occupy his hands so he nudges the guy’s right ankle with his Vans. This time the guy turns around and bends his head down to look at Leo over his sunglasses.   Green, Leo thinks. Then, this guy, what the f**k.   “You’re in my way.” Leo tells him and blinks up at him.   The guy smiles and licks his lips, pulling his head back so Leo can’t see his eyes anymore.   “Are you deaf?” Leo asks, c*****g his head in annoyance.   The guy crosses his arms, biceps bulging out through the soft pale pink blouse he’s wearing, rolled up to his elbows. “No.” he finally answers in a deep voice and Leo is taken aback.   This guy’s wearing a f*****g pink blouse that shows off his tattoos and turquoise trousers and he’s got one of the deepest voices Leo’ ever heard. He wasn’t expecting that.   But the fact that he’s an asshole kind of ruins the whole allure. If he even had one to begin with. Sure, his hair is a bit pulled back and the fingers he’s gripping his cup with have rings on them, which make his hands seem even bigger than they are, but still. He’s not…he’s not.   “Then can you move?”   “You’re that guy’s friend.” He states and Leo wants to scream. “The dark-haired one.” This guy’s English, of course.   “So?”   “Is he-“   “Listen pal, I don’t have time to play matchmaker for you, alright? Now move.”   This guy is having none of it. What an asshole.   “Thanks.” he laughs.   “What?”   “I think you might’ve voiced your thoughts out loud.”   Who talks like that? What the f**k. This guy’s too much right now.   “I don’t really give a shit.” Leo kindly smiles and takes a sip out of one of the drinks.   “I’m Harry.” he says, extending his hand.   Leo looks down at his hand, then at his occupied ones, then up at him. “You’re joking, right?”   “No, I’m Harry.”   Oh, he also thinks he’s funny.   “Did I ask, or?”   “Need help?” The guy asks, pointing to the drinks.   “No, thanks. I just need you to move so I can get to my friends.” Leo informs him and nods over to Zayn, who’s watching him now.   “Oh, I thought we were having a moment.” He sarcastically says.   Leo purses his lips at him and raises his eyebrows, standing still. The guy finally shakes his head and smirks as he moves aside so Leo can squeeze between him and the group blocking his way.   “Thanks for your efforts.” Leo huffs and turns to the side so he can slide through the small gap. He brushes the guy’s chest with his own as he does so, and realizes that he smells like cigarettes and really good perfume. Leo hates him already.   “You spilled your drink.” He tells Leo, who’s already taken a step towards his own group.   Leo looks over his shoulder to look at Harvey’s (??) shirt, which sports a tiny stain on his right pectoral. He rolls his eyes before he turns his head and keeps walking towards Zayn.   He hands Noah one of the drinks, which is gladly received, thank you very much, before he sits down on the empty chair next to Zayn.   “Do you know who you were talking to?” Zayn asks in an amused tone.   “Apparently they’re letting anyone in here, that guy was an asshole. I mean the ego on him was just…wow.”   Noah’s laughing now and Levi is shaking his head, smiling.   “Did you get his name?” Zayn asks.   “Of the flamingo dude? Harvey or something.”   Noah’s actually choking at this point, banging his fist on the table and throwing his head back.   “It’s not funny at all, this guy was a mess. Like an ego with legs.” Leo continues. “Tried to ask me about Zayn, can you believe?!”   Noah dry heaves and closes his eyes. Leo shakes his head and looks at Levi, who’s looking at something over his head.   “What?” Leo asks and turns around to see what Levi’s looking at, only to be met by a pale pink silky shirt.   Noah dies.   Fuck.   “Already gushing about me to my friends I see.” Harvey says and c***s his head, shooting a sweet smile in Leo’ direction. “How cute.”   “f**k off.” Leo mumbles and turns around. And hold up, his friends?   “This is Harry, my mate.” Levi explains and laughs as Harry sits down on the last empty chair next to him.   “Yeah, we’ve met.” Harry says and leans back into the chair.   Those yellow glasses make him look ridiculous, Leo thinks. He doesn’t say it though.   He sips on the straw as Zayn’s fake ass makes conversation with Harry, talking about music and who they’re most excited to see this weekend.   “Alan Walker’s on in ten minutes.” Is the first thing Leo says since Harry’s sat down at their table.   “Oh, yeah.” Zayn says and shakes his head. “Forgot about him.”   “And still, one year later, you haven’t gone to the gym so you can give me a shoulder ride during ‘Alone’.” Leo says and shakes his head.   “I could give you one if you want.” Levi offers and Leo beams at him.   “Uh, actually that won’t work.” Harry interrupts. Who the f**k does he think he is??   “Oh, s**t, yeah. Sorry Leo.” Levi says, looking at Leo and he genuinely seems sorry.   “I’ll come with you to Alan.” Noah chimes in, rising from the dead. “And then we’ll meet you at the Coachella Stage at half past seven?” he asks Levi, who nods.   “Imagine Dragons plays at nine, right?” Leo asks, which earns him four nods from the table. “Good, because I want to get as close to the front row as possible.”   Leo rolls his eyes when he sees Harry smirking at him as he stands up.   “Wipe that smirk off your face.” He mumbles and waits for Zayn and Noah to stand up as well.   “What?” Harry asks.   “Have a great time.” Leo answers, shooting him a fake smile, and then turns around to lead the way out of the VIP section. Thank God that’s over.