The beach behind Charlotte’s Lounge has been decorated with fairy lights. A small stage is set up in the middle of the beach with the lights shining on it. Several musical instruments are placed on it while a music system is located right next to the stage. The night is breezy and the waves are gentle, indicating a soothing evening perfect for the musical event.It’s not a very big event but Charlotte hosts it every year for small, independent bands who are looking for places to sing at. Several of her customers show up and even tourists who visit Bayers’ Coast, stop by to attend. Charlotte serves light finger food and cold drinks to the guests while several of her friends set up stalls around the area to sell homemade food and beverages.Many of the students at Bayers’ High School also participate in the event. Halsey recognizes some of her classmates who have turned up but she rarely talks to any of them. She’s busy helping Charlotte and Lincoln in last minute preparations. “I thin

Nathan wakes up the next morning with a bad hangover. After they left the musical event, they hit a bar and drank for a long time. Harry managed to score a one night stand for himself with a girl from another school and left with her. Jimmy went home soon afterwards while Mike and Nathan stayed back a little longer until it was time for the bar to close. Not wanting to go home, Nathan crashed at Mike’s place since his parents weren’t there.“You look terrible,” Mike comments when Nathan comes downstairs. Nathan only grumbles and pours himself a glass of water before popping a few pills for the headache.“I’ve never seen you drink so much,” Mike goes on. “You’re worrying me, man!”“It’s nothing!” Nathan mutters.“What’s up with you and the Scott girl?” Mike asks. “I heard rumors that you’re spending a lotta time with her. I heard that Lydia isn’t very happy about it.”“Who cares about her?” Nathan snorts. “Wasn’t she your girlfriend only a few weeks ago?”“Why?”Mike is very curious.

The giggling is starting to annoy Halsey a little. She glances at the table where a few of the popular kids are hanging out. Nathan is the center of attention there, flirting with a few girls while the guys are flocking around him as well. He started to spike his hair which somehow makes him look even more attractive to the cheerleaders around him. Nathan isn’t looking at her way but knows that Halsey is staring at him.The sound of a chair creaking makes Halsey jump.“What’s wrong?” Lincoln asks as he takes a seat next to her. “Nothing,” Halsey lies. They’re at the cafeteria and it’s very crowded that day. Almost the entire school is going to attend a game that day which will decide whether the Eagles can attend the interstate tournament or not. Lincoln is very excited and it shows.“I’m gonna win today!” He declares. “You’ll see, Hales.”“I really hope you do!” Halsey exclaims with a genuine smile. “You’ve worked hard.”“One week!” Lincoln sighs. “I’ll be away for one week. And st

“You look happy,” Charlotte notes the next morning when Halsey is humming to herself. They are at her music lounge, setting up the instruments. It’s a weekend so Halsey is helping Charlotte.“It’s just a nice day!” Halsey smiles but she’s not sure why she is feeling so lighthearted. “Did Lincoln call you?” Charlotte asks her.“Yeah. He and the team reached the resort. They’re practicing a lot but he called me a while ago and said he’s alright.”“That’s a relief,” Charlotte sighs. “But it feels kinda lonely without him…”Charlotte is a little sad because Lincoln never stayed away from home for so long. Halsey hugs her tightly.“He’ll be fine!” She assures Charlotte. “I’m sure of it!”“I hope so too.”Charlotte pats Halsey’s head and smiles at her. Just then, Halsey’s phone beeps. Charlotte manages to peek a glance at the name on the text when Halsey takes out her phone.“Meet me at the basketball court behind the pharmacy,” Nathan writes.“Nathan?” Charlotte asks with interest. “I see

“Halsey, come on!” Nathan hisses at her. “Talk to me!”“I’m working.”They’re at the cafe where Halsey had begun her shift. Nathan followed her there but she didn’t speak to him much other than giving him some instructions. Even though she’s being polite, Nathan can sense a coldness in her tone which is irking him.Halsey takes the orders of table number nine and keeps on ignoring Nathan. He’s exasperated but gets no chance to talk to her either. The cafe is unusually crowded that day because there’s some business conference going on. Many of the customers are from out of town who stopped by for quick bites. Nathan and Halsey have to work hard to cater to them.“This is hard work!” Nathan groans. He has been serving customers for three hours straight and finally managed to complete his shift. Slumping on a chair in the break room, he stretches his limbs. A few minutes later, Halsey also enters the room to rest before heading back home having already changed her clothes. She doesn’t l