As I'm outlining this chapter, I have finished rereading Cinder and, stars, that was fun. I got so many ideas for this story and other TLC ones.

Play it Cress-cendo: Part Eight

"So, where are we going?" Kinney asks as he starts the car.

They were taking his car since that's how he and Iko got to Jacin's house. Jacin was sitting shotgun while Iko was in the middle of the back row. She leans forwards, resting in the middle to grab Kinney's phone from the cup holder beside the gearshift. He doesn't argue for it back but unlocks it so she could type an address in his GPS.

"I know how we can make some money," Iko says with a grin tickling her lips.

"At most, you'd be a decent stripper," Kinney says as he takes his phone back once she's finished. He glances at the calculating route on his entertainment system and starts following it.

Iko sits back and crosses her legs. "For your information, I'd be an amazing stripper but that's not my point."

Jacin glances at the loaded entertainment system and follows the path as far as the screen will take him. Once it hits the freeway, it clicks where they're heading and he shakes his head. He isn't surprised that this is Iko's plan.

"Hard pass," Jacin states. "I'm not living my life according to a hashtag."

"Why would you say that?" Kinney asks.

Jacin turns around to face Iko. "I know your plan."

"And what is it?" Iko questions just so Jacin would announce it for Kinney, her grin more prominent now.

"Hashtag Asteroid Belt."

-o-

Hashtag was literally in the name: Hashtag Asteroid Belt, or #AsteroidBelt to create traction online. It's an outdoor music festival in Artemisia. A giant plot of land bordered by palm trees with a stage for performers in the centre. There isn't a spot the sun doesn't hit. Everyone is an outfit only put together for photos. Shades, tanks, crop tops, flowing skirts, chunky jewelry, sun hats, tattoos, and body art. Drinks, drugs, and drumbeats present at all hours.

The first two were the reasons they never came here before. Everyone gets ID'd upon entry and they know a fake one when they catch it … they've heard stories.

Kinney almost hit so many people taking selfies in the parking lot, especially since it took forever to get here. He was hitting the brake so much and slamming against the wheel when people would pose in front of their car. Iko laughs, fidgeting with one of her blue braids. She spent the car ride there putting glittery decals all over her arms and along her collarbones and cheekbones, offering some to the boys who decline. She ends up sticking a comet on Kinney's cheek and a nebula on Jacin's. Neither removes it.

The moment Kinney finds an empty spot, he zips into it, not caring if he nearly hit someone or parked properly. Kinney thanked the stars as he cut the engine. The three of them step out in the blazing sun, putting on their own sunglasses and being one with the crowd.

After waiting in the burning sun for what felt like hours, being carded, paying a ridiculous entry price, being stamped with a sun on the back of their hand, and given a fluorescent pink wristband, they were finally inside the Hashtag Asteroid Belt.

Crowds of people holding cameras in front of their faces, smiling with many facial expressions. Dancing to whatever band is playing live, beats pounding so loud their bones shake. Smoke from machines billowing around, hiding any hints of paraphernalia that could still be caught through the whiff of strong body spray. Chilled bottles in nearly everyone's hands, laughing, screaming, singing.

"I hate it here," Jacin states.

"What are we doing for money?" Kinney asks. Jacin can't help but be curious too, especially since he spent a lot of spades getting stamped to come in.

"Selling myself-" Iko starts.

"No!" Jacin and Kinney scream, just beating the loud music.

Iko pauses, a twinge of a smile teasing her lips. "-as a photographer for good photo angles."

Jacin and Kinney are quiet, not having expected that but they would've saved themselves the screaming if they allowed Iko to finish speaking first. They didn't even notice the polaroid camera Iko has hanging around her neck. Everyone's wearing chunky jewelry that they didn't bat an eye, or they assumed the camera was for Iko's own pictures.

"I know you two are in favour of a woman's autonomy and what she does with her body is her choice, but it's touching to see you care like that," Iko says softly before perking again. "And you two will help me find customers or if I have to climb you for extra height and different perceptions."

"Is this even legal?" Kinney asks.

"This is the most legal thing happening here," Jacin says.

"Exactly!" Iko exclaims before taking both of them by the hand. "And now let's go!"

-o-

Within the blasting music, constant crowds, drinks and glitter flying everywhere between screams and drunken singing, Iko's plan to rack up some coin was a success. Everyone wanted their photo taken, especially on a polaroid for the aesthetic, especially since Iko brought some markers to write #AsteroidBelt in the white space. Even Iko, Jacin, and Kinney managed to get photos of themselves (free of charge only after Jacin and Kinney argued for it).

Iko stands with her knees bent as she holds her camera to take a photo of two girls posing for her. Jacin and Kinney watch the exchange go down as they sit at the base of a palm tree to take a break from the noise, crowds, and sun.

"Tressa's asking me to bring something back for her," Kinney says, showing Jacin their conversation on his phone. He scrolls through Tressa's overuse of capital letters, exclamation marks, and emojis.

"Like what? Glitter?" Jacin questions since there's nothing much to buy that isn't stupid. "You'll be bringing some of that home anyways."

"Don't remind me." Kinney glances at his arms and legs that have glints of glitter visible in the light when he moves a bit. "Tressa's been begging Mom and Dad to come here despite knowing she's too young. Do you think I'll get a bigger cut of the cash since we're using the gas in my car? I have to refill on the way back."

Jacin laughs. "No."

"Do you think we're getting any cut?"

"Probably not."

"Spades … you're right. I hate it here too. I don't even like the band that's playing."

Jacin stretches upwards to see if he can catch the band playing on the stage but there are too many people surrounding it. "Who is it?"

Kinney shrugs. "They've all sounded to same to me. As if you'd be able to differentiate them anyways.

"Fair point."

Not me trying to rip off Coachella.