Ever since Elaine brought up the idea of Woodstock, I had thousands of visions about what would happen while we were here. Even my wildest dreams could not have prepared me for the euphoric freedom of letting go and truly living.

I've never felt so alive.

Elaine and I walk down the path in the woods, which I have learned is called Bindy Bazaar.

The Saturday sun is powerful and warm. Some of its light penetrates the full summer trees, showing off its strength with bright rays.

Elaine looks at a table filled with hats and hands me a brown wool-felt one. "You need to try this on. I think it would look fab on you."

I spin the floppy, wide-brimmed hat in my hands as I inspect it. It's pretty simple, nothing crazy, and the only embellishment is a felt band around the front dip. It ties off into a cute bow that reminds me of the ones I usually wear in my hair.

When I place it on my head, Elaine is quick to adjust it to her standards. "Yes," She says. "You need it."

"No, I don't."

My sister waves me off and hands the seller money. "Think of it as your birthday present."

"Elaine," I start. "This weekend is my birthday present, and it's the best. You don't need to spend your money on me."

My sister wraps her arm around mine and pulls me down the dirt path. "Too bad, it's already done."

"Thank you." Elaine keeps giving me side glances, and the creepy grin on her face makes me feel like spiders are crawling all over me. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Elaine shrugs her shoulders, and it pisses me off. "Seriously, stop. You're freaking me out."

"Fine," She scoffs. "How's Bobby?"

Of all the things Elaine could have asked, I didn't think that would be it. My eyes narrow as I look at my sister, and I try to figure out where she's going with this conversation. "He's fine. Why?"

With a chuckle, Elaine playfully swats at my arm. "You're not fooling anyone, Missy. I'm sure he's more than fine. Don't think I didn't see that hickey on your boob."

My feet come to a halt, and I glance down at my chest to make sure I have no visible love bites. I quickly scan the crowd to look for the others before turning to my sister.

My sister's giggle turned into a full-chested laugh. It's my turn to swat at her, and my protest only makes her laughter grow to an obnoxious volume. "Tell me this, was he good?"

My arms fall to my sides, and I stomp my foot like a toddler having a temper tantrum. "Stop!"

A few people in the crowd look at us, and heat spreads across my face. "Please, stop. I'm begging you."

"You're no fun," Elaine says with a roll of her eyes. Bobby, Rose, and Mike make their way over to us, and my sister points toward them. "I guess I'll just ask Bobby."

Just as she's about to walk away, I let out a heavy sigh and capture Elaine's arm. "Fine, you win." A wide smile spreads across her face as she wiggles her brows. "He asked me out."

"On like a date?"

My head shakes from side to side. "No, He asked me to be his girlfriend."

"Oh, my God!" Elaine shrieks and claps her hands together. She begins to bounce up and down and throws her arms around me. I can't help but smile at her enthusiasm. "I'm so happy for you. I can't believe Bobby Walker asked you to go steady."

"What's going on? What did I miss?" Rose asks with a joint hanging from her lips.

"Noth—" I start, but am cut off by Elaine screaming.

"My sister and your brother are dating."

Rose shrugs her shoulders before blowing a cloud of smoke out of her pursed lips. "Yeah, I know."

Elaine's face falls, and she places her hands on her hips. "What do you mean, you know?"

Rose looks at my sister with a deadpan stare and scoffs. "Um, Bobby is my twin brother. You think he wouldn't tell me something like this?"

Elaine rips the joint out of Rose's mouth and marches off to the next booth, mumbling under her breath.

Bobby comes in front of me and leans down for a kiss. My stomach flips the moment our lips meet.

"I heard it was your birthday last week. Happy Birthday!" Mike pats me on the back, and when I turn around, he holds up a long, rolled-up piece of paper. When I open it up, my jaw hits the ground. "I thought you could hang it in your dorm room or something."

My fingers trace over a beautiful, multicolored psychedelic poster. The bright pink and yellow pop off the page against the black background, while purples mesh with blue in beautiful swirls. "Mike, this is beautiful. I love it. Thank you."

Mike brings me in for a hug and squeezes me tightly. "You're a really groovy girl, and I hope to get to know you better next year."

I have learned that Mike might be stoned ninety-five percent of the time, but he has a heart of gold.

When he discovered that food vendors were running low on food, he excused himself and walked away. He went missing for about an hour and a half, and we had no idea where he went. We almost went to the stage between acts to ask them to make an announcement because we wanted to confirm he was okay. When he returned, he had a backpack filled with food. He literally ran back to his house to provide us with something to eat.

His kindness makes my heart swell, and when we pull away from each other, I know I'm looking at a genuinely good person. "Absolutely. I look forward to it."

We continue going through Bindy Bazaar until we reach Hog Farm. The hippie commune traveled to Woodstock and set up camp a short distance from the main stage.

The open area had tents and teepees along the perimeter and a long queue of people waiting for food. What catches my attention is that no one is pushing or cutting the line. No doubt everyone is starving, but they all peacefully wait their turn.

If only the real world could be like that.

I walk past a groovy-painted bus that screams flower power. The intricate colored designs cover every inch of metal, and its magnificence takes my breath away.

It's as if these people have opened their homes to thousands, offering food and shelter to anyone who enters. It was beautiful.

We weave in and out of the crowd, not wanting to miss out on any part of this experience. I hear music being played and urge everyone to walk over with me to check it out.

When we sit down to enjoy the unknown performer, Rose says, "Sometimes I wonder what it would be to live like this. Free, with no chains holding me down."

Mike begins to shake his head. "Not me." He pauses, taking a long hit from his joint. When he exhales, he says, "I'd be too scared to be drafted."

The magnitude of his words are like a shot to the chest, and my body goes rigid. I can't even begin to wonder what being a guy is like right now.

Sure, as a woman, I have my own battles to fight, but I definitely did not have to put my name into the draft only for it to be called like a bingo number.

I've only known Mike for a few days, and the only time I have seen him without a smile was when he was sleeping. His brows are pinched inwards as he points between me and Elaine. "You're brother is over there, right?"

I reach for my sister's hand and lace our fingers together as I attempt swallow the lump in my throat. We both nod our heads, incapable of forming words.

"He's a hero," Rose brags. "He's a doctor who decided to go over there and help rather than work at a hospital in the city."

Elaine and I are positioned so close together that when Bobby puts his arm around me, he is able to rest his hand on my sister's shoulder. Before I nuzzle into his chest, I notice he's rubbing soothing circles on her back.

The compassionate action sends a smile to my face and an arrow to the heart.

Mike nods his head as Rose continues to talk about Daniel. Growing up, she always had a little thing for him, but the age gap was just too big. Maybe when he gets home, I can do some matchmaking because I think Daniel would be the perfect calm to Rose's storm.

"That's groovy, man." Mike holds out the weed, and I'm quick to take a hit. "Saving lives rather than taking them, you must be proud."

I am proud, so proud.

Anytime Daniel's name comes up, I find myself on the verge of tears. Just thinking about him being over there causes the bile in my stomach to rise.

I need to be brave, like Daniel.

With my chin held high, I say, "We are."

Silence settles between the five of us for the first time this weekend. I begin to bite around my nails, and Elaine is shifting as if she has ants in her pants.

Mike clears his throat, bringing our attention back to him. "Enough about that." His broad smile returns as he scans over the four of us. "Who are you guys most excited to see play today?"