Seeing our sisters went exactly as Bobby and I predicted. Hugs, screams, and talks of us officially being family.

The high pitch screeching has left a ringing in my ears. I wouldn't be surprised if I had difficulty hearing Richie Havens, the first Woodstock performer.

Mike came behind Bobby and clapped his hand on his back. "You finally did it?"

A faint tint coats Bobby's cheeks as a smile pulls at his lips. He puts his arm around my shoulder and says, "Yeah, I finally did it."

When Bobby looks down at me, the glow in his hazel eyes sets butterflies free in my stomach. His carefree smile and beautiful pink lips have me aching to kiss him. I want the first time our lips meet to be at the right time, intimate and special.

Like that dance.

Thinking back to how Bobby's hands freely roamed my body has me close my eyes and relive the moment. Shivers run down my spine, imagining how our bodies moved in perfect unison. My mind runs wild, fantasizing about how good it will feel when we become one and have sex for the first time.

Simmer down, Gwen. Kiss the guy first, then you can think about sex.

I'm completely lost in my impure thoughts and almost jump out of my skin when Bobby wraps his hands around my waist. He pulls me in close and leans down, placing a delicate kiss on my cheek. "Mike volunteered to try the dope that guy gave you to make sure it's good."

The two boys walk off, and before they even enter the tent, my sister and Rose are by my side. Elaine grabs my arm and pulls me down to the ground. She sits with her legs crossed and looks at me with wide eyes and a show-stopping smile. "Tell me everything."

Rose lays down next to us with her hands behind her head. Her long blond hair fans across the emerald grass as the sun kisses her skin. She closes her eyes and smirks. "Just leave out the mushy stuff. Save my ears for the music. I don't need to hear anything like that."

"Oh, stop that," Elaine laughs as she reaches over to swat at her best friend.

"I'm serious. That's my brother, and we might have been wombmates for nine months, but I have no desire to hear about his sexcapades."

Elaine scrunches her nose and asks, "You didn't have sex in the woods, did you?"

I look at my sister like she grew an extra head. My head cocks back so far that the muscles in my neck begin to strain. Although I have had many impure images play in my mind, the thought of having sex against a tree does not sound appealing. "God, no."

Patting my back, Elaine nods her head. "That's my girl. Make him work for it."

Rose doesn't even open her eyes and mumbles, "Ew."

With that, I begin to share the beginning of our story. Elaine rests her elbows on her knees while cradling her face. She hangs on to each of my words as if I am reciting fantastic literature.

My heart flutters rapidly when I say, "He told me he loved me."

Elaine's posture stiffens, and her mouth drops so low it's about to hit the ground. "He said he loves you?"

Rose has stayed silent, and I almost forgot she was there. Still basking in the sun, she lets out a light chuckle. "About fucking time."

"I can't wait until Daniel hears about this. I'm going to write to him as soon as we get home."

The drum beating in my chest comes to a halt at the mention of my brother. I blame our age gap on his reasoning for being so protective. Daniel was respectful towards Richie, but it took months for him to accept the idea of his little sister dating.

"He already knows."

Shit.

Bobby sits behind me and slides his arm around my stomach. When he pulls me between his legs, sparks shoot through my veins. I love how I fit perfectly against him, and my head instantly falls back against his shoulder.

Mike comes over and sits down next to Rose before taking a long hit from the joint sandwiched between his fingers. When he exhales, a cloud of smoke surrounds his face. "This shit is good."

Bobby reaches for the doobie, and I watch in awe as he inhales. His muscular chest expands, pressing against my back. How his eyes close and he tilts his head back to exhale has me wound up.

"Hold up, Daniel knows?" Elaine's voice comes out loud like a fog horn. The high pitch sound sends a pain straight through my ears and echoes in my head.

With a shrug, Bobby passes the joint to his sister. Rose, unfazed by my sister's outburst, reaches for the joint. Before taking a drag, she says, "I think he was the first to find out. Well, after me, of course."

I turn around in Bobby's lap. He looks down, picking at the grass as if it is the most fascinating thing he has ever seen. He ignores my gaze until I nudge his stomach with my elbow. "When did you tell Daniel?"

Bobby picks a dandelion and tucks it behind my ear. Heat spreads down my face and into my heart as he drags his fingers lightly across my cheek. When his tongue darts out to moisten his lips, I could melt into the ground and die a happy woman. "New Year's Eve."

"He wasn't even ho—"

"Of my senior year." Bobby looks deep into my soul with his fiery gaze. My pulse quickens, sending my heart into a frenzy.

Just as I am about to say something, Elaine cuts in. "What the hell! That long? How long did you know, Rose?"

Pushing up to a seated position, Rose passes me the joint. My sister quickly grabs it as I'm about to take a hit. "I need this more than you. I need to prepare for how long my supposed best friend has kept this secret from me."

Rose shrugs her dainty shoulders and says, "Listen, Lady, I'm my brother's secret keeper, as he is mine. Plus, it wasn't my secret to share."

"How long?" Elaine asks right before taking her first hit.

"Seventh grade."

Small puffs of smoke shoot out of my sister's mouth between harsh coughs. Elaine puts her hand to her sternum, gently rubbing it up and down. "What the hell!" She then looks at Mike, shooting daggers in his direction with her sharp gaze. "And what about you?"

Mike's eyes are glossed over, red and bloodshot. He blinks slowly before pushing his brown tendrils from his forehead. "What about me?" With drooping eyelids, Mike looks off into space before giggling. "Oh, that. Last year."

After blowing out a cloud, Elaine points her finger, and I feel like I'm looking at my mother. She has the same furrowed brows and set jaw that I have seen hundreds of times growing up. "You all suck."

I'm over my sister's tantrum, so I take hold of the rolled-up weed from her. It's like prying a pacifier from a baby, but I win.

I close my lips and inhale. The welcomed intrusion of smoke slightly burns the back of my throat and flows to my lungs. My eyes close, and I lean back into Bobby to savor the moment.

There is nothing like that first hit.

My mind becomes a calm blur when I exhale, and faint prickles dance across my skin. The pads of Bobby's fingers caress my arms, sending my heart into fluttering beats. He kisses the side of my head, then lowers his lips so they graze the outer shell of my ear, intensifying the haze. "Damn, you're beautiful."

I can't help the smile that fans across my face.

Damn, I'm blessed.

Light conversation and another joint later, the microphone tapping, brings our attention to the stage.

The more closely I looked, the more I realized it wasn't completely set up. Much like the flimsy barricade at the entrance, it's half put together while other pieces are nowhere to be seen.

An announcer comes across the stage and grabs the microphone. I scan the crowd, and the flaring celebrations have come to a halt. The roaring swarm of people now sit quietly, waiting and oozing with anticipation.

This is it.

My haze has settled, and the gentleman on the stage ends his intro with, "Let's welcome Richie Havens."

We might not have the best seats in the house, but we have a clear view of the stage. Richie Havens walks out wearing an orange robe-like tunic that enhances his dark complexion. With awe, he stares at the large crowd he is about to perform for.

Two fellow musicians join Richie, and as they sit down, he brings the microphone towards his mouth. "Hello."

Cheering with excitement, the crowd responds with their greetings. I join in with a loud yell, excitement humming throughout my veins.

"Groovy, Groovy, Groovy. How are you? How are you in the back? Can you hear?" Richie asks. "Groovy, Groovy. Okay, um, wow."

Richie chuckles lightly before saying, "It's really beautiful to see so many people together."

And he is right. The once rowdy crowd sits peacefully as one, waiting for the legend before us to begin.

Richie finishes his intro and begins to sweep his thumb softly across his guitar strings. The congos join in a steady beat, setting the soothing mood for the song's beginning.

I nuzzle closely to Bobby, and he wraps his arms tightly around me. No words were spoken, just the serene comfort of sharing this experience.

Richie's strums become quick as he plays his song, From the Prison. His voice is soft but raspy, and his lyrics are like poetry for the soul. The words and rhythmic sounds rush through my ears and directly to my drumming heart.

I never want this to end.

I hold on to each of his genuine and energetic words, wanting to catch every single one.

This weekend has already been fantastic, but I came for this— The music.