𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐋𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍

02

❝ What is the world coming to? ❞

76 days of summer remaining

"Im going to need you ladies to empty out your bags, you too kid."

Daphne scoffed at the burly security guard but emptied her crocheted purse on the table anyways. "I hope you're not looking for drugs because we ate them all on the way here."

June flicked her friend's arm and muffled her laughter behind pursed lips, while Charlie had no problem laughing out loud. "She's just joking sir."

As the three walked through the old flea-bitten gates, June couldn't help but stare in wonder at the sight before her. It reminded her of a miniature model of one of the festivals her father would've attended in the sixties.

He would've love this, she thought to herself.  Unlike her conservative mother, June's father adored the new age of rebellion. Just like his daughter's generation, he didn't trust the teachers or the politicians, he trusted the music.

Thousands of people from all over the west were huddled close together on the grass. Some sat in circles while others lie on blankets with strangers they picked up on the road - all savoring the moment just as June did.

Neither of the three teens had ever seen so many people gathered together at once. There was a 5 mile long traffic jam of abandoned vehicles littered along the road. It was so packed that the teens had to leave the car parked at a near by motel and walk the remaining miles to the venue.

Nonetheless, the grueling walk, the hassle that was getting into the venue itself, the chance of getting caught by her over-vigilant mother - they were all worth it. June would do it all over again if it meant she got to feel the way she felt while walking through those gates ever again. The thrill was intoxicating and she loved every moment of it.

"You guys go get snacks, I'll find us a place to sit." Daphne called out before disappearing into the sea of bodies.

"Wait, you're letting me sit with you?!" Cerise red invaded the tip of Charlie's nose as his lips parted in shock. June found the boy's child-like embarrassment cute, her lips curling into a smile as she watched him trip over his words. 

"Why wouldn't we, you're our friend aren't you?"

"Yeah . . . ? I just thought I overstayed the welcome by walking up here with you two, that's all."

"Damn, you're really not from the West are you?" June wrapped her arm around the shorter boy's shoulders and pulled him closer to her, almost as if she was telling a secret only meant for his ears. "You're not in the city anymore kid, it's different round' here. All the friends we have are the ones we make on the road."

☮

The two teens shared a coke as they departed from the food trucks and began the journey of finding Daphne in the crowd.

"Ya know," June took a sip from the bottle before handing it back to Charlie. "You never did say where yer from."

"Moved down here from Chicago a few weeks ago."

"You're a northie, no effin' wonder!" June sighed as the puzzle pieces connected in her mind. "How's Arizona treating ya?"

"Besides the constant inferno, it's been alright. There's alot less cowboys than I read about." He joked, earning a pinch on his arm.