I closed my biology book and tossed it onto my bed, then leaned back in my chair and rubbed my eyes. I had an exam the next morning at nine, and I didn't really feel very sure of myself... I had skipped the class three times in the last two weeks because I was so tired. I only got an extra hour of sleep, but that extra hour often helped tremendously. I would have to find some other time to sleep, though. I needed to be going to class.
I picked the book back up and opened it, then looked at the clock. No way. It was almost twelve, and I had been studying since I had gotten home at nine. I closed the book again and tossed it on the floor. I washed my face and brushed my teeth, then just flopped down on top of the bedspread, still wearing the same outfit I had put on that morning.
When my alarm went off, I wearily opened my eyes and dragged myself off the bed to shut it off. I changed shirts, washed my face and brushed my teeth, and grabbed an apple as I went out the door. Maybe I'd be able to study a little more before class.
It had been almost three weeks since I had gone with Jackson to his recording session. He had left quite unhappy. The producer had arrived a half hour late after working overtime with another group, and everyone had been just generally tired and moody. In the end, we were happy to leave with only a couple tracks actually recorded.
Three days ago, my parents had gone on a two-week long business trip. This one had taken them to Vancouver. I wondered if they really had forgotten my birthday this weekend or if they were merely planning some big surprise. Not that I was big on birthdays anyway, but this was different... I would be eightteen. Finally. I could vote, I could be independent. I could go to England.
I made it through the exam in a haze, and walked to my ten o' clock praying that my automatic pilot had remembered to answer the questions correctly. When I made it to the next room, I saw a cancellation sign on the door. I thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, and breathed a sigh of relief before heading back home to get a couple more hours of sleep before going to L.A.
When I came in, I noted that the mail had been delivered, and I pulled it out and flipped through it as I walked to my room. Amidst the various bills and business letters, I found a letter from Sarah. I eagerly opened it, but instead of a nice, long letter, I found just a few lines.
Jan,
I'll be driving by this Thursday midday on my way up North to go to the folk festival. Have an extra ticket. Get off work, come with! Let me know ASAP.
Peace!
We had talked last year about driving up to Big Sur for the folk festival, but both of our parents had said no, and we'd decided that it wasn't worth the effort to try to come up with airtight alibis to get around them. But now... her parents probably thought she'd be staying in San Diego all weekend, and mine would never know I'd gone. Even if they called while I was gone, they'd assume that I'd been out, since my schedule had become so erratic while they were home. And this would be the perfect way to celebrate my birthday on Saturday!
I had to call Sarah to let her know... I searched my memory for her dorm number, then ended up searching my desk. Finally, I found it and called.
"Hello?"
"Hello, Sarah?"
"No, this is her roommate. Sarah's at the library."
"Oh, okay. Can you please tell her that Janice says we're on for the weekend?"
"Sure thing. She has your number?"
"Yeah, she--oh, but I won't be home til late tonight. Let me give you my number at work."
"Janice! Phone call!" one of the secretaries called. I set down the box I was carrying and jumped over the nearest phone.
"Hello?"
"Jan? My roommate said you called, she gave me this number..."
"Yeah, I'm at work. It's fairly laid-back, though, so I won't get in trouble for getting a phone call. At least, as long as I don't stay on for too long."
"Well, I don't want to get you fired! So we're on for this weekend?"
"Hell yes. You know I jump at chances like this! Do we know who's playing?"
"No, not the Who..."
"Haha."
"I've heard Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, Joan Baez, and the Beach Boys."
"The Beach Boys? At a folk festival? I mean, I love them and all, but..."
"I know, it seems odd to me, too. Maybe that one's just an unfounded rumor. If it's really a big deal, I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to find out for certain."
"I'm not worried. If they come, wonderful, if they don't, I'll live. What's your mode of transportation, by the way? Last I remember, Jesse and I were driving you around."
"This girl down the hall from me has a car. She's the one who got the tickets. Another girl on our floor was going to go, but her boyfriend is coming in from out of town this weekend, so she's now declining to go."
"Foolish girl. Give her my thanks."
"I will. You're sure you can get off work?"
"If I can't, I'll let you know."
"Okay, fair deal. I'll see you tomorrow."
"See you!" I hung up and quickly sought out my manager to get Thursday and Friday off. I'd also have to skip a couple of classes, but that didn't really worry me as much as it probably should have done.
Chapter 13 - - - - Chapter 15