It has been one of those times when hormones are raging, but work, school and overall life just do not comply. The summer was over, tank tops and sandals got replaced by sweaters and uggs, but on the good note, my favorite music fest was coming up. Three days up in the mountains, camping, singing, drinking, meeting old friends and just being silly.
The preparations are always easy, tent, mattress, clothing are all pretty much for those events only. The uneasy part is getting together with people, arranging food, fire and other communal things. In the mess of all the arrangements there is always someone needy, someone who forgets, someone who thinks that things just happen.
This time was no different. As I was driving there, I get a call asking me to pick-up a friend of a friend, just an hour detour... or two in traffic. When I pick her up, she pretty much ignores me all the way except to tell me that she has a boyfriend and that my music sucks. Well, three hour drive later I am there, she is out of my car with her small bag.
Lots of new faces, lots of old faces. Cute chicks in parkas and bubble jackets. The night rolls over and I find myself sitting by the fire, listening to some tunes, taking swings from my flask and generally relaxing. That is when I see her again. She is walking by in her stylish windbreaker, shivering and from the looks of it, crying. I call her over to the fire and ask what is wrong. I am good even to a bitchy person who is in need.
The story was as old as day. The guy invited her, and another one, and another. She being the trusty kind thought that she would be fully taken care of, so no snacks, no drinks, no tent, no jacket. Basically, either try to join a harem or freeze. Being sympathetic I told her to sit in my chair by the fire and went to my tent. Years of prep taught me that sweaters come handy in the woods, so an extra one was meant for her. Yes, it was probably 5 sized too big, but still provided the warmth. Next came the flask to get her blood going. When she was warm and tipsy the conversation flowed. She was a student, just turned 21 and loved bars. Heard about the fest, the drinking and did not think about the part that it was in the mountains, in the woods, no hotels, just cars and tents. I told her about myself, about some of people there and that she just should relax and she will be taken care of.
By then it was past midnight, the fire was getting low and some people already went to the tents. With the words of her saying that she is getting cold, she sat on my lap and cuddled to me, then whispered in my ear that she can hear some moans intermingling with the guitars. I told her that couple do come here and some are more vocal than the others.
She looked in my eyes and asked where my tent was, I pointed to it, so she got up, took my hand and led me to it.
- will you keep me warm tonight?
- yes
- will you keep me safe tonight?
- in every way
We got into my tent and started prepping it for sleep, the sleeping bag rolled out sweater to be used as a pillow, undressing and turning down the light.
- I heard that being skin-to-skin is the warmest, is that right?
- yes
