Love at War.

The sun was shining and the sky was a vibrant blue as Carol followed her parents through the streets of their small town in Mississippi, her long blonde hair flowing in the soft summer breeze.

“There he is! Mister birthday boy! It’s been too long,” Carol’s mother sing sang. She kissed Niall’s cheek standing on her tiptoes, whilst her father Mr. Rose shook Mr. Horan’s hand. Carol stood behind the group, feeling rather uncomfortable. It had been four years since their families had been together. The last time was when Carol was thirteen and was convinced she was in love with eighteen-year-old family friend Niall. Now it was 1969 and she had a boyfriend of her own.

“Carol? Oh, how old you look! Glad to see you lot again, shall we?” Mrs. Horan began to walk down the street towards a restaurant they had met at back when the Horans’ still lived in the same town. They had moved away four years ago but had recently moved back, this was just the first time the Rose family had gotten a chance to see them again.

"So, tell us everything. Niall, how's college been?" Mrs. Rose wondered, taking Niall's arm and leading him down.

Carol eyed Niall from behind. His blonde hair was glistening in the sun and she couldn't help but have noticed his blue eyes, even lighter and clearer than she remembered. She shook her head though and eyed the clock in the small restaurant.

The conversation came naturally for the adults soon enough, leaving Niall and Carol at the edge of the table, feeling awkward. Carol was playing with her straw and silverware when she heard Niall clear his throat.

"So, how's my little Care?"

Carol blushed deeply.

"Forgot about that nickname..." Carol sighed, more to herself.

"Well I haven't," Niall smiled.

"I suppose not," Carol looked up at him.

"You look good Carol," Niall complimented whole-heartedly.

"I could say the same for you."

"So, Carol," Mrs. Horan finished chewing a bite of her salad before continuing. "How's school treating you?"

"You she's doing fine in her studies," Mrs. Rose interrupted before Carol could utter a word. "It's her social setting that I'm worried about." Mrs. Rose shot a disapproving glance at her daughter.

Carol rolled her eyes and sighed through her nose.

"Have you become a flower child?"

"She has..." Mrs. Rose sounded sad and distant at her words. "She's itching to go to that Woodstock. But I told her no. It's going to be filled with vile activities..."

"It's not vile. It's going to be psychedelic," Carol defended.

They were finishing their meal when Niall surprised Carol.

"Mom, Dad, Mr. and Mrs. Rose, would it be all right if Carol and I go for a drive. I'll have her home before dark," Niall asked. Carol was confused.

"Of course! We trust you with our girl. More than any other boy," Mrs. Rose eyed Carol. Carol knew what her mom meant by this 'meaningless' glance, but it didn't effect her at all.

"The red one's mine," Niall pointed to his car parked down the street and Carol jumped in. "Woodstock, huh?" Niall said suddenly.

"Yeah," Carol sighed, awaiting him to also speak negatively on the subject.

"I'm actually going," Niall grinned proudly.

"What? College boy, Niall, is going to Woodstock? Becoming a hippie child? WOuldn't mom and dad disapprove?"

"Ha ha, very funny," Niall faked. "But, if you want to go. Use me as an excuse. Drive with me there and I'll cover for you. I'll say we're going on a college trip or something."

"Really?" Carol's eyes grew with an eager lust for Woodstock.

"really."

"I could kiss you," Carol sighed and sunk in her seat, oozing with content.

"You really haven't changed then," Niall laughed, referring to her prepubescent crush.

"Shuttup," Carol spat, holding back a laugh. "You should know I don't love you. I never did, I was thirteen..."

"Whatever you say," Niall laughed still, driving down the streets.

"If you don't believe me whatever. I have a boyfriend," Carol gloated.

"Oh, yeah? Oh great of you!"

"Yeah," Carol smiled proudly.

"May the Lord help him," Niall laughed jokingly, mockingly.

"God... you're the worst," Carol hit his arm. "But, I've missed you."

"I've missed you, too, Care."


---


"Nice of you to come back," Carol's dad laughed as he waved to Niall pulling out of their driveway.

"It was really nice catching up with him, really," Carol smiled. Her mom was sitting in the living room on the couch. Without looking up from her magazine she started her nightly routine.

"Niall's a nice boy isn't he? Smart too..." Mrs. Rose sighed.

"Yes, he is."

"So do you finally understand why you shouldn't continue wasting your time on that Louis character?"

"I just so happen to like Louis," Carol fought.

"Well I don't."

"Good thing you're not the one dating him then."

Her mother stood up, opened her mouth but closed it all too quickly. She stormed out of the room, dramatically upset.

"Be nice to your mother Carol," her father intervened. "We just want what's best for you. You deserve the best."

"Yes father," Carol smiled.

"You should get to bed though, it's late. Good night honey," he kissed her cheek.

Notes