"So you were up early this morning", Peyton observed as Jake loaded the toaster with two slices of bread.

"Yeah…I had to go to the café to talk to Karen and while I was out, I figured I'd go ahead and drop Jenny off at Mom's. I've just got a lot of crap to do today but what else is new around here, right?"

"Well, how about this? I found the coolest thing ever on the Internet. Creedence Clearwater Revival is on tour and they're going to be in Raleigh tonight, one night only. Can't you see it? You and me in the Amphitheatre totally rocking out to Down On The Corner, Suzie Q and Badmoon Rising. I have to warn you though, when they start playing Up Around The Bend, I just might lose my top. Don't ask why but that song just does something to me."

"Sorry babe but I can't", he frowned.

"Oh come on. It's gonna be fun, Jake. We never do anything fun for ourselves anymore."

"Yeah, well, fun's not really an option these days. I mean, other than Jenny, school, and work, there's not really room for anything else. Sorry."

"Oh", she said, disappointed. "Um, you're right. I understand."

Jake sighed as he recognized the sadness that had washed over her face.

"Peyton, look, I'm sorry, alright? That's not really fair to you. I know how much you love the band and tickets must be really hard to come by. You should go."

"It's cool", she shrugged. "Plus, I'm not into doing the whole concert thing by myself. There will be other shows later, I'm sure. We'll go then."

"Peyton, they probably won't tour for another couple years or so. You should go. I don't want to hold you back. Sure we'll catch the next concert but why can't you catch this show? I'm sure someone will go with you. What about the guys? Brooke, Lucas, Nathan or Haley?"

"Nah. It's okay, Jake. Really. Lucas and Nathan have basketball practice and Haley is tutoring this week."

"What about Brooke?"

Peyton smiled in spite of herself.

"Can you really see Brooke Davis at a Creedence Clearwater Revival concert?"

Jake managed a small grin as well.

"I guess you're right. But I still feel bad. What about Anna?"

Peyton thought for a second. Anna was cool and she was definitely into the music. She'd make a pretty cool road trip partner and it would beat going alone or not going at all.

"Okay", she finally shrugged. "I'll give Anna a call later and see what's up."

Before leaving for class, Peyton did exactly that and Anna answered on the second ring. There were no excuses or second thoughts. With as much enthusiasm as Peyton had originally had, Anna had agreed almost immediately. A few hours later, they were in Peyton's vintage convertible with the top down, cruising Interstate 40 West.

"I can't believe this", Peyton squealed. "Listen to me. I'm giddy. I almost sound like Brooke. This is so cool. Creedence Clearwater Revival! God, this so rocks! I am so excited!"

Anna laughed out loud, raising her arms and letting the wind blow through her dark hair as she struggled to keep her suede cowboy hat on.

"Thank you for inviting me. We are gonna have the best time ever", Anna agreed. "Too bad Jake couldn't come."

"Yeah", she said sadly as she slid on her sunglasses. "It would have been nice but uh…we don't do a lot of fun stuff anymore, I guess. You know with work and school and Jenny…"

"That's all the more reason to make time for the fun stuff, right? When real life gets in the way and becomes too much. Sometimes you've just got to take a break and let loose and have some fun."

"I know. Trust me, I tried to convince Jake but uh…it was a no go. He's a great guy and I love him but he's so serious about everything. Poor guy, I guess he has to be. You know, actually, I feel kind of bad. Here we are about to rock out at a concert and Jake is bussing tables at Karen's and after that, he gets to deal with Jenny's temper tantrums. Anna, I don't know…Maybe this was a bad idea. I feel bad."

"Why?" Anna shrugged. "What do you have to feel bad about? You take one night for yourself after years of being a mom and a wife and a housekeeper and a full time student and a part time artist. You deserve a break. So does Jake. Too bad he didn't want to come but don't let this take away from your good time. You need this and you want it. More importantly, you deserve it."

Peyton thought quietly for a second.

"Yeah…I guess I do, don't I?"

"Hell yeah you do", Anna giggled. "Now what do you say we get ready for this concert?"

The women looked at each other and there was no need for an exchange of words. Anna, in a brown velvety tank top, short shorts, brown cowboy boots and of course the suede hat, reached for the CD case. Normally Peyton Sawyer would not stand for anyone to touch her precious, coveted radio but in Anna's case, she was willing to make an exception. After all they were on the same page. Slipping the CD into the player, Anna began to sing along, hair blowing arms swaying. Soon Peyton joined in. It felt good. The people in the other cars on the highway who were looking at them like they were crazy didn't matter. Nothing mattered except that feeling Peyton had inside. Joy. Excitement. Freedom. And they rocked on all the way to the state's capital as they sang at the tops of their lungs, fists pounding the steering wheel and dash. It was a new Thelma and Louise, minus Brad Pitt and the crime spree.

There's a place up ahead
And I'm goin'
Just as fast as my feet can fly.
Come away, come away
If you're goin'.
Leave the sinkin' ship behind.

Come on, arise and win.
We're goin' up around the bend.
Ooh.

Bring a song and a smile
For the banjo.
Better get while the gettin's good.
Hitch a ride to the end
Of the highway
Where the neon's turn to wood.

Come on, arise and win.
We're goin' up around the bend.

They sang the entire CD for the entire road trip and once at the venue, the youngest fans were the loudest as they guzzled beer and sang along to every song. Even the band themselves noticed the pretty curly haired blonde in the mini skirt and her beautiful bronze hippie/cowboy friend. When it was time to play Looking Out My Backdoor, the pair was invited onstage. Without hesitation they screamed and sang along. A spotlight shined so brightly in Peyton's eyes she could barely see. Never mind the hangover she was sure to have the next day. Never mind the fact that both girls were way too bombed to drive back to Tree Hill. Never mind the fact they would have to get a hotel and stay in Raleigh for the evening. For Peyton nothing else mattered. Nothing mattered except that moment, barefoot, dancing and singing onstage with the band her mother and father had raised her on.

Sure she would miss Jenny and Jake and her bed and the responsibility that had dominated her life for more than three years. But for one night she could just be a carefree, partying college student. For one brief night, she was a kid again. And it felt great. Almost perfect. The only thing that would have made it better was if Jake had been up there drunk and barefoot, dancing himself.