Lend Me Your Heart
Forty-Six
 
“You mean to tell me,” I whispered in disbelief, “You got Zach and I tickets to take a train to New York City, see the Nutcracker, spend the night, and take a train back home on Christmas Day?”
“Yes, sweetie!” my mother squealed.
I knew, judging by the looks on my brother’s and dad’s faces that they weren’t the ones to agree to this, but this is what my mom had always wanted for me: friends, a boyfriend, and to be, well, happy.
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t love the idea.
“What hotel are we staying at?” I asked.
“The St. Regis Hotel. You’ll get there, give them my credit card number and phone number, and they’ll set everything up from there. Everything’s already been planned for you.”
I gasped in shock, throwing my arms around my mother in pure astonishment.
“How did you afford all of this?” I asked, my eyes wide.
“Never ask somebody how he or she paid for a Christmas gift,” she scolded, pointing her finger at my nose.
“No really, Mom. How?”
She rolled her eyes.
“You’ve worked hard this year, honey. Getting good grades at private school is a hard thing to do, and yet you’ve managed to balance that, dance, and a boyfriend all at once. We’re proud of you and this is your reward, so don’t thank me, sweetie. Thank yourself! Oh, and thank your father too,” she said, lowering her voice so he didn’t hear her. “He paid for most of it.”
I immediately ran towards my father and embraced him in a huge hug, feeling his belly move up and down while he laughed.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” I repeated over and over again, hoping he knew how grateful I was. “We’ll be on our absolute best behavior. I promise.”
“Good,” he laughed. “Be safe. Zachary, don’t you dare lose sight of my daughter. She’s a sixteen-year-old girl and you need to keep a watchful eye on her. I trust you. Don’t ruin it for yourself.”
“I’ll make sure nothing happens to her, sir,” Zach said, smiling broadly.
“Listen to me,” my dad said, looking me in the eye. “Once you get off that train, find a cab and ask him to take you to Broadway. Once you’re there, get something to eat. You’ll be able to walk to the theater from there if you plug the directions into your iPhone. It’s only a two-minute walk. After the show, walk back to the hotel and give the hostess your mother’s phone number and credit card number.”
He handed me my mom’s credit card.
“After that, you go right to sleep, get up the next morning, have breakfast at the hotel, and take a cab back to the train. You hear me?”
I nodded, looking at him with big, hopeful eyes.
“Here’s some extra cash just incase,” he said, handing me three hundred-dollar bills, making my eyes widen even more. “I don’t expect you to spend all of it. It’s for emergencies only.”
“Yes, daddy. Thank you,” I said, hugging him once more.
“Hey! How come I don’t get extra money!” my brother whined from behind us.
“Like I said,” my dad laughed, “It’s for emergencies only.”
“Okay, okay, she gets it!” my mom said excitedly. “You’re train leaves at twelve so eat something, get dressed, pack a bag, and let’s go! Remember to put the money somewhere important! Layne, give Zach some, too.”
“Mrs. Davis-”
“Take the money, Zach.”
“Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Davis.”
“You are very welcome, Zachary,” my parent said in unison, shooing us away.
I immediately ran upstairs, trying to find something classy to wear.
I finally decided on a something Christmas-y.
I wore a strapless dress with a black bottom, bow in the middle, and gold top, black tights, ankle boots, and a pea coat with cold buttons to top it all off.
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=66309019
I remembered to pack a flattering pair of flattering, Victoria’s Secret pajamas (just incase), a toothbrush, cute socks and underwear, a cozy outfit and shoes to wear on the train ride back home, and of course, Zach’s Christmas present (just incase he wanted to open it there).
I lightly curled my reddish-brown hair, put on some gold eye shadow to match my outfit, and I was done in under and hour.
I carefully walked downstairs in my fancy outfit and met Zach at the kitchen counter.
He was eating one of my mom’s ‘famous’ pizza bagels.
“Want one?” my mom asked.
“Yes please,” I agreed, unsure of when the next time I’d be able to eat would be.
When she turned to make my bagel, Zach turned his head towards me and practically undressed me with his eyes.
“Zach,” I giggled nervously, shifting in my seat.
“Sorry,” he said, shaking his head. “You look stunning.”
I looked over his fancy tuxedo and red tie, nodding my head.
“You don’t look too bad yourself,” I admitted, feeling myself blush.
Then my eyes fell to his ‘Clearwater Creak Basketball’ duffle bag lying on the ground.
“But your bag doesn’t match your outfit,” I scolded, jokingly looking at him in disapproval.
“Sorry we aren’t all as perfect as you are, Laynie,” he said, using a nickname he’d never used on me before.
“I’m not perfect,” I muttered, blushing uncontrollably.
He chuckled and leaned in closer to my ear, whispering, “Especially when you blush.”
“Stop it!” I giggled, hiding my face.
“Never,” he whispered, his hot breath sending making goose bumps appear on my neck.
Suddenly, as my mother started to turn around, Zach sat up and pretended like nothing was going on.
“Here you go, honey,” my mom said, handing me my plate. “Ten minutes and we’re off.”

 

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