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“I know you get annoyed by us sometimes, but we just want the best for you, Zoey,” she tells me as she closes the fridge.
“I know.” I give her a smile, wiping off my hands on a dish towel.
“Will you please give Benjamin a chance? For us?” She’s so hopeful, and I don’t dare tell her no. “You two are perfect together.”
I nod, not wanting to argue, and then give her a hug before going upstairs. All I’ve ever wanted is to make my parents proud, and the least I can do is try.
“Are you ready?” Summer asks from behind me. I’ve put off packing all week, and now I’m rushing since we have to leave in ten minutes to make our flight.
“Almost,” I say, turning and shooting her a cheeky grin. She shakes her head, but a smirk crosses her lips. I’m known for doing things last minute, but this time, I really messed up. I stuff every sort of outfit I could ever need inside my suitcase, then zip it up. At this point, all I can do is hope for the best. Standing, I grab my shit and walk toward her, ecstatic to be spending the weekend with my big sister and her friends before she gets married.
“Mom and Dad have already given me the be-careful speech,” I tell her matter-of-factly. “Along with the don’t do drugs, don’t talk to strangers, and don’t have sex. In other words, don’t have fun.” I snort.
She smirks. “I’ve gotten warned too, but I’m not worried about it. What they don’t know won’t hurt them.”
“It is your last weekend of being a single woman! I’m sure you could find a fling or two. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Amiright?” I joke. Summer’s prim and proper most of the time; the exact cookie-cutter daughter my parents wanted. I’m the spontaneous and eccentric wild child. They don’t know what to do with me most of the time other than try to force me to fit in their box. I’ve failed to follow their wishes, but it’s not because I’m trying to rebel. I’ve almost come to terms with being the black sheep of the family. It’s hard for them to understand me because I’m not like them and I’m not interested in the same stuff they are. I think on a different brain wave. I’m creative instead of analytical. I’d rather go with the flow than plan my entire life, and that’s incomprehensible to them.
Summer chuckles and follows me as I struggle to carry my overloaded suitcase down the stairs. When I walk into the living room, nearly out of breath, my mother puts her book down and gives us both a sweet, practiced smile.
“Make sure to be responsible in Las Vegas. I’ve heard some terrible stories about that place,” she warns, and worry is written all over her face.
“Just remember, Mom, this was all Summer’s idea,” I tease, taking the attention away from me for once. What they don’t know is that she can drink us all under the table. She might seem perfect now, but she was a sorority girl in college, and I heard about the wild frat parties she attended. Just because she had good grades doesn’t mean she didn’t have the normal college experience.
“We better get going.” Summer shifts the conversation with ease. “Love you, Mom. Tell Dad we’ll be fine,” she says, walking toward the front door.
“You two behave,” Mom barks.
“We will,” Summer and I say in unison.
Once we’re outside, Summer pops the trunk to her car and helps me load the heavy ass suitcase. I see her carry-on inside.
“That’s all you brought?” I ask, shocked.
She shrugs. “Don’t plan on remembering anything that happens this weekend, especially not what I’m wearing.”
My eyes go wide as I realize I might be in for more than what I bargained for, but I gladly accept the challenge. We listen to music as she drives us to the airport, excited to have the next few days of freedom. She gushes about her fiancé, Owen, who’s her high school sweetheart. My father molded him into the son-in-law he’s always wanted, one who has a career and can provide for his daughter. Owen went to med school and plans to follow in my father’s footsteps. Luckily, she found the love of her life while she was a teenager. I’m probably doomed to die an old cat lady.
Once we park the car and make it to the entrance, I see her four best friends waiting impatiently. They’re all beautiful and wearing matching bridesmaids’ shirts. Avery hands me one that says maid of honor, and it has the same sparkly rhinestones on it as their bridesmaids’ ones. I slip it over my crop top and give her a hug and a thank you. They’re all Summer’s age and treat me like their kid sister, but I don’t mind. It’s actually fun being around them, and I love how they bring out the wild side in Summer. She deserves this weekend more than anyone else I know.
