"Girls, time to say your goodbyes. The buses are loading." Mavis muffled voice due to the megaphone echoed throughout the camp.
Mavis took a deep breath and looked up, trying to prevent tears from falling as she hugged sadly the groups of girls she had gotten close to.
In fact, sobs and frantic cries of promises of calling every day, writing once a month and coming next year could be heard throughout the entire camp.
Amidst all the chaos, Zaylie and Zora hugged each other as they sadly smiled. They couldn't wait for their adventure though.
They had successfully completed part one of the plan and were wearing each other's clothes and carrying each other's bags.
"So, this is it." Zoe said.
"So remember, you're going to find out how dad and Mom met."
"And you're going to find out why they broke up." They agreed.
"Zora Wilson, your car is here!" Dinky yelled out. Zora sadly smiled at her twin sister she had just met 8 weeks ago.
"That's you." Zora said, "Here's your ticket and passport. Will will pick you up at the airport tomorrow morning."
"What time do you leave?" Zaylie asked. "Not for a couple of hours. Give mama a huge hug and a kiss for me."
"And give dad one for me." They smiled sadly at each other and tightly hugged once again.
"Zora Wilson, Front and center. Last call!" Dinky had yelled out once again as a car honked. "Bye! Don't forget to lose your accent!"
Zaylie joked as she ran towards Dinky. She awkwardly gave the older woman a hug and said goodbye, getting in the car.
Zora crossed her fingers over her heart as she watched Zaylie drive away. "Good luck." She whispered.
She smiled at the direction the car had driven to, taking a deep breath.
••
Zaylie took a deep breath as she watched the city of Atlanta through the airplane's small window. "This is it."
She whispered to herself and tightly squeezed the armrests. "God, I hope she likes me. Please like me. Please."
William was supposed to pick her up but he was nowhere to be found. Zaylie went to stand on one of the seats.
Her eyes roamed around the airport looking for Wi.
"Zora!" Someone called out. Zay turned, finding Will pushing his way through the crowd.
"Will!" Zay called out in her best accent. She jumped down from the seat as Will reached her, and pulled the young girl to a tight embrace.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite person in Atlanta Georgia! Ive missed you greatly!" Zaylie smiled fluttered a bit.
"Hi Will I missed you too." Zaylie noticed as William's smile dropped just a little."Oh, my God, your hair! What have you done with it?"
Will asked as he pulled away from Zay, inspecting the hair cut. "Cut it. What do you think?"
"I love it, It's the new you. Your moms going to be upset you didn't let her cut it, though, it will be so funny! And you've had your ears pierced as well!"
They started doing the famous handshake Zaylie had heard Zora talking about for ages. Afterwards, they walked to the car waiting outside.
"Fatima missed you a whole lot. She was going to pick you up but that Meg wanted to have a quick emergency video call with her." Zay nodded.
Will softly smiled at her as the car came to a stop. "And we're home Zoe!"
William got out of the car, followed by Zaylie. He helped the girl with her suitcases and as they made their way inside.
Zaylie couldn't help but stare at the window she knew was her sisters. It was open and the wind was making the curtains wiggle.
She took a deep breath as she tore her eyes away from it and followed Will inside."I'll be right back, I need to go to the bathroom."
Zaylie nodded as her eyes roamed around the room.
She walked in the living room, smiling once she saw a huge sign written 'Welcome Home, Zora Faith!'.
Joesph's head snapped in her direction and he smiled. "I'll call you back," he hung up, "Zoe! I can't believe you're finally back!"
He slid out the chair and walked towards Zaylie , stopping in front of her. He placed his hands on Zay's shoulders and looked at her.
"You've gotten so tall! Welcome home, kid! Did you have a good time?" Her grandfather asks as he tightly hugged his grandchild.
"The best time." Zay's voice was muffled by the hug. She squeezed Joe tighter, earning a chuckle out of the adult.
"Zora? Is that you?" A voice echoed throughout the house. Joe and Zay pulled away and the older man smiled encouragingly at Zaylie.
Zaylie smiled back and headed towards that voice.
"Zora Faith?" Fatima called out once again. Zaylie grew more nervous as she walked through the living room.
Once she got to the bottom of the stairs, the one and only Fatima Wilson stared at her from the top. Zaylie's eyes widened as her heartbeat spiked.
"Mama!" Zaylie whispered frozen in place.
"You're back!" Fatima excitedly exclaimed as she ran down the stairs. Zaylie smiled back and also ran for a hug, meeting her mother halfway.
"I can't believe it's you." She said. "And I can't believe it's you, lovely. And with short hair! Who cut it for you?" Fatima asked with a smile.
"A girl I met at camp. Do you hate it?" Zaylie's smile dropped, insecurity laced in her voice. Fatima shook her head.
"No, I absolutely love it. And you got your ears pierced?" Zaylie nodded with a smile. "Are there any other surprises? Bellybutton rings? Tattoos?"
Fatima mockingly asked as Zaylie giggled and dried her tears. Fatima's smile dropped and she pulled her daughter closer.
"Oh, lovely, what is it?" She worryingly asked. Zaylie shook her head. "I'm sorry. I'm just I've missed you so much."
She couldn't help but let out a few more tears as Fatima smiled and tightly hugged her . "I know. It seems like it's been forever!" Tima whined.
"You have no idea."
••
"How was it? Did you like everyone? Was it fun?" Fatima asked as they were catching up in the living room.
Zaylie nodded and gave a huge smile. "You have no idea, mama! It was awesome. I made a best friend! She's from Houston, her name is Angel."
"What do you say we go for a little walk?" Tima asked as she got up. Zay nodded and ran out the room to change, earning a giggle out of her mom.
Once they left, they walked all the way to downtown Atlanta, talking the entire way. They had even gone into a few shops to look for clothes.
Zaylie had the time of her life.
