Broken Guitar Strings

Chapter 37

(ALLIE'S POV)

It turns out that we'll be staying at the Waldorf Astoria these whole two weeks. It's one of the fanciest hotels out there, and it costs a lot, so I'm a bit surprised that Lay still has to pay so much even when Starbound covers the hotel cost. Man, I haven't been to Waldorf Astoria in a year or so. When we arrive, we see another girl with what seems like her mother and father also checking in. She is a few inches taller than me and she is very pretty. You can tell she's a dancer because of those long legs and her flawless posture. "Elite Dance Company" was printed in gold letters on the back of her dance jacket, and on the front I could see the word "Katherine." Mrs. Zhang walks up to check in with the clerk just as the three turn around. I can see Katherine's father give Lay a nasty look; Lay freezes as Katherine walks by without even batting an eye. As soon as they're gone, I say, "Do you know her?" in a low voice. Lay replied with a firm but quiet, "No."

It turns out that the three of us will be staying in a huge suite with three bedrooms. We put our suitcases and other belongings down and sit on the couches outside. Lay says that there will be about fifteen to twenty competitors in his age division. However, for these three days before the competition actually takes place, Mrs. Zhang helps us plan out where we want to go in New York City. Places we want to visit include the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, and Coney Island. "This is going to be so fun," she says. "But I want Lay to rest for at least half a day before the competition." We agreed that that would be good for him, and so planned accordingly.

We ate dinner in the hotel, and soon after taking turns to shower, we were sound asleep.