The Babysitter//Zach Herron

Ch 8- Birthday surprise Pt 1

A week later

...

I wake up to a good morning text from Zach.

Zach: Happy birthday my princess, meet me at my house at 11am!! I have a surprise for you."

Oh yeah, today is my birthday...Ive never been one to make anything of my birthdays.

To me this is just an ordinary day that I want to spend with my family and friends.

I take a nice warm shower and decide to fancy myself up a bit, but so I don't get the constant questions about why Im wearing nike shorts and a t-shirt on my 16th birthday.

My romper is  navy blue with spaghetti straps that cross in the back. I pair it with some silver strap Jack Rogers.

15 minutes after attempting, I finally have the perfect winged eyeliner and Im ready to go over to Zach's house in half an hour.

When I walk downstairs, I see a birthday banner that was obviously hand made by my dad along with some chocolate chip pancakes on the kitchen table.

A stack of presents is on the ground next to the table. Here is my present to you:

He hands me a small white box with a satin white ribbon wrapped around it. I open it and see a charm in the shape of a "16" with my birthstone. 

My favorite birthday present Ive ever gotten was when I turned 10 and my dad got me a Pandora charm bracelet.

Ever since he will get me charms for my birthday and other special occasions, they are always the best presents since I wear my charm bracelet everyday no matter what.

"These are from your grandparents, aunts and uncles, and all your friends from North Carolina!!"

I tear up thinking about the memories I made with my best friends in NC.

I devour the stack of pancakes infront of me. Now time for the gifts.

In the largest box there is a scrapbook, my 3 best friends put together a thick book of all the pictures we've taken since 2nd grade.

After opening all the gifts I see that there is no package from my mom. I don't even think anything of it, I made the choice to leave her and I hope this gesture means that she has moved on.

My phone buzzes and its from Zach, he asks me if Im ready to come over yet. I realize its 11:15.

I quickly kiss my dad on the cheek and thank him for the birthday pancakes and charm to add to my collection.

My heart starts to beat faster as I walk next door to see what Zach has in store for me.

There is a letter taped to the front the door that is addressed to me, it reads...

"Dear y/n, these last few weeks with you have mad me feel like I was on cloud 9. I feel so lucky to have found someone like you at such a young age. We have so many things in common and I will forever be grateful to have you in my life. I know that you have been feeling semi lonely since we are the only people you really know in Texas so far, I got you something that I think can help with that. Come to the backyard...

Love, Zach"

I can't help but smile at this sweet note and feel quite intrigued to find out what awaits me in the backyard.

As I approach the gate to the backyard, I see Ryan standing there with a blind fold.

"Happy birthday y/n!!" He exclaims while giving me a big hug.

"Thank you, thank you Ryan!" I say in reply.

"Ok so Zach says I have to blind fold you..."

I bend down so he can reach as he wraps the black and white bandana around my eyes.

I steady myself on his shoulder as he leads my into the backyard.

Hands wrap around my back and I immediately know it's Zach.

"Happy birthday gorgeous!!" He says while planting a kiss on my cheek. 

"Thank you baby, um one question. Why am I blind folded?" I say giggling.

"Just wait one minute..." he says.

Zach jogs in the other direction and exchanges words with Myta in the distance, I just stand here waiting.

He pulls up a chair and helps me sit down.

"Ok, Ryan can you take y/n blind fold off on the count of 3?"

Im so excited and nervous at the same time. What if he gets me something terrible that I don't want :( Oh, who am I kidding, anything this boy gets me would be great!!

"1...2...3" Zach counts down.

The blind fold is slowly removed from my eyes and right in front of me I see Zach standing with the most precious golden retriever puppy with a pink bow in his arms.

"Surprise!!" Zach says with excitement.

"Zach!!!! My heart can't handle thissssss. Is she really mine??" I ask.

"She's all yours baby," he says handing her to me. 

I just stand there and cuddle her while she chews on my finger. 

By this point, Myta and Reese have come outside and I bend down to let Reese pet her.

"What should I name her?" I ask everyone.

They all recommend quite a few names and I finally decide on one.

"Im going to name her Rosie." I say with a smile.

"ooooo that was the name I suggested!!" Reese exclaims.

Like Rosebud from the Airbud movies...one of Reese's favorites.

After a few minutes of letting everyone hold Rosie, Ryan Myta and Reese go back inside.

Zach and I sit down on the swinging bench under the covered part of their backyard.

"Zach, she's perfect!!" I say, I can't help but smile.

"Just like you baby. Im so glad you like her." He says before kissing me.

I can't believe I have a puppy now, completely my own!! Zach was right in the note...I have been feeling lonely.

Of course I have Zach and the Herron family...but its nothing like having my three best friends around me every other day.

Now I will have someone there for me with unconditional love 24/7.