don't let go • jenzie

chapter 1

• Mackenzie Ziegler •

i have everything packed and i'm ready to leave. i left a letter for my parents so they won't be wondering where i am. i know that i will get in a lot of trouble once i'm home again but it's worth it.

even though i asked them if i could go with them last minute they agreed. i'm so happy everthing worked out. i will have the time of my life.

i went to the train station to find Nayip, our tour guide. i couldn't find him so i tapped a random person on the shoulder to ask. when he turned around i freeze for a second and stare.

''yeah?'', Johnny asks looking at me. i forgot that he was here too. i haven't seen him in years. he looks so handsome, like he did back in high school, but now he seems to look even better. i couldn't get a word out but before i spoke he said something again.

''hey i know you.'', he says. he does? i didn't expect that. ''ehh Brynn! weren't you at Carson's Party a few days ago?'' well thought wrong. he doesn't remember me.

i slightly shake my head. ''Mackenzie. Mackenzie Ziegler.''

''Caden's Cousin!'', he says. wow that's rude

''Modern School, same grade.'', i say annoyed but also a little disappointed cause he didn't remember me,

''oh right. the smart Kenzie!'', he says smiling and pulling me in for a hug. well as i said, only remembered as 'the smart one'. at least he didn't say nerd.

''have you seen Nayip?'', i ask as we pull off.

''eh Nayip must be- wait, are you going to that trekking tour too?'' i nod. ''but you know.. you have to hike. and climb hil-''

''i know what a trekking tour is.'', i say annoyed interrupting him. just because i've never done those things doesn't mean that i don't know what that is.

''sorry. i was just asking.'', he says.

''hey Mackenzie. sorry but you can't come with us last minute. there is no bed left in the train.'', Nayip says coming out of the train giving me a sad look. i sigh but before i say anything i got interrupted.

''she can sleep in my bed.'', Johnny says. i widen my eyes as Nayip and i glare at him. ''not together of course. we can take turns.''

''well in that case you could go. would it be okay for you?'', Nayip says. i nod as he goes back into the train.

''thank you.'', i say to Johnny. high school me would've screamed out of joy.

''no problem.'', he says smiling and winking at me. as he wanted to go inside the train i stopped him.

''my bags!'', i call when he stops. they're too heavy for me to carry inside and i needed someone so John was the only option.

''i'm not a servant. you have to say please.''

''Lonny, can you please help me carry my bags.'', that was for not remembering me. he looks at me as he comes closer to me so we're literally just an inch apart from each other. i can feel my cheeks starting to burn.

''Johnny.'', he corrected me as he takes my bags carrying them into the train.

before going inside i realize what i'm doing right now. i'm leaving everything right now for 3 whole weeks. my parents will be so mad at me. am i gonna disappoint them? are they gonna hate me? will they kick me out? i'm such a bad daughter. i just needed a relief.

''should i carry you inside too?'', Johnny says as he sees me still standing there. i'm so deep in my thoughts that i barely hear him. i just stand there numb. he stands at the door of the train as it starts to ride. he quickly jumped off of it and approached me.

''hey Kenzie!'', Johnny finally snapped me out of my thoughts.

''mh?'', i answer still a little numb.

''what are you're bags supposed to do alone in Manali?'', he says.

''I-I've never left without my parents before.'', i say nervous.

''you're kidding. come on, we're missing our train!'', he says as we both run to the door of the riding train. he jumped on it and stretched his hand for me to take. i take it as he pulls me up to the train.

''thank you. again.'', i say breathing heavy from the running.

''any time.'', he says as we go to our seats where the others already are.