“Oh my God, I’m actually in New York!” I let out a happy squeal and stop spinning.
We look like a Pinterest board with the help of Yana.
Each of us is wearing a matching set in ourassignedcolors. Yana made up when we met.
It’s a quirk of her’s, and while we never agreed on these colors, she is the one buying us all these cute clothes that I can’t resist wearing.
Zara is green for nature, and the whimsicality (not sure that’s a word) of it all, Yana is red,but make sure it’s the expensive wine shade,and I’m pink, the romantic soft girl of the group.
I don’t really care about all of that, but she made sure we are ALWAYS matching.
Our suitcases are silver and perfect for the vibe of it all, which makes me regret not having a secret photographer because this is genuinely a spontaneous photo moment.
The streets are overwhelming, better than anything I could ever imagine.
It feels weirdly perfect, the fact that we got out in the middle of Times Square, with all the billboards around us.
I wasn’t expecting them to be so big.
All I see are big, beautiful faces all around me, and I feel like I’m floating.
Yana takes my hand and jumps with me.
“Tilly,” she takes a breath in, looking at me. “We areactuallyin New York City. Like right now, we are standing in N.Y.C.”
“I know, right?” I smile at her.
Our hearts sync u,p and I can’t stop smiling.
Everything feels sorightright now. Like everything will be ok as long as I just freeze this moment in time and stand in the city of dreams for the rest of my life.
I look at Zara and shake my head when all she does is stand and look around.
“Zara, are you good? We are in New York right now, and you’re… standing?”
“I’m sure the thrill will hit me after the jet lag wears off.” She stops and closes her eyes. “God, I need coffee. I sat next to a snorer all night,” she side eyes Yana and sits down on the nearest bench.
“Ok, I’m not the one who booked the seats, and I can’t control what I do when I’m sleeping!”
I laugh and take Zara’s hand to help her up.
“Here’s the plan,” Yana takes out her phone and looking for something on it.
Probably the schedule that she thankfully took care of. “Check into our hotel, unpack, have our stuff ready for tomorrow, and sleep.” She winks at Zara. “Rested Zara is happy Zara.”
“Sounds like a plan, but what about coffee?” Zara nods, but still looks demolished.
“Would you rather sleep or drink coffee?” I tell her as I wrap my hand over her shoulder.
“Whatever.” She rolls her eyes, and I laugh internally, because unrested Zara isgrumpyZara.
“Tills?” Yana turns to me expectantly.
“Yep, I’m fine with the plan, as long as we don’t waste too much time tomorrow,” I tell Yana, smiling at the simplicity of it all.
Except, nothing about this is simple.
I am in my dream destination with my favorite people, and I’m technically getting paid for this.
