"Good. I like knowing I am not the only one getting called into the principal's office for this." Zack's tone was light now, teasing rather than defensive. "So, what did he say? Did he threated to ground you if you keep seeing me?" The city lights below cast a warm glow through his windshield as he waits for her answer. "No," Anna said casually. "He did tell me no more skipping school or her would cut my allowance. But he did not blame you."
A genuine laugh escapes Zack's lips, the sound echoing in the quiet confines of his car. The tension on his shoulders visibly relaxes as he imagines Anna's father delivering that lecture with such practical consequence. "Cut your allowance? Classic parenting move," he says with amusement, leaning forward to rest his elbows on the dashboard. "My dad probably would have grounded me indefinitely but at least your dad understands financial punishment." He finds satisfaction in the fact that Anna's father is not entirely blaming him for his daughter's bad influence. It validates his belief that she is old enough to make her own decisions. "So, what does this mean for tomorrow?" he asked pointedly, switching gears from friendly banter back to their weekend plans. "Because I was counting on us spending all day Saturday in bed without worrying about homework."
"Dad did not say anything about tomorrow," Anna said excitedly. "So, we are still on. Unless… did your dad ground you?" Zack's competitive spirit flares at her hopeful question. The idea of being grounded while she gets to enjoy freedom rankles his pride immediately. "Grounded? No way," he scoffs into the phone already shifting in his driver's seat as if preparing for action. "My dad can try. He can threaten all he wants but he can't legally lock me in my room." His tone grows more determined with each word. "Besides, I am not letting some lecture about responsibility stop me from seeing you tomorrow. We have been planning this motel trip the whole week." He glances around the empty parking lot where he is parked, then back toward his neighbourhood where home looms like a battlefield. "So, here is the plan: I will pick you up at nine AM sharp Saturday morning," he declares definitely.
"Nope," Anna says quickly. "I am picking you up." Zack's competitive nature sparks at her immediate refusal of his plan. A grin spreads across his face as he leans back against the headrest, clearly enjoying this game of dominance. "No way, princess," he retorts playfully, his voice carrying that familiar challenging edge. "I am the one who bought the gas money for this trip. That means I am driving." He reached over to check his watch in the dim car interior lighting. "Nine o'clock Saturday morning. No excuses." His confidence radiates through the phone line. "Plus, I have already figured out the best route to get us there faster than your directions probably could. I mapped it out earlier today. And don't even think about arguing with me on this."
"I am sorry, Zack. I just can't give in on this," Anna says with a stubborn playful tone. "It is part of your surprise. You can drive but I am picking you up." Zack's competitive nature bristles at the word 'surprise.' His jaw tightens as he imagines her showing up at his doorstep Saturday morning with some elaborate plan, he knows nothing about. "A surprise?" he repeats suspiciously, running a hand through his blond hair in frustration. "Anna, I hate surprises. Especially when they involve me letting someone else take control of our weekend getaway." His fingers drum impatiently against the steering wheel as he tries to process this new development. The idea of being passive while she orchestrates their departure rankles every instinct in him. "Fine," he concedes grudgingly after a pause. "But only because you are making it sound like some big romantic gesture. But if you show up with balloons or God forbids flowers, I swear to God I am cancelling the whole trip right now." Despite his threatening tone, there is clear amusement underneath it.
"Flowers, hmmm…" Anna says playfully. "Now you are giving me ideas." Zack groans audibly through the phone, his competitive nature kicking into overdrive at her teasing tone. The image of her showing up with a bouquet Saturday morning sends a mix of horror and reluctant intrigue through him. "Do not dare," he warns firmly, though the threat lacks conviction. "If you bring flowers, I am going to make you hold them the entire hour drive to the motel while I refuse to look at you." His free hand clenches around the steering wheel tighter as he pictures the scenario. "And I will absolutely make you pay for embarrassing me like that. All night." Despite his protests, a small smirk plays at his lips. Her playful defiance is one of the things he finds most attractive about her– the way she challenges him even when she knows it drives him crazy. "Seriously though," he continues, his voice softening slightly as the initial shock wears off.
"What if I bring flowers and I wear something super sexy?" Anna asked playfully. Zack's breath catches in his throat at her suggestions, the combination of flowers and sexy attire sending a jolt of electricity through him. His competitive nature warms to the challenge instantly. "Oh, you are playing dirty now," he says with a low chuckle that vibrates through the phone line. "Flowers and something sexy? You are trying to break me before we even leave the driveway." He shifts uncomfortably in his seat, already picturing various scenarios involving her wearing whatever she considers 'supper sexy.' The thought is both distracting and exhilarating. "You know I can't resist when you get that confident tone," he admits reluctantly. "But if you show up looking like that with a bunch of roses in your hand, I am not responsible for my actions on the highway." His voice drops to a husky whisper. "I might have to pull over and demonstrate exactly how much I appreciate your efforts right then and there."