Hey everyone, welcome to day 12 of the Hart of Dixie countdown to Christmas! Y'all, have given me a good idea for a different story, hopefully coming your way shortly. I'm happy to know you guys are liking this one. Thank you!

Enjoy!

The sky outside her window remained dark when her eyes fluttered open at the sounds coming from the main part of the room. A glance at the clock told her it was barely 6 in the morning. Zoe rolled over trying to fall back asleep. To no avail. The longer she lay in bed, the louder the noise got in the living area of the suite they rented out. She finally had enough, Zoe tossed the covers off, slipping her feet into her slippers, wanting to keep her toes warm from the chill in the room. Grabbing her robe on her way out of her room, she spotted her mom placing her luggage by the door.

"What's going on?" Zoe asked, fending her yawn off. They still have 6 more days before they leave. 6 days is by far too early to pack all their stuff up.

"Ah Zoe, dear, pack your things, we're leaving," Candice ordered, looking at her daughter.

"We still have 6 days before we leave," Zoe pointed out, making no move to go pack her things because she simply wasn't going to leave. She didn't want to leave, and if that made her a spoiled brat then so be it.

"Zoe, it's not up for debate," her mom stated firmly.

"What's so important that we have to cut our vacation short?" Zoe asked, battling the anger she felt towards her mom over making them leave earlier than planned. "I'm having fun, why do you always want to ruin my vacations?" She asked, crossing her arms over her chest. Her dad had already put a damper on the start of the vacation, the last thing she needs is for her mom to ruin the rest of it.

"I have to go back to the city for work," her mom stated. Zoe shook her head.

"It's not going to hurt you to have a break from work, Mom," she said. "You work nonstop. You can hit pause over the holidays," she pointed out, trying her hardest to convenience her mom, that staying at least over Christmas is the right thing to do. "We don't have to leave today, let's stay," she tried.

She would much rather stay and spend time with Wade over going home where she'll be alone once more. Why go home and spend Christmas by herself, with her mom either in her office at home or at her actual office, leaving her to be alone? She couldn't see the harm in staying an extra couple days of their 6 days left of their vacation. Surely they can go home on the 26th or the 27th. Couldn't they?

"Zoe, I'm not going to fight with you on this. We're going to the airport later this afternoon, whether you like it or not," Candice told her, not wanting to fight with her daughter over the decision she had made.

"Why does it matter," Zoe huffed, stalking to her room. "Dad's already ruined this vacation, so you might as well ruin it the rest of the way," she quipped out. "It's not like you've tried to put your phone away to spend time elsewhere at the resort and with your daughter," Zoe hissed out, shutting the door to her room a little harder than she had intended to do.

The first thing she did is get dressed, tossing her clothes into the middle of her bed. The second thing she did, is sneak out of the suite and go find Wade. She didn't want her mom to follow her. She needs to inform Wade that she has to leave against her will, and there is nothing that she can do about it. The tears trickled down her face, the second the doors to the elevator slid shut, leaving her in the small box by herself.

Zoe wiped her eyes, exiting the elevator. She doesn't know how she is going to convince her mom to stay. She doesn't get why she has to go home, just because her mom wants to get back to work. Whatever she has to do can wait until the New Year. Slightly pushing her thoughts on her plan to the back of her mind, she scanned the lobby looking for Wade. Not seeing him, she wanders over to the arcade, thinking he might be in there if he happens to be up at this time. The chances are slim, but she wants him to be waiting for her because she needs her friend.

She sighed in relief seeing Wade at a video game. Walking up to him, she saw the words game over flash across the screen of the game he was playing. She wanted to return his smile, but she nearly broke down into tears. From the corner of her eye, she saw his smile transform into a frown. She's sure she looks a mess, eyes red and puffy from crying. "What's wrong?" He asked, tossing his right arm over her shoulder.

"My mom," she whispered, turning to hug Wade, needing the comfort he brings to her. With the argument with her mom, she didn't think wearing makeup would be a good idea, knowing that she already stained one of his shirts, she didn't want a repeat of that.

"What about your mom?" He asked, pulling her tighter against his body, rubbing soothing circles on her back.

Neither one said anything, as they stood in the middle of the arcade hugging. Zoe didn't feel comfortable telling Wade what was going on, with kids, parents, and teens filling the small room. Wade took the reigns and lead her out of the arcade. Empty halls gave Zoe the courage to tell Wade that she was going to be leaving. Part of her wanted him to feel as bad and upset about it as she is.

"She uh wants to head back to New York this afternoon," she told him, getting her emotions under control the best that she can. She doesn't want to leave, doesn't want to cut her vacation short, all because her mom couldn't take a moment to enjoy the beauty of the world around them. Nothing was waiting for them back home in New York.

"Isn't there something we can do?" Wade asked, finding an empty room, to have a bit of privacy. He doesn't want her to leave yet. She has made his vacation even better, and he likes to think that he had done the same for her. She was comforted that he didn't want her to leave either.

"I don't know what," she sighed, moving from his embrace, and sitting on one of the chairs at a table in the middle of the room. A look around the room told her enough to know that the room they found themselves in is used for meetings.

"I can talk to my mom, see if maybe she wouldn't mind keeping an eye on you," Wade commented.

"I don't think that is going to work," Zoe frowned. It sounded like a somewhat solid plan, but unfortunately, she didn't think it would work out the way they wanted it to. She didn't want to make Wade's parents responsible for her when they were here for a vacation. The last thing they would want is to have an extra kid to look after.

"Then I guess this is goodbye," Wade sighed.

"I guess so," Zoe nodded, getting up. "It was nice meeting you, Wade," she told him, biting her bottom lip.

"Same," Wade told her casually. "You made the last few days bearable," he nodded, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"Thanks for that wonderful endorsement," Zoe giggled, hearing Wade chuckle.

Without thinking, Zoe leaned forward, aiming to place a small chaste kiss on his cheek, to thank him for all he has done for her in the past few days. Instead of her lips landing on his cheek, Wade moved his head, his lips pressed firmly against hers.

Both teens froze, chapped lips softly pressed against buttery velvet lips.