Phase

t w o ☾

September 3rd

The house is finally unpacked and we are starting to get more comfortable in our new surroundings. I finally get to venture out of the house with dad to go get my new car, mine was wrecked in the accident... my mothers accident. The thought of ever driving the same car again made me nauseous so Dad decided getting a new one would be the best idea. Just in time for school tomorrow... fantastic.

I slip on my favorite plaid skirt paired with a lightweight cream sweater for a day out shopping with my father for a car and school clothes. I tried to explain I did not need new clothes given we had a uniform at boarding school, but Dad was persistent I would not always be in a uniform and needed warmer clothes. I padded into the bathroom and fluffed my blonde hair, adding some mascara to my long eyelashes, and a bit of lipgloss deciding that was good enough I headed back to the closet. Grabbing a denim jacket and slipping on my boots I bounded down the staircase to the kitchen.

Rebecca has already prepared my favorite, which was waffles with cinnamon and a bowl of fruit. I kissed her cheek grabbing a plate and some orange juice from the fridge. Dad came into the room in tan slacks and a freshly pressed white button-up with his perfectly polished brown dress shoes.

"Goodmorning daddy, " I smile forking up more waffles. He kisses the top of my head "Morning sweetie, Rebecca the food smells fantastic per usual" he grabs himself a plate inhaling deeply.

"Thank you, Dr. Graves" she smiles winking at me while making his coffee and handing me more juice. Summers comes in with a young guy with gorgeous green eyes, slicked black hair, tan skin covering a body carved by God on one of his best days. "Dr. Graves this young man says he has come to apply for a job at your new office" he eyes the boy suspiciously.

"Oh yes" my dad offers his hand to the boy, "Nathaniel thank you for coming so quickly" the boy takes his hand and flashes a white-toothed smile. I about choke on my orange juice it's so breathtaking.

"It is no problem at all Dr. Graves I was happy to know a new Doctor was opening a practice in town after the loss of Dr. Murdock" he drawls with a hint of an accent flowing through his words. Yeah, I am positively melting as we speak. His eyes dart to my face and our eyes meet and lock. I am absolutely mesmerized and that is an understatement in itself. I drop my fork with a clang on the plate and jump unlocking our gazes.

A blush makes its way up my body as Rebecca stifles a laugh and takes my plate from me to wash it.

"You must be Aspen" he smiles over at me offering me a hand as well. I cough to clear my throat before I choke on my own words "Uh yes I am" I grab his hand lightly and feel a shock go through my hand and I yank it away. "Nice to meet you, um I am sorry I did not get your name," I say raising an eyebrow at him. "Nathaniel Hemming, but you can call me, Nate," he says smiling attractively.

"Nathaniel goes to your school Aspen he has come to apply to shadow me at work for his health class" my dad explains taking a sip of coffee.

"What year are you?" I ask him avoiding those green eyes.

"I am a Junior this year, and you are?" he raises an eyebrow at me refusing to meet his eyes.

I take a deep breath and turn my eyes to him "Sophomore." His eyes widen and I realize my eyes must be glittering gold right now, embarrassed I turn quickly away and place my glass in the dishwasher to keep my hands busy.

"Well Nate let's go talk in my office quickly I have to get my daughter to the car lot and the mall" he steers him towards the downstairs library dad has made his new office.

I let out a breathe and catch Summer's and Rebecca's questioning stares, I grumble my excuses and go to the living room to watch Netflix until my father finishes with Nate.

........

I drop my shopping bags on my closet floor later that afternoon, exhausted from the long day. A soft knock sounds on my door as dad walks in carrying the remainder of my new wardrobe.

"I was thinking we could go grab some dinner, I gave Rebecca and Summers the night off to go explore, whatcha think kiddo?"

"Yeah, Dad that sounds good let me get changed" I reply digging through the bags for an outfit.

"Dress nice kid, I heard about this restaurant in town from Nate but it requires a nicer attire" with that he turned to shut my bedroom door and leave me to dig for the perfect outfit.

I curled my hair and brushed it in soft waves, touching up my makeup a bit I padded back into the bedroom to put on my new red bottoms dad bought me for a moving gift. So he says, but I knew he was sick of me staring and drooling at them every time we passed the storefront.

I did a once-over in the mirror and walked down the stairs, heels clicking against the marble floors, "ready?" he asked standing up, looking dashing in his suit. I nodded hooked arms with him and walked outside.

I walked out and my jaw went slack, sitting in the driveway was a white pearl Lexus LS with red leather interior glinting in the moonlight.

I gaped at my dad, my mother and I had looked at this car for months trying to talk my dad into getting me to no avail. Now it was sitting in our driveway with a huge red bow set on the hood. I threw my arms around my dad's neck trying my best to not cry from happiness and longing memories of my mother.

"I know you and your mother have loved this car since you were sixteen so I decided it was time to get it for you" he smiled hugging me back. He pulled back and tears shimmered in his eyes.

"Aspen you have been so strong for me through the move, the funeral, everything and you have earned the car, with conditions of course. Elevn curfew, drive the speed limit, and please be careful. I lost your mother, I cannot lose you too honey"

Tears pricked my eyes as I nodded and grabbed the keys from his outstretched hand. "Let's go" he nodded me towards the driver's side and I all but ran to see how it drove.

I drove us to a place named "Lux", which my dad said was five stars and to die for according to the locals, aka Nate.

I gaped at the twinkling exterior of the mostly glass restaurant. Dad hooked his arm through mine and I caught the slight glint of his wedding band. He caught my look and smiled softly, "this way a piece of her is always with me."

We were seated outside on a patio overlooking the water, a handsome caramel-haired waiter walked to our table eyes sparkling when his brown eyes shifted from my father to me. "Hello my name is Lucas, I'll be your waiter this evening, what can I get you both to drink"

Our meal went on and Nate had a point the food was phenomenal, dad and I discussed work and school and old memories smiling and laughing the whole time when Lucas walked back over to the table with the check his eyes met mine and he smiled. I could not seem to tear my eyes from his when my father let out a cough breaking the trance.

"Aspen are you going to stare at the young man all night or answer his question" my dad barely suppressed a laugh.

"I- what" I blinked.

"He asked if you were new here dear" my dad chuckled pulling his wallet out for the card as I returned my attention back to Lucas.

"Uh- I yes, we just moved into town," I replied softly blushing profusely.

"Well in that case welcome to Luna Falls, I hope you both settled in well" he raised a perfect eyebrow as in question.

My father saved me from further embarrassment by continuing the conversation with Lucas while I excused myself to find the restroom. I typed a few messages to my friends back home and felt myself run into a rock hard chest.

"Oh I am so sorry" I huffed running my glance from my hands on his chest to the smirking face of Lucas. He held me against him as if I would fall from impact and left out a soft chuckle. His breath tickled along my face and I blushed yet again.

"Are you attending Falls Academy?" he questioned raising one brow again. I nodded not trusting my voice just yet.

He grinned, "I am a Junior there, what year are you?"

"Sophomore," I finally managed to speak.

It was not that I was not used to handsome guys, we had plenty in my hometown, but something about these guys turned me into a stuttering, blushing i***t. Damn, I know I looked ridiculous right now fawning all over this man. Pull it together Aspen I thought to myself taking a step out of his arms.

"Maybe I will see you around school then, Aspen" he winked walking into the back of the restaurant leaving me there to collect myself.

Smooth Aspen, real smooth. I shook it off heading out with my dad to finally go home and hopefully keep myself from further embarrassment. I definitely had to get it together before school. I had gone my whole life not falling over men nor giving them much thought or time at all, I was not about to be that girl now.

"He told me to give you this" Dad smirked handing me a napkin with a name and number scribbled across it.

I smiled to myself and fell into step with him, maybe I would like this town after all.