“Well, that’s pretty much everything Ayersville has to offer.” Aiden let out a huge yawn, stretching his arms upward as his bones cracked with pleasure. God, but he could probably wrap those arms around my waist three times over. “It’s no city life, but hopefully, I’ve managed to make a good first impression.”

“You really know your stuff, I’ll give you that.” I took a short sip from my straw and offered the bottle to Aiden, who happily accepted. “Thanks again for showing me around. Really, I appreciate it. When I first got here…” My words trailed off a bit, gaze tilting to my hands folded in my lap. “I dunno. It felt really overwhelming.”

Aiden set the bottle to the side as he scooted a bit closer to me. “I… guess it would be like me being thrown into the city, huh?”

I chuckled lightly, quickly wiping my face before any stray tears attempted to escape.

“Hey.” Aiden lifted his arm, but paused, as if considering something important. “You won’t beat me up if I put an arm around your shoulders, will you?”

That got a bigger, if not somewhat sobbing laugh out of me. “Go ahead.”

With a nod, Aiden settled himself next to me, arm hanging off my shoulders as he oh-so-gently hugged me close. I took the moment to lean against his chest, the world falling silent while his heartbeat helped center my emotions. It all felt like a dream, a very bizarre, fantasy-fulfilling hallucination I’d wake up from. But, no; I was actually being comforted by this super sweet guy, someone I’d literally met only today.

All good things had to come to an end, though. Our tender moment was interrupted by a buzzing in my pocket, forcing me to push away from Aiden. A flashing alarm came up on the screen as I slipped it free, indicating that it was creeping into sunset hours.

“Ah, shit.” I got up from the bench, glancing nervously at Aiden as I spoke. “Okay, don’t judge me, but I have to start biking home. Dad has this curfew on me—it’s super lame, I know, but—”

Aiden offered a reassuring grin. “No, it’s okay. You’re not the only teen with one, I promise.”

Oh, thank God. So I wouldn’t be relentlessly mocked by my peers once school started.

“You need a ride home?” Aiden asked as he, too, stood up. “My truck’s parked at the general store. We could throw your bike in the back, if you want.”

Whoever was in charge of the universe deserved a raise. “S-sure, yeah. I’d like that—ah, appreciate it! I’d appreciate it.”

As amazing as all this was, I had to keep it together. No reason to freak this guy out by being clingy and weird.

“Cool, cool.” Aiden nodded, offering the bottle to me once more with a grin. I took it happily, sipping as we started back on the park path. Alright, Ayersville—keep this up, and I’ll happily finish high school here.

Chapter Three

A

utumn was settling into a full swing now, a perfect backdrop for the first day of school. Dad made certain this Monday was memorable, having cooked the mother of all breakfasts for us to enjoy together. Pancakes, sizzling hot meats, cheesy feta eggs—he even claimed to have squeezed oranges for juice.

“Dad, I think you’re overdoing it a bit,” I giggled, sticking my fork into some mini sausages.

He shook his head furiously, sliding the last stack of pancakes onto my still fairly full plate. “Nonsense! You only experience the first day of your last year of high school once.”

“Unless you get held back,” I pointed out.

Dad only raised an eyebrow to this.

I gave him a reassuring smile, spearing bits of pancake before putting the makeshift breakfast sandwich in my mouth. “You’re not gonna be late for work, are you?” I asked.

“Swallow first,” Dad chided. “I’m not doing the Heimlich this early in the morning.”

I shot him a dramatic scowl, chewing noisily before swallowing. “You better not be late because of me.”

“I won’t,” Dad reassured as he finally sat to eat, himself. “It’s my office, after all. If I’m late, I’ll just write myself up.”

“Gonna give yourself five less minutes for lunch?” I teased.

He grinned behind his beard. “Let’s hope I go easy on myself.”

We sat and ate in silence for a few minutes as I hastily shoveled in as much as I could before I got going. It was such a strange sensation; usually, I woke up in Mom’s apartment by myself, grabbed an apple or some toast, and hit the bus station to get to school. This was so much more… personal.

“I bet Mom would’ve loved this,” I said softly.

Dad’s smile weakened considerably. “I think so, too. But I’m certain she’s even happier you’re settling in.” He rubbed the back of his neck, awkwardly poking his eggs with the tip of his fork. “I gotta tell ya, kiddo, I was pretty nervous at first. Mom was really your rock; I wasn’t sure you’d do well with me.”

“Aw, Dad,” I pushed my chair back and rounded the table, wrapping my arms around him as I squeezed him tight. “I’ve always loved being with you.”

He blinked furiously, returning the gesture as he sniffled loudly.

“Oh, don’t y-you dare.” I wiped my face carefully, trying to avoid my mascara. “If I go to school with a messed-up face, you’ll never hear the end of it.”