I arrived for my first day on the job. I was a co-assistant manager and park ranger at my favorite state park growing up. East Harbor State Park it was called. Yeah, I was nervous. I hadn't been to the place in years, but it looked the same as it had in all years before. I was excited to meet who I would be working with. My bosses wouldn't tell me the name of my partner. They'd only tell me that it was a guy. You'd be able to guess how surprised I was when I found out that he was a good friend of my family, and the same person whom is known to do this same job when I was growing up.
"Kait? You're the new recruit they hired?" He said.
"Oh. My. God. Dave? Dave Fergeuson?" I said.
"The one and only. How'd you get this job?"
"I have no clue. I applied, just for haha's and look what happens."
"Well, lets get things explained to you. These ladies over her are Paula, Lindsey, and Marnie. They're our cashiers. We'll help them out whenever we're free. During the day, we go out on patrols and we'll switch driving out every few hours. Occasionally we'll need to restock the store and it's our job to order the products. That's basically all I need to explain for now, and it's about time for our patrol. Time to get you introduced to our park volunteers. I think most of them are here already." Dave explained, walking out the back door of the park store.
The ranger car was a silver Dodge Intrepid with an Ohio State Parks sticker on the side, the same one that I had remembered from my childhood, and always associated with this man. He was about as tall as me, probably roughly five foot seven, had thinning brown-gray hair, and a smile that could turn even the worst of days happy. We'd been neighbors for about three months before I'd taken this job, not expecting him to still work there. It was awkward at first in that car.
"So, are most of the same volunteers still here? Dick and Mary, Sonny and Angel, the Hartley's, everyone?" I asked, trying to break the silence.
"Yep, most of the same volunteers are still here. I almost don't even feel a need to introduce you to Dick and Mary. I know your family is really good friends with them." Dave said, "It's almost strange working with you. I've always known you as Warren's granddaughter, now I've got to get used to calling you by name."
"Believe me, this isn't easy on my end, either." I said, staring blankly out the window.
For years, I've had a crush on this man. He was my first crush. My heart was racing in my chest faster than I think I've even felt it beat. I've accepted the fact that we can never be together a long time ago, though. Him being a Human, and me a Moroi, a mortal vampire that doesn't kill for blood and wields elemental magic. Moroi and Humans are forbidden to be together and he was married anyway as well as way past my age. That never stopped me from dreaming though. My mind jumped to the day I moved into my house next door to his.
I pulled up in my truck, a silver 2013 Ram 3500 with a dual rear tire, my dad and grandpa not far behind with most of my stuff in either the back of my grandpa's 2003 Dodge Ram 2500, or in my dad's enclosed car-hauler. We began unloading my stuff as soon as we stopped.
"This is a nice house, Kait." My dad said.
"Thanks! I hope the neighbors are nice. I haven't had very much luck with neighbors for most of my life. Gary next door at your house, the Ritchey's next door at mom's..." I trailed off.
"I'm sure they'll be fine." My grandpa said, carrying an armload of boxes into the house.
I grabbed a box of glassware and plates for the kitchen. We worked quickly as vampires normally do, getting all my stuff situated and set up within five hours, unpacking included.
"You know, Kait. If you wanted to, you could date a human. Us Welling's may be Royals in the Moroi eyes for our specialization level control of all five elements of Air, Water, Earth, Fire, and Spirit, but they don't treat us much like Royals. I don't mind if you date human men. Just don't get pregnant." My dad said.
We were sitting on my back porch when my neighbors walked over to my fence.
"Are you the new people moving in?" A familiar male voice asked.
"My daughter over here is." My dad said, getting up and walking over to the fence with my grandpa.
"Dave?" My grandpa said, my heart rate slowly climbing.
"Warren? Is that you?" The voice said.
"Hey, Kait! Get over here! Look who your new neighbor is! Your worries were taken care of. Your neighbors will be nice to you." My dad said.
"Who is it? The voice sounds familiar." I said getting up and walking over.
"It's Dave Fergeuson." My dad said.
"There's no way in hell." I muttered, looking up at Dave.
I quickly say up straight as my flashback ended, trying not to look like a total retard.
"Tired?" Dave asked.
"No. I...I'm sorry, I was just... I was just thinking." I said.
"Okay, well we're here at our first stop." Dave said, stopping the car and stepping out.
"Who's here?" I asked as Dave knocked on the camper door, an older couple opening it and letting us in.
"Hey, guys! This is my new partner, Kait. Kait, this is Sandy and Paul." Dave said.
"It's nice to meet you guys." I said.
The meet and greet visitations with the park volunteers carried out for about ten minutes each. When we got back to the store, it was time for lunch. I quickly shove my leftover paella, a Spanish dish with rice and seafood, into the microwave and went to eat outside.