Starting Over {COMPLETE but currently being edited}

{7}

Exams are over, and my final results are in.

With graduation over, I sit with my parents, eating at one of the most elite restaurants in town, and celebrating heading out into the big wide world.

"We're so proud of you honey," my Dad smiles as his fingers hold the delicate stem of his champagne glass.

"Thank you, Dad," I smile as my parents look on, watching and glancing towards each other with a smile.

Yes, well done the pair of you. Be pleased that you've brought me up well enough not to hate or resent you for a single thing. In truth, I can't fault them for anything at all. I've always felt loved, supported, and respected. They have given me the best life no matter what I did or didn't do.

"When do you start work?"

"Next week," I smile at my Mom as I sip on my own glass of champagne.

"Have you got everything packed?"

"Yes. With what little time I had left in between school and exams, I managed to pack up everything and have it ready to move into my new place."

"We can still help if you want?"

"No, it's ok, it's not a lot anyway. Most of the furniture was there when I moved in, and the landlord said he'd sort that out anyway. It's just going to be a nightmare sorting furniture out for the new place, but I'll be fine I'm sure," I smile back to her as she nods.

Once the waiter had been over and my Dad had paid for our meal, I stand outside being hugged and kissed by my Mom, as she smothers me with love and affection, my Dad doing just the same although not as much.

"You call us if you need anything, and I mean anything," she smiles, wiping away the stray and sneaky tear that trickles down her cheek.

"I will Ma," I smile, pushing her hair away from her face. With another nod and a reluctance to let me go, my Dad pulls at her arm gently and smiles as he directs her towards the cab waiting to take them home. I turn on my heel, but stop when a body barges into mine. The stranger is tall and wide in stature. But, it isn't the body that interests me as such, more the eyes and the gruff, deep and dare I say it sexy voice that snaps at me.

"There's a whole sidewalk. You do know that right?" I stand and just stare. Deep, dark, and almost black eyes stare back at me, causing my pulse to race.

"I'm sorry," I stammer. He steps back, looking me up and down and I'm surprised when the phone he's holding slips away, and his gaze softens in an instant. His brows rise slowly and it's then that he realizes that the fault was entirely his.

"No, I'm sorry, I should have looked where I was going," he apologizes. He remembers the phone and that he's got someone on the other end of it.

"I'll call you back," he murmurs into the phone before hanging up. With a deep breath, he continues watching me as he pushes the phone into his jacket pocket.

"What?"

"I was on a call, and I, well it wasn't a good call and I shouldn't have taken my frustration out on you," he rambles as a small and apologetic smile curls on his lips.

"That's ok," I reply, still slightly taken back by his eyes, mesmerizing as they are.

"Look, I promise you I'm not a creep or anything, and I know that first impressions are important, and I know your first impression of me must be really low, but can I ask you something?"

"Sure," I smile, my head tilting a little to the left. He smiles a little back at me, noticing my head tilting. "Can I take you out for a drink? It'll be my way of apologizing for being so rude."