Once Summer arrived home, she realized she had forgotten one thing. Her father’s reaction to this whole situation was sure to be explosive. She should still have some time to prepare before he got off work. At least, that is what Summer thought before she opened the door and immediately came face to face with Mr. Aster.

“Dad?” Summer asked in shock, “Why are you here?”

“Did you really think I would place my company over my daughter’s life?” he asked in return, “What would be the point of owning my own business if I can’t even protect you?”

His words would have been a lot more touching if it weren’t for the fury in his eyes. He was sure to ask her about what happened at Gale Research, and when he did he would tell her she had to reject the offer to work there. Summer could already feel the smothering of his overprotection.

“Let’s talk inside,” she told him reluctantly. Just because she knew what would happen didn’t mean she could prevent it.

She didn’t even have a chance to tell him about her offer. As soon as they arrived in the living room, Summer’s father began to speak.

“I need you to break up with Ashton,” he told her, “He is a good kid, but being by his side will put you in too much danger. Next time you could really end up dead.”

“What does that have to do with Ashton?” Summer asked, a terrible suspicion entering her mind. “You don’t mean to tell me that you knew he was Shadow Phoenix all along?!”

Mr. Aster’s guilty expression told her all she needed to know. “I couldn’t tell you,” he admitted, “I knew it would break your heart.”

Tears began to well up in Summer’s eyes before she could stop them. She was now certain he was the reason Ashton never told her. How much sooner would she have had peace of mind? How much danger could she have avoided had she known?”

“You were wrong,” she refuted in a trembling voice, “Finding out that Ashton is Shadow Phoenix was the happiest moment of my life. I won’t let you take him from me!”

“Summer,” her father snapped back, “This isn’t time for your childish fantasies. You nearly died! Besides, I am sure you have noticed by now. Ashton doesn’t love you. Stop being selfish and let him go.”

His words cut all the deeper because Summer couldn’t deny them. Ashton always went along with her requests but he had never reached out on his own. Perhaps in his mind she wasn’t much different than Queen Heart. Still, she wasn’t going to give up.

Tears still streaming down her face, Summer stormed out of the room. Everyone always treated her like she was fragile. It was time to prove them wrong! She dug out a suitcase and started throwing together some clothing and essentials. She even packed the hairbrush she had tried to use as a weapon that night. She hadn’t used it since. As she was zipping the last zipper she heard a hesitant knock on her bedroom door.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Summer?” Mr. Aster called, “I’m sorry. I went too far. Can we talk?”

For a moment Summer was touched, but one little apology wasn’t going to take the pain away. “No,” she told him, throwing the door open, “I need some space, and you have made it clear I will never have any so long as I stay here. Goodbye, dad.”

Her father stood in shock as she pushed past him with her suitcase. She didn’t really have anywhere to go, but she had enough money saved up to last in a hotel for a couple of weeks. Anywhere would be better. Maybe Ashton would even like her more once she was able to stretch her wings.

“Summer? What is going on?” her mother asked from the door as she plopped the suitcase in her trunk.

“I’m leaving,” Summer replied. She felt a pang of guilt as she saw Mrs. Aster’s startled face.

“Be safe,” her mother managed, “I will always welcome you back home whenever you need me.”

“Thanks,” Summer said, but she couldn’t even manage a smile. She started her car and started driving. It took a moment, but the thrill of what she was doing began to sink in. She was running away from home. Definitely not something she expected to be doing in her twenties, but even Summer knew she had lived a sheltered life. After all, Shadow Phoenix was her first love.

After a couple of calls, Summer was able to secure herself a hotel room for the night. Whatever happened after that she would deal with then. As soon as she got settled the drain of the day caught up with her. Too exhausted for even regrets, Summer drifted off to sleep.

Checkout time was at ten, and Summer barely woke up in time to get ready and head out. Now she had herself and her car again with no destination and no place to go back to. She couldn’t return home. Not yet. Her heart skipped a beat when her phone rang, but sank again when she saw it wasn’t Ashton.

“Hello?” she answered.

“Summer Aster? This is Sabrina from Gale Research Recruitment,” the caller began, “Would you be willing to come in for an interview? Your profile was selected.”

“Of course,” Summer agreed instantly, not sure if she should be excited, suspicious, or confused. Her profile was selected? By Who? “Where do I need to go?”

“Are you available now?” Sabrina asked in surprise, “In that case, come to the main building as soon as you can. I will send you an entry code.”

Maybe if she aced this interview they would be willing to provide a place to stay for her like they did for Ashton. Moving out officially sounded so permanent and a bit scary, but she also couldn’t imagine going back home. A test from Sabrina interrupted her internal dialogue with the promised code. Looked like she needed to get going.

The main building was exactly as Summer had remembered it. The code got her through just as Sabrina had promised it would. Next she had to figure out where to park and where in the main building she was even supposed to go. She could always ask, but she wasn’t even sure who she was supposed to be having the interview with.

It turned out she didn’t need to worry about any of that. The moment she stepped inside she was directed to a room reserved for interviews. Waiting in this room was someone she had been longing to see focused on some papers.

“Ashton?” she asked, despite herself.

“You’re already here?” he asked back, then smiled, “It’s nice to see you. I never got the chance to make sure you were okay.”

“That’s alright,” Summer said, trying to hold back the blush she felt coming. It was hard to act normal now that she knew how she felt, “Did you really pick me?”

“I did,” Ashton confirmed and suddenly became serious, “Are you ready for your interview?”

“Yes.”