Ribbons and Lace

A New Dawn

The skylights were lit up in their multicolored splendor, the beauty of the city being reflected in her eyes. Her, being that one girl in every town who felt she was destined for something greater. Her particular fate was an ever unreeling string, tugging her to an adventure she never dreamed of.

The great adventure had led her to the urban area, full of sprawling super stores and mega marts, this bustling area in particular was referred to as Los Angeles of California. She never felt the city of angels fit the description of this locale, until she saw dawn begin to creep over the horizon line. The sky taking on a purple hue, as oranges and pinks streaked across the universe. It was a lovely backdrop to the twinkling city, which never remained silent, not even for a second. With a sigh, the girl sank lower in her seat on the Metro Public Bus. This was her second time around the scheduled route, and she didn't seem to tire of the view nor the ride. It wasn't like she exactly had a destination, more so she was just in it for the ride.

The eyes of the bus driver often wandered to the girl, who happened to be the only person on the bus. It was hard not to question her presence for she had been on the bus since it first made its way around the bus stops. Not only that, but, her face was kept in the confines of her hoodie, casting shadows on her countenance. Her sense of style, which consisted of: snug jeans that were faded at the knees, a thin jacket of a possible velvet color, and overly worn converses that were so battered the white was all but a memory, revealed her to be of the younger generation. Peeking out from beneath her jacket, was a lacy pink ribbon tied securely around her wrist. Although the bus driver, who was of middle age, worried over his only passenger he failed to realize her potential as he struck up a conversation with her.

"What's your name there? Girl?" He asked as he turned on their third time on the route. His hooded passenger shifted her head slightly in acknowledgement of hearing him. She supplied him with a simple, Lacie. The driver took that as a sign to carry on his bombardment of questions.

"So, what brings you to the 'City of Angels'? Hmm? If you're expecting to find any celebrities, don't be disappointed to find them locked up in their million dollar mansions." The driver said with a slight chuckle, he had a friendly sort of voice with a not so intimidating face. The kind of face that made you want to stay and chat awhile. "Oh, the name's Sal, by the way." He added as an afterthought, a genuine smile playing on his lips.

A moment of hesitation stilled Lacie's lips, before they too twitched into a genial smile. "I'm sure those celebrities are keeping themselves occupied with thousand dollar toys," she replied with a playfulness in her tone, contradicting the rigidness of her posture; the strain in her physical being never entirely vanishing. "But...." she began, face sobering some, "destiny brings me here, Mr. Sal." Lacie's explanation vague and cryptic to both herself and the driver. Sal, bless his heart, played along and bobbed his head as if it all made sense.

"May Lady Luck smile upon you in good fortune."

Lacie nodded and mumbled a thank you, she stood to get off at this select stop. She gathered her small amount of personal items and exited the bus. She regretted her inability to give the good man a tip. The bus lurched away from Lacie as she walked without fear into the unknown which went on in front of her. She smiled at the face of the challenge.

T I M E S K I P * T I M E S K I P * T I M E S K I P

Lacie looked all around her and she never felt so different. It didn't help that the day ate away the dawn with a fiery heat, causing Lacie's once comfortable clothes to be so.....awkward. The shabby material sticking to her like a second skin as the temperature increased. All around her were people in shorts of some kind and skin of all colors showing, a last ditch effort to stay cool. Lacie had taken off her jacket and wrapped it around her waist, her plain blue shirt open and on display. She took out the money she had accumulated before leaving her last home. A home that held unspeakable memories. Sixty seven dollars and twelve cents, was all Lacie had. Cash had to be made, and fast. With a slight frown, Lacie stared at the map of downtown Los Angeles searching for a place she could apply to. Her quick eyes found a part-time affair at a place called "House of Blues", it was an interesting name and with a flutter of nerves, Lacie set off towards Sunset Boulevard.

The edifice itself looked more like a rusted ranch house than a popular restaurant chain, in Lacie's opinion. But, she supposed, people liked it because it resembled home. Or a home. Lacie had never had the pleasure of returning to a place she loved and adored, a place to call home. Shaking herself out of her stupor, Lacie sidled up to the fence of the estate and entered the establishment with a forced smile.

The sight that greeted her back was a two story affair. Circular tables were spaced out and about the room with fine white tablecloths, and wooden chairs to accompany the tables. Lanterns of some sort let off a soft gold glow from their spots on top of the tables. A liveliness emanated from the entire place despite the House of Blues not being open to the public yet. Above the already ornately decorated tables, was a balcony with more chairs to be supplied to the civilians. Everything was meticulously placed so that one could receive a clear view of the stage. The logo of the House of Blues shining proud on center stage. Lacie's eyes drowned in the colorful displays this way and that, her mouth falling open in a perfect 'o'. A small giggle from behind her made her jaw snap shut with such a finality, one may think it would never open again. Lacie pivoted on her heel to face a very small girl, she was so small, probably not even 5 foot. Besides her small stature, Lacie noted pixie features of the girl. She had a small rounded chin, with angular cheekbones, and the firm set of her lips seem to counteract the plumpness of them. Her hair was cut short with sweeping brunette bangs, shining green eyes hidden beneath some of the hair.

"This must be your first time at the House of Blues?" The stranger asked rhetorically, a knowing smile on her face. Lacie nodded sheepishly, embarrassed by how see through her emotions were. "It's a beautiful place, you should see it at night....My name is Sydney, and I'm the manager of this establishment." Sydney said with an extended hand, to which Lacie hastily grasped.

"Lacie. My name is Lacie. I actually came here to apply for the part-time job I saw posted in the newspaper..." Lacie explained, her voice fading off in an awkward spiral. Sydney nodded in understanding of the poor girl's blathering.

"The job is yours, that is, after I ask a few choice questions. One, how old are you? Two, any experience in waiting tables or cleaning? And three, how do you feel about blue cheese?" Sydney said with such a straight face, Lacie wasn't sure whether she heard the last question correctly.

"I will be eighteen in a couple of months. I've never waited on tables before, but I'm a fast learner, I swear. But I have had some cleaning related jobs." Lacie replied, adding in confusion to the last question, "I.....adore it?" Lacie felt her stomach roll in nervousness on whether she'd get the job. Sydney's face was etched in concentration as she debated whether to hire Lacie or not. Lacie still couldn't believed someone so young was the manager of this place! At most Sydney looked to be twenty.

"I was just messing with you on the last one, and this doesn't happen a lot, but you're hired!!! Mainly because we could really uses the extra hands around here. So, Lacie, when can start?" Lacie immediately followed the question with that following night.

"I like your gumption, kid." Sydney beamed, Lacie laughed slightly at the absurdness of tiny Sydney calling 5 foot 6" Lacie a "kid". Sydney took the laugh in stride and reviewed a couple of rules with Lacie. In addition, giving Lacie a layout of her schedule and a quick tour of the House of Blues. Not only did the place have a stage, but a formal dining room, a buffet, a bar, and various sitting rooms. Multiple doors led out to breathtaking terrace views, and, you guessed it, more chairs! Lacie supposed with a silly laugh that one can never have too many chairs. After the tour ended, Sydney led her back to the place they first encountered.

"I'll see you tonight, newbie?" Sydney teased.

"Most definitely," Lacie promised with a genuine smile. A rising feeling of hope seemed to flutter up from somewhere deep inside Lacie. It was a soft and feathery feeling, one she hadn't felt in a long time. It felt nice. It felt right.