One Beginning To Another

Chapter 1: Moving Day

The moving truck had finally left, leaving the twenty-four-year-old dreamer standing in front of his new home. Just from looks alone... Yeah, it wasn't much of anything. The outside walls were in dire need of a fresh coat of paint, and it looked like no one has done yard work here in the past two years. The mailbox was crooked, the numbers faded into non-existence, and he couldn't tell if the main color was supposed to be black, faded iron, or rusted brown. Well, it was a start, a new beginning from his family home. His past behind him and a brighter future towards the horizon. The good news was this place was a small city, currently being remodeled and reborn by the looks of it. A run down little city in Florida, surrounded in a shadow reputation of gang activity, theft, crime, and so much more. Normally, this is the exact kind of place he tried to steer far away from.

But with the town clean up, this was the perfect place to make base at. This would be the perfect opportunity to make a mark, claim a town and later spread. A huge risk? Without a doubt. But this would be a little easier than trying to make a name in a place where there too many names in the same industry even locally to try to compete. Fashion was highly competitive enough as is. Best not to try to take on the huge names when no one even knew who you were, or the fact that you even exist.

The hard part was going to be waiting, playing the game of patience, and seeing who comes out on top later. If you're lucky, you won't go completely down under in your first couple of years of setting up. If you happen to come from a family with wealth, you had a little more leverage. Simple as that.

He knew he couldn't do a whole lot today, as this was just setting up home. Tomorrow was shop, and over the next few weeks, bringing in the fashion line. It was going to be a hard adjustment, one he wasn't too sure about. But with the beach not too far off, and the idea of a bright future ahead, what could possibly go wrong?

Sure, he could technically go inside and start unpacking, but honestly, the move itself was tiring enough. Most of the essential stuff was moved and set up, still needing to call up for internet and cable, however everything else was up and running. Instead, he wanted to take the time in learning the area, see what was open and such. The blond makes sure his house is locked up, his keys are on hand, and his tablet in his bag, before decided to walk towards the city.

Many places seemed to just be getting by, a lot of businesses looking to be on the verge of closing themselves. Yikes. Not too promising. Then again, people are still scared to death of this area. It didn't have a very good history, and the current mayor wasn't exactly making things too much better. The city's only solace, whether they liked it or not, happens to be one of the wealthiest men in the city, the owner of the local night club. As long as someone was willing to pull this place out of the ground, who cared about that part. He was willing to help which meant a lot during a time of crisis for this place.

One place caught his attention in an instant. Twisted Spite. He tilts his head a bit at the sign before noting that the place clearly had to be a bar. Not any cars in the parking spots, but it appeared to be open. Curiosity got the best of him. He went towards the building, perhaps drawn in mainly by just the name. Something else that became apparent was the sole fact that this place was new. His blue eyes shifted between the stuck-on sign next to the door that said proudly, "Grand opening!" along with a date from a week ago. Long grand opening. Maybe wanting to keep the sense of excitement, or serve the purpose of just leaving a bit of history where it was meant to be placed.

He opens up the door and is greeted with the sight of a fairly beautiful bar. New décor, mainly with tones of brown and blue. It held a kind of calm atmosphere at the moment, which seemed a little odd for a bar. Usually he immediately cringes, hoping to avoid the loud, obnoxious banter. The flat screen TVs spaced around the building were able to be heard at a relatively decent volume. No one would have to yell over anyone. The booths, bar stools and small tables gave the clear welcoming gesture to invite you to sit down. It was odd to come into a bar and not see... any other customers though. Maybe too early?

"Welcome to Twisted Spite. Have a seat wherever you'd like," a female voice welcomes, causing the man to look towards the bar once more. She was cleaning a glass. She finished drying before placing it in line with every other glass and nodding back to him. "Usually pretty slow right now. But we're open."

"Thanks," he says. He then decides to walk towards the bar in the middle of the room, towards the new woman and sitting. She was a petite woman, pretty blonde hair in pigtails, with the bottom of her hair dyed blue. Her sapphire eyes held a mischievous gleam in them, a kind of fiery personality hidden behind the kind customer service.

"You look new," she comments bluntly as she offers him a menu, snickering at his bewildered expression. "What? You don't make it very hard to figure it out. Besides, I was driving over and pretty sure I saw you unloading a moving truck. Plus, I've been here a year, I know some of the locals by now."

"Watching me unload, huh?" he asks her before giving a playful smirk. "What would interest you there about that?" She laughs and shakes her head.

"What? Think I'm creeping or something? Please, I don't have time for that. Like I said, passed you by while on my way here. Nothing weird about that, people drive cars."

"True. Well, since you caught me red handed, yes, I'm new. I've just moved in and decided to explore."

"Good idea. Now you're one step past being a tourist, you're actually learning the area. Gold star." It was becoming obvious her humor could be unintentionally insulting if met with the wrong person. The wrong person being the easily offended and overly defensive. In this case, she's met someone who at least is willing to play her game.

"Should I gold star the fact that you still have your "Grand Open!" sign still up, but it's not your grand opening anymore?" he tosses back at her with a playful smirk. She smirks right back and winks.

"Touché. Okay, pretty boy, tell me this... What is a guy like you doing around here, huh?" she then asks, looking up to him.

"Easy. I'm opening a business here."

"Oh God, don't tell me it's another bar. I will fight you, I hope you realize this," she warns with a small glare. Her little smile takes away the "intended" anger and defensiveness. He waves his hand off, as if to brush away the thought.

"Oh good Lord, I could never get into that area, personally. Nah uh, not my forte, darling. No, I'm planning on launching my clothing line here," he explains. Now she looks pretty surprised to hear that.

"Clothing line? You're a fashion designer?" she guesses afterwards. He smiles and nods.

"Got me. That's right, Tinker Bell, I'm a fashion designer," he agrees. She scrunches up her nose at the nick name, which he intentionally poked at for her. Hey, she called him a "pretty boy", it was time to retaliate.

"Hey, I'm not a fairy. And I see that short joke you're throwing down, Fashion Queen. If anything, I'm a pixie, and I'll prove that if you get on my bad side," she huffs. He laughs at her response and holds up his hands while shaking his head.

"Okay, okay, Pixie. You got it, not a fairy. Totally an evil and devious little pixie with cruel intents," he assures her.

"Got that right. And don't you ever forget. Now, are you ordering something, or are you just here to give me at least something to do at this point?" she asks him with a tilt of her head. Oh yeah, they're at a bar.

"I'll take a sangria. Also your name, if you would be so kind," he adds in with a smile. She chuckles a bit, turning a bit to start his drink. She looks over her shoulder, a twinkle in her eye as she answers him.

"Alexa. Alexa Bliss. My friends call me Lexi."

"Well, Miss Bliss, I'm Tyler Breeze. It's a pleasure to meet you."