Caught in the Feud

Chapter 1

Alexia's POV

"You seem like a great girl but we want someone with more experience." The man explained as if he was talking to a child.

"I completely understand. Thank you for your time." Smiling at the man before reluctantly leaving the store. If I can't find a job before tonight Uncle is not going to be pissed! Ever since mom died he has been nothing short of ruthless. It makes me wish I knew who my dad was.
Almost all the shops in this town have turned me down. It was an apple pie town so you figure they would let me work somewhere. As I walk down the streets a new store came into view. It was a pale yellow painted brick building with red window covers and the neon sign said, "Villa Luna." Huh interesting name.
The sign in the window is what caught my attention, rushing to the store it already smelled amazing. So if I don't get a job at least I can get something to eat. As soon as I opened the door, calmness washed over me. It almost felt homey. The inside had dark oak tables and booths with green and red seats. There were random pizza memorabilia in there but my favorite was a wolf howling at a pizza moon. Approaching the counter there was a girl about my age putting out the parmesan and red pepper shakers.

"Hello, welcome to Villa Luna." She welcomed happily. Sharing her smile, she seemed really friendly from her appearance and demeanor. Her hair was a golden blonde except for a dark brown streak that was close to her face. She was petite and her eyes were a very light blue. She was wearing a black shirt with their logo in red and a red half apron around her waist.

"Hi, I saw your sign." A blush covered my face as I spoke. Shyness has always been an issue for me. Her smile stayed as she approached me.

"Great, when can you start?" She asks handing me an apron.

"You don't want a resumé or anything?" I asked a bit confused. Her laugh echoed through the quiet resturant.

"No, I'm pretty good at reading people. So when can you start?" She asks again.

"Anytime! As soon as possible! Thank you! Oh my name is Alexia by the way. You should probably know that if I'm going to work here." My voice excited but I tried to contain it. Shit I might have already caused them to think poor of me. Fuck!

"Glad to have you on board, Alexia. You can start now if you want. I can get Sebastian to show you around." She said coming from behind the counter with that smile never leaving her face.

"That would be-"

"Dude how many times do I have to tell you! You don't have to use all the pans in the kitchen!" Someone exclaimed from the kitchen. Kortney just sighed before continuing the conversation.

"How about I show you." She said with a slight laugh.

"Sure. Does he always shout like that?" I asked with a small smile.

"Well-"

"Kortney, can you tell this dumbass-who's this?" A man nearly exclaimed, bursting through the dark oak kitchen doors, his eyes narrowing at me. He was slightly intimidating due to his strict demeanor and strong body type. His short blonde hair seemed to glimmer by the sun streaming in through the windows and he was in similar attire as Kortney.

"Micah this is Alexia. She is our new employee." Kortney said happily. Micah didn't seem so thrilled about it though and I don't blame him but that just means I need to work extra hard.

"You can't just hire someone without my permission." Micah grumbled, clearly upset with the young blonde.

"Micah we needed another person. So stop whining and say hi." Kortney said sternly. Micah and Kortney stared each other down before he approached me.

"Hi I'm Micah. Nice to have another employee. I just hope you're smarter than that dumb bitch in the back." Micah said slightly joking.

"I heard that!" Another voice exclaimed from the kitchen.

"You were suppose too!" Micah yelled to the door. Suddenly another man walked out with a scowl until he saw me. He looked a lot like Micah but he was taller and more lean than muscular with longer hair that was pulled back into a loose pony tail.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Alexia." I said before the bell rang signaling a customer.

"Come with me and Kortney can help the customer." Micah said as he and Sebastian led me through the kitchen door. The kitchen looked like a disaster hit it, dishes piled at the sink, flour everywhere, and pizzas lined along the counters.

"I'm going to start on dishes. Sebastian show Alexia how to make a simple cheese. Oh and clean up the counters! I know we have only been open a month but this is ridiculous." Micah sighed before tackling the pile of dishes. Sebastian made a motion to follow him. He led me to the counter where he moved the pizzas to a hot plate to be kept warm. He got out two balls of dough and handed it to me gently.

"Don't look so stressed. It's pizza not a bomb." He joked as he got out the flour so the dough doesn't stick to everything.

"I've just never worked with pizza dough before." I said gently puting my dough on the flour that he put on the counter.

"You got this. Just follow my lead and it will be fine." Sebastian said gently. I nodded before he started his instruction on how to roll the dough. So starts my first day of work.

{END OF SHIFT}

We turned off the lights before putting the closed sign in the window.

"You did great for your first day." Kortney commented as we walked out of the closed shop.

"She's right. Just follow me and you'll get better." Micah said as they head to their car. Weird they all take one car but I guess it saves on gas.

"If she follows you she'll burn the pizza." Sebastian scoffs. These two make me laugh with their constant bickering.

"Don't listen to them, Alexia. We'll see you tomorrow after school." Kortney said getting into the car.

"Okay, goodnight guys." I said before walking down the road. It was a great day. Now that I have a job perhaps Uncle will be happy. All he does is drink and gamble. He lost his job a while ago but you can only live on loans for so long. He gets more moody as it gets late. As soon as I saw the house dread filled me. The house was a puke green with a grey roof and it was completely falling apart. I would never call it home. Home is filled with love and laughter. Those would never make it past the door. My hands trembled as I unlocked the door. Maybe he passed out and I can get off easy this time. As I opened the door the strong stench of alcohol filled my nose which instantly made me sick. I got in quickly but the door creaked as I shut it. His heavy steps came rushing down the hall and I wanted to run out the door.

"Where the hell have you been?!" He grabbed me by the neck before throwing me away from the door.

"I got a job and started today." I spoke softly, making sure not to look him directly in the eye because he can't stand that. Perhaps he will grant mercy since I got a job. My hope was quickly killed as his steel toed boot made contact with my side and I felt my ribs catch fire as I sure one was cracked.

"Next time get home faster you bitch!" He spoke gruffly.

"Yes sir." I said clutching my side as I got up.

"Get me another beer!" He exclaimed before plopping on the couch. Getting up my ribs screamed in pain. Ignoring it I scurry to the fridge to get him what he wanted. Rushing back out I handed it to him before he dismissed me. Hurrying upstairs, I made it to my sanctuary. My room was as big as a closet but it was still mine. It had dirty white walls, a small mat with a tattered blanket, a trunk for my clothes, and the last thing I have of my mother. It was a picture of us from when I won my race in seventh grade. She was so proud of me and we were happy than. It was before she left us.

"I miss you, mama." A tear fell as I clutched the picture. Falling to my mat, I prayed that tomorrow would be better.