I've replaced this chapter, and fixed the mistakes… It took me a while, but finally…

And I still don't really like the start of this, but it changes after a couple of chapters, I think :D

Chapter one: American Vintage

Another Monday morning. Just like all of them. Frankie thought as she turned her alarm of. She lay back in her bed and started counting the plastic stars glued to her ceiling. She knew it was a bit childish but she'd always loved them and counted them every Monday morning. Call it a start-of-the-week, let-me-have-a-good-one thing or just an I-cant-be-bothered-to-get-up-just-yet-so-I'm-procrastinating thing; it was just something she always did if she was at home and alone.

After finishing her counting she carefully stuck one of her feet out but quickly drew it back in. "Damn it! It's as cold as always" she muttered to her self. "I should really get that heating-thing fixed". "And then stop talking to myself". "But, hey, where's the fun in that", she laughed and jumped out of bed straight into the bathroom and took a long, hot shower.

She then made herself a coup of coffee and went back into her bedroom to figure out what to wear for work.

She decided on a pair of jeans, a The Who vintage t-shirt (her favorite) and a pair of converse. She quickly drew her hair back and put it up in a ponytail. 'Rock chic to the bone! Yeah right', she thought and, as always, laughed at her own joke.

Frankie grabbed her keys from the dresser and closed the door behind her as she left for work. As usual she took out her ipod and put on the headphones. This was her favorite moment of the day. A walk alone with only herself and her music.

She walked down the street and started humming along to the music. Like every morning she couldn't care less what people passing her thought about her singing. Life is to short for stuff like that; she thought and broke into a smile as her favorite song started playing. Today is going to be a good day.

About half an hour later Frankie unlocked the door to "Gilby's Guitar-Place" and let herself in. She turned of the alarm and headed for the back of the store where the office and break-room were situated. After putting away her bag she returned to the door and flipped the open/closed sign to open and turned on the remaining lights.

"God I love this place" she said to her self as she walked amongst the guitars running her fingers across her favorites.

---

Frankie had been working at Gilby's for three years and she loved every second of it. She even liked to clean up every now and then, as long as it meant that she could be there longer. She could still remember her first visit as if it had been only yesterday.

One day, on her way home from her previous work, it had started raining and she had run into the store for shelter. The moment she walked through the door she saw a guy sitting at the counter strumming on a guitar. He looked up and asked her if she was there for the position. Without thinking she said yes and a couple of days later the job was hers. She wasn't sure how she got the job, as she didn't really have any qualifications, but she knew that she loved it from the first second and Mike (as the owner was called) told her that he knew from the moment that he laid eyes on her.

From that day on, Frankie spent most of her days at work and she loved every moment of it. She and Mike got on really well and she eventually began to think of him almost like her father. She just looked up to him and had no problem what so ever with trusting him with the smallest details of her love-life. He was very protective of her and always questioned her about the guys she went out on dates with to make sure that they were up to his standards. And if she ever needed anyone to scare a guy off, Frankie knew that Mike would happily help her out, it was after all one of his best talents, at least according to him self.

---

This particular Monday was pretty slow. There were not many customers in the store and Frankie was sat behind the counter reading a music-magazine. She heard the bell above the door ring and lifted her eyes to see who it was. Her eyes landed on two young guys, probably around her age, but it was the first one that really caught her eye. He had brown, curly hair and the bluest eyes she had ever seen. Even though he was several feet away from her, she could still see his eyes light up as he laughed at something his friend said.

As they made their way over to the guitars, Frankie followed them with her eyes and wondered if she should go up to them.

After realizing that she actually worked at the place, she quickly got up from her chair and walked over to where the brown-haired guy was standing.

"It's a beauty isn't it?" She said as she stopped beside him, right in front of her favorite guitarthe Fender American Vintage '52 telecaster.

"Huh?! Oh, sorry. Eh, what?" He said as he turned to look down at her.

"The guitar, it's easily the most beautiful guitar in his place."

"Yeah, it is." He said looking back at the guitar.

"Did you know this is considered as one of the best…"

"Guitars for accompaniment in the world." He filled in and smiled at her. "Yeah, I know that. I've got one so I can actually vouch for it."

Ah, he knows his guitars, always a good sign.

Wow, a girl who knows her guitars, but wait, she works in a guitar-store. Duh, I would be weird if she didn't. Ok, talking a but much to yourself here, is we?

"Ok, so I guess you won't be buying this one then," she said with a smile.

"No, not really." He laughed a bit.

"Well, if you need any help or anything I'll be over right over there, just give me a shout."

"Sure thing."

She smiled and turned around as she walked back to the chair behind the counter. She could feel his eyes on her back as she walked and smiled to herself.

Hm, there's something about that girl. I just can't help looking at her. Ok, snap out of it before she catches you staring at her. Back to reality. Now, where did Tom go to?

Frankie watched the guy and his friend walk around among the guitars for another minute or two and then got back to her magazine.

---

Later that night as she was about to lock and go home up she heard someone calling her name.

'Frankie!'

She turned around and noticed her best friend Emma walking towards her, hands filled with shopping bags.

'Hey, what are you doing here? I thought we were hanging out tomorrow night'. She asked surprised.

'I know that, but I just got the worst carving for clubbing and I've got all these new, fabulous clothes here and, well, you know me, I couldn't resist. And I know that it's a Monday night but, please, pretty please, won't you come with me.'

'Hm', Frankie said with a thoughtful look on her face, 'I was planning on a quiet night in…'

She paused as she looked at her friend's hopeful face.

'But, like you said it, who can resist a night out clubbing!' She added with a smirk.

'Oh, you had me all worried there for a while. Come on now, let's go, its going to take me ages getting ready.'

'It always does!' They both laughed and chatted happily all the way back to Frankie's apartment.