POV: Dawn
I honestly think I have a good luck charm when it comes to love. Granted it wasn't my love life that was lucky but for anyone else it worked like a charm. Let me explain. I was younger when I found this weird stone, it looked like half of a broken heart, which is ironic considering it helped my "friends" find love. It started innocently enough, I found a girl I went to school with, Lizzie I think her name was, in the bathroom crying about this guy, granted we weren't friends by any means but I felt like I needed to do something to help her. Without thinking twice about it I took off my handmade necklace with the weird rock hooked on it and handed it to her feeding her crap about how it helped me find a guy or two. She looked like she didn't believe me but she put it on none the less and went off to find her guy.
Next thing I know I'm being hugged by Lizzie in the middle of the school hallway with her saying 'Thank you! Thank you!' over and over again. At first I was completely confused on why she would be thanking me when she took off my necklace off around her neck and handed it back to me. She said that I was right and that it was good luck but as it turned out the guy she was after completely turned the cold shoulder to her but her close guy friend started to comfort her and finally admitted his feelings for her, surprise, surprise. Actually it was a complete surprise because from then on girls from all over the school started asking if they could borrow my necklace, every time I said yes and every time there would be another girl thanking me.
I was happy that I was able to help the girls in my school but at the same time I didn't really believe the necklace had any lucky properties until one day I was talking to my dad about finding himself a girlfriend. For the longest time it was just me and my dad. Ever since my mom left us when I was thirteen it's been the two of us against the world, not giving a damn about what other people thought. I asked him to keep my necklace with him for an entire week and if nothing happened between him and a woman I would drop the subject. He agreed, neither one of us knowing that fate was set to meet the love of his life.
It was a normal day like any other, day three of him wearing my necklace and I was starting to doubt it when we saw a car with a popped tire on the side of the road and my dad being the kind of person he is stopped to see if he could help. That's when he met Ann, one of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.
The instant I saw them together I knew that they were meant to be. After a year of dating, my dad finally popped the question and they were married not even a month later. It was a small wedding filled with only close family and friends. It was wonderful to see my dad smiling and laughing but I knew it was time for me to move out and start my own life. Besides that, I knew the happy couple probably wanted the house to themselves without anyone barging in on them at any random time. Plus, my orange tabby Tucker hated Ann for some odd reason and I didn't want to get rid of him so it just pushed me to find my own place.
Telling dad and Ann my plans, at first they argued against me saying I was more than welcome to with them, I explained that I didn't want to impose on them and that being twenty-four it was about time that I started heading out on my own. That and I was saving up my money from my full time job at my dad's tire business that I knew I had more than enough to keep myself afloat.
That's how I ended up pinning a large map of the United States to my wall and letting fate decide for me. Holding the dart in one hand and holding my necklace with the other I closed my eyes hoping for the best. The first time I threw it in Tucker's direction which I got a hiss for. The next few times the dart didn't even hit the map. Frustrated beyond belief I scrunched my eyes shut and threw the dart once more. It finally hit the map, directly on the small town of Beach City.
Looking up Beach City on line I saw that it was a small ocean side town. The job listing wasn't hard to find and thankfully I also found a job that didn't sound to bad. The mayor posted a position for a grounds keeper, reading the description I got the gist of it. Basically I would keep the beach, tourist traps and the pier clean of debris. I applied for it as soon as I saw it was up for grabs but that didn't mean I stopped looking at my other options. The next day I got a surprise call from the mayor of Beach City, Mayor Dewey. He called to inform me that I had the job if I wanted it, I accepted without a second thought. It was set that I would be starting work there in two weeks and that there was a small house I could rent out. Everything else would be finalized when I got there.
That's why my small pickup truck is filled to the brim with some of my things including my cat, who is meowing loudly from his cat carrier in the passenger seat. It's been a long right hour drive from my childhood house in Georgia to Beach City but I know it's going to be worth it. At least I hope.
"We're almost to our new home Tucker." I smile. He meows in return, replying to what I said. Moving to a new place is scary but I'm ready for a new start. None of it really seemed real until I passed the large sign saying 'Welcome to Beach City.'
"Well Tucker, it looks like we're not in Georgia anymore."
POV: Steven
"That's why I think Split Milk is the best Crying Breakfast friend." I tried to explain to my dad.
"Whatever you say buddy. Personally I don't really get that show, so I'll just take your word for it." He says tuning his guitar. Before I could continue our one-sided conversation my phone started to go off, Mayor Dewey's ringtone ringing out.
"Hi Mayor Dewey. What's up?" I answered cheerfully.
"Hello young Universe. Nothing is up, I was just hoping that you would be able to help me with something today."
"Sure. What is it?"
"Someone new is moving into town and I was hoping that you would be able to show them around. Would you mind heading to my office now?"
"Not at all. I'll see you in a bit. Bye!"
"What was that about kiddo?" Dad asked, still tuning his guitar.
"Someone knew it moving to town and Mayor Dewey asked if I could show them around! I can't believe someone new is moving here! This is so exciting!" I exclaimed, hoisting my cheeseburger backpack onto my shoulder.
"That is exciting. Have fun kiddo. If you need anything, you'll know where I'll be." Dad said, leaning back into his lawn chair.
"Thanks dad! See you later!"
"See ya kiddo!"
Running all the way to Town Hall, I was out of breath by the time I made it outside of Mayor Dewey's office. Resting for a second, I caught my breath and knocked on the door.
"Come in." Opening the door, I saw that his desk was covered with piles of papers, I could only see the top of his head. Mayor Dewey looked around the stacks of files, looking stressed but when he saw it was me, he sighed in relief.
"Thank goodness it's you Steven. At first I thought you were our newest resident and I don't have all the proper paper work for her to sign yet." He explained, looking stressed out again.
"Oh yeah! You mentioned that over the phone. Who's moving here anyways?"
"A Ms. Dawn Bird. She should be here any moment. I was so relieved when you said that you would be able to show her the town. I am usually the one to show newcomers around but as you can see I am up to my neck in paper work and won't have the time to."
"Say no more Mayor Dewey. I am more than happy to help you out." I smiled. A knock came from the door.
"Hello?"
"Yes. Come in!" Mayor Dewey called, putting his professional face on. I tried to copy him but I had a feeling I was failing. A tall, pretty girl walked in. Her long, curly looking hair was pulled back in a ponytail that reached the middle of her back. Her tan skin seemed to pop because of the green tank top and cut off shorts she was wearing. The girl wasn't skinny but she wasn't big either, she was curvy as I heard Lars say.
"Hello. Are you Mayor Dewey?" She asked with a small southern accent. For a few seconds Mayor Dewey didn't say anything. Looking up at him, I saw that he was blushing and had a nervous smile was on his face.
"Yes I am and you must be Ms. Bird." He said, his voice shaking a little bit. Putting his hand out to shake hers.
"Yes sir." She smiled, shaking his hand. "It's nice to finally put a face with the voice. And your town in quite a beauty, if you don't mind me saying so."
"Not at all. Thank you for the kind words." He added, finally acting like his normal self.
"And who might you just be?" Dawn smiled.
"Steven Universe at your service." I bowed. Taking her hand in mine, I kissed the back of it like I've read in a few books.
"Such a little gentleman. It's nice to meet you Mr. Steven Universe. I'm Dawn Bird." I could already tell I would like her.
"Mayor Dewey, you said you would have some papers for me to sign." Dawn stated, facing him.
"Yes. I do. Just one moment." He said, while looking through the stacks of papers on his desk. "You timed your arrival just right. Young Universe here, showed up right before you did. He's going to show you around. Normally I would but as you can see I am swamped."
"That's no problem Mayor. I'm sure Mr. Steven Universe here is a great tour guide." She winked at me.
"Here we go!" Mayor Dewey cheered, lifting a folder above his head. "Just sign these forms and you'll be all ready to go."
A few minutes later Dawn was finally done signing papers. Mayor Dewey handed over the keys to her new house, directions on how to get there and we were on our way. Dawn led the way to her vehicle, which was a rusty, red pickup truck filled with boxes, all tied down with rope in the back.
"You'll have to move Tucker but there should be plenty of room in the passenger seat." Dawn said, unlocking the doors.
"Who's Tucker?" I asked. When my eyes landed on the pet carrier in my seat. Lifting it, I looked inside and saw an orange, white cat inside.
"Why hello little guy." I smiled The cat's bright green eyes locked on mine and meowed.
"Glad to see you met. Steven, that pain in the butt is Tucker. Tucker, Steven." Dawn smirked. Getting into the truck, I placed the carrier on my lap.
"He's a good boy but I swear half the time he thinks he's a dog." She chuckled.
"Whys that?"
"Well for just a small example, he growls when he doesn't like someone and he loves to play fetch with his little mouse, cat nip toy."
"That's awesome! I've never heard of a cat like that."
"Yeah, he's one of a kind. So what do you say we check out my house and then you can show me around town tomorrow?" Dawn asked.
"Sure that sounds great."
"Great. Would you mind reading off the directions?"
"Oh sure!" Unfolding the instructions, I read them off while telling her which road she had to take. We only got lost once but a little back tracking and we were there. It was a two story brick house on the out skirts of town, only two other houses were on the road. Dawn drove up the small drive way and parked in front of the garage.
"My dad and I pass this house all the time when we take my friend, Connie, back home. Who knew that you would be moving into this place!"
"I can already tell I'm going to like this place."
I got out of the truck, holding Tucker's carrier to my chest. Dawn thanked me for carrying him and lead the way up the porch steps, to the front door.
"Ready to see the inside?" She grinned, while unlocking the front.
"Yes!" I shouted excitedly. Dawn laughed softly and pushed the door open, it echoed with a loud groan. The house had a layer of dust on the windows, walls and basically everything. It also smelled musty but if Dawn's smile was anything to go by she didn't seem to mind.
"A little dusty but nothing a good cleaning can't fix." Her voice echoed through the empty home.
"Should I let Tucker out?" I asked, looking up at her.
"Sure. Just make sure you stand clear when you open the door to his carrier because he will shoot out of there faster than a bat out of hell." She warned. Nodding, I sat down the carrier and reached for the lock on it.
"Okay Tucker. Here you go." I softly told him, trying not to spook him and just as Dawn said he was gone like an orange and white flash, running into another room somewhere in the house. And the paw prints he left just shown how much the house really did need a good cleaning.
"I guess I had better start cleaning before I move any of my things in." She sighed. "I hate cleaning!"
"I can help you." I offered.
"Oh no. Steven I would never ask that of you." She smiled shyly.
"Well that's great because I offered. I'm staying to help and the only way you'll get rid of me is if you throw me out!" I added dramatically. Dawn laughed and ruffled my hair.
"Okay! Okay! You're silly and thank you for staying. You know, you're a pretty cool guy Mr. Steven Universe."
"I know!"
"And so modest." Dawn smiled, shoving my shoulder playfully.
"We had better get started." She undid her pony tail and bunched her hair up into a bun. Following her back out to her truck, she started looking through her boxes until she came to one labeled 'Cleaning supplies'.
"YES! I knew it was here!" She cheered happily.
Picking it up, she took it back inside and put it on the floor. Opening it up she got out a few rags and handed one to me. We started in the living room and slowly made our way to the other rooms, all the while Dawn and I kept opening every window we came to, to try to get the 'moth ball', as Dawn put it, smell out of the house.
"So what made you move to Beach City?" I asked when we were working on one of the four rooms on the top floor.
"So forward. I like that." Dawn smirked. "Honestly I think I just needed a place where I knew no one and vice versa." She explained while opening the door to last room we had left to clean. Following in behind her, I was in awe of how cool the room was.
It had huge windows that looked out into the woods behind the house and the light streaming in from the soon to be setting sun made everything light up. Tucker was actually sleeping and sun bathing in the rays.
"Yup. I think Tucker found my room." Dawn laughed, looking at the room with wide eyes.
After cleaning for five straight hours were finally done, well at least with the dusting, but we had yet to bring in any of Dawn's things.
"Thank you so much for your help Steven." Dawn smiled and ruffled my hair. That seemed to be a habit of hers but I wasn't about to tell her to stop.
"Your welcome but I haven't helped you move anything in." I told her glumly, looking up at her through my hair.
"Don't worry about that Steven. You've been a big help; I can handle the rest." She smiled. "Now how about I give you a ride home?"
"If it's not too much trouble." I yawned. After locking up the house, we climbed into her truck. I gave her directions to dad's car wash and we were on our way.
"I can't tell you how much help you've been today. The moving van with the rest of my things should be here tomorrow and hopefully the movers will be as helpful as you are." She joked. I gave her a sleepy smile.
"Would you still like me to show you around town tomorrow?" I asked.
"Well you are my tour guide."
"Oh yeah, you are right." I beamed. "How about I show you around tomorrow morning?"
"That sounds like fun. Is this the car wash?" Dawn wondered, pulling up next to dad's work.
"Yep! Sure is. Thank you for the ride and I'll see you tomorrow morning!" I smiled and got out of her truck. Dawn waved goodbye and started the drive back to her new house.
"Hm. I really hope she doesn't get lost in the dark." I spoke out loud before making my way to my dad's van.
POV: Dawn
I parked my truck in the garage and was excited to find it was connected to the house. Grabbing my sleeping bag out of the back, I made my way inside and looked around the empty house. Making sure all the windows were closed and locked I headed up stairs to my self acclaimed bedroom, where I found Tucker still sleeping away where he was before.
Laying the sleeping bag in the middle of the floor I sat down and saw at some point I woke up his royal pain in the butt because he was glaring at me with sleepy eyes.
"About time you woke up." I smirked. He stretched, meowing pitifully and walked lazily over to me before crawling into my lap. Purring like an engine.
"It's a bit lonely isn't it? Don't worry Tucker we'll be fine. I'll call dad tomorrow night and let him know how we're doing. Hopefully everything will keep going up from here." I whispered softly, petting Tucker in between his ears. I laid down and before I fell asleep one thought was going through my mind.
'I hope I was right about this place.'
Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read this second chapter. We got to learn a little bit about Dawn. Tell me what you all think, all reviews are welcomed. And don't worry she'll meet Greg and the other characters in the upcoming chapters. Stay tuned for the next chapter! And thank you to everyone who took the time to favorite or leave a review it means a lot :)