Ali's POV

"Ali?"

I groaned. "Go away..." I mumbled sleepily.

"C'mon, kid! It's 9 am! Normal people are up by now!" Dad said, nudging my shoulder.

"Since when are we normal?" I asked.

There was a pause. "Touchè." I laughed and kicked off the covers.

"What's up Daddio? You normally sleep all day." I said. Dad was already dressed. I was nervous.

He grinned widely. "What's the story, morning glory?" I asked, getting irritated.

He shrugged and waved his hand like it was no big deal, but his eyes betrayed his excitement. Finally, after a few minutes of me staring him down, I sighed. "I guess if it's nothing I'll-"

He exploded. "I BOUGHT A CLUB!!!!"

"WHAT?" I screamed.

He laughed wildly and I shook my head, knowing we were disturbing the neighbors. "When did this happen?" I asked.

He frowned, trying to think. "Last night..."

"Were you drunk?!" I exclaimed.

He looked offended. "Moi?"

I rolled my eyes, but my curiosity took control. "Where and what's it like?!"

Dad took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "It's in Port Angeles real close. It's a hot place, pretty spacey, cool colors. You'll have to come check it out. We'll have live bands and great food!"

"Fried Pickle Chips?" I asked, knowingly.

"Of course!"

"Hmm... What'cha gonna name it?" I smiled, knowing he would pick something totally out there.

"How about 'The Ali and Bono Show'?" He suggested, jokingly. I shook my head "I was thinking The Barking Spider!"

I laughed. "Only you, Dad."

"And we'll hand up your art and you can sing or be a waitress or something..." He rambled on for a few minutes, but then there was a knock at the door.

"Who could that be?" I asked, surprised.

Dad bounded to the bar. He was pretty young to be the father of a 19 year old (me!). He's 40. Him and Mom were young summer love or something like that. It's actually a god story. Very romancy and (I learned when i was older) sexy.

I followed him, twirling in my green gigantic T-shirt, watching it flare around me.

"Ali! Come here!" He called. "There's someone I want you to meet.

"Yes Father dear!" I slid towards him and the visitor, but stopped short when I realized I probably looked stupid, spinning with no pants on in front of a complete stranger.

"This is our new neighbor." He said gesturing to a middle-aged man.

"Hi." Mr. Neighbor said, awkwardly. "Chief Charlie Swan."

I curtsied. "Latisha."

"Ali." Dad corrected.

"I used to live in Forks, but moved here with my wife, Sue." he said, lamely trying to make conversation.

"Sue Clearwater?" I asked.

"Yeah, you know her?"

I nodded. "I know your kids, too. Seth, Leah, and Craig."

Charlie smiled. "Craig is my boy, but Leah and Seth aren't. Their father died and I have my grown daughter Bella. She should be your age. Married to Edward Cullen."

I smiled, bored. "Cool."

After a few seconds of silence, Dad and I blurted at the same time, "A gay baby has been born!"

Charlie looked shocked and we laughed. "Inside joke." I said. "Even though it's kind of disrespectful to gay people, if you ask me."

Charlie cleared his throat. "Well then. Uh... Sue wanted me to introduce myself... and invite you to a thing we're having."

"Woah, Charlie, we like you and all," Dad said. "But we don't want to see you and Sue do your thing. Ali's too young and I would be too creeped out."

Charlie blushed an impossibly deep red. I laughed. "Sure, we'll come Mr. Swan."

He mumbled something, that sounded like a good-bye and dashed out the door.

Dad scratched his head. "Wonder what his problem was."

I pretended to be bothered. "Was it something we said?"


1:00 Port Angeles, the soon to be Barking Spider

Paul's POV

"I can believe you sold this place, Grandpa." I said, sadly.

Grandpa Walker smiled sadly. "Me either, but this man is a nice guy, who had big plans for this place. I'm just not hip anymore and I couldn't stand to see this place become and old coot's hangout."

"Yeah, I guess your right." I replied.

"Don't worry." Grandpa said. "I also talked to Mr. Raydon about you, and he said he would love to give you a job."

"Maybe." I replied.

"Anyways, where were you yesterday?" he asked.

I felt my face get a little red. "No where." He didn't look convinced, but left me alone.

Yesterday, Grandpa, I was over this weird chic Ali's house and she was torturing me with all this classic rock and pounding me about my favorite artists. Strangely, it was the best afternoon of my life. I think I'm falling in love with this girl I barely know.

I sighed. That wasn't true. I was already in love with her. I didn't get it a first, but Sam told me that I imprinted on her, so that was that. I called her a few times, but hung up every time the machine got it, just because I wanted to hear her voice. How freakin' pathetic is that? You know what's even more pathetic? I haven't cursed the whole day just because she said she hated cursing.

I snuck (as sneakily as a 6'7'' muscular guy can sneak) into the kitchen to grab some food, when I heard the doors open. I new it was the new owner, Mr. Raydon. The name struck me as familiar, but that was probably because of Old Man Raydon. This guy must be some relative. Great.

I peeked out the door and then dove behind the bar when I saw who it was.

It was Ali.

She was grinning, widely. "Wow! Dude, this place is awesome!" She said to the man to next to her, who was also smiling. He looked at lot different then her, black hair, darker skin, but I knew they were related because they both had the same piercing green eyes.

"Welcome to the Barking Spider, Ali." He said, laughing.

"Dad, you might want to re-think the name." She said. I agreed.

Ali grew serious, looking around the room. "Stage needs to be bigger." She said, pointing over in the corner, where there was a make-shift stage for Karaoke night last month.

"No doubt!" Mr. Raydon cried, pumping his fist. "And of course the Fried Pickle Chips."

"Who could forget about those?" She asked.

Mr. Raydon spotted me. "Hey! You! Looking for a penny or something?"

I pushed myself up, blushing as Ali laughed when she saw me. "Hey Paul."

I straightened my shoulders, trying to maintain my dignity. "Hey..."

"Ali." She said pointing to herself.

"Yeah, I know.." I mumbled, cursing myself for sudden;y being so shy.

Mr. Raydon stuck out his hand, which was connected to his heavily tattooed arm. "You must be Paul Walker. Your grandad told me about you."

"Hi, Mr. Raydon."

"Call me Bono." He said, smiling. Suddenly he turned to Ali. "We need some fried pickle chips." Ali nodded, vigorously.

"What are those?" I asked.

Bono gasped and Ali clutched at her heart. I saw where she got her dramatics from...

"First deprived of music, and now fried pickled chips..." She muttered, shaking her head. She turned to her father. "This guy needs our help."

Bono nodded. "Welcome to the Barking Spider, young man."