Disclaimer As ever I don't own any LOD characters or even Led Zeppelin.
Chapter 2
Alex might as well have vanished in cloud of Skip's smoke for all the attention the Z-Boys were paying her once they got hold of the urethane wheels. Boys with toys she mused to herself, but still a good time to get out with her dignity intact. "So Skip, why don't you try out the "wonder wheels" and if you like we can work out a distribution deal." "Sounds like a plan" Skip replied "Where can I reach you?" Good question thought Alex. Hoping she sounded confident she said "Lookin for my number already? Don't worry I'll be in touch".
Breathing a sigh of relief, Alex walked in the opposite direction from sound of skaters pleading for a turn on the new wheels. Damn, this being grown up and out on your own is nerve wracking she thought. Maybe it gets easier as you go along, or especially if you don't have it forced on you overnight. She pulled out a slip of paper with a Venice address-her Venice address- on it and started walking.
Next day:
Alex was sitting on the front steps of the small, shabby house that was her new home surrounded by boxes of her possessions. Just pulling away was a truck with the distinctive figure of Icarus and the words Swan Song on the side. "Sorry luv, can't stay any longer- rock & roll waits for no man" said the truck – no lorry –driver in his Cockney accent that brought back floods of memories.
Just then a blond head appeared on the sidewalk staring after the departing truck. "Did you see that truck? It had Led Zeppelins' logo on it! What would it be doing here? I can't believe I was in work and missed it!" the words tumbled out in an excited rush from Stacy's flushed face. Stacy turned and looked at Alex registering who he was talking to for the first time. "Hey, we met yesterday at the Zephyr Shop – Stacy, remember?"
Sure, how ya doing? Alex didn't easily forget guys that looked like Stacy. He took in the scene of boxes on the doorstep and asked the obvious "Are you moving in here?" Smooth, Stace, he thought -no she's taking all her stuff out for a walk. "I'm trying" said Alex with a smile.
"Let me give you a hand" Stacy offered. Alex thought about letting a Z-Boy in to her house after all she had heard of their reputation. What the hell though, Stacy had seemed the calmest yesterday at the shop and these heavy boxes weren't going to lift themselves.
Bring the rest of the boxes in, Stacy saw only one of the two small bedrooms was being filled with a queen size bed and lots of clothes but in fact, furniture in general was pretty light. "So are your folks bringing the rest of your furniture with them?" Stacy questioned, trying to get more info on Alex without seeming like he was prying. "No, answered Alex simply, this is it". Well that didn't get me anywhere, he thought, this girl doesn't seem unfriendly but she's not giving up much info either.
"What about you, Stacy, do you live nearby?" asked Alex hoping both to redirect the line of questions and keep Stacy talking. She went into the kitchen and grabbed a couple of sodas from the otherwise empty fridge and offered one to him. "Please have a seat on—um—my floor and tell me how it is around here." He filled her in on his job at the Venice Noodle Company, his recently purchased car and mostly surfing and skating stories, which met with smiles and nods of interest from Alex. He finished up by telling her he lived with his parents not to far from her. By this time he felt relaxed enough in her company to ask her directly, what about you are you here alone? He hoped he wasn't going to hear the "b" as in boyfriend word.