Chapter Thirteen

(Uptown 777 Grant Wood Road)(Time skip: 2 weeks)

Days swiftly passed, and the long-awaited day finally arrived for Jayden to open his new barber shop. Standing outside on the street, Jayden admired his shop front with a sense of pride.

The windows sparkled, displaying the meticulously designed shop banner. Colourful balloons adorned the sides, proudly announcing the grand opening.

Raven, his faithful feline companion, rubbed affectionately against his leg. Jayden bent down to pick her up.

As he surveyed the scene before him, Jayden couldn't help but reflect on the journey that had led him here.

Memories of his uncle, Jamie, flooded his mind—the man who had supported and taught him everything he knew.

"It's been a long time coming, but I've finally made it." Jayden thought, overcome with nostalgia. "You don't need to worry about me, Uncle Jamie. I'm living out my dream."

Jayden smiled as he looked at the sign above his shop. "Barbet is officially open for business." He declared. The name held a deeper meaning, rooted in history. Derived from the Latin term "barba," meaning beard, barbet was a historical term for a barber.

In medieval times, barbers not only cut hair but also performed minor medical procedures. It was a nod to the rich tradition of their craft.

Addressing Raven, Jayden entrusted her with an important role. "I'm counting on you, Raven, to greet every customer with a smile and a cute meow. And if any kids pass by, show them something adorable so they'll want to come in." Jayden chuckled, adopting a playful tone reminiscent of a savvy entrepreneur.

Knowing that social media wasn't his forte, Jayden relied on other means to spread the word.

He had put up posters around Gotham City, hoping to catch the attention of potential customers. If necessary, he even considered advertising in the local newspaper.

....

Time slowly ticked by, and Jayden patiently waited for his first customer. Two hours had passed, and despite the curious glances from passersby, no one had ventured inside.

Though disheartened, Jayden refused to lose hope. He remained attentive, ready to provide excellent service to anyone who crossed the door.

Finally, the familiar sound of the doorbell rang through the air, breaking the silence. Jayden welcomed his first customer with a warm smile, gesturing toward the comfortable barber chairs. "Welcome to Barbet! How can I assist you today?" He asked politely.

The elderly gentleman, sporting a well-groomed beard, chuckled as he settled into the chair. "I've heard great things about this place, especially about you. Mrs Xue couldn't stop praising your skills. Give me your finest trim, young man." He requested, a twinkle in his eye.

Jayden was pleasantly surprised. 'Did Mrs Xue spread the word about my opening today?' He wondered, touched by the support.

He silently vowed to show his gratitude by visiting Wok and Roll, the restaurant owned by Mrs Xue, and treating himself to a delicious meal.

With scissors and comb in hand, Jayden skillfully worked through the gentleman's hair, engaging in lighthearted conversation.

They discussed evolving grooming trends and shared personal anecdotes. Laughter filled the room, creating an inviting ambience.

Word soon spread about the enjoyable experience at Barbet. Encouraged by Tom Saintclair's visit, others who had been hesitant to enter decided to take a chance.

Raven, perched on the counter, purred contentedly, captivating the attention of waiting customers. A young couple chuckled at her playful antics. "She's quite the character, isn't she?" The woman said, her smile reflecting genuine warmth.

Jayden joined in the laughter. "Oh, she definitely has a personality of her own. She's the official greeter here at Barbet." he replied, stroking Raven's fur affectionately.

As time passed, more and more people entered the shop, leaving with satisfied smiles on their faces.

The children, in particular, were thrilled to receive a free lollipop and sticker after their haircuts.

Raven proved to be a great asset, fearlessly interacting with the customers. The hesitant children left with bright eyes, already anticipating their next visit. It was evident that Barbet had the potential to become a beloved neighbourhood destination.

The morning swiftly turned into the afternoon, and the flow of customers gradually slowed. Nevertheless, Jayden felt a deep sense of satisfaction with how the grand opening had gone thus far.

Even if he had only received two customers, he would have been content. But today, he had already serviced twelve people, exceeding his expectations.

As Jayden diligently swept the floor, removing the remnants of hair, the sound of the doorbell broke the silence.

Looking up, he expected to see a single customer entering, but to his surprise, he was greeted by a group of five teenagers with vibrant appearances.

Piercings adorned their faces, and their ripped clothes exuded an edgy style. A loudspeaker blared rock music, disrupting the calm atmosphere of the shop.

Though caught off guard, Jayden maintained his composure. They had entered his shop, so they must have been potential customers. "Welcome to Barbet! How can I assist you today, gentlemen?" he inquired, his tone remaining polite and professional.

The leader of the group, a tall young man with a neon green mohawk and an array of tattoos, smirked. "We've heard you're the new barber in town. We want cuts that'll make heads turn." He declared, his eyes scanning the shop.

Jayden took a moment to assess the situation. Despite their rebellious appearances, they were still potential customers. "I might have something in mind, but first, could I kindly ask you to lower the volume of your music? And if other customers come in, would you mind turning it off?" He requested, maintaining a calm demeanour.

One of the teenagers, holding the speaker, scowled at Jayden, seemingly annoyed by the request. "And who the fuck are you to tell us, the Gotham Punks, what to do? Do you have a death wish or something?" He spat, approaching Jayden and grabbing him by the collar.

Raven's eyes narrowed, and her claws instinctively retracted, ready to defend her companion if needed.

Jayden, however, remained composed, diverting his gaze to the leader of the group. "Lowering the volume and respecting other customers' comfort is all I ask." He responded calmly.

The leader, known as Reaper, intervened before the situation escalated further. "That's enough, Viper." He commanded, his tone authoritative. Turning his attention to Jayden, he added, "Alright, we'll do as you say. But this haircut better be worth it."

Jayden wasn't intimidated by their aggressive demeanour. Instead, he picked up a barber's cape and raised his hand. "So, who's going first?" He asked, his tone firm but composed.

Reaper immediately stepped forward, taking a seat in the barber chair. Surprisingly, as Reaper settled into the comfortable chair, his tough exterior seemed to soften slightly.

Jayden's skilled hands began working on Reaper's hair, carefully sculpting and shaping the neon strands.

As the scissors danced through the vibrant locks, an unexpected transformation took place not only in Reaper's appearance but also in the atmosphere of the shop.

The tense energy gradually dissipated, replaced by a sense of camaraderie.

As Jayden continued to work on Reaper's hair, conversation flowed between them.

They discussed music, personal style, and their shared experiences of rebellion and self-expression. The other members of the Gotham Punks observed the interaction, their curiosity piqued by Jayden's genuine interest in their stories.

One by one, Jayden transformed the hair of each punk, channelling their individuality into unique and eye-catching styles.

With every snip of the scissors and stroke of the comb, the initial hostility melted away, replaced by an unexpected bond formed through the language of hair.

As the final touches were made to their hair, the punks exchanged glances, their expressions filled with surprise and appreciation.

They marvelled at their reflections in the mirror, witnessing a fusion of their personal flair and Jayden's expertise.

Reaper, the leader of the group, extended a hand towards Jayden. "You've got skills, man. We've been to many places, but this... this is something else," he said, genuine admiration in his voice.

Jayden smiled, accepting the handshake. "Thank you. It was an honour to work with all of you. I'm sure with your new looks, you'll make heads turn everywhere you go."

The tension that once hung in the air had transformed into a newfound camaraderie.

The Gotham Punks left Barbet, their heads held high, newfound confidence radiating from their unique hairstyles.

Unexpectedly, five minutes after they had left, Viper, the one who had previously threatened Jayden, returned. He stormed back into the shop, his demeanour slightly less confrontational than before.

"...I apologise... for threatening you earlier." Viper muttered, his voice filled with reluctance. "But don't get it twisted, no one tells the Gotham Punks what to do, okay?" With that final statement, he slapped a one-hundred-dollar bill onto the counter and quickly exited the shop.

Jayden couldn't help but chuckle at the unexpected turn of events. "Pfft... Hahahahahaha! What was that about? He acted like a complete tsundere." Jayden laughed to himself, amused by the ironic display of Viper's tough exterior masking a softer side.

....

( Gotham: 7:05 PM)( Uptown, 777 Grant Wood Road)

As the day drew to a close, Jayden closed up the shop, satisfied with the success of the grand opening. He meticulously cleaned the shop and his tools before heading back upstairs to his living quarters.

"You did amazing today, Raven," Jayden praised the feline, offering her another treat.

He sat on the sofa, his chest filled with a sense of accomplishment as he counted the day's earnings. The thought of impending taxes dampened his mood momentarily, but he quickly shook it off.

"In any case, the first day went better than I ever thought it would. Let's hope this momentum carries through the rest of the week." Jayden thought optimistically as he envisioned a future filled with satisfied customers and a thriving community around Barbet.