Give Me A Reason To Fall In Love

Chapter I

    Why was this happening? The block used to be home to nothing but simple people with their simple shops and simple lives, and everything was peaceful. Everyone who lived in the area was kind and generous. In fact, the crime rate was so low here that residents never had to worry if they accidentally forgot to lock their doors at night And Bonnie loved that safe atmosphere.

Only now, he wasn't positive how long that sense of security was going to last. Sensei had told him and Chica earlier that morning that the new neighbors were moving in right across the street today, but the main problem was that they were going to be the owners of a new tattoo parlor.

Bonnie grimaced at the idea of tattooed low-lives walking these streets and disrupting the tranquility of the neighborhood. Especially since the beginning of the impending madness was going to be right here in front of their flower shop.

That venue used to belong to a nice elderly couple who owned a barber shop for about eight years, but they decided to move further into the city since business was slow and they scarcely made any income in this particular location. Bonnie knew he would miss them. They always came by the shop to buy bouqets of flowers for their place, and Chica and Bonnie always enjoyed their company. Every once in a while, Bonnie would return the favor by going in just to have his hair trimmed and provide the couple with some business, which they always appreciated.

But they moved out weeks ago. And ever since then, their venue has been going through some massive renovations just to be suitable for the new owners. The parlor was finally ready for business at the beginning of the week, but Sensei heard word that it wouldn't be opening for another three days.

Bonnie didn't want it to open, though. He wanted to find a way to shut them down for suspected illegal activity or something. Anything to get them off of this street. Chica and Sensei didn't mind, however. In fact, they made plans-- without Bonnie's knowing of-- to welcome the new neighbors as soon as they were settled in and ready to mingle with the other residents on the block.

So here Bonnie was at the front of the shop, watering the flowers displayed outside and sneaking glances at some of the newcomers. And just as he had suspected, they were all a bunch of low-life misfits who left the big city probably to hide from their troubles and misfortune or to taint the untainted. Bonnie laughed to himself and looked back at the variety of characters walking in and out of the new parlor. Each person looked completely insane, with one looking even more bizarre than the last.

Bonnie scoffed. What a bunch of freaks.

The scraggly florist continued to observe the freak show moving in across the street until his eyes focused on one of the "menaces to society."

This particular guy was wearing all black clothes, and from what Bonnie could tell, there were strange patches of scars littering his entire body accompanied by some strange stitching on his right wrist . The top of his head was a mess of red hair which stood up in several places in complete and utter disarray.

He was tall and lengthy, too-- something Bonnie noticed right away when the man walked past a little white-haired girl who was moving in with them, as well-- weird. And when the sun shone directly at him, his several piercings reflected the light straight into Bonnie's eyes, making him grimace.

Was this guy for real?

In that instance, Bonnie noticed the other man had stopped moving. Their new neighbor was now looking straight at the purple-haired florist who was subconsciously watering his feet instead of the flowers. The cold pool of water forming in his shoes startled him, and he immediately lifted the watering can upright to stop it. He then went back to looking at the stranger.