Belle is a young woman that used to live on the streets after running away from home and her abusive drunkard father. She was only on the street a few months before she managed to land a job and collected enough for a livable flat.
Nosty's been on the streets for some time now, running around bullying other homeless kids for the money they managed to get. He could be a down right disgusting wanker, wild, and practically unpredictable.
One day, Nosty saw a young woman, Belle, meet his eyes, smiled, and continued on. Normally, Nosty would have ran after her and threaten her, thinking that she was mocking him. However, he just grinned back as he played with the box cutter in his hand.
A few days later, Belle came up and greeted him with a pleasant smiled on her face. Nosty was caught off guard; no one approached him except a few of the urchins he chose to associate with. He gave her the once over with skeptic eyes. She wore a worn light blue jumper, slightly tattered jeans, and tennies. This girl looked like she could be one of them.
"What do you want, girl?" He snapped like he was irritated.
Belle flinched but not in fear just from his loudness. "Nothing!" She snapped back, and he jumped down from his perch.
"Then what are you doing here?" He asked closing the space between them. Normally he would force himself on her in some way, which is what the others expected, but this time he didn't. There was something he sensed off of this one that made him want to not be a jerk.
"To give you this," she stated obviously flustered, her cheeks slightly red. Belle slipped some money into his hand.
Nosty looked at the cash and back at her with confusion. This chick didn't owe him money, and he didn't ask for it. "Why are you giving this to me?" He asked holding the money out in his open hand.
Belle shrugged nonchalantly. "I wanted to help you out I guess. But please buy food or something to benefit your health." She pleaded with him.
"How come?" Nosty challenged as he slipped the money into his pocket.
"Can we walk? I'll explain." Belle suggested softly. Nosty looked over at the guys that were watching intently.
"Yeah, sure," he agreed and the boys started hooting and and acting like fools. "Fuck off!" Nosty barked as he turned on them. "Go work some corners!" Belle looked around him at the others a little nervously. "Let's go," Nosty snapped and stormed off.
Belle hurried after him. She had spent time on the street, but she had never been involved with such rowdy people. "I know you don't know me, but for some reason you caught my eye. I want to help you if I can."
"Why me?" Nosty asked sharply when they were a block away. "Most don't look my way once let alone twice. Why did you?" That's when he stopped and rounded on her. He was glaring at her.
Belle took a deep breath to keep her composure. Then she looked him square in the eye and smiled warmly. Once again he was taken back. "It's your eyes. They sing a completely different song than your mouth."
"Oh yeah? How would you know?" He barked, getting right up in her face. Belle did her best not to gag due to his stench. "Our eyes met once, over a distance."
"So you noticed me." She stated, and her smile changed into a grin. Nosty pressed his lips thin, getting irritated.
"So what if I did?" He spat, and she merely closed her eyes.
"Please calm down. I mean no harm. I saw such sadness, hurt, confusion, and longing." Belle stated gently as she ran her right hand along a building wall. "I ran away from home too. I don't know your story, but my story is an abusive, drunkard father." She said lowly and carefully.