Chapter 2: Blue Jeans

Blue jeans. White shirt.

Walked into the room, you know you made my eyes burn.

It was like James Dean, for sure.

You're so fresh to death and sick as ca-cancer.

- Lana Del Rey

3rd person POV

Karamatsu was running away as fast as he could. He had forgotten about who he running from long ago, all he remembered was red. Everything turned crimson around him and nothing made sense anymore. All he knew was that he couldn't stop running.

There was somewhere he needed to be, someone he needed to save, and someone he had to escape. Karamatsu tripped on tree roots. He was suddenly in a forest. No longer was his sight blinded by red, but by the darkness that enveloped the heavily-forested woods. The forest was completely empty, save for him and the palpable silence that suffocated the place.

Suddenly: movement.

A flash of red.

Panic rushed over Karamatsu and he took off running again. As long as He was still hot on his tail, his loved one was in danger.

They were all in danger. And yet he couldn't stop loving him. He was psychotic- and yet he adored it.
He stopped running and turned to face him. They were face to face, slowly inching closer. Karamatsu decided to take the first step and rush forward. They united in a passionate kiss.

' I'm doing this to save you... Sonic. '

Karamatsu awoke with a start, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. What exactly did he dream last night? He couldn't remember much: the color red, the taste of familiar lips... and Sonic. He shook the dream from his mind and got ready for work. After a short shower, he approached his wardrobe to decide what to wear for the day.

Blue jeans, leather jacket, white shirt. James Dean style. He felt being a Rebel Without Cause today.

As he headed to the kitchen he checked the time: 7:04 a.m. Enough time to make a small snack and still make it to work by 7:30. Karamatsu stared at the lone chair at the table before taking a seat. A rush of loneliness enveloped him, followed by the familiar tinge of regret. Oh, what Karamatsu would do to have breakfast with his family again, but he knew it was too late for that; he had made his choice.

A lot had changed ever since he decided to leave home. He was no longer as narcissistic or vain as before, he avoided anything too flashy as well. Nonetheless, he still dressed with style. Responsibility was a must for his new lifestyle, and he became much more organized-but that's not saying much. He had paid his bills moderately on time with other small part time jobs in the past, hopefully the flower shop would help him earn a little more money. Not only that, but he felt his perspective on love had also changed...

After breakfast, he quickly rushed over to work. He opened the door and was met with Naomi, the owner of the flower shop. Naomi was a tall, slim woman of 24 with short hair and bright green eyes. She had a charming personality and was always very nice to Karamatsu. When he explained his situation and the need for a job, she hired him right away. It was only the second day and yet she greeted him with a warm smile a plate of cookies. "Good morning Karamatsu Darling, would you like some cookies I brought today?" Chocolate chip cookies, he couldn't resist himself.

"Thank you Naomi-san"

"Oh please, just call me Naomi, I insist."

The clock hit 7:30 and so the work began. Karamatsu began making bouquets and flower arrangements galore, each with different meanings. Freesias and Alstroemaria with a few Statice for friendship, different arrangements of roses, Gladiolus, Heather, and Hydrangea for mothers or sisters. Also, Tulips for marriage proposals.

He worked non-stop as he decorated the flower bouquets with ribbons and put them in beautiful flower vases or baskets. Once in a while, he would wonder if anyone would ever give him flowers that had a special meaning too. Karamatsu sighed at the thought. If only Sonic would-

"Karamatsu! Darling! Time to take a lunch break!" Naomi interrupted his thoughts as she called from the other room.

He headed to the cash register and took out his lunch from the mini fridge under it. "You should stay for today and have lunch with me Karamatsu. And if you'd like we can also talk about the new flower shipments we're getting" Naomi looked slightly nervous as she asked and there was the slightest hint of a blush adorning her cheeks, but Karmatsu didn't seem to notice. He just smiled and replied, "Sure, why not!"

Then, it happened.

So far, the day was normal and completely ordinary...but nothing stays ordinary when he shows up.

Karamatsu POV

My back was turned to the door when I heard it. The small tinkling sound of the bell that indicated we had a customer. The sound was enough to interrupt Naomi and my conversation, and at any other time we would have been glad to hear it- had we not been on our lunch break.

Irritated, I turn and speak, "Sorry sir, but we're on lunch brea-"

It was Sonic. Whatever it was that I was about to say dissolved in my mouth.

He looked just as perfect as yesterday. Too perfect. Did this guy have any flaws?
"Great, what do I do?" I thought. Sonic looked almost as nervous as I did for a split second, but then he smiled and approached me. I felt like prey, and Sonic was the hunter. One word from him and I would get on my knees.

"Karamatsu, right? I'd remember that face anywhere." I was shocked, Sonic actually remembered who I was? My heart felt like beating out of my chest. I replied as non-chalantly as I could, "Ah, yes and you're Sonic right? What brings you here? You do know we are on our lunch break." I pointed behind me to Naomi, who was reheating her bowl of Oden. Sonic lowered his head to the ground and then he looked back up at me with those deep emerald eyes. I searched his face for any inconsistent features only to find none. Every single part of him was perfect.

"Actually, I came here to see you." Sonic replied.

Naomi choked on her drink.

Had I heard right?

"Naomi, could you please give us a minute?" I asked. "Sure thing Darling." she answered back. I never realized that she left the door the tiniest bit open.

"So Sonic, what brings you here?" I asked. "I came here to make up for yesterday as promised. By the way, those flowers you gave me are simply stunning, I guess I'll have to come by more often for more" Sonic said as he winked at me. I blushed, feeling truly appreciated, "It's nothing really, just a few peony and lilacs." I quickly answer. He seemed to contemplate my response. "Oh yes, the perfect mix of bashful, youthful innocence. Well, you sure know how to pick them, though I do prefer Fleur de lis." Once again I was completely amazed. He knew the meaning behind flowers? and French? Was there anything he couldn't do?

"So you know different meanings for flowers?" I asked. "Of course, I specialize in all sorts of things." He whispered into my ear. I shivered, not only because of the whisper, but because of how close we were. I was leaning against the flower shelves and Sonic was leaning against me. This would have been the part of the movie when the protagonist (me) turns around, grabs the love interest by the hair and kisses him passionately and they magically out of nowhere end up in a bed. Sadly, I like to play hard-to-get, it's time for a challenge. "I guess if you're as good as you say, you wouldn't mind help around the place a bit" I say as I purposely make distance between me and him. Sonic notices this and smirks. "As long as you're here, ma petit fleur I would work here everyday."

I quickly turn my head to hide the blush that creeps up my face.

"S-So, how did y-you want to make up for the f-f-flowers?" I stuttered out. Sonic seemed to remember what he had come for. "Oh yes, I wanted to know if you'd like to have a go out for a drink? Are you available this Friday?"

I wanted to squeal like a giddy fangirl, but I'll leave that to Choromatsu. Instead I simply reply, "Sure whenever you'd like." Sonic's face seemed to light up, which made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. "Great Kara, I'll pick you up right after work, when is your shift over?" "At 6p.m."

"6 p.m. it is.I'll come by and visit you tomorrow as well. Until then, Kara." I walked him to the door, and I could have sworn he whispered "Parting is such sweet sorrow~" and like that, he vanished in a blur.

"Until then, Sonic. My Romeo."

That was the second time I saw Sonic the Hedgehog.