“Welcome to Charleston Avenue!” Lisa greeted as she heard the door chime. “Well, hello there, little flower,” Chaos called out. He couldn’t quite see where she greeted him from. Lisa popped out from behind a large flower display and gave a bright smile. “Well, to what do I owe this pleasure?” Lisa signaled him to come deeper into the shop. “I— well—“ Chaos stammered, “You see— the thing is—“ “What do you have behind your back there?” Lisa tried to peek around, curious. “W-wait! I have something to ask you,” Chaos turned so she couldn’t see. “Is everything okay?” Lisa asked, concerned. “Yes!” “Are you sure? If you need help with anything, I will try my best,” Lisa nodded in encouragement. “Little flower,” Chaos steered her towards the table where he and Mr. Wilson once sat and had a chat, “can you just sit there for a moment?” “Okay?” Lisa said slowly, taking a seat. Chaos ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. He looked down at Lisa, who was patiently waiting for him to ask her what he needed to ask. Ben groaned quietly from behind another display. “Come on, man,” Ben thought to himself. Chaos started pacing, “Well, you see, little flower— Lisa! Lisa,” he corrected himself. “You can keep calling me little flower! I don’t mind. I think it’s cute,” Lisa chimed. “Ah! Okay,” Chaos nodded, blushing, “Well, Lisa— err— little flower….” Lisa nodded in encouragement, smiling. “You see,” Chaos cleared his throat, “when two people like each other, sometimes one wants to ask to ask the other person things, but Ah— this is hard….” “Did— he just try to explain the birds and the bees here?” Ben thought, “Come on, boy-next-door. You’re better than that.” “Just take a deep breath,” Lisa suggested, “I’m not going anywhere, and Ben is helping me out, so if any customers come in, he will assist them. You have my undivided attention.” “Wait, Ben is here?” Chaos panicked. “Yes! Why is that surprising?” Lisa tilted her head to the side. Chaos remembered the thing Ben said about performance anxiety, “No reason!” Lisa stood up and took Chaos’s hand, “Spencer, you can tell me anything. It’s okay.” Chaos took a deep breath and presented Lisa with the flowers he held behind his back. “Spencer!” Lisa breathed, “Are these for me?” “Well, I remembered you said that you’d like to get flowers from someone who is trying to date you,” Chaos muttered. “You remembered I said that?” Lisa beamed as she looked over the arrangement. “I remember a lot of things about you, little flower,” Chaos nodded, “you’re on my mind a lot… which is why I wanted to… Uhm…” Lisa smiled brightly at him, excited that he had given her flowers. Chaos chuckled nervously, then cleared his throat, “Lisa, will you… go out with me… as my girlfriend?” Lisa stared at Chaos for a long moment. “If you don’t want to, that’s okay. Wait! Why are you crying? Don’t cry, little flower,” Chaos waved his hands nervously, “Oof!” Lisa jumped up and hugged him, “Of course, I’ll be your girlfriend, silly. I was just— this is so sweet!” Chaos sighed in relief, leaning down to hug her back, “Thank you.” “No, no, dear boyfriend. Thank you,” Lisa kissed him on the cheek. “Y-you’re welcome!” Chaos stammered. “Finally! My god!” Ben threw his hands in the air then backtracked, “I mean, congratulations!” “Thanks, Ben,” Lisa called back to him. “Do you want to go somewhere? After the shop closes, I mean,” Chaos asked. “Of course! Did you have anywhere in mind?” “There’s this movie out right now, about some people who are out camping, and some aliens show up,” Chaos explained. “I know which one you’re talking about! I want to see that one! Let me know when I should be ready!” Lisa agreed, finding a lovely vase for her flowers. “Is 8:00 enough time?” “It’s perfect, Spencer.” “Okay. I’ll see you then!” Chaos waved, exiting the shop. He sighed in relief as he got into the car. “I’m going to guess by the fact that you’re blushing and grinning like a fool that she said yes and agreed to go to that corny movie, boss,” Charles said, putting the car in drive. “It’s not corny! But yes. Yes, she did,” Chaos nodded. “Good,” Charles smiled, not just because his friend finally asked the girl he likes out, but that Victor now owes him $500 since Chaos didn’t chicken out this time. — Lector walked into a disaster in Chaos’s room. “Boss?” Lector found him in his closet, trying on every article of clothing he owned. Lector sighed and shook his head. “Boss, let me help you before you wrinkle all of your clothes,” Lector said, picking up the mountain of suits and button-downs and slacks on the floor, “Are you bringing her here to our theater or going to one in town?” Chaos looked at Lector lost, “I haven’t decided.” Lector chuckled, “I understand, boss. Still on cloud nine. For this first movie, you should probably go to one in town. I’m sure Lisa is dying to show you off as much as you want to do to her, and us goons already know what you like in and out of your work attire.” “Good point, Lector,” Chaos nodded. “Are you going to share popcorn?” Lector added, considering Chaos’s clothes now that he organized and put them back up. “I don’t know… I guess that’s up to her?” Chaos shrugged. “It would be romantic, like the movies! You’ll both be into the movie and then touch hands accidentally and—“ “Okay, Lector. You don’t have to do the play-by-play of sharing popcorn,” Chaos put a hand to his face. “Boss, are you worried about holding Lisa’s hand?” Lector raised his eyebrows. “No!” “Okay. I was worried. Usually, you’re smoother than this, boss,” Lector found a shirt he liked. “Well, Lisa isn’t just any woman, Lector,” Chaos muttered. Lector laughed, “I know, boss. I don’t know. It’s just nice to see you happy and a little bashful. It makes me feel better about my nerves.” Chaos nodded. Lector gets a little affectionate when he’s drunk but sober, Lector is pretty shy. It took him a couple of weeks to apologize to Lisa after she tossed him out of the bar. “You don’t seem that nervous, Lector. I heard your shopping trip with Lisa and Veronica went over really well!” “Because we were talking about clothes, boss. When it comes to clothes and guns and helping other people out, I’m pretty okay. For myself, not so much,” Lector blushed. “What happened to that sniper you were talking to at the gun convention?” Chaos raised his eyebrows. Lector shook his head, “She was out of my league, boss.” Chaos put his hands on Lector’s shoulders, “Lector, you may have your quirks, but you are a catch. Don’t forget that.” “Gee, thanks, boss!” Lector smiled, “I think I have your outfit picked out.” “Lector, you’re a genius!” “I wouldn’t go that far, boss, but I’m glad you like it. I think Lisa will like it, too,” Lector beamed. “Lector, don’t sell yourself short. Your sister may have been the only one in your life before that appreciates you as a person, but now in Chaos Corps. we all appreciate you, buddy, and you’re a lot smarter than you give yourself credit for,” Chaos nodded, “Wait! Lector! Why am I making everyone cry today?” Lector hugged Chaos picking him up off the floor, “You’re the best boss anyone can ask for.” Chaos pat him on the head, “I’m glad you think so.” “I’ll let you get ready now,” Lector sniffled and waved as he exited Chaos’s room. “Did the boss compliment you again?” he heard another one of his employees passing by in the hall, “you know we all think you’re cool, right? Wait! Lector! Put me down! Awe, here’s a tissue, buddy.” Chaos shook his head as he heard their footsteps and conversations recede to the elevator. He checked himself out in the mirror. Lector put together a semi-casual outfit—faux leather oxfords with dark-washed boot-cut jeans and a three-quarter-sleeved, black button down. Chaos looked himself over. “Lector is a genius,” Chaos grinned, deciding what to do with his hair. He noticed a note in his breast pocket. It was from Lector. “Swept back, boss.” “It’s like he’s psychic,” Chaos shook his head, following Lector’s note. — Chaos waited outside the shop for Lisa to come down. He forgot to breathe when she stepped out. Lisa was wearing a calf-length dress with semi-formal-looking flats. Her hair was down instead of the usual messy bun. “Well, you look extra handsome this evening,” Lisa smiled. “You, too… I mean! You look beautiful. I mean— you always look beautiful,” Chaos stammered. Lisa pulled him down for a kiss on the cheek, “It’s okay. I’m a little nervous, too.” “Really?” “Of course! I’ve been waiting for this day, and now that it’s here, I’ve got butterflies,” Lisa brushed a hair behind her ear. “Well, little flower, the wait is over,” he held the car door open for her. “Such a gentleman!” Lisa smiled, getting in, “I rarely see you drive. Is Charles off for the evening?” “I figured I would do the driving today so it would just be the two of us,” Chaos started driving to the theater. As Lector predicted, they got one large popcorn. They were getting adjusted in their seats when a familiar voice cut through the air like nails on a chalkboard. “I see you’re out with him again,” the Jet rolled his eyes as he walked down the aisle with three new women. “Of course, I’m out enjoying a date with my boyfriend,” Lisa said flatly. “Boyfriend? Are you crazy?” The Jet exclaimed. “No, what was crazy was going on a date with you at all,” Lisa replied. “Jet, can you not today?” Chaos sighed. “Who are they, Jet?” One of the girls asked. “Oh, just some girl who can’t let go of the past and my ex-foster brother,” the Jet shrugged, leading them off to find their seats. “You and the Jet were...?” Lisa began to ask. “Yeah, our history runs pretty deep. I don’t want to talk about the past,” Chaos held Lisa’s hand, “Let’s just enjoy our date.” Lisa looked down at their hands. Before Chaos could get nervous and pull away, she gently held his in both of hers and leaned over to rest her head on his shoulder. Chaos’s heart was beating so loud he’s pretty sure he didn’t hear any of the previews or the first five minutes of the movie. — When the movie let out, Lisa and Chaos excitedly talked about different aspects of the film. They went for a quick bite to eat. Lisa sat next to Chaos in the booth. “You get so nervous around me, Spencer!” Lisa noted, “I promise I don’t bite— unless you want me to.” “Maybe a little— wait! No! I mean,” Chaos stammered. Lisa laughed, “It’s okay. I think it’s sweet.” When they finished dinner and a walk through the park, Chaos took Lisa home. They stood outside the door to the shop. “Well, good night, little flower,” Chaos looked down at her. “Good night, Spencer,” Lisa smiled up at him. They stood there in silence for several moments. Chaos thought, “Why is she not going in? Is she waiting for someone?” Lisa sighed, “It’s okay. I’ll see you soon!” She walked into the shop closing the door. — “YOU DIDN’T KISS HER GOOD NIGHT?” Veronica shouted, “BOSS, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?” “I— didn’t realize that’s what she would have been waiting for,” Chaos had his head down on the table in shame as Veronica finished making Chaos, Charles, Victor, and Lector’s breakfast. “Boss, Lisa doesn’t have a problem being assertive,” Charles began. “Don’t I know it,” Chaos groaned. “And she really doesn’t care about that gender norms crap which is why she comes onto you and teases you the way she does,” Charles continued. “What are you getting at, Charles?” Chaos looked up at him. “Boss, you’re going to have to start making the first move sometimes. I know for a fact that this is a skill that is not lost on you,” Charles reprimanded. “I know that!” Chaos shot back, “it’s just….” “That monstrosity in your pants is going to change colors and fall off if you don’t get more assertive,” Charles muttered. “The boss has a monster in his pants?” Lector exclaimed, “Boss, you need to get that checked out.” “That’s not—“ Charles began. Victor whispered to Lector. “Oh? Oh!” Lector laughed, “that kind of monstrosity. Got it. I knew the boss had balls of brass, so it’s no surprise he’s packing.” Chaos turned a shade of red, “Err— thanks, Lector.” “Blue balls aside,” Veronica continued, “Boss, you’re the perfect gentleman, and you care about Lisa.” “Of course I do!” “Then nut up and be a little more aggressive,” Veronica declared. “Veronica!” Victor exclaimed. “Why are you surprised, Vic? You should have seen the things she picked for Lisa when we got her ready for their first date. I had no clue women could be so pervy,” Lector laughed. “I’m not the one who was all, ‘This outfit screams, I have a nice rack and ass, but my face and shoulders are nice, too,’” Veronica mimicked. “What she does! I was appreciating Lisa from afar and helped her pick nice clothes. You were the handsy one,” Lector argued. “Well, it’s like you said, she has a nice rack and ass,” Veronica muttered, “I couldn’t help but get a little handsy….” “Veronica!” Victor and Chaos exclaimed at the same time. “Huh, I never would have pegged you as someone who would like women, too,” Charles crossed his arms. “I mean, I don’t like them like that to the extent you’re thinking, but I can appreciate art,” Veronica crossed her arms back. “I’m definitely gay, but I, too, can appreciate when a female looks pretty and has a nice rack and a—“ Charles began. “I’m about to kill all of you,” Chaos muttered. “Sorry, boss!” The men all exclaimed, but Veronica couldn’t help but stifle giggles. “Boss,” Veronica wiped a tear from her eye, “You do realize that you can do more than look.” “Well, yeah.” “And you do realize that she wants you to do more than look?” Veronica insisted. Chaos blushed and fidgeted, “Well, I know that… it’s not like I don’t want to….” Veronica sighed, “Maybe some role play might help. Vic, you’re up.” “Why me?” Victor exclaimed. “Because he can’t role play with me. That is something I only do with you, and teacher won’t give you corporal punishment later if you don’t comply and help the boss,” Veronica warned. “Yes, ma’am,” Victor stood up, “What? Veronica’s sexy school teacher is my favorite….” “The two of you are freaks,” Charles facepalmed. “Wait! I didn’t agree to these shenanigans,” Chaos exclaimed. “If you’re not comfortable with Vic, I can do it,” Lector volunteered. “Why would he be uncomfortable with me?” Victor was indignant. “Will you two quit arguing! Vic, you’re doing this! You and the boss stand over there,” Veronica instructed. Chaos and Victor grumbled and stood up. “Okay, now boss, how would you go about seducing Lisa,” Veronica asked, “Victor, you better do your part, too!” Victor rolled his eyes and did his best Lisa impersonation, “Oh, boss, you are so adorable!” “Okay, boss, now you go,” Veronica encouraged. Chaos stood there awkwardly. “Boss, what are you doing?” “What he normally does when Lisa talks to him,” Charles teased. “Shut up, Charles.” “Boss…” Veronica shook her head, “nut up.” Chaos sighed and looked at Victor, determined. Victor was still doing his best Lisa impersonation. “Little flower,” Chaos began, grabbing Victor’s hand. “Yes, boss?” Victor was doing his best falsetto. Chaos laced their fingers, “I—“ “Mm-hmm?” Victor fluttered his eyelashes. Chaos looked at Veronica. “Obviously, talking is a problem for you, so just do actions… like how would you go about initiating a kiss with Lisa?” Veronica instructed. Chaos cleared his throat. He pulled Victor closer to him, wrapping an arm around his waist and brushing imaginary hair to the side, caressing his cheek. Both Veronica and Charles were at the front of their seats. “Good! Very good,” Veronica encouraged. Chaos leaned in close. Victor, who usually isn’t into this sort of thing, was enamored by Chaos’s steeled conviction in his eyes. They closed their eyes. “Wait!” Lector yelled, “You can’t kiss, Vic!” “Shut up, Lector! That’s Lisa,” Veronica and Charles had their phones pulled out. “I think we’re done here,” Chaos stomped off. “Damn it, Lector!” Veronica whined, “We were so close! Vic? Vic!” Victor was still entranced, then shook his head, “What? What!” “Okay, yeah, that was a bad idea,” Veronica was now suddenly jealous of Chaos. “Veronica! Don’t be jealous of the boss! He’s just so— enchanting for a dude,” Victor waved his hands. Veronica crossed her arms. “Honest!” “If you liked it so much, I suppose I can role play as the boss sometimes,” Veronica pouted. “No— please don’t,” Victor facepalmed. — Chaos slumped into his office chair. They weren’t wrong. He was going to have to be more assertive. “And it’s not because of my personal problem I seem to be having,” Chaos muttered, “fucking Charles and Ben….” He looked down at his crotch and sighed, “I am going to probably catch a cold with all these cold showers… damn it. No! I don’t need to be that assertive yet! I have to figure out at least how to kiss her sober first….” Chaos put his head in his hands, “Damn it. I’m not going to be able to focus on work now.” His phone buzzed as if on cue. It was a text from “Dangerous Little Flower.” Dangerous Little Flower: If you’re free on Friday, would you like to go to the theme park on the boardwalk? Chaos sighed in relief, “At least she’s not mad….” He looked at his calendar. Chaos: I am free! What time do you want me to pick you up? Dangerous Little Flower: I’m going to have Mr. Wilson and Ben close up the shop for me, so we can go at four if you want. Chaos: Okay! I’ll see you then! Chaos smiled down at his phone, then looked determined. “I will be that oak tree, damn it….”