The rest of the day they had two periods of digital skills lesson, the classroom was very big and there were more than forty computer. Apparently this class was together with another class. Silver went under the table to press the button to start up the computers as other students were doing the same. Silver crawled back out from under the desk and ``Ouch!'' hit their head, rubbing their head the youngster opened their eyes which quickly widened in shock.
``Hmm yeah that's how I like to see you,'' Scourge was standing close in front of the ivory youngster who was still on their knees and facing Scourge's crotch. His friend behind him started laughing. Silver looked up at him a bit angry and wanted to stand up, but Scourge laid a hand on Silver's shoulder to hold them down. ``You're right where you're supposed to be,'' Scourge whispered.
``Come on! Keep moving, you're holding up the line,'' Sonic yelled from the front of the class where all the students lined up. Tails also came out from under the desk and saw how Scourge and Silver were looking at each other just for a moment.
Scourge grinned a he came closer to Silver and whispered so nobody else could hear, ``After school we can pick up where we left off two days ago.'' Silver shivered and looked angry at Scourge. Scourge kept on moving and sat down next to Shadow who was surprisingly early in class. He looked angry at Scourge and quickly started to whisper but Silver couldn't hear them over the murmuring of all the students looking for a seat.
``That hedgehog is such a creep,'' Tails said as they both stood up.
``I can't believe we have this class together with them,'' which meant that every Thursday they would be in the same room with him for 3 hours as one lesson always lasted 90 minutes. The line of students moved on and Sonic sat next to Silver.
``What did Scourge want?'' he asked Silver.
``It was nothing.''
``Are you sure, I know Scourge and I should tell you to just be careful around him, he has a reputation but I can't say too much of it.''
``What do you mean.''
``As class president I know certain things, but I'm not allowed to talk about it,'' Sonic said a bit mysterious, ``Let me just give you some advice, make sure you never end up alone with Scourge.''
Silver nodded as they understood what Sonic was talking about.
``I've heard he's dangerous, but why doesn't the school kick him out if it's true?'' Tails asked.
``Well that's the problem, we don't really know if it's true and how dangerous he really is. There is a lot of talking but nobody ever officially reported something happened. It could all just be rumours, or people are just too scared to say something.''
Silver focused their attention on the computer as they didn't want to be a part of this conversation and started to log in.
``Shadow is the only one who can restrain him,'' Sonic continued. Silver looked over at the gang and Shadow was still whispering frustrated while Scourge just listened and rolled his eyes annoyed by his boss lecturing him.
``What is Shadow's deal?'' Silver asked curious.
``Oh Shadow isn't all that bad anymore.''
``Anymore?''
``Sorry I shouldn't have said that, just forget it,'' Sonic quickly said. The class started so they couldn't continue their conversation. Silver looked at Scourge and Shadow again who were now quiet. Scourge was just leaning back in their office chair with his arms crossed looking irritated. Shadow was still keeping an eye on him. Silver turned his attention back to the class.
_________________________________
The lesson wasn't that interesting but Silver felt relieved nothing weird happened, with the full gang together in the same classroom it could probably have been a lot worse.
``Do you want to go to the library?'' Silver asked and quickly gathered all their stuff wanting to leave the room as quickly as possible so Scourge wouldn't be able to do anything.
``Oh sorry Silver, I promised my dad to help him further after school. I promise next week I will go to the library with you, I also think we`ll have a lot more homework by then.''
``That's okay, not a problem.''
``Bye the way,'' Sonic asked before they left, ``Are you two coming to the party tomorrow?''
``Yeah we have permission, but my dad will pick us up at 1 am.'' Tails replied.
``Awesome! Will see you there then,'' he said and stood up to leave. Tails followed and Silver just headed for the library, they thought it would be a good idea to focus on electrical engineering some more and finish their history homework. There were a lot more students in the library than last time. They were quietly sitting in groups, reading and mumbling silently. Silver took their place next to the window, where no other students were sitting.
All of a sudden Silver heard someone passing by outside.
``Argh Shadow is really starting to get on my nerves!'' Scourge yelled frustrated and took his place on the picknick bench followed by Jet and Vector. Scourge quickly lit their cigarette, ``Why is he being such a pain in the ass lately?''
Silver looked out the window over their book to see the three of them.
``I don't know but there is something up with Shadow and that new student in our class,'' Jet replied. ``Today she was constantly looking over at Shadow, and he doesn't seem like himself lately.''
Scourge thought for a moment. ``What is the deal with that kid, I thought Shadow was only attracted to powerful people. This kid just seems really ordinary.''
``I don't get it either, that girl is looks basic as hell. Maybe we need to get Shadow's mind back in the game,'' Jet said. ``I've heard that Rouge is coming to the party tomorrow, maybe she can set his mind straight again."
``Oh yeah, good idea, she is always a good distraction,'' Scourge said, ``I'm wondering if that new kid will be there as well.'' Scourge bit his lip thinking of the possibilities, all the things he could do while Shadow was busy with that bat. ``Where are Shadow and Espio by the way?''
``They both had to leave for work,'' Jet replied.
``Hmmm good,'' Scourge said lost in thoughts. ``Could you guys do something for me tomorrow?'' Jet and Vector looked a bit confused, ``Could you two make sure Shadow stays out of my way at the party."
``Yeah okay, but what for?'' Vector asked, Scourge grinned.
``Hi Silver! What's up!'' Silver gasped in shock and dropped their books as they snapped out of their concentration following the conversation outside.
``Hi girls!'' Silver said a bit awkwardly as they were kind of hoping to get some homework done.
``Oops sorry, we didn't want to scare you.'' The girls from art class sat down at the table and Marine picked up Silver's books.
``So are you all going to the party tomorrow?'' Nicole asked in general. Silver tried to focus on the gang outside but it was hard to understand Scourge.
``Yeah, I can't wait!''
``It's gonna be so much fun.''
``Will you also be there Silver?'' Silver gave up on trying to find out what Scourge was talking about. And joined the conversation.
``Yeah I'm going as well, with Tails.''
``Oooeeh!'' They all responded
``Who is Tails? Your boyfriend.''
``What! No way, we are more like brothers.'' They all went quiet and stared at them a bit confused. ``What?'' Silver asked confused. The girls looked at each other and back to Silver. ``What?'' Silver asked again. They all looked Silver up and down very focused. ``Seriously what!'' Silver repeated louder.
``Sorry Silver, uhm, it's a bit awkward but, we kinda thought you were a girl,'' Sally said carefully.
Silver sighed, ``Well I'm not.''
``So you're a boy!''
``Well... it's complicated.''
``What do you mean?'' Nicole asked confused.
Silver sighed again as this was always a bit difficult to explain. Most people either didn't get it or thought it was stupid. ``I'm non-binary,'' Silver said and they all looked a bit confused, ``That means, that biologically speaking I'm a boy, but mentally I've never felt like I belong in this body, but I don't feel like a girl either. I just feel like I'm me.'' Silver explained.
``OMG, that's so cute!'' Honey yelped, ``So does that mean you're gay!?'' she asked eagerly.
Silver facepalmed as this was an assumption many people had, ``No, gender and sexuality are two different things.''
``But are you?''
``No!... I don't know, I don't think so... I haven't figured love out yet,'' Silver said doubtfully and blushed a bit.
``Aaaahw! You're so cute,'' Nicole said, making Silver blush a bit more.
``Sorry I didn't tell you earlier, but I don't really feel comfortable talking about it much. I hope you don't start treating me differently now,'' Silver said a bit questionable. The girl looked at each other as if they were reading each other's minds and agreeing on something.
``Yes of course.''
``Thank you for telling us.''
``Yeah that's really brave.''
``Here, have a cookie!'' Nicole said and passed the bag. Silver smiled and took a cookie.
``Thank you for accepting me, but could you please keep it to yourself. I'm not ready for the others to know yet.''
They all nodded, ``Of course, some secrets are yours to tell.'' They all went over to Silver to give them a big hug, which made Silver's eyes water, but they quickly controlled it to not get too emotional.
