``Why weren't you paying attention in class?'' Tails asked confused.
``Well...'' Silver started doubtfully, ``Shadow was practising his guitar outside. I just wanted to listen.''
``Silver you need to be careful,'' Tails spoke sternly to his friend, ``You already got extra homework for coming in late at geography and now you also have detention for chemistry, all in one week. That isn't like you.''
``I know,'' Silver spoke ashamed.
``Just keep in mind that it's a great opportunity for you to be here at college, please don't mess it up.''
``It's just hard,'' Silver complained.
``It isn't that hard at all, you just need to focus on what's important.''
``Yeah I know.''
Silver went to music class and Tails followed because he wanted to start his research on virtuoso during this class. They entered the theatre hall where some students were already practising and Silver immediately spotted Shadow on stage, and their heart skipped a beat when Shadow looked up at them. He wanted to come over to talk to Silver but all the other students also stopped practising when they saw Silver and went over enthusiastically. Shadow looked disappointed not being able to talk to Silver privately.
``Thank you so much for filling in for me,'' Mathilda said as first, ``I felt so guilty for getting that annoying migraine. But I saw you did great!''
``Yeah Silver really did do so good!'' The bass player added.
``I have to say I'm very proud of you Silver,'' The teacher said. ``The band really took a big risk by letting you play.''
``I know, but it's all Sonic's fault,'' Silver joked, ``He was guilt tripping me.''
``Hey don't blame me that you're an amazing pianist,'' Sonic replied with a shrug holding up his hands.
``Did you like playing in the band?'' The teacher asked.
``Yeah it sure was fun, but also kinda scary.'' Silver said with mixed feelings.
``I'm not surprised, I could see you were nervous from the videos but when you started playing it went really well,'' She continued as Silver smiled proudly. ``Well let's start today's lesson.''
During the lesson Silver continued learning how to read sheet music with Mathilda helping them. For now Tails only took some notes for his research. It was interesting to see that Silver had difficulties reading the sheet music but after they had tried a song two times it all went flawlessly. But Silver didn't look over at the sheet music the third time playing, Tails noticed.
The teacher herself was constantly walking towards the other students and giving them some personal feedback. She also went over to Tails to talk to him about what he was researching. She was very interested in Tails' research and said that his father's diagnoses of Silver being a virtuoso might be right.
Shadow looked over at Silver multiple times but Silver was working too concentrated to notice. He just really wanted to talk to Silver and apologise for getting them in trouble. When the class almost ended the teacher asked for their attention. ``I wanted to let you all know early, but the principal has asked if the school band could play at the Halloween party this year.''
They all looked excited and all agreed on doing so but Silver was still not completely sure.
``Ow come on Silver, don't be so modest! You really rocked last Friday. And this time you even have some weeks to practise with us. So you will probably even do better, if that's possible,'' Sonic encourage them.
``Just let me practise some more before I agree, okay?'' They replied still doubting theirself.
____________________________
After class Silver quickly needed to go to their detention so they said goodbye to Tails and went upstairs.
``Where's she going in a hurry?'' Shadow asked disappointed as he had hoped to talk with Silver after class.
``Well, you got them detention,'' Tails spoke annoyed to him.
``Ow really?'' Shadow asked feeling guilty, ``I didn't mean to.''
``But you did,'' Tails replied, ``Just stop distracting Silver all the time, it is a big opportunity for them to even be here at college, please don't mess it up for them.''
Shadow looked puzzled when Tails turned around to leave.
___________________________
Silver knocked the door of the chemistry classroom and opened the door.
``Ah you're here, take a seat,'' The teacher said pointing to a chair at her desk, Silver went over and sat down. ``I do not give people detention often, but as you weren't paying attention during the entire class, I think it is important for you to keep up. I will not annoy you with useless chores but give you the time to catch up on the subject you missed.''
Silver nodded, ``Thank you, I'm sorry I wasn't paying attention, I'll work on that.''
The teacher smiled at them, ``I think you should read chapter 2 about atoms, elements and molecules.'' She said and Silver took out their book to start. Meanwhile the teacher was working on preparing the lessons of next week.
After 15 minutes Silver closed the book and the teacher looked up. ``I've finished it.'' Silver said.
``You finished it? In 15 minutes?'' She asked suspicious. Silver nodded. ``Is that so? Then you can probably tell me what an atom is made of?''
The teacher looked surprised, and asked, ``How many elements are there?''
``118,'' Silver replies, ``That we currently know of.''
``How many times bigger is a proton than an electron?''
``That's a trick question,'' Silver replied with a smile, ``A HYPERLINK "https://education.jlab.org/glossary/proton.html"; proton is about 1835 times more massive than an HYPERLINK "https://education.jlab.org/glossary/electron.html"; electron . If you are asking about their physical dimensions, no one knows. It's unknown how small electrons are. They are smaller than we can currently measure and may not have a size at all.''
``Very good,'' She said impressed. ``Well apparently you have read the whole chapter already, you may go.''
Silver smiled and stood up, ``Thank you.''
``Ow and Silver... '' She said before Silver opened the door, ``You are a very smart student, but maybe it's better if you ask your boyfriend not to distract you during class.''
Silver's cheeks turned a slight shade of pink. ``He isn't my boyfriend,'' Silver replied.
The teacher looked doubtfully at Silver. ``Well in that case, tell your friend not to distract you during class.''
``Will do, have a nice weekend,'' Silver said before leaving the classroom. Silver headed towards the stairs but bumped into someone who was standing just around the corner, which made them drop their phone.''Whoops sorry,'' Silver quickly said before noticing it was Shadow. ``What are you doing here?'' Silver asked surprised.
``I was kinda waiting for you, but I didn't expect you to get out of detention this fast,'' Shadow said while picking up his phone and leaned back against the wall.
``Well I only needed to catch up with what I had missed during the lesson. But why were you waiting for me,'' Silver asked curious but feeling excited.
``I just really wanted to talk to you, I didn?t get the chance during music class,'' Shadow pushed himself from leaning against the wall, ``Would you like to sit outside?'' He asked. Silver nodded still curious.
Together they walked down the stairs and went through the front doors. Shadow walked over to the picnic bench and Silver followed still wondering what Shadow wanted to talk about. They sat down opposite from each other and Silver put their backpack next to them and pulled Shadow's jacket out of it and gave it back to him.
``Before I forget. Thank you for letting me barrow it,'' Silver said. Shadow took it and put it on.
``No problem,'' Shadow said
``So why did you want to talk with me?''
``I just wanted to say `sorry' for getting you in detention,'' Shadow started, ``I didn't mean to.''
``You don't have to apologise, detention wasn't all that bad,'' Silver said with a soft smile, ``And besides it was fun hearing you play.''
Shadow still felt guilty ``Let me make it up to you.''
``You don't have too, really.''
``But I want to,'' Shadow said, ``Can I take you out for dinner tomorrow?''
``What?'' Silver asked surprise and confused at the same time.
``Can I take you out for dinner tomorrow?'' Shadow repeated.
Silver tried to suppress a smile, ``I think you can,'' They answered.
Shadow smiled over at Silver, ``Where shall I pick you up?''
``I've got work till 6 at Cosmic Flowers, so you can pick me up there, if you want to.''
