``What was it Espio wanted to talk about?'' Silver asked curious. When they sat in the electrical engineering class.
``It's nothing important,'' Shadow said.
``It didn't look like nothing.''
Shadow sighed, ``Just let it go, okay?'' he snapped, Silver looked a bit shocked.
``Sorry I even asked,'' Silver said annoyed, but Shadow wasn't listening. He was frowning and lost in thoughts. Silver rolled their eyes and they all worked silently on their projects. Silver sometimes looked over at Shadow, but he didn't look back as he was far too busy. Silver was wondering what was going on, they had such a nice morning but after he talked to Espio it all changed. What was going on?
During lunch Shadow immediately went over to Espio. ``Did you find out anything yet?'' Silver heard Shadow whisper when they passed them. Espio looked over at Silver and waited to answer until Silver was out of hearing distance. Silver sat down and concentrated on their conversation to block out all the other sounds.
``It's true,'' Espio whispered back.
``That's not good, who is he?'' Shadow replied. Espio pointed to the picnic bench outside. Shadow and Silver looked over. Scourge and his gang were sitting outside and Scourge looked really satisfied with himself. He was talking to someone next to him. Silver needed to look twice as the person Scourge was talking to almost looked exactly like Shadow only his stripes had a different colour. ``Do you know what he's capable of?'' Shadow asked silently.
``What's going on Silver?'' Tails asked. ``You are so quiet.''
``It's nothing, just lost in thoughts I guess,'' Tails and Silver took out their lunches and talked about the experiment they did yesterday. Silver sometimes looked over to the guy Scourge was talking to, even though he looked like Shadow he felt completely different. He turned around and looked directly at Silver, who shivered when their eyes met. Like they were freezing on the inside while those snakelike eyes pierced Silver's. They quickly looked away feeling uneasy.
The bell rang and there was a lot of rumbling while everybody stood up to go to their next class. Shadow quickly came over. ``Come,'' He said abruptly and took Silver's arm wanting to lead them to class.
Silver pulled their arm back, ``I can walk on my own, you know,'' they snapped. Shadow let go and waited for Silver to grab their stuff to go to class. Shadow and Espio followed closely. They arrived at the digital skill class and entered the room. Silver looked at the back of the class where Scourge was sitting with Jet, Vector and the new guy. Scourge grinned over at Silver.
``Sit,'' Shadow said and pushed aside an office chair for Silver. Shadow didn't look at Silver but at Scourge. Shadow sat next to Silver, blocking their view on the gang.
Shadow didn't say anything during the entire lesson.
______________________
After class Shadow stood up and so did Silver. They wanted to go to the library with Tails but Shadow blocked their way. ``I will see you in the library,'' Silver said too Tails.
``You're coming home with me,'' Shadow spoke.
Silver turned to Shadow, ``Shadow, I'm going to the library and besides, you need to go to work.''
``I will call in sick.''
``Shadow what's going on? You have been off all day.''
``I'm not,'' Shadow said. Silver gave him a look as to sarcastically say `yeah sure'.
``Okay then, so nothing is wrong, then you can go to your work and I will go to the library,'' Silver said and wanted to pass Shadow, but he blocked them again.
``You're coming home with me.''
``You're not the boss over me,'' Silver said stubborn, Shadow took Silver's wrist as Silver tried to get passed him. ``Shadow, what's going on with you?''
``I just want to protect you.''
``You don't have to, I can take care of myself."
Espio came over and went to Shadow, ``They just left,'' he whispered and Shadow immediately felt less tense.
``Could you keep an eye on Silver for me?'' Shadow whispered back. Espio nodded.
``He doesn't have too,'' Silver said and made a turn for the library. Espio followed them.
``I'm picking you up at 8!'' Shadow called after them.
``No you're not,'' Silver called back.
Frustrated Silver went to the library and went to sit with Tails. Espio also took a seat. ``You don't have to keep an eye on me,'' Silver said towards Espio. He shrugged his shoulders and took a newspaper.
Tails looked questionable, ``What's going on?''
``Shadow's been acting weird all day and apparently his `dog' needs to keep an eye on me while Shadow's gone for work.''
Espio looked from behind the paper, ``I do have feelings you know.''
``Sorry,'' Silver responded and Espio looked back to the newspaper. ``I think it has something to do with that new guy,'' Silver said towards Tails. ``Hey Espio?'' Silver said, Espio looked over the newspaper at them, ``Who's that new guy?''
``Mephiles,'' he responded.
``But who is it?''
``New friend of Scourge.''
``Why is Shadow acting weird today?''
``Boss wants to protect you.''
``From what?''
``Classified.''
``Why is Shadow being so overprotective?''
``Boss likes you.''
``Why do you call him `Boss'?''
``I'm indebted to him.''
``How come?''
``Classified.''
Silver sighed frustrated and Espio looked back at the paper.
``Is Mephiles dangerous?'' Silver asked.
``Shouldn't you be doing your homework?'' Espio replied without looking up.
``Well that's a yes,'' Tails said.
``I didn't say that,'' Espio said.
Tails lifted an eyebrow at Silver, ``Why is he dangerous?''
``I didn't say he is!'' Espio snapped. People in the library started to shush him. ``Just stop annoying me with your questions.''
``Why?'' Silver asked ``Is it making you uncomfortable?'' Espio gave them an aggravated glare.
``No, it makes you look stupid.''
``Why?''
``Don't be so childish, just do your homework.''
``Why?''
Espio sighed, ``Just make your homework.''
``But this is so much more fun,'' Silver said with a grin. Espio grunted and lifted the newspaper to continue reading. Tails and Silver exchanged looks.
They started to work in silence as they didn't want to have a conversation with Espio eavesdropping.
After a while Tails took his stuff. ``Sorry, but I have to go home.''
``It's okay, I will see you tomorrow,'' Silver replied as Tails wandered off. ``Don't you have somewhere to go?'' Silver asked Espio.
``Nope,'' he replied.
``You don't like me, do you?'' Silver asked.
``You're not bad, just annoying.''
``Well thanks,'' Silver said sarcastically. ``I want to go home.''
``But you're not going.''
``What time is it?''
Espio looked at his watch, ``6.30.''
Silver slammed their head on the table frustrated they had to wait another hour and a half.
``Don't you have more homework to do?''
``No I'm done for the upcoming 2 weeks.''
``You are?''
``Yes.''
Espio looked impressed, ``You can make my homework if you want.''
``Why are you sitting here reading the papers when you could have done your homework as well?'' Espio shrugged. ``Do you want me to help you?''
Espio looked at Silver a bit confused. ``Why would you do that?''
``Well I'm done and bored and I still need to wait an hour and a half till Shadow will be here. Besides, you're a friend of Shadow, so I wouldn't mind helping you out.''
Espio looked a bit doubtful. ``Okay,'' he said and took his math books.
``How far did you get with your homework?''
``Angle calculation.''
``You know we got that homework weeks ago, right?''
``Yeah I know.''
``Why didn't you make it before?''
``I didn't really understand it,'' he said slightly embarrassed.
Silver took Espio's books, ``Here, I'll explain.''
Silver started to explain and Espio listened carefully while taking notes. ``It isn't all that difficult you just have to try it out yourself a few times,'' Silver wrote down some exercises for Espio to try out. ``Here, now try it yourself.'' Espio took the paper and worked on it.
Silver just flicked the pages while Espio was working on the calculations.
Shadow entered the library and came over to them as Silver was examining Espio's results. ``They are all correct,'' Silver said and smiled at Espio.
``Really?'' Espio said surprised and smiled towards Silver. ``Thanks.''
``Ow it's nothing, so what's next?'' Silver asked and Espio flicked through the pages.
``Hey, how did it go?'' Shadow asked as he approached. He looked really dirty from working but also much more relaxed than he did before.
``It went well, Silver even helped me with my homework,'' Espio smiled at Silver, who smiled back.
``That's nice,'' Shadow responded and stroked Silver's quills.
``How are you doing?'' Silver asked. ``Are you still grumpy?''
``I'm fine, Silver. Shall we get something to eat?'' Shadow asked, ``I'm starving.''
Silver nodded and stood up, ``If you ever need more help with homework, just let me know,'' They said to Espio.
``Thanks.''
``You really are the sweetest you know,'' Shadow said as they walked off pulling Silver close against him. Silver chuckled.
