The weekend came and so did the day Sonic expected me at his home this afternoon. Friday evening I had told Rouge of this and she went out of her way to wake me up very early in the morning to drag my ass into the bathroom and practically demanded that I take a shower. It was strange since I had scrubbed my upper body clean in the shower yesterday because the filthy feeling of the spare gym shirt just refused to leave, but Rouge left me little choice. Her excuse? I had to look good for Sonic. An odd excuse. I kept telling her that I was simply going over to Sonic's place to hang out, but the bat just kept replying with a laugh and a statement about how naive I was. I told her to back her claim up, but she didn't. Instead she let the shower run and left me in the bathroom wearing only the shorts and shirt I slept in. I decided to do as she wanted and took a shower. Atleast this visit to the bathroom earned me one thing. I noticed my bruise was gone. After the shower, Rouge continuesly pestered me about questions if I had brushed my teeth, if my quills were taken care off, all sorts of things. And not only did she pester me with all these questions, but she also insisted that I wear one of my better clothes. For some reason, she wanted this to be perfect and nothing I said would convince her that this was just a regular visit. Ever since I became a student, the people in our little tight circle of friends have gone out of their way to make this a real high school experience these past weeks, Sonic and Rouge in particular. Teens often hung out after school, Sonic probably just wanted to complete the experience. But once everything was said and done and I was ready, it didn't take much longer for me to stand on Sonic's porch. I would've liked to Chaos Control there and nearly did, but Rouge stopped me. My Chaos powers were forbidden even during the weekend and school holidays, much to my everlasting dismay. Using my Chaos abilities was like breathing for me, I was much too accustomed to them. But I had to show some restraint. For three and a half damn years! Anyway, I stood on the porch of Sonic's abode and rang the doorbell. It barely took a second for the door to open. One advantage to having incredible speed. "Hello, Sonic." I greeted the cobalt hedgehog as soon as I saw him, he was still wearing the same attire as yesterday. "Hey, Shad! You showed up." The hedgehog greeted me, seemingly a little surprised. "Yes, of course I showed up. If I say I'll be there, I'll be there." I said, crossing my arms in front of my chest, almost offended. "Yeah, I know, but... Nevermind. Come on in!" Sonic said as he stepped aside to let me in, waving at Rouge before closing the front door and following me to the livingroom, where I was already conversing with Tails. "I found the homework for chemistry to be surprisingly easy after all the build up the teacher gave us." I said as the kitsune was answering the last question of his homework. We got on the topic of our chemistry homework as Amy, Sonic, Tails and I shared the same teacher despites being in two different classes. Because of this, we had the same homework too. "Yeah, me too! Sonic has some trouble with it, though." The kitsune responded, finishing up the assignment for school and sitting back in the couch. "I'm not having that much trouble." We could hear Sonic mutter, looking away. "Anyway, do you want anything to drink, Shad." He asked, offering to get me some sort of beverage. But it was only shortly after lunch and I didn't feel like having anything yet, so I refused. But Tails felt like drinking something, so Sonic got him something to quench his thirst, the kitsune getting up to stretch his limbs. "You're having trouble with your homework?" I asked, not at all minding to help the cobalt hedgehog. "Yeah, just having trouble remembering what is supposed to go with what and what abbreviation means what." Sonic shortly explained, rubbing the back of his head. He wasn't easily embarrassed for something, nor was he embarrassed in this situation, but he did have to admit not being able to finish his homework just yet in front of the intelligent Ultimate Lifeform and his little brother, the boy genius. Of course, chemistry wasn't for everyone. It was a very complicated and difficult class. "So what did you have in mind for today?" I decided to ask, curious to know what Sonic was planning. "Good question!" Sonic responded, which didn't suit all that well with me. "You don't have anything planned at all, do you?" I asked, placing my hands on my hips. I had the nagging suspicion Sonic had no idea what to do for today. "I don't think he actually thought that far." Tails laughed, amused with his older brother's inability, or refusal, to think ahead. "Don't be ridiculous, Tails, of course I've thought that far!" Sonic said, chuckling at his own joke. Of course, he hadn't thought that far. Sonic was known for his improvisation, not for his ability to think things through. He had to take a while to think, though. For once he was uncertain of what to do. Strange, but I didn't question it. "How about a video game?" He suggested, after which he received a swift kick to the back of his leg from Tails, who still occasionally sipped from his glass. One of my eyebrows raised as it wasn't like Tails to do such a thing, but neither of them said a word, so I didn't say anything myself. "A board game?" Kick. "Homework!" Kick. "A race?" Another kick. "What the hell is going on?" I demanded to know, the duo's weird behaviour finally getting on my nerves. "I told you kicks wouldn't be subtle." The kitsune told the hedgehog. "Don't put this on me, you didn't exactly try to make it subtle." The hedgehog retorted in return. I crossed my arms, not appreciating having my question ignored like this. "Sonic didn't want to make any mistakes today, so he told me to stop him from making them. We tried to agree on a subtle way to do so, but we ended up chosing the old 'kick in the leg' routine." Tails explained, which Sonic backed up. "Trying not to make mistakes is stupid, Sonic. Focussing solely on not making mistakes guarantees them. And besides, I'm just here to hang out as friends. I'm not easily offended, despites what most people think." I told them. Well, I wouldn't be easily offended unless you kick a ball in my face, that is. I don't know what it is that I had said, but they just seem to stare at me for some reason. It was making me uncomfortable. The silence continued to drag on until Tails decided to speak again. "Sonic, I'm not an expert, but did you just get friendzoned?" The kitsune asked, looking up to his selfproclaimed older brother. Friendzoned? What? Is that another one of those teen terms I have yet to learn about? It sounds stupid. Of course Sonic and I are friends. The two of us being friends is what got me in trouble with Scourge to begin with. The hedgehog shushed the boy next to him. "So, who feels like having a drink?" He asked, despites my refusal not long before. Not long after, I was standing in the hedgehog's bedroom, now jacketless. "I don't know why, but I had always imagined your room to be more... Blue?" I stated as I looked around the hedgehog's room. Just like the rest of the house, which he had showed me after my second refusal for a beverage, his room looked quite appealing. Nice furnitures, nice colour on the wall, nice view outside. His room kind of looked like mine. More adult than teen. I remember the matter of my room being one of the subjects Rouge complained about before I started school. Something about my room not looking 'teen' enough in case I would have friends over. Apparently a friend's room is something teenagers criticise. As Rouge put it, "A room like yours just screams childhood issues." "Yeah, well, that's what alot of fanfic writers apparently share that thought." Sonic huffed, seemingly not so keen on talking about these fanfics. I didn't dare ask why. "Your muzzle is looking good, by the way." He noted that my muzzle was now bruise-free, much unlike yesterday. "Accelerated healing took care of that for me." I responded. Had Gerald not upgraded my healing before birth, that painful bruise would've still been there. I let my gaze wander all over the place again. There was something that caught my eye that Sonic's room had that mine lacked, though. A guitar. "I didn't know you played guitar." I stated as I kneeled in front of the instrument, my eyes going over every little detail intently. It was obviously an old one by now. A good model and clearly well taken care off, but the occasional miniscule scratch made it clear this guitar couldn't be much older than its owner. "Yeah, I do, I love my guitar. It's literally the only thing I've had ever since I was a kid." The guitar's owner said as he picked the instrument up and hung the strap over his shoulder. I stood up and watched him as he sat down on his bed and tugged on the strings in a random order, seemingly checking the sound they make. It sounded a little off key. "It's been a while since I last played. I need to tune this thing." He said as he played around with the strings, trying to get the right note. It was clear that speed wasn't the only thing he was skilled at. "How about you? Ever played an instrument before?" He asked as he looked up to me from his position on the bed, taking a small break from tuning. "No, I haven't." I said, after which Sonic went back to tuning for a little while until he finally got all the strings in the right tone. "You want me to play something? Like a favourite song!" He suggested, smiling now that his guitar was tuned again. "I don't exactly have a favourite song since I don't really listen to music all that often, but I would like to hear you play." I replied, which just seemed to brighten up the cobalt's day. As Sonic began to play, I took a seat at the foot end of the bed and listened as he, not only played his guitar, but began to sing aswell. I was surprised to hear what a great singing voice he had. He was one hedgehog with many surprises. So as this visit had a rocky start, this would be one of those days I would never forget.
When I came home that evening, Rouge insisted that I tell her everything as soon as I walked in through the front door and I was more than willing to tell her all about it. From beginning to end. Every little detail because she insisted I tell her 'every dirty little detail'. I told her about the awkward start first. Sonic and Tails' weird behaviour, Tails accusing me of friendzoning Sonic, after which Rouge nearly spit out her drink. I told her about the tour, which ended in Sonic's bedroom. A fact that had made Rouge very eager to know what happened next. And then I told her about the guitar solos Sonic had performed for me. Rouge found that especially amusing, commenting about how I really knew how to pick the right one out of the crowd. She wasn't really keen on elaborating on her statement as she favoured telling me how naive I could be when I asked her what she meant. The next few days I found myself often looking back at that day. Ever since I started going to high school, I've been having more and more of these fun and relaxing days. Sure, there could be days of piles and piles of homework and Scourge being a douche, but that did little to deter my good mood. Didn't stop him from trying, though. It was Monday about a week after my Saturday spend with Sonic and Tails. English had gone well and during math we had just saved ourselves from a whole new heap of homework to finish before Thursday and now we had lunch. Amy and I entered the canteen and quickly stood in line, grabbing a platter and utensils on the way. My eyes glided over the many heads of both mobians and humans alike before I finally spotted Sonic and Tails in the crowd, the former waving at me to make sure I noticed him sitting there. Strange, he and Tails weren't sitting at our usual table. Instead Scourge and Fiona were sitting there. Tails and Sonic were sitting a table away from them. I had to pass those troublemakers in order to get to where I was supposed to be. Amy grabbed her soup and so did I before following her to our table. I ignored Scourge's glaring, the bruise I had created on his muzzle a week prior still very much present on his face, as I passed him by. And then I found myself falling. It wasn't just a fall, it was an embarrassing one. In the blink of eye I suddenly fell face first on the floor, dropping my food all over the floor and myself, I didn't even have the time to grunt or yelp in surprise or something. Ignoring the numb aching my body was in from falling on top of something so uncomfortable I sat up on my knees and took a look at myself, noticing that my shirt and a little bit of my jeans were soaked in, what was according to the cook, tomato soup. It was lukewarm, but still uncomfortable. The soft and suppressed giggling and chuckling in the canteen that wasn't just from Scourge and his henchmen was something a little too hard to ignore. I stood up and glared at Scourge, knowing for sure that he was the one childish enough to trip me, my fists clenching. I was vaguely aware of Sonic watching me in shock, obviously he had not foreseen this would happen. The teachers were watching, but I didn't care. I just grabbed Scourge's bowl of soup and slammed it right into his face, the hedgehog shouting in surprise as his face and clothes suddenly met with the lukewarm liquid. I placed the bowl back down on the platter when I was satisfied and met his glare with an amused one of my own. I was about to make a comment about what the soup tasted like, but Scourge beat me to it. "What's your problem?!" The green hedgehog shouted as he shot up from his seat. "What's my problem?! What's your problem?!" I shouted back, my hands practically slamming on the table as I drew closer. Sonic watched us intently, torn between getting up and seperate us or waiting a little longer and see if we would resolve this peacefully ourselves. Fortunatly, he didn't need to wait and see. A teacher came in between us. "what's going on here?!" The strict math teacher demanded to know, her hands resting on her hips as she glared at the two of us. "This bastard threw soup-" "That jerk tripped-" We started arguing at almost the exact same time, our words nearly impossible to understand. So I gave up, crossed my arms and glared at Scourge instead, waiting for the moment I could finally have my say. "Silence! Both of you go to the principal's office right this instant!" The teacher ordered, getting even more annoyed by our bickering. Scourge shot to his feet, intentionally pushed past me in a rough manner, and left the cafeteria. The teacher glared down at me and pointed towards the double doors and with a huff I followed, nearly every eye in the room on me until I was no longer in sight. That bastard. Not even at G.U.N did I get treated this way. We both arrived at the principal's office at nearly the exact same time. All we did was glare at eachother in silence from opposite ends of the room until the principal showed himself, obviously dissapointed. "And what are you two doing here?" The principal asked, looking down at us. The first thing he had noticed was the mess that were our clothes. "Scourge tripped me and made me drop my meal. So I retaliated by pushing his bowl of soup in his face." I admitted, crossing my arms. No use lying, especially if you were terrible at it like me. I could hear Scourge grumble in dismay, just barely keeping himself from kicking me in the shin like a five year old. The principal sighed and squeezed the bridge of his nose. "Mr. Hedgehog and Mr. Robotnik, I'm afraid you'll have to spend some time in detention today. Three hours, both of you, right after school." He said, catching me off guard. "Detention? I have detention?" I stated looking at the man as he turned around to dissapear back into his office. "But, sir, Scourge was the one who instigated the-" I tried to defend myself and tell him that I was only acting out in my defence, but he wouldn't listen. "Mr. Robotnik, my decision is final. And unless you want to have detention this Wednesday aswell, you'll return to class without another word." The principal interrupted me and entered his office, leaving me and Scourge to stand here. "Nice work, Stripes." Scourge spat at me and roughly pushed his shoulder against mine in a sign of spite before walking back to class. My eyes rolled at him as I suppressed a sigh and made my way back to class aswell. I wasn't looking forward to Art class, but I didn't have much choice. Getting into more trouble wouldn't do me so good. Despites the art teacher once again reminding me that Art class was just as important as any other class and telling me that this was my first warning, I tried to contain my temper and plopped down on my seat, arms crossing. Amy looked over her shoulder at me. She could just guess from my expression that I had been punished.
School ended and thus detention came. I walked towards the principal's office as soon as the bell had rung after history class, telling my goodbyes to Amy. Unfortunatly, it didn't take me very long to arrive, but I noticed that at least Scourge wasn't here yet. I took a seat as I waited, dropping my bag on the floor and crossing my legs. I looked around the little waiting room as I waited, my gaze constantly returning to the ticking clock on the wall. It took about five minutes before I saw someone. It was the headmaster's secretary. "Shadow Robotnik?" She asked. "Yes, that's me." I simply replied, getting up from my seat. "I see that Mr. Hedgehog didn't bother to come. Do you know where he ran off to?" The human woman asked. I shrugged. Why would I waste my time worrying over his whereabouts? I was much more busy mulling over detention and being a general grump. "I'm sure he'll come later. In the meantime I'll show you your classroom for today's detention." The secretary told me as she showed me the way. It was a classroom I haven't been to before. It looked normal enough. I choose a seat and the secretary told me to wait here in silence while she went out to look for Scourge. I had taken the moment of peace to check my texts as my phone had been buzzing all the way from the headmaster's office to this classroom. They were all from Rouge. Seems like she's heard of my detention and scolded me fervently for it while also threatening me with a lecture for when I got home. One text was from Amy, leading me to believe that it was through her that Rouge found out. I was about to send her a text and tell her I'd be home in an hour, but the secretary came walking back inside with Scourge in tow. "Put that phone away, Mr. Robotnik. This is detention." She scolded me and so I stuffed my phone back in my pocket. Rouge is not going to like not getting an answer from me. Scourge smirked over at me when I had been scolded and sat down on the other side of the classroom in the very back. The secretary went to stand at the very front of the classroom and clasped her hands in front of her lap before speaking to us. "You'll be staying in this classroom for the next three hours and while you're here, I expect you to work on your studies. Homework, studying, schoolprojects and etcetera. I do not want to see any cellphones, smartphones, iphones or any other electronic devices." Immediatly Scourge let out a deep, audible sigh out of annoyence, which in turn made me roll my eyes. Chaos, if you didn't want to be here you should've thought twice about messing with me. The secretary took a seat at the teacher's desk and I pulled out my homework for next week, deciding that ignoring Scourge was the best course of action right now. Since detention was for three long hours, it took quite a long while for my school day to be officially over and I could finally go home. Most of my homework was done, I re-read the lectures I had today and managed to ignore Scourge's constant glaring while he did nothing but sulk and mope all detention long. Nevertheless, I didn't let his irrational behaviour get to me and simply bid the secretary goodbye and left. "Asshole." Scourge insulted me under his breath as he passed me to leave the classroom, without a doubt also telling me that I had not seen the last of him, but I simply shrugged it off. I was just glad that I could go home. However, someone was not so glad to see me come home. "Shadow Robotnik!" I had barely even closed the front door behind me when I could hear my housemate's voice all the way from the kitchen. Her sensitive hearing must've picked up the front door opening, though it had been quite inaudible. Or maybe she had some six sense that I was not aware off. Knowing what was about to come, I felt a twinge of annoyence. If Scourge wasn't so persistent on picking a fight with me, I wouldn't be in this situation. I left my backpack in the hallway for now and joined my friend in the kitchen. Upon arrival a waft of this delicious scent instantly filled my nostrils, tantalising me as my stomach rumbled. I couldn't help but take a long whiff of it. "Is it something new?" I asked as I walked closer to look over her shoulder. Well, it definitely wasn't something I recognised by sight or smell. "Yes, it is. Felt like trying something new." Rouge replied abruptly, making it clear that she was angry with me. I stepped back and leant against the kitchen counter, patiently waiting for her to start talking. "School called. Apparently you were about to get in a fight with another student." Rouge started talking like I expected she would and it seems that I was proven wrong about my assumption that she knew of my detention through Amy. I didn't know schools called parents and guardians this quickly. "Shadow." For some reason I was a bit hesitant to speak up, though my reaction to Scourge's bullying had been deemed justified in my mind. "I wasn't actually going to fight hi-" "Don't avoid the question!" My lips pressed together as I was cut off. For some reason I felt really small. When we went to get me to legally 'exist', birth certificate, citizenship, registered and all that jazz, we needed someone to be my legal guardian. Since she wanted so badly for this to work out for me, Rouge had promptly given herself up as a guardian, but she never felt like one until now. It was so new, I hardly knew what to do. "Scourge tripped me in the cafeteria and spilled my food all over me." I stated as I looked down and noticed the dried mess still present on my person. The white bat in front of me didn't reply, so I figured she wanted to hear the rest of the story aswell. "And I took revenge by pushing his bowl of soup in his face and that made him angry." I came clean and Rouge sighed, briefly did she stop stirring in the sauce. "Shadow, hun, I think it's great that you stand up for yourself, but you can't just get into trouble like that and you know it! We can't afford trouble! I'm surprised the principal was being so lenient!" Just like expected, she began her lecture. I simply stood there and listened. As she lectured me and brought up some pretty valid points, a sense of guilt settled in my heart. Rouge was right, I suppose. It took quite a while and quite a bit of money in order to make me equal to everyone else, I can't go around picking fights with Scourge left and right, though he was the one dishing them out. I just can't help myself. I'm not the type to simply walk to the teacher to tattle on him. Should I just take the abuse and try to be the bigger person and walk away? Is that a wise decision? "You're right, I'm sorry for the trouble. I won't let my temper get the better of me next time." I apologised and Rouge, fortunatly, knew I was telling the truth. "Apology accepted. Now go and set up the table. Dinner's ready soon." She spoke up again and I did as I was told and left the kitchen.
Despites it being her first time making this dish, she succeeded in making something truly delicious and I had thoroughly enjoyed it. But dinner had passed, the dishes were done, there was no homework to worry about and so I sat behind my laptop in my room again. I wasn't being the typical teenager who hid in their room and dived behind their computers and/or cellphones as soon as the opportunity arose, but Rouge had said she was exhausted from today's mission, which she couldn't discuss with me now that I was a mere high school student and not an agent, so she went straight to bed to catch up on some sleep. I didn't argue with her about it and decided to find something to keep myself busy with until 10pm, the time I deemed a healthy hour to go to bed. I've read the few books I own quite a while ago, I didn't exactly own a console that apparently a lot of my peers seem to have and with Rouge in bed I couldn't spend my time watching bad movies and laughing at them or soap cliches either. So wasting time behind the laptop it is. The sleek rose red thing had only just finished starting up when a weird sound came from it, briefly startling me. As someone still pretty foreign to the modern world, it took me a little while to realise that the sound and the blinking orange light on the bottom of my screen were connected. I clicked on it and a window appeared with a name on top. 'Fastest Dude Alive' is what it said with a tiny picture of Sonic giving his biggest grin right next to it. Apparently he had typed a message for me. "Sonic?" I muttered, slightly confused. 'Hi! =D' Had been the first message already on my screen. 'How did detention with Scourge go? =D' Was the second message that appeared on my screen and then it suddenly hit me. This was a chatroom. Somehow, someway I suddenly had an account and apparently Sonic knew all about it. Chaos, did they set this up behind my back again?! I knew I had this program on my laptop, but I never even took the time to check it out. Guess, I figured it out now. 'Just fine. Why do I suddenly have this account?' I asked and soon noticed what name I had apparently been given. 'The Eternal Grump >=c'? Really? And with that emoticon? Upon noticing me reply with the kind of name I had, Sonic send a sincere 'XD'. 'We thought it was about time you caught up a little!' A brief explanation, one I had admittedly expected. I have been doing nothing but catching up! Was I not fast enough in their eyes? Apparently not. 'So how did detention with Scourge go? =)' Sonic asked with the necessary smiley behind it. I learned what they were when I got my first text message from Rouge. 'It went exactly as you'd expect it to go. The secretary had to go find him, so he came in late, I made my homework, he glared and sulked, and called me an asshole when he left. It was a relatively quiet three hours.' I replied to him and I don't think Sonic can say he was surprised. 'No soup throwing or slamming balls in faces this time?' The hedgehog joked and I could only huff. 'Not this time, but if he managed to bully me in front of the secretary, I would've found a way to sneak those in.' I decided to return the favour and for that the reply was another 'XD'. 'By the way, have you heard of the trip we're taking a few weeks from now?' Sonic suddenly asked and I could only gave a short '?' A trip? With school or amongst friends? I remember them asking me along once, but I had to reject his offer than. It just so happened that Rouge and I had to go on a mission that took quite a long while, even longer than they planned their trip to be. So even if I wanted to go, I couldn't. But now that I was unemployed, I think I could go along if they were to invite me again. Suddenly my phone started to ring and I quickly answered before my ringtone woke up the white bat trying to sleep next door. She did have quite the sensitive hearing. "Yes?!" I snapped a little as I was a little peeved with the sudden call. I would rather not have my housemate wake up just because someone decided to call me at this hour. Sure, I suppose I could've turned down the volume little. Imagine if it suddenly went off in the middle of class. Just the thought of everyone staring at me is harrowing. "Woah, calm down, Shad, it's just me." Sonic was the person who had suddenly called me and I could feel my anger melting away a little. "Sonic? Why did you feel like calling me out of nowhere? We were just chatting." I told him in a whisper, unable to understand why when we were already talking. "To hear your beautiful voice? I dunno, this just seemed faster than typing." Of course, that impatient idiot. "Hey, that's a bit mean." The hedgehog on the other side of the call chuckled as I also said that out loud on purpose. "But it's true, isn't it?" I asked, leaning back in my seat and rolling back and forth a little with my chair. No, I can't sit still on desk chairs like this. Fortunatly, Rouge couldn't hear the little wheels rolling on the floor, they were being quite soft. I also know that I'm not the only one who does this. "And it proves how lazy you really are." I added and heard an audible 'pfff' coming from the other side. "Let's talk about things that actually matter, 'kay?" If it could end this conversation sooner, sure. "So this trip, it takes place in May and everyone in our year is going. We're gonna go to this camping site, I think? We'll be staying there for three days straight and do all sorts of activities." I was explained and I could only wonder what it meant to go to a camping? Like a trailer park? Or in tents? I didn't quite know what to imagine when Sonic told me we'd be staying at a camping. The Commander should've given me more time off. Maybe then I wouldn't have been so clueless all the damn time. "Sonic, it's getting late, so let's just end this conversation now, alright? I think it's very important to go to bed on time." I told him, knowing that I would probably hear more about this trip at school. "Oh yeah, I should probably be getting some sleep myself." He decided that I was probably right and that we should be getting some shut eye. I'm not all that good at reading people, but does he sound disappointed? Pff, he's probably just stalling. "Say, Shad, I didn't manage to have the house for myself that Saturday a week ago... So maybe we can go catch a movie or something this weekend?" What's this? Another invitation? Rouge would've wanted me to go and I did need to be more social. Plus, last time was actually kind of fun. "Sure, I've never really taken the time to visit a movie theater." I think that would make for a pleasant experience. "Seriously? I knew you were a workaholic, but to this extent?" Sonic chuckled on the other end of the line. Whatever had been bothering him just moments earlier, his mood seems to have improved now. "Listen, let's just go to bed now and continue this conversation at school tomorrow." I told him, yawning softly. I was sort off longing for my bed right now too. "Yeah, sure! I'll talk to you tomorrow, Shad!" Sonic told me his goodbyes before he hung up and I did the same, sighing lightly. Hanging out with that hedgehog in the weekend again was something that I was a bit excited for. And now that rumoured camping trip for school, I wonder what that was all about. I have actually never gone camping before. I was always so busy with work that I barely took any time to relax and do something for fun. So I can't help but wonder what that's going to be like. My mind could come up with all sorts of scenarios, but I'm willing to bet that none of those are right. Well, if something like that is scheduled to happen this year, I'll probably hear about it in school within the next few weeks, won't I? After turning off my laptop, I got up from my chair and got ready for bed. First I had to take a quick shower as I realised that I still had my dirty clothes on and threw those in the laundry bin to take care off tomorrow. I was careful not to wake up Rouge as she was a bit of a light sleeper. Once I had a quick soak to rinse the filth of the day away, I dried and dressed myself with hurry and enclosed myself in my bedroom. I slipped in for the night, stretching for one last time before I settled down, and looked up to the ceiling. I wonder what tomorrow is going to be like. Without a doubt Scourge is still nursing the injuries his pride received when I threw that soup in his face and got us both detention. I suppose it doesn't matter much, does it? If he seeks trouble again, I will make sure to be ready for it. Although, I wish not to trouble Rouge so much. She's my guardian, she took me in when she really didn't need to. So if she were to get in trouble because I can't control my temper at school, punishment might be severe for her. Surely, there had to be a different way to handle Scourge. A different way besides outright violence and retaliation... I don't quite know what to do. It wasn't just for Rouge that I wanted a new tactic, but for myself too. I'm finally going to school and getting the education that I'm sure my creator would've wanted to give me, had he been given the chance. I can't let that go to waste, can I? Another sigh left me as I rolled onto my front and buried my muzzle in my pillow. I suppose I'll see what tomorrow brings.
The next day, Tuesday, Amy and I were once again sitting in the same classroom. Today's first period was French, but though, we were all accounted for and sitting behind our own desks, class hadn't started just yet. Instead our teacher handed each of us a piece of paper and it looked like one of those permission slips I've been hearing about. "Oh wow, a trip!" Amy, as cheerful and excited as always, chirped as she read the contents of the paper. I was curious to know what got her, and all the rest it seems, so hyped up and took a closer look myself. It was about that camping trip Sonic told me about yesterday. Hmm, let's see. We were supposed to leave on the 10th of May, which was a Wednesday, and were expected to return the 12th, a Friday. We'd be staying at a place called 'Silver Lake' Camping. That doesn't sound familiar at all. "Amy, where is this place?" I decided to ask the pink hedgehog next to me and she was more than happy to enlighten me. "It's just a great place to go for a camping trip! We've been there once before with the whole team, but you couldn't go back then. It's way up North, but I hope it'll be warm and sunny by the time we leave!" Already she was on cloud number nine while I was still trying to imagine what that place would be like. "There is a lake, an obstacle course, this small diner for all campers, and... Oh, Shadow, I think you're going to love it there!" She squealed, cupping her own cheeks. She might aswell have already left because she was so excited. I moved my gaze back down to the paper in my hands and wondered if I could sign this myself or if Rouge needed to be the one to do it. I suppose I should ask her later after school. There was a date and time for departure and return, a list of things that we needed to take along with us, and there was also an incomplete list of the activities we might do while there. Teambuilding, obstacles, treasure hunt, there was a whole list and I'm not about to mention them all. I do feel a little excited as all of this sort off sounds fun to do. I'm wondering what it'll be like to go on school trips like this.
Our first period of French came to an end after an elaborate discussion about the trip and a small 15 minute break arrived before we needed to get to our next period. Which in my and Amy's case was biology. I was the last one to leave the classroom and my French teacher locked the door behind me as I walked down the corridor, letter still in hand. I don't know where Amy had gone, but I figured that she has already hurried up ahead to meet with Sonic and I was left to catch up with her. Once I've met up with that blue hedgehog and his two-tailed friend, we can discuss what to do this weekend. I don't know what movie he had in mind, but I was looking forward to hanging out with him again and finally visit my very first movie theater. Like expected, I saw them outside near a vending machine that served mainly water, reserving only two expensive slots for sodas, but one of the three was missing. "Where is Sonic?" I asked the pink and golden mobians, who each greeted me with a smile. "Eggman's been causing trouble in the city this morning. Sonic had to check it out and so had to miss school. I would've gone too, but he told me he'd call me if he needed my help." Tails responded and I am a bit surprised. I can't help but feel bad for him. Eggman keeping him busy when the guy is supposed to be at school to study and get his education? "Do you know when he'll be back?" I asked as I had hoped to make arrangements for this weekend, but the kitsune simply shrugged as he apparently didn't know. "It's been a good while since Sonic left, so he should be back soon." Tails replied as he seemed to be aware that I needed to have a small talk with him. I hummed in response and crossed my arms. I suppose I can only wait and see if he returns soon. "Oh, Tails, did you hear about the trip too? I'm so excited for it!" With the topic of Sonic's disappearance taken care off, Amy decided to bring the topic of our school trip up to the kitsune aswell. "Yeah, I did! I'm not so excited for it, though." The golden fox hesitantly admitted, scratching behind one of his ears. "Why not?" I asked in surprise. So far everyone I've seen, who were in our year, were excited for the upcoming trip, so I can only wonder why that was the case. "I don't like to spend too much time away from my workshop. Plus, trips like this don't really bode well for me." Tails answered and I think I know why. It was green, had malicious blue eyes, and the asshole attitude to go along with it. They did tell me that Scourge had the annoying habit of bullying people who were close to Sonic. I had also been told that he did most of the taunting on order of Fiona, that red fox I have yet to even exchange one word with. It didn't really make sense to me. I feel like there was something missing, though I hadn't been effectively searching for an answer to why I belong on the hedgehog's long list of victims. Well, if we do go on that trip and Scourge decides to cause trouble for either one of those three mobians, than I will make sure to put a stop to it. "If it's that green goblin you're worried about, than don't worry I'll-" "Shh!" Amy quickly shushed me before she look towards something. I didn't know why she wanted to shut me up and, though I noticed it was Scourge she was looking at, I still don't understand. Was she also worried I'd get into even more trouble? Someone with her kind of strength? Since when am I under both Amy's and Sonic's protection? Both seemed to be trying to prevent trouble from befalling me. I wanted to stay out of trouble, but I foolishly decided that soothing Tails' nerves was a little bit more important right now. "Like I was saying, if it's Scourge you're worried about, than I'll be sure to smuggle a few balls with my luggage." I still reassured him, playing along with what had apparently become a running gag ever since the gym-incident. Tails smiled, appreciating the gesture, though he didn't confirm weither or not the 'green goblin' was actually the problem or not.
The bell rang again a little while later and we all knew we had to return to class. Never before have I watched my fellow students rush inside as fast as today. Because the weather had been a little dreary and cold, people were longing for the warmth inside of a classroom. For once the hallways were empty almost immediately and I couldn't help but be surprised at how quickly the mass of students dissipated. I have even lost sight of Amy again! Just where does that girl keep running off to so fast and why? But I was nearly alone, only a few more students were making their way to class, and someone saw that as the perfect opportunity to catch me alone. "You bastard.." The insult had only just reached my ears when I was sudden pulled outside through a door that I passed and found myself pinned against the brick wall with a grunt. Looking up to the culprit, I noticed that it was Scourge. No surprises there. "You bastard, you made a fool of me yesterday!" The green hedgehog growled, holding a tight grip on my collar. A sense of agitation welled up and I glared at the pair of blue eyes. Just what does he want this time? He doesn't need me to make himself look like a complete moron. "What do you want, Scourge?" I asked and hoped he would just go straight down to business. "It's not about what he wants, but what I want." A voice I didn't recognise joined us and finally I met the one supposedly responsible for the hedgehog's shenanigans. Fiona Fox. "Oh look, it's the mistress herself. Finally decided not to let this idiot do all your dirty work?" I asked, showing her that I wasn't intimidated by her black leather outfit and 'bad' attitude. I've had to arrest elderly people more threatening than her before. Fiona's eyes narrowed, angry with me when I didn't curl up and flinch like I'm sure many of their other unfortunate victims have. "I want you to stay away from Sonic. Just like I've been trying to make it clear to that pink hedgehog and two tailed little freak, he's mine and I'm not about to let you take him away from me." She told me, her arms crossing in front of her endowed chest. So this really was all about Sonic all along? Amy has often been called obsessed with him, but obviously this chick takes the cake. What normal person treats their crush this way? A soft feral growl rumbled in the back of my throat. Who was she to decide who and who not he can hang out with? "He's not yours. He can choose for himself who to befriend and who to fall for. You have no right over him, the decisions he makes, or the feelings he holds! Maybe if you weren't such a bitch and in the least bit normal, you might've actually made a chance with him!" I shouted, my temper flaring at her ridiculous reason for bullying anyone who just as much as talks to the hedgehog. Her anger grew too as she heard the insults I carelessly threw at her and I wasn't about to stop. "Face it, Fiona! Even if you were the last woman on Mobius, that hedgehog would rather go for a man than be stuck with someone like y-" A sudden punch to my gut was what cut me off out of nowhere, keeping my voice from growing any louder and from finishing that sentence. Damn, and I had so many creative things left to yell. Sucking in a breath of air and placing a hand where Scourge had punched me, I glared back at him. "Now you're just pissing me off." The green mobian growled himself, baring his small fangs. "Do it, Scourge." Fiona gave him the order and he pulled his fist back. I just noticed we were somewhat isolated, mostly hidden from view, and I quickly figured that this is where they must drag people to beat them up. I doubt teachers would think to look here. Before he could strike, I did the same but quicker, grabbing his collar, pulling a clenched fist back, and selling him one right across the face and causing him to stumble back. Without a doubt that would leave a bruise and I will probably receive some too, but if it was a fight that he wanted, it was one he would get. Except, when I start to deal physical punches, how long until I can't control my Chaos Spear anymore? That powerful energy is already boiling just beneath my skin, ready for use. And how long till the Commander knows? I know the principal is keeping him updated on me. Rouge, as my appointed guardian because I simply trusted no one else, would surely get in trouble. She'd be punished severely. And what if I lose my place here in school and throw away the only chance at getting an education? Were decorating Scourge's face with black and blue truly worthy of my education and Rouge? I didn't know what could possibly happen were I to start beating on him like he's about to do with me. For once I felt afraid. Not because of this bastard and this obsessive broad, but for the consequences of my actions. Should I let him do it?
By the end of it, I was left panting and curled up on the ground with my arms wrapped around my abdomen, my stomach aching terribly. My lip was busted and I'm pretty sure I have a broken nose and two black eyes. I might've even bruised a couple of ribs because Scourge was absolutely relentless. But what hurt the most was my pride. I let some nobody punch the living daylights out of me, the Ultimate Lifeform. But it was a sacrifice I had to make, right? For my first real friend since Maria and for a secure future. It had to be worth it. "Shadow!" Though Scourge had enough of kicking me for today and settled for laughing at my 'inability' to defend myself, someone apparently felt the need to come to my rescue. And who better to do that than Sonic? With the blue hedgehog's well-known speed he was at Scourge in not even a moment, punching him in the jaw. Anger that I wasn't used to seeing on his face was present as he looked like he was just seething. It shocked me to see him this pissed off. He was yelling at them and even sold Scourge a couple of more punches while I could only watch in shock. He's protected me before, but I had been somewhat annoyed by it. Somehow that felt differently this time. It had almost broken out into a fight until Fiona put an end to it and told her henchman that teachers could come by any given moment now. So the two walked off and left us here by ourselves. Once they were out of sight and I was on all fours and unable to stop my groaning, Sonic turned his attention to me. "What was up with that, Shad? I've never seen you get taken like that!" The cobalt hedgehog asked as he helped me up on my feet. I appreciated it, my body hurting more than I had expected, but did not show or say it out loud. "It's nothing, I was just worried about what would happen if I did turn the tables and beat him up instead." I explained and a huff left him. "Normal students get detention, suspended, or even expelled. I'm not normal, so what would happen were I to get in such trouble? With Rouge, my education, myself... I always have the sense that I need to be careful." I added as I dusted myself off, trying to ignore the aching of bruises forming on my lithe body. Sonic looked at me for a moment before smiling at me. "You got your face busted, but somehow it was a form of self-preservation, wasn't it? I've always knew you were brave, though not the regular kind, and still you surprise me." I don't know why he felt the need to tell me this and with that kind of smile too, but I'm glad he didn't find my approach too crazy. "Come on, let's get you cleaned up." With a friendly arm around my shoulder did Sonic take me along to the nearest men's restroom, probably to take care of these bruises and try to prevent possible swelling. Inside I soaked some paper towels and placed them on my eyes, hoping that my black fur would hide the staining and the chill water would combat the swelling of my skin. Instead of going to class, Sonic stayed with me, leaning again the sink next to mine as he patiently waited for me to finish taking care of myself. Sonic could be patient, who knew? The water felt cool and refreshing on my fur and skin, but I do hope the physical effect is just as good. But while I kept myself busy by savouring this feeling, my cobalt rival decided to speak up again. "So about this weekend," He started up another conversation. I didn't look at him, but an ear moving to his direction told him that I was listening. "How about we go this Saturday in the afternoon? It gets too busy on Sundays." He suggested and I guess I could agree with that. I don't have much to do, so I was pretty much free the entire weekend. I took the paper towel away from my eyes to use it to wipe my bloody nose and busted lip next and smiled at the other. "Sure, let's meet up then."
And with this chapter you guys will have officially caught up with the story! :D To be fair, the next chapter won't come in a long while. Mainly because I know have to finish about three to four chapters for DA/FF.Net first before I can compile it into one long chapter to post here. ^^;
I haven't uploaded anything on DeviantArt in months. But here on Inkbunny I've recently uploaded a story in either early September or late August called 'Still Mine' and 'The Island' chapter 4. Why?
I haven't uploaded anything on DeviantArt in months. But here on Inkbunny I've recently uploaded a s
Ahh very well I was reading almost all of your stories and when I finished 'still mine' I was simply curious if you had another account, and well I remember one of the other stories mentioned deviantart and fan fic something net
Ahh very well I was reading almost all of your stories and when I finished 'still mine' I was sim
