Shadow hadn't been all too sure of exactly why he and Kristin had split up. He knew that they had exhausted countless reasons and excuses of why what they had could never work; he had just never been satisfied with any of them. He didn't know why Kristin had always been upset with him, or would snap at him at random intervals. He also couldn't comprehend the reason for her going off at him when he only mildly suggested that she might want to wear something other than red. His quills were streaked with the same red as her dresses, yet he couldn't bear to see her in that color, not after knowing the reason why. So she had left, with the only key to his heart around her neck.
The first time he had seen her after their break-up, she had looked so happy. She had been walking along with Cream the Rabbit and Amy Rose, chatting it up about the latest fashion. Completely happy and completely forgetting about him. Anger pricked at his senses, and he forced himself to walk away from the joyous scene before they noticed him. Before she noticed him. Why didn't she notice him? Did she not care anymore? Was what they had worthless? Gritting his teeth in pure frustration, he halted the downward spiral of his thoughts and shoved all memories of her to the back of his mind. He had to, if not for her sake, then for his sanity.
Later on, he had run into Amy out walking by herself. They had gotten a coffee and started talking randomly. First about what has happened, then about their friends. He should have known that discussing friends meant discussing her.
"So Shadow, have you talked to Kristin lately?" Amy peered at him over her iced latte, eyes hesitant. He growled.
"What do you think?" Like he'd talk to her. Not when she was doing so well without him. Not when she didn't need him anymore. Obviously, Amy could guess what he was thinking because she shot him a petrifying look.
"Shadow! You have to stop feeling sorry for yourself! I know you're upset about breaking up with her, but that doesn't mean you can't talk to her. She's a hedgehog too you know? She has feelings." Didn't she think he knew that? Shadow knew that he was being unreasonable, but he couldn't bring himself to care. Not wanting to hear it, Shadow stood up to leave but was stopped by Amy, her grip on his sleeve desperate.
"Talk to Kristin, Shadow. Something's changed and I don't know what it is. But I do know that she's different, and it's not for the better. Promise you'll talk to her?"
"I'll talk to her, for what good it will do me." With that, Shadow yanked his sleeve back. Amy watched him as he left, and wondered what would happen when Shadow finally figured it out. Amy sighed and got up to leave, pondering how it had all went wrong.