Chapter 2

Such a strange group. She thought while trotting through the alleyways. The storm had carried on through the night, even now as dawn was breaking, there was still a light drizzle. She was now in the Metropolis, and the city lights reflecting on the droplets created quite a beautiful scene. It was cold too, she'd thought. It was about 60 degrees, but considering she'd just come from Seaside Hill, it was cold to her.

That little rickety house made for a nice rest stop. The crocodile played exquisite music, the bee was adorable, but those things weren't what captivated her.

She'd always had a thing for chameleons, even as a child, when she'd had one as a pet. It would change colors when it was angry, or hungry. She had wished for a chameleon she could communicate with. And when she entered the Chaotix Café last night, it seemed her wish had been answered… sort of.

She tugged at her hood, trying to cover herself more, but it was no use. She sighed, and checked her watch: 6 A.M. She had a whole day to waste. She wasn't sure where to go or what to do for the next twelve hours, but she knew where she'd be when the sun went down.

The café was a little bit quieter that night. There were some people there, but it wasn't nearly as crowded, meaning Espio and Charmy could rest a bit from time to time.

Vector didn't feel like playing piano at the moment, so, he busied himself counting change. Charmy cleaned tables. Espio sat behind the counter, as always, not really doing much of anything. His attention was fixed on the door. A recurring question played in his head: Is she coming?

Vector and Charmy had completely forgotten about the cloaked female who had visited the café the night before. Vector just assumed she was a tramp, or perhaps, a runaway. There were lots of teenage runaways around the area for unknown reasons. They stopped by from time to time, usually not long after the parents had come in hoping to employ Vector as a detective to search for them. Since the group had moved there three months ago, they had returned many wayward kids to their parents. And, the runaways that they didn't "rescue", didn't usually come back either. It's not smart for someone on the run to stay in one place for very long. That being said, the croc wasn't expecting her to return.

She did.

She was quiet, sneaking up to the counter while Vector's back was turned. Charmy was in the basement, gathering supplies. Espio grinned, he wasn't sure why, but he was happy to see her again.

She felt the same, even returning his smile and nodding once. "Water?"

Espio complied, giving her a bigger glass this time. He wondered, if she was homeless, how she'd been getting food and water before-hand.

"So, what's your name?" The chameleon asked. He regretting it though, when he saw her mouth form a hard line, like she was uncomfortable answering. If she was running from something, that made sense.

He put up a hand, "Never mind, you don't have to answer."

She felt bad; it didn't seem like he was being intrusive, like she was being interrogated. He seemed… genuine. Besides, he couldn't see what she looked like, so it's not like a first name could hurt.

"Roman." She said softly.

Espio barely heard her; he had busied himself with wiping the counter so he didn't seem too eager.

"I'm sorry?" He asked.

"You asked for my name." Roman said, a little louder, "It's Roman."

"Roman," Espio repeated, Wow, "That's a beautiful name."

She let out a little laugh, "You think so? You know how many people have made fun of it? That's a boy's name. They'd say. What a weird name. What was your mother thinking?"

Espio was appalled; he thought her name was lovely, exotic even, "That's horrible."

Roman nodded, "I know. People can be so mean. In fact, you're probably the nicest person I've met so far, and I've been out here a long while."

The way she'd said it, it sounded almost like an insult. Espio made a face, one of discomfort, "That bad, huh?"

Roman, ashamed by her mistake, she hadn't meant it to sound like that. She sucked in a sharp breath, "Yeah. Most of the places I've been in so far, stores, whatever, are run by people like him."

She was talking about Vector, who was now staring blatantly at them. He was shocked to see that she'd come back, but was even more shocked to see her and Espio exchanging pleasantries, like they were old friends. It was… bizarre.

Charmy had also returned, and noticed the duo. He fluttered over to Vector, and the two of them continued to stare, trying to inch closer discreetly so they could listen to the conversation.

Espio chuckled at Roman's remark, "Vector? He's not so bad. Just a little acquisitive, that's all."

Vector wasn't sure what the word acquisitive meant, but he had a feeling it was an insult. He huffed, and was hushed by Charmy, "You don't want them to notice us, do you?"

Espio laughed and turned his head to look at them, "Too late."

Roman beamed, she couldn't help it. That laugh- it's so cute. She thought. She felt a sort of… fluttering feeling in her chest, a feeling she'd never felt before. She blushed a little, feeling almost euphoric.

At the same time, she was frightened. These were new feelings, she didn't know what they were or what they meant, and she was afraid to question it. She didn't want to know.

Vector approached the counter, eyeing the female, "So, who are you? Where do you come from?"

She blushed again, but not for the same reason. Espio made her feel jittery, Vector made her uncomfortable, maybe even frightened.

She looked to the chameleon for help. He noticed, and responded. "Her name is Roman."

Vector snickered, "What kinda name is that?" Which earned him a glare from Espio.

Roman narrowed her eyes, her face stoic. Coldly, she replied, "Mine."

The croc, who had been intending to lighten the mood, laughed nervously, a bead of sweat forming on his temple. Charmy, who had been largely ignored by the trio, was growing uncomfortable, "I'm um… gonna go clean up that booth in the corner." He mumbled before scurrying off.

Roman didn't look away, she eyed Vector warily. Espio did the same.

Vector didn't like the way Espio was acting. It was almost as if this girl was turning his friend against him. Nevertheless, he turned around and walked away. He noticed the clock, and saw that it was closing time. And, as it was, the restaurant was closed, except, of course, for the girl.

The chameleon let of a sigh, feeling drained, "I'm sorry."

Roman blinked, "For?"

"That." He nodded in Vector's direction.

Roman shook her head, "No, no. You didn't wrong me; you don't get to be sorry." She smiled after she said this.

"HEY!" Charmy shouted to Roman, "Closing time, you need to leave!"

Vector grinned with approval at the bee. Neither one of them wanted that girl there any longer than she had to be, and were both eager to see her go.

Roman flinched, quickly glancing at her watch, "Oh no, I'm so sorry."

Espio grinned, "Don't worry about it, it's not like we have to sleep or anything."

She laughed, "Me either, one more thing if I may?" When Espio nodded, she said, "Can I get a muffin?"

"Of course." It only took a second to heat one up for her. He graciously handed over the bread, and her mouth was watering as she reached for it. She hadn't eaten in two days.

Feeling Vector glaring at her, she reached for the coins in her cloak. It was the last bit of money that she had. Espio, knowing he would receive hell from his boss for it, put his hand up to stop her.

He smiled sincerely, "Please, keep it."

Roman was taken aback completely, she wasn't sure if she should listen or not. She knew how much trouble her new friend would be in; Vector didn't seem very nice. On the other hand, she would be flat broke, she would have no way of feeding herself tomorrow, or any other day for that matter. That realization frightened her to the core.

Espio said, "Don't worry, just take it."

Roman felt terrible for doing it, but she quickly stuffed the muffin in her coat and nodded her thanks. She practically bolted for the exit, because she was afraid she would change her mind, and because she could feel Vector and Charmy staring daggers at her.

No one had ever shown her so much kindness in her entire life. As she opened the door, her vision started to blur, and it wasn't long before the tears came.