That was years ago
A/N: I apologize for very little in this chapter, except parts of the end. If anyone's out of character please notify me.
Shadow's POV
"You sure you want us to come with you?" The pink hedgehog inquired, glancing at me then at her blue, idiotic boyfriend. It took him long enough, but he's still an idiot.
"Of course, you said you wanted to see her." I answered, tapping ash off my cigarette. Suddenly hearing her squeal as she ran forward, I grinned as Amy crashed into the woman.
"Well, let's go say hi." Faker said, going ahead of me and hugging the squirrel.
Wrapping my arms around her, I quickly let go at catching her scent. She smiled and began to talk to Amy about whatever it is women talk about. Damn it, even after seven years, memories of what could have been are breaking free. But that's all they were; what could've been, not what actually happened. Shit, I guess I'll let it go for now. Blowing out my last puff of nicotine, I moved snow over the remaining embers.
Trailing behind them with Faker talking about Tails' new invention, I only caught parts of their conversation while half listening to him. Watching Amy's face soften, I gulped as she ventured away from her and went towards my copy. She looked at me, saying, "Sorry, I remembered that Espio asked us to take Charmy to the doctor since he's sick and doesn't want Charmy to catch it."
I huffed and nodded, deciding to act like I normally do. It's insane how even now, something odd happens when I'm around her. She's married, and seems happy, so why ruin that because of memories?
"Shadow?"
Lowering my eyes towards her, I grunted in reply, as she continued, "It's real nice seein' you again, and I was wonderin' if you'd go to one of my conventions with me, ya know, as a friend."
"Sure, but why not take your husband?" I inquired, looking away from her smiling face to muffle the disgust in my voice. I shouldn't be disgusted.
She chuckled, stepping off the sidewalk to cross the street. Catching up to her, I cleared my throat, saying, "I'd like an answer."
"I asked him before I left, but he said he had to work late these few weeks. So, you were my next option." She answered, messing with her red scarf.
I frowned slightly, blurting, "Are you happy with him?"
Having her smile falter, she finally answered, "Course I am. It's…uh, it's nothin'."
She was never one to not express her emotions; she's lying so I won't pry anymore.
"Are you sure?" I persisted, not understanding why I was so concerned.
She nodded, replying, "I'm fine, really. Considerin' how we barely talked 'cept for yesterday, I can understand why you'd be concerned. But, please let go of my hand I cain't feel my fingers."
Glancing down at my hand clasped over hers, I let go, apologizing, saying, "I hadn't realized I was holding your hand."
"It's fine, they were gettin' cold anyway."
"Aren't you supposed to be hibernating?"
"I didn't eat much this winter, so somehow I'm not hibernating. Neither is Calvin cause, for some reason, he wanted to get his work done." Sandy explained, rubbing the back of her hand, laughing softly.
Holding out a box with a red bow and blue wrapping paper, I stated, "Call it an early Christmas gift. Don't open it until you get home."
The squirrel smiled, muttering, "You didn't have to."
"It's just something I should've given to you seven years ago."
"Oh, um, actually the news did say it was gonna snow, so I'll just catch my flight tomorrow. I'll stay with Amy 'til then; I'm sure she'll like that." She retorted, putting the gift in a bag I just noticed she was carrying.
I nodded, smirking, and then asking, "Do you remember where it is?"
Noticing a trail of sweat appear on the side of her face, I snickered, linking her arm with mine and heading towards Amy's home. Letting go of it as we arrived, I told her, "The key's under the mat. Make yourself at home, Schatz."
Sandy nodded, turning to open the door and saying, "Thanks for agreeing to go to the convention with me."
Tugging on my gloves, I retorted, "It's not bothersome, after all that's what acquaintances are for."
"Friends. We're…just friends." She replied quickly, entering the house and closing the door with a lone, creaky click.
Right, we're just friends. No more, no less; that's how it should be now. It's just that back then, dare I say it; we were a couple of sorts if you could call us that. Yet, that ended just as quickly as it began. Deciding to head home, I dismissed the thought of her welcoming me with, well, contentment.
It's best if I shower and go to bed. Stepping under the spray of warm water, I sighed, letting my eyes fall shut. Prying them open, I hissed as the thought of her, bare and spread before me, replayed itself along with my name floating from her tongue in heated whispers. Turning the knob to cold, I leaned back, trying my hardest to process why I was thinking that.
"We're friends, only friends." I repeated to myself, slamming my hand against the wall to keep from swaying.
Finally having my body calm down, I stepped out of the shower, never knowing I could even think such a thing. I shouldn't be thinking about Sandy in that way at all. Running my hands through damp quills, I cleared my throat, finally looking at my reflection. I hissed again, gripping the counter as the thought flashed by except she wore one of my shirts, slowly- damn it!
No, I can't think of her like that. She's married anyway, so why am I…I'll just go to bed and hopefully I won't be thinking of this tomorrow. Falling back on the mattress, I groaned, getting underneath the covers as the springs moaned in protest. Turning over, I rubbed my temples, snapping my eyes shut. Unfortunately, my brain decided to play out my primitive thoughts.
A/N: Well this escalated quickly. Didn't think I could do it, but somehow I did. And now I'm ashamed, yet accomplished, I think. Criticize me if you want.