Flames. No one appreciates them. No one wants them.

Sonic the Hedgehog © Sega

Trixie Vinnet © Me

A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes © Disney

Chapter 3

The week rolled by slowly. I felt as if I was counting the hours until Saturday night arrived. But finally, the clock in my house chimed 5 times for five o'clock, and my calendar read Saturday. I dressed in work jeans and an old t-shirt. I flung my hair up into a ponytail and threw on some work boots. I grabbed my purse and walked over to Shadow's house.

Shadow's P.O.V.

"Trixie, I'm serious," I told her. Her smile faded.

"You really are mad this time?"

"Yes."

"But that Amy girl meant nothing to you before! And suddenly she can just show up in your life and be the most amazing thing ever?!"

"Trixie, I never said that Amy replaced you. She has a passion for fireworks, and I do too, and she wants to learn more, so I told her I would teach her. We've been friends for years Trix, I just never thought you'd react this way," I replied. She scowled.

"I'm not stupid, Shadow. I know you like her. You told me off after I tried to deal with her."

"What you did was uncalled for Trixie. Amy never tried to take me from you. She's a friend."

"See? You even stick up for her, even better than you did for me!"

"Trixie-"

"No! Stop Shadow. I think this is it." I stepped back with worry.

"What?"

"I think we need to see other people Shadow," she concluded. I didn't know how to react. Upset and cry? Angry and argue? Smile because now you've got Amy- wait, what?

"But, why Trix?"

"Don't call me that. Shadow, we've just lost our spark, and I think it's time we move on, especially with me graduating soon and you and your fireworks."

"What the hell, Trixie?! You're dumping me because of your paranoid feelings and jealousy for Amy?! I've seen the girl maybe 3 times! Trix, I love you…"

"No Shadow. We're done." And with that, she walked out the front door and out of my life. I growled and grabbed the handgun that rested on a high shelf in my entryway. I grabbed my headphones and goggles and set out for the target I set up outside. Making sure the gun was loaded, I fired away.

And I missed. So I shot again, and I missed again, watching the bullets go into the safety glass behind the target. I growled in frustration. Shot, miss, shot, miss, shot, miss…

"Shadow!" I barely heard the voice with my headphones on. I ripped the headphones off my head and whirled around.

"What the hell do you want?!" That's when I realized whom I was yelling at. "Ames, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it, I'm just…frustrated." She cowered down again, as if waiting for me to take a swing at her. I could suddenly see that little girl I met in her; shy, quiet, reserved, but curious. I set the gun down after unloading it. I took off my headphones and goggles and set them down too. I embraced her. "I'm sorry…"

"It's ok Shadow. What's wrong?" I sighed. Should I tell her?

"Just some trouble with Trixie. That's all." She titled her head.

"Trouble?" she asked. Damn her curiosity. I ran my gloved hands through my quills.

"Yeah. We, um, we've decided to take a break." She looked surprised.

"She dumped you, huh? And it's all my fault."

"No it's not Ames. This isn't your fault, not at all. It's mine. I'm the one who screwed things up, not you. But yes, she did dump me."

"You didn't deserve that Shadow." I smiled at Amy.

"Thank you Rose. Now, let's get you suited up and I'll show you the ropes. Show starts at 8 tonight." I took her out to the firework shed. Unlocking the door, I grabbed a pair of goggles and a coat. I held the coat out for her to put on, which she did with a smile. I then handed her the pair of goggles, which she set on her head. I slipped on my coat and my goggles onto my head before unlocking the safe and pulling the computer out. "So, do you still think we should try and use this stuff tonight? Or take another week to learn about it?" She smiled widely.

"You're the boss, Shadow. Do whatever you think will look the best." I smirked back before beginning to set everything up. Over the next two hours, the two of us learned how to set everything up and where to place everything. I occasionally would ask Rose her opinion on which color she liked better or which patter would fit best, and she was always happy to answer. I could tell this was her passion. If she stuck with me long enough, she'd make a great partner someday. She hummed a pretty tune as she continued to place the fuses and fireworks. The song, I knew that song…

"What song is that?"

"Hmmm?" I stood and walked over to her.

"What song were you humming?" She smiled.

"It's my favorite, a Disney classic, A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes," Amy answered.

"Do you sing?" She looked a bit taken back by the question.

"What?"

"Do you sing?" She thought carefully for a minute before answering my question.

"Without any talent and alone, sure. For a crowd, no way," she waved her hands about as she answered. I grinned.

"Will you sing that song for me?" I asked. Her voice was sweet to me. It had a comforting effect.

"Oh, I, um, I don't know all the words, and I've never sang in front of anyone before."

"Please?" The bells chimed 8, interrupting my question. Amy looked relieved. "Showtime," I said with a smirk. She began to walk back over to the computer before I stopped her. "Ah ah ah, I want you to learn how to shoot off a traditional firework first, then we can use the computer." She bit her lip.

"Are you sure Shadow? I could drop the match and light the entire place on fire, and explode everything, and then-"

"Rose, you'll be fine. Here, let me help." I grabbed a spare firework out of the shed and placed it correctly. We both put the goggles and gloves on. Then I handed her a pair of headphones to protect her ears that she placed around her neck. I did the same. "Now, when you light this firework, put the headphones on and get behind the cement wall next to the shed. That'll protect you from harm." Her face flushed.

"Are you saying that these things could blow me to pieces? Just one?"

"Yes, but you'll be just fine. I'm right here. I'll protect you," I said, giving her a reassuring smile. She smiled weakly in return. "Here, take this match and just light the end of the fuse. Blow the match out, drop it, and get behind the wall with your headphones on, ok?" She nervously laughed. I lit the match and carefully handed it to her. With shaky breath, Amy took it and slowly knelt next to the firework. I knelt behind her with my arms around her waist to guide her hand. I kept my hand around her wrist and guided her to the fuse. The fuse suddenly sparked to life. She blew out the match, put her headphones on, and ran with me to the wall. We both peaked over it and watched the fuse run out.

I looked over at Amy. She watched the pyrotechnic piece with awe. I smiled at her. She is very beautiful, Shadow… whoa whoa whoa, just got out of a relationship; don't need another right now, thank you very much.

The fuse ran out, and the firework shot off into the sky, disappearing from sight. Within a few seconds, a bright burst of colored chemicals exploded in the sky, and I could hear the roars of the neighbors as they cheered for the opening of the weekly performance. Amy smiled at me. I read her lips since she still had the headphones on.

"Oh my gosh, that was amazing!" I nodded and grabbed her hand, pulling her over to the computer.

"Let's do this," I said with a smirk. In an instant, more bright lights took their place in the sky with loud crackles and pops. Many oooohed and ahhhed at the display, so I knew the crowd was pleased with the new software. This made me smile again, as I let Amy launch a few from the computer too. She still watched the colors above with a huge grin. Then came the finale. One firework of each color and design ignited the sky as tons of people cheered. Once the sky was finally clear again, cries of joy could be heard from the streets. I smiled at Amy as I took my headphones off. She threw her arms around my neck.

"Oh my gosh Shadow, that was amazing! How I lit that firework, and how you created that show, and how each one looks a little different…" She carried on. I wrapped my arms around her waist tightly and let her bury her head in my neck. She laughed with joy.

"Did you have fun?"

"Fun? Are you kidding me? That was the best time of my life!"

"Good, then I can count on you being here next week?"

"Yes!"

"And the week after that?"

"Yes!"

"And after that?"

"Every Saturday until your firework shed runs dry Shadow!" She replied joyfully. I'd never seen a girl so happy with something I'd done before, not even Trixie… Amy suddenly realized she was still hanging on me and backed off quickly. Even in the dark I could still see her blush. "I guess I should get going, huh?"

"No hurry Rose. You may stay as long as you like."

"Shadow? What do you consider me?" I heard her voice ask. I hung up my coat and goggles, but couldn't quite take the gloves off yet.

"I can answer that question once I finish up. I have to go out in the field and make sure no lose fumes could light anything up. Care to join me?" She nodded. "Here, gimme your hand. There's potholes out in the field and I don't want my apprentice to twist an ankle on her first night." She grabbed my hand and I walked her through the gate and into the field. "We're looking for anything that gives off any kind of glow, ok?"

"Ok Shadow." I felt her grip my hand tighter. "You ok?"

"Yeah. I just don't wanna fall in a hole," she replied, quietly chuckling. I knew she wasn't terrified. I could hear the laughter behind her voice. I entwined our fingers and continued to lead her out into the field. An hour went by and we hadn't found any fuses, so we decided to head back. "Gosh my feet are killing me. How can you do this by yourself all the time?" Amy asked. I stopped her and crouched down in front of her, facing away from her.

"Grab on."

"Are you sure? I weigh more than you think."

"You're a stick, Amy. Grab on." I felt her arms go around my neck and she started to straddle my back. I stood up with her on my back and carried her back to the house.

"Isn't this kinda backwards? Aren't you the boss here?"

"What, just because I'm the boss doesn't mean I can't be a gentlemen too?" I heard her chuckle lightly.

"Well played, Shadow. Well played." I continued out the back gate and onto the street. "Uh, Shadow? Where are you going?"

"No gorgeous young hedgehog should walk these streets alone in the dark. I'm carrying you home."

"Shadow! You don't have to do that!"

"But I'm going to anyway. Funny how that works," I replied. "Besides, you only live like a block away. See, I can see your house from here." She sighed and hung on tighter. Was I starting to get feelings for this girl? Already?

I set her down on her front porch and turned to face her.

"Thank you for letting me participate Shadow. I had a nice time." I smiled.

"You're welcome. I'll see you next Saturday Rose."

"Goodnight Shadow."

"Night Rose." And with that, she stepped into her house and wandered off to sleep.

I literally just planned the whole story out in my head while typing this chapter. Why can't that happen for every story?!