Chapter 3

Turbo was taken aback as throngs of students came pouring out of classrooms and pandemonium ensued: people chatting, laughing, and yelling, lockers slamming, people pushing up against each other as they tried to survive the turbulent ocean of their peers until they made it to their next class. Being quite short at five feet tall, he had especial difficulty making it to his locker, trying to use the combination lock, and making it to the right room for his first class of his first day of public school at MHS: Art I.

Silver had just sat down in Mr. Kipley's room for that class, his first period of sophomore year. His desk being at the edge of the room was both a blessing and a curse: he hopefully wouldn't be noticed if he was goofing off, talking with somebody, using his phone or iPod, etc., but he'd probably get annoyed at not being able to clearly see what was being projected on the screen in the middle of the front wall, among other things.

Is there even going to be anybody I know in here? he wondered doubtfully as he saw more students filing into the room, most of which he recognized, but didn't really know at all.

But then Turbo, just a nameless orange and blue cat to Silver, strode in, wearing tight jeans, a brightly-colored dress shirt layered over a T-shirt, fingerless gloves, and Nike's with rainbow laces; he had a backpack bearing a geometric, pixilation pattern in black and white slung over his shoulder and a school map in his hand. He walked awkwardly up to the screen and examined the projected seating chart to try and find his desk. Who is this guy? Silver didn't recognize him from anywhere.

Turbo was, no doubt, a bit anxious. I hope I don't have to sit next to somebody I don't know…damn it! I need to snap out of it, he told himself, I shouldn't be afraid of what other people might think of me. I should just try to be nice and well-mannered and get along.

So when Turbo saw Silver, just a nameless silver hedgehog to him, sitting at the desk next to his, he pushed away any nervousness he had, walked over, and, smiling slightly, simply greeted, "Hi."

Wow, he sure isn't too shy. But Silver didn't share Turbo's confidence. He blushed slightly and turned his face away, though he did warily reply, "Hey."

Turbo sat down and pulled out a sketchbook and mechanical pencil. He and Silver made furtive, sideways glances at each other, each sizing the other up. Turbo took note of Silver's spiky hair, nylon athletic shorts, and T-shirt boldly emblazoned with the MHS Swim Team logo: a small, sky-blue wave overlapping a large, indigo wave. Well, here's somebody I'll know on the swim team, he inferred, glad that he wouldn't feel completely out of place when his first season with MHSST started.

But it wasn't long before their eyes inadvertently met and they both immediately turned away from each other, their faces reddening a little.

They were both thinking the same thing: He's kind of…cute.

After making it through a somewhat awkward 1st Period, Silver headed to Pre-Calculus. Apparently, the expected advanced math teacher, Mr. Kriffin, was resigning and, on late notice, was replaced by some guy named Mr. Kockhold. Silver tried to be sensitive enough to overlook the highly unusual (not to mention, suggestive) name, though he knew many others wouldn't.

The thought of math class made Blaze the Cat spring to Silver's mind. They had always made sure to get the same math class period since they were always at the same level. But now she had taken special care to get a different one…true, she had a right to be mad at him still—he had betrayed, lied, and cheated…but he had confessed to her openly on his own…why couldn't she have forgiven him? And then there's Sonic…

Silver walked into Mr. Kockhold's room with a dark cloud hanging over his head. When the bell rang, everyone sat down and Mr. Kockhold closed the door behind him as he walked in. He introduced himself, unfortunately sending ripples of giggles and snickers throughout the class of students.

Silver looked down and saw his MHS Swim Team T-shirt. Well, it's something to keep me busy, I guess, he remarked to himself; on a whim he had joined the swim team this year. He had never really identified with any talents or interests, but he kind of liked swimming, so what the hell?

He thought back to last year, when he, Blaze, and Sonic all had the same Geometry period with Mrs. Kilton. That was the first time he'd met Sonic in person. He was straight back then, but had some confusion in his sexual identity; and when Sonic, being gay, flirted with him, deep down inside it turned him on…

But he had started dating Blaze, though, he'd probably now admit, Sonic was always at the back of his mind. And when Sonic baited him at homecoming, Silver finally made the decision to become bisexual. But then everything went crazy and…

This is a horrible first day of school...

Blaze was, at the moment, in English 11 with Ms. Keidel. Even she couldn't help thinking about Silver and Sonic a bit as she went through her day. Especially since the former was the father of a new life growing inside of her.

What the fuck am I going to do…?