CHAPTER 5

Los Angeles, CA

Tikal was just walking into her classroom a little bit late. The first thing that happened is she ran right into a boy and they both went tumbling to the ground. She looked up and saw that it was that new boy that looked so familiar, but she still couldn't think of where she'd seen him before. Shadow was looking at Tikal wondering where he had seen her before, but he just couldn't remember where.

"Class we have a new student today." Said the teacher, Mrs. Rush. "He and his brother, I hear you students refer to them as the 'Porter Twins', have just begun attending public school and we are honored to have them here today. Shadow, would you like to introduce yourself to the students?

"Uhh.. sure" He walked up to the front of the room eyes glued to Tikal and said

"I'm Shadow Porter... "

"Oh ya! Moab! Tikal's eyes went big as she spoke.

"Oh ya now I remember!" Shadow said, smacking his head.

The class and Mrs. Rush looked confused and then she said

"Right then, thank you Shadow, you may sit back down." Shadow sat back down, and started doodling on a piece of paper. Mephiles looked at back and forth between his cousin and best friend, and sighed, his golden brown eyes twinkling. Tikal, who was no longer paying attention to Mrs. Rush, decided to peek over at Shadow. Mephiles gave her one of those 'I caught you staring at my cousin' looks and Tikal just blushed and turned away.

After school Rouge and Sonic were sitting on the front steps together.

"I can't believe it." Rouge said to Sonic.

"I know. It's been like forever." Sonic replied.

"Actually I can't believe I didn't recognize you. I mean you're totally famous. I guess I'm not very up to date on the latest celebrities."

"Hey no problem. Actually, it's kind of a relief. I'm getting sick of everybody making a big fuss over me all the time. "

"So why did you start coming to public school? Don't movie stars get like, private training or something shnazy like that?"

"Only during filming. And attending public school was actually our agent's idea. He figured it would make for good publicity or something like that. But wow, it's been so many years since I've seen you!"

"You know, I still have your jacket."

"Really? Wow, I still remember it so well. You were all cold, and then those boys came, and then your grandmas house, and then I..." he trailed off and blushed, remembering the kiss. Rouge blushed too. Then Rouge looked up at him and she found her lavender-blue eyes staring into his bright blue ones. Silently they stared until the silence was broken by an earsplitting cry:

"Sonic!" Amy Cooper cried. "SONIC BABY! SONI-BABY- oh THERE you are!"

"Who's that?" Rouge inquired.

"Amy." Sonic's face fell. "I'm supposedly dating her."

Rouge looked a little surprised. "Oh. I guess I'll umm.. go then." Rouge got up and started to leave.

"Wait!" Sonic grabbed her arm. "I mean... I don't want you too... I mean..." he leaned closer and whispered "My brother and I are going to the Sonic Drive-in later tonight, meet me there at seven, puh-lease?" Rouge looked at Amy and reluctantly nodded 'ok'.

Rouge left and Sonic turned to Amy. "Amy, we need to talk."

"OK honey bunny Soni. But who was that?" Amy gushed in a high-pitched syrupy sweet voice as she tossed her short, dyed, strawberry-blonde hair.

"That was Rouge. And She-"

Amy cut him off. "Oh would you just LOOK at her?" Amy stared after Rouge. "I can tell by just LOOKING at her that I HATE HER GUTS. But no girl at this tacky school is a pretty as ME. Not even her. I'm the prettiest, beautifullest..."

"Amy I wanna break up."

"... the gorgeousest, fabulousest, WHAT DID YOU SAY!"

"I wanna break up. I think I might like somebody else. Plus I'm sick of dating you just for publicity. It's been fun, I wish you an awesome life, but, adios!" Sonic said and folded his arms.

"WHAT! But you CAN'T just dump me! Your agent and mine made a deal! You can't just DUMP me… especially for that blonde chick! What's her name… Rouge? But she's so... so... "

"Beautiful, sweet, and just... amazing." Sonic finished dreamily. "Well, see ya around Amy."

Amy stared after him, her face twisted into a scowl. "I'm gonna get that Rouge. I'll make her regret the day she stole my Soni-baby away from me if it's the last thing I do!"