Chapter 7

She must have been the most striking being. The albino hedgehog wearing a long, silky dress tied with many turquoise ribbons weaved past the cherry blossom trees and elegant fountains. Her garden was in immense shape, bursting with floral scents. Her heels tapped on the marble path fancied by her royalty. Her indigo-diamond eyes shone greatly and her long, wavy silver hair following along. Her garden was made of majestic white fountains and alongside her white marble trail were magnificent cherry blossom trees that at this time shed its pink petals which floated through the air aimlessly.

Everyone wanted to live their life as the princess: a life that was served right on a plate and easy to digest. The princess, however, wanted vice versa. She never loved being in all the fame, for she had to live under strict rules of her parents, the king and queen. She was also just a shadow of her sister, who was the most famed and known.

Aurora was her sister's name, and from looking at the both of the princesses, you would not be able to see a relation, although they were twins. Aurora had far more beauty than her sister; her sun-golden fur and those sky-blue eyes were her best features, something that would put aside her little sister.

Selene was her little sister's name, who was also the hedgehog prancing through her striking garden. She was set to be married to a new king; but there was a problem. She had never met the new king, and she had no interest in him. For her love was set to a peasant boy who lived on the outskirts of the kingdom. Late at night, at the call of his name, he would scurry over to the outer perimeter of the castle, where he would meet his princess. It was truly a forbidden love, for if the princess's true love was ever caught, he would be banished from the kingdom and never seen again.

What a dream. Reminds me of a good childhood memory. Maybe even a drop or so of my own life.

"Selene! Pay attention!" a loud bang flooded the room, directed at Selene.

"S-sorry," Selene said in a low tone, trying to hide her face.

"She's probably daydreaming about something that will never happen, teacher," Roseanne, the blue rabbit rolled her eyes and laughed. The whole room burst in laughter, except for Selene. The magnificent indigo eyes gazed at Roseanne, who snarled at her upon seeing this. "What are you looking at?" she hissed.

"Looking at how much attention you want, the power you apparently achieve when you hurt someone." These words silenced the entire class, bringing them into shock. Roseanne narrowed her eyes and whipped around, trying to ignore the comeback.

The bell rang for brunch, and Selene met up with Shadow.

"Can we meet after-"

"I can't, Selene, I'm sorry."

Odd.

"Tomorrow we'll go to the mall!" Aurora demanded as she walked Selene's bedroom, "we need to get something nice for the dance." Selene gazed up from her homework: a large pile of papers stacked upon books. "What do you think?"

"I…I guess," Selene responded gazing back down at her assignment. Tomorrow is Thursday, and I can't forget the dance is on Friday.

Aurora patted Selene on the shoulder with a worried face. "Anything wrong? You look even worse than yesterday." Selene shook her head and moved away from her sister's grip, her hands aiming for her pencil on the desk. She heard a distressed tone in Aurora's sigh. "Has your anxiety gone up?"

"I'm just extremely nervous, I can't describe it," Selene gazed up, "Tory said she'll beat me up if I dance with Shadow…"

"Oh no!" Aurora slapped her hand over her mouth, "I'm pretty sure Shadow will protect you. He's a very loyal person once you get to know him better. Even if it means hitting a girl."

"But won't he get in trouble for that?"

"It's self-defense, Selene. It would be rubbish if you did. Come on, if Tory is giving you violent threats in high school then I really would not want to see her later in life." Aurora walked to the door and looked back at Selene, "Tell me if you need any more help. I'm pretty sure Shadow won't turn you down."

After having a satisfying meal of spaghetti and a chocolate shake, Selene made her way up the stairs into her room. She shut it right behind her and made sure no one was in the area. She sat on her bed whispered, "Shadow." Within a few minutes her dark hedgehog friend was there, sitting in her window frame. "Hi."

"Hi."

There was an awkward silence for a bit whilst Selene was brainstorming ideas for a topic to discuss. She first thought of bringing up the discussion of what had happened during brunch, but it probably wasn't a good idea to snoop into other people's business. "Don't forget that the dance is on Friday," Selene reminded.

"Oh…yeah…" Shadow sighed. Selene could sense his aura growing weak.

"Anything wrong?"

"No, not at all."

"Oh, okay." Selene pinched her eyes closed. Why is it so hard to talk to him now?

"Are you okay, too? You don't look too good."

"You're the second person to have said that to me today," the silver hedgehog commented, "I don't feel any different…do I look any different?"

"I don't know…you seem very...pale."

"I'm already very pale naturally, I avoid the sunlight," Selene puffed her cheek, "it's like I'm allergic to light. Well, you…you look like you're in the sun everyday."

"Oh…I know…" Shadow scratched the back of his head nervously, not knowing what to add on. The moonlight hit the dark hedgehog, which made the outer parts of his body completely white. "Wow, you always have the moon shining at you?"

"I guess," Selene muttered, wrapping her arms around her knees. "Sometimes, I wonder if the moon needs something. It shines on my window every single night, even when the clouds are covering most of it up."

"Maybe you have something to do with moons," Shadow's face brightened.

"Maybe…" Selene sighed. "Maybe I'm just that outcast that everyone else sees."

"That's what makes you different, Selene," Shadow rested his foot on the frame and gazed up at the starry night sky. "Almost judges a book by its cover. That's what makes you different. You read the book before judging it."

Selene's heart started pounding rapidly when she heard those words. Her cheeks turned into a soft, rosy pink. "Thanks."

"Well, anyways, it's getting awfully late. I should be getting home," Shadow shrugged. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Sure."

Shadow smiled and stayed in place for a moment. He was thinking for a moment, then trotted to her bed and sat down. The dark hedgehog stared straight into the magnificent indigo eyes. He held her hand and moved to her side. "Good night, Selene," he whispered. A moment later Selene felt a warm spot on her cheek. He had kissed her. Shadow climbed down from her window ceil and ran off into the night.

Selene's hand touched the warm part of her cheek that Shadow had kissed. Many emotions whirled through her, so many it felt as if she had butterflies in her stomach. Shadow…I love you.

"I love you too," Selene heard Shadow's voice wisp back.

The princess scurried over to her beloved and spotted him by the fence. She had talked to him for a while and realized that she would get married in a few days, and it would be the last time she would ever see him.

"I am so sorry that I have to get married. I would do anything to stop it from happening."

"It's okay, but I have a question. Am I the only boy you've ever had contact with?" he asked.

"Yes. Why?" Her indigo eyes fused with the boy's red eyes, as she blinked. He pulled her closer and into a kiss, before letting her go.

"A lot of people say it's a true love's first kiss. To be honest, I do not think that it's true. As long as you believe in it, it will certainly happen. I'll miss you, princess."