The time was 5:23, about an hour before dinner.

Digit was wrapping up his physics worksheet at the desk and Silver was on his cot drawing. The hedgehog realized that this was a good opportunity to discuss Digit and his behavior.

"Hey, Digit, can I ask you something?" he asked.

Digit turned around in his chair. "Sure. What?"

"Why don't you talk to anyone else besides me?"

Digit paused, then he finally answered. "Because you are the only one I trust."

"Why is that?"

"Because you're the only person I like."

"Because?"

"...Because you're nice."

"I'm not the only who's been nice to you," stated Silver.

Digit got up. "Oh, really. Who else has?" he said while crossing his arms.

Silver also got up. "Let's see, Knuckles was grateful that you let him borrow a pencil, Shadow checked to make sure you weren't badly injured after your shock, and Sonic has not only apologized for accidentally hitting you with a basketball, but has also tried a few times to befriend you! What's the difference between me and them?"

"Oh, please. They're all in older grades! Also, you're not tall, mean looking, or have spiked hands!" Digit started to get annoyed. "Why do you care so much about my personal life?!"

Silver was confused by his comment. "Your personal life?"

"Just forget it," snarled Digit. "I'm going to get some water." He started to stomp off. After he opened the door, Silver immediately slammed it with his psychokinesis. He also locked it.

"What are you doing?! Let me out!" Digit yelled.

"Please, I want to help. Tell me about your past," said Silver.

"Why should I?"

"Just tell me, I won't judge."

"Fine," Digit growled. "I have issues with people," he declared.

"Can you elaborate?" inquired the hedgehog.

"What I mean is that I don't like people because no one likes me. Everyone was cruel to me in my past, even when I did nothing to them. I've always been an easy target to be abused verbally or physically. Just because I was smarter than others, short, or just downright weird. Because of this, I don't feel safe and don't trust anyone. Even though I'm at this school and I have only been bullied once here, I don't feel safe. I never have in my entire life. That's why I'm always scared and cautious of everyone."

Silver didn't say anything, he just listened.

"And no one has ever cared, barely even my parents. They haven't done much to care for me besides trying to keep me from getting hurt besides pulling me out and sending me here, only because they've always been too busy."

Digit's eyes started to fill up with tears. He was trying hard not to cry. "Thanks to this, I'm depressed. I've always felt alone because of this. I feel like I have no one. I gave up on trying to fit in. And it hurts inside, it really does. I've even had suicidal thoughts due to the pain." His voice started to break and he got a lump in his throat. "B-besides the many scars... people h-have left... on me, I have always h-had th-this feeling of... e-emptiness. I... I..."

Digit took off his glasses and finally started to cry. He couldn't say anything because it hurt so bad. He felt hopeless.

He also became embarrassed. He always tried to cry in private. He was taught that males shouldn't cry, especially wolves. The reason why was because crying was a sign of weakness and men shouldn't look or act weak.

He covered his face to avoid looking at roommate. He expected to find Silver laughing at him. After hearing no noise come from him, the wolf peeked.

Silver wasn't laughing or even smirking at all. He actually looked concerned. He gave Digit a moment to let it out, and then he did what his own mother would do in a time like this. He walked to his roommate and hugged him.

Digit tensed up at first because of how foreign the gesture was to him, but his emotions got the better of him and his muscles relaxed.

"It's okay, none of that was your fault," said Silver.

Digit started to cry harder. Not in agony, but in relief. Relief in letting go of the feelings he bottled up inside. He dropped his glasses and slowly wrapped his arms around his roommate and let his head rest against him.

The hedgehog looked down at his roommate with a soft smile. "Looks like he really needed this," he thought.

He was right. All Digit needed was comfort to show that someone cared about him.

When the wolf's weeping died down, he heard nothing but the hedgehog's soothing heartbeat. Even though the sound was simple, it let him become aware of the fact that this wasn't a fantasy. This was real-life.

He truly wasn't alone.

Silver finally spoke more. "I'm glad you told me this." He then made a promise. "You're not alone because I'll be here with you. You'll be safe because I will protect you from harm. And I won't hurt you because I care for you as a friend. It'll be okay, I promise."

Digit believed him. The words Silver spoke felt sincere, as if they came from his heart.

He was also amazed at the fact that Silver considered him a friend. Despite him being a scrawny, nerdy, midget with glasses who can't do much besides computer work, he was accepted.

"Maybe shooting stars do exist," he thought.

He felt calm and at peace, something he hasn't felt in a very long time. He never knew that a hug could heal many emotional scars he still had. He also did something he hasn't done in forever.

He started to smile.

"Th-thanks, Silver," whispered Digit.

"You're welcome," he replied.

"D-don't let go yet, okay?" asked the wolf.

Silver chuckled softly. "I wasn't planning to."


Author's Note: I just want to make it clear that Silver and Digit are not gay in this story. In this scene, it may come across that way to some people, but they are not. This is just a heartfelt moment between friends. Thank you.