Chapter Ten: The Valentines Day Ball
February 2006…I've only got twenty-two months left until my death. I really don't like to upset Sonika-Chan that I had N.I.D.S. I'll just tell her before I die. I hope she's not too upset. I really don't want to make her cry or break her heart.
At school, I was hanging out with my friends and Sonika-chan. During lunch period, my mom made an announcement. "Attention all students…" She said. All students stopped what they're doing. "Tomorrow will be the Valentines Day Ball." She said, "I repeat, tomorrow will be the Valentines Day Ball." They all returned on what they're doing. "Does your mom have to announce that every February 13 or when it will be?" Allan asked. "Don't ask me." I answered, "She always does that." Sonika started to giggle a little. "Well…at least you've already got yourself a girlfriend." Johnny said. "Stop it!" I said. "What I do?" He said, "All the girls in this university had a big crush on you and their boyfriends are jealous. You don't have a girlfriend yet ya know." "Yeah, remember last time when one of the girls who don't have boyfriends asked you, you said 'no…thanks.'" Allan recalled, "Then when one of the girls dumped their boyfriend just to get you, you still said no. Even the most beautiful and sexiest girls asked you, you still said no." "Please," I said, "don't ever remind me…I still had a headache…" "Sorry…" He said. I suddenly noticed Sonika in a bad mood. "Is something wrong?" I asked. "It's nothing…" She answered, "I'm just nervous…" "For me, I'll be busted." I answered with a smile on my face. "Why's that?" She asked. "All girls had crushes on me and their boyfriends are jealous because I'm really cute. Then they will soon get jealous because I've got you." I answered. "You're so funny." She said with a smile. I just only smiled. Suddenly my mom had another announcement. "One more thing," She said, "Two famous heroes will join our ball. Thank you."
Suddenly, everyone starts to wonder who they are. I heard some saying their favorite celebrity and all, but my friends, Sonika and I knew who they are anyway. It's Sonic and Shadow.
As school ends, my friends were walking me and Sonika-chan home. As we reached home, my friends left me. We went inside then saw Will playing video games. "Hey Will, where's dad?" I asked. "You know that he's an actor bro." He answered, "Being an actor is hard work…" "Whoops, I forgot…" I said nervously. Sonika went upstairs then headed to my room. "Where's she going?" He asked. "She always went to my room then starts her homework." I answered. Then I suddenly remember something. "Have you done your homework?" I asked. "Done." He answered. "Let me see…" I said. He paused his game then grabbed his backpack. He zipped it open then grabbed his homework. I got it from his hand then looked at it. "Very good." I said. I gave it back to him. I got my stuff then headed to my room upstairs.
As I went upstairs, I went to my room then saw Sonika doing something else. "Done already?" I asked. She stopped on what she's doing then turned around. "Shandic!" She said, "I'm really done with my homework." "Oh…" I said. I put my backpack on my bed. She just went on doing something. I'm not really curious when it comes to something people what are doing, like what Sonika-Chan's doing right now. I just got out my homework then started.
Few hours later, mom was home. Only thing I heard is Will marching upstairs then headed to his room. He's always like that when mom's home. Suddenly I heard familiar voices. I was done with homework anyway. "You just stay here Sonika." I said. I headed out then went downstairs. I suddenly saw familiar spikes. "Sonic? Shadow?" I said. "Hey Shandic!" Sonic greeted. "I've already guessed." I said. "You're really good Shandic." Mom smiled. I just only blushed. "I really can't wait for the ball." Sonic said. "You can invite your friends if you want." I suggested. "Thanks." Shadow said. "This will be great!" Sonic exclaimed. "But you need to wear formal clothes." Mom added. This made Sonikku a bit crabby. "Sometimes tuxedoes make me look ridiculous." He remarked. "It's your choice Sonic." She smiled, "I'm not forcing you." "Alright, thanks." He replied. "Your welcome." She smiled. "Umm, mom," I said nervously, "since this is Sonika-Chan's first time, can she not wear formal clothes, also me?" "Sure Shandic." She answered, "Anything for my adorable son." I started to blush. The Hedgehogs looked at the clock. "We've gotta go." Sonic answered. "Alright, see you tomorrow." She said, "Be there at seven in the evening." "Alright!" They answered. The two left in a flash.
The next day, Sonika and I were preparing to go, also Will. By the door, we waited for mom. Will already went outside then headed to his school. Then mom came downstairs. "Ready you two?" She asked. "Ready!" We answered. We headed outside then mom locked the door. Then we headed to S.S.U. By the time we've reached there, we've went to Johnny and Allan while mom headed to her office. All of us four were chatting until the bell rang. We've headed to our class. Us four are always together: on each class and on our lunch period. During lunch, I saw some of the staff with lots of stuff. It was the stuff for the ball. "So John, what're you wearing for the ball tonight?" Allan asked. "The usual Al." Johnny answered. "I really hate tuxedoes, they're so ridiculous!" He remarked. "Same here." He agreed. I started to laugh. "You two are like Sonikku." I laughed, "You guys are in common." Then they laughed also. Sonika joined in. "So what are you lovebirds gonna wear?" Johnny asked. "The usual?" Allan suggested. "Well, since this is Sonika-chan's first time," I answered, "she not gonna wear formal. Also me, just to support her." The two were surprised. "Well, at least you two are allowed." Johnny said. "Well, we'll meet outside of the campus." Allan announced. All of us nodded.
As it ends, we went to our home to change. I suddenly heard the door knocking. It probably be dad or Sonic and his friends. Will opened the door then saw Sonic and friends. "Hey Will!" Sonic greeted. "Hey Sonic!" He greeted back. He looked at them. Some are wearing formal, others not. "What's with the formal and informal?" He asked. "Your mom asked us to go to your brother's Valentines Day Ball." He answered. "Aren't all of you supposed to wear formal?" He suggested. "Nah…" He answered, "She told me and Shadow if we can wear formal or not." "Oh…" He answered. Sonika and I went downstairs then saw the guys. "Hi guys!" I answered. "Hey!" They answered. "I see you're not wearing formal." Shadow said. "Yeah, I'm just supporting Sonika-chan since this is her first time." I said nervously. They started to laugh. "We'd better go!" Tails announced. I turned to my brother. "Be a good boy." I said. "Yes bro." He answered. We all left then he closed the door.
As we reached the campus, I saw Johnny and Allan. "Shandic! Sonika!" They shouted. "Hey guys!" We said. Then they looked at Sonic and friends. "Hey guys!" They greeted. "Hey!" They replied. We went inside then headed to my mom's office. Inside mom's office, we went in then she stopped on what she's doing. "Hey Mrs. Hedgehog!" Allan greeted. "Hi Allan." She replied. She turned to me. "Shandic," She said, "I'll let your friends show up at eight." "Sure mom." I answered. The four of us left, leaving the others with mom. Everything was completely quiet. I could almost hear my heart beating. As we headed near gym, the room where the ball was held, we heard music. Sonika started to shiver with fear and nervousness. I caught her. "Are you alright?" I asked. She just nodded. I let her lay her head down on my shoulder. "Don't be scared Sonika." I said. Then I suddenly remembered something. "Guys!" I shouted. My voice started to echo. Then my friends looked at me. "Will you escort Sonika-chan?" I asked, "I suddenly remembered something." Then I left them. I went to my mom's office then saw Sonic and his friends, reading books. "Mom!" I shouted. "What is it Shandic?" She asked. "I forgot something." I answered. "You didn't leave anything in my office." She replied. "Really?" I asked. "Maybe that disease of yours is affecting your brain." Knuckles suggested. "How can that be right?" Tails asked. "I suggest that his brain had the case of the stupid." Sonic suggested. "Hey! My brain ain't that stupid!" He growled. "No fighting please." My mom said. "Sorry…" Said the two. "Well, I'd better head back." I said. I left the office then headed to gym.
By the time I reached the door, I didn't hear the music. Then I heard the girls teasing someone. Who could they be teasing anyway? Only thing I heard is "This is not how you're suppose to wear for the ball." and "Shandic will never fall in love with you. You know that he'll be the king of the Valentines Day Ball and will never like you." Then I heard a familiar cry. It was Sonika-chan. I can't believe that the girls will tease my friend like that. She's just a new student, a freshman. My anger starts to grow, but I can't express it. I took a deep breath then stepped in. As I entered, all of the girls surround Johnny, Allan and Sonika. I suddenly saw the boys doing nothing. "What's going on?" I asked. Alex, one of the students in my biology class, heard my question. "Hey Shandic." He said. "As soon as your friends and the new girl went in, the ball was usual until Shane's girlfriend, Natasha, saw the freshman not in formal wear. Then she said 'Hey look at the freshman that always hang around with Shandic! She's not in formal wear!' Suddenly all the girls circled around the three then started to tease." "And they didn't pay attention to you boys anymore, right?" I added. "Yup!" Answered the boys. "They wanted you anyway." Said Zeke, a classmate of mine, "Every time when you're crown king of anything on what your mom plan on balls, proms, etc., all of the girls and our girlfriends wanted to be your queen, but since it's you told your mom not to vote to have a queen, nothing." "But this month is different." Said Mark, another classmate of mine, "The two heroes, your mom selected, will select the queen of the ball." "Queen or not," I said, "no one will tease any of my friends! Zeke, come with me." He got up from his seat then followed me. We approached the DJ box. I turned to him. "Since you're the DJ Zeke, play music." I said. He grabbed a disc then placed it on the player. The music started to play softly. "Make the music louder as I approached them." I said. "Okay." He answered. I headed to the girls, in an angered way, but never expressed it. The music got louder. The girls suddenly stopped teasing Sonika then turned to Zeke. "What's he doing there?" Julia, a classmate of mine, asked. As the girls were looking at Zeke, I went to my friends. "How's Sonika?" I whispered. "She's crying still." Allan whispered. I looked at her. She was kneeling. Then I suddenly saw tears on her face. I went near then knelt down beside her. "Sonika, please don't cry." I whispered. Then she looked at me, with eyes full of tears. "Shandic…" She cried. I let her put her head on my shoulder. Then she continued crying. Then Kate, senior of S.S.U, saw me with Sonika. "Hey girls!" She announced, "Look!" They stopped looking at Zeke then turned to me. "Shandic, what're you doing with her?" Natasha huffed, "And why aren't you in formal?" "She's my friend and I'm supporting her." I answered. "Shandic Alonso, friends with a freshman?" Kate scoffed, "Just look at her, she's really pathetic. I hate her fashion. Just look at her Shandic." "I don't care if she's not wearing formal." I growled, "Look at me! I'm not wearing formal also! You girls don't even care! Why? Because you bitches care for me too much!" Music is the only thing that's heard. "If you tease my friend, you're teasing me also." I said cold-hearted. The girls thought for a while. "Say sorry." I said. "We're sorry Shandic." They said. "Not me," I snarled, "to Sonika." "We're not saying sorry to a freshman." Kate answered. The girls agreed. "Some of you bitches are freshmen and you say sorry to them because some you seniors are friends with them!" I bellowed. Then I glared at them. They are getting a little scared. "Alright Shandic!" Kate remarked. "We're sorry…Sonika…" They said. Sonika-chan was still crying. The girls left then went to their boyfriend. Johnny and Allan helped her stand up. She started to hug me when we stand up. We headed to the table then all of us sat down. My friends looked at her. "Her feelings are really sensitive." Johnny said. "She a sensitive hedgehog you guys." I said, "She's always like this." Then my mom went upstage then headed to the microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen!" She said, "I would like all of you to meet the heroes." Then Sonic and friends opened the doors then stepped in. Everyone was surprised. Then they headed upstage with mom. "I would like you to meet the two heroes of Station Square," She announced, "Sonic the Hedgehog and Shadow the Hedgehog!" The hedgehogs bowed. "Along with them are their friends." She added. They started to bow. "Let the ball begin!" She said. Everyone shouted with joy. Then music was played when they headed down. Everyone starts to dance. It was really exciting anyway. Johnny and Allan went off, leaving me and Sonika behind. Her tears were wiped away, but her whimpers remained. "Feeling a little better?" I asked. She just only nodded. Then Sonic approached. "Konichiwa Shandic-kun." He said. He looked at Sonika. "Sonikku…" I said. Then he looked at me. "Will you dance with Sonika-chan?" I asked. "Sure thing buddy." He answered. I helped her get up then he took her hand. They went with his friends then they danced. I watched everyone dancing and chatting still.
Then I saw Shadow coming this way then sat down next beside me. "Sonika really loves you huh." He said. "Yeah…" I answered, "She's like a sister to me Shadow." "You know, there's a question that bugs me and Sonic." He said. "What is it?" I asked. Then he looked down towards the floor. "Who will Sonika love when you passed away?" He said. I was surprised about that question. Now that question is starting to bug me also. "I really don't know actually." I answered, "Maybe…you two might be lovebirds when I die…" Then he was shocked. "Me?" He said as he raised his head then looked at me, "Why me?" "Well, you seem irresistible to all teen girls everywhere in Station Square." I answered. His irises shrink. "No way…" He persuaded, "I can't be irresistible. No one would ever go near me. They would go approximately four to five feet away from me then start to adore me." I started smiling then start to laugh at his words. "What's so funny?" He asked. Then he starts to smile, but trying not to laugh. He can't control it then starts laughing. Suddenly Tails, Cream and Amy approached then looked at both of us. "What're you guys laughing?" Amy asked. We looked at them then started to laugh some more. "I think they're in crazy town…" Amy whispered. The three left. We've stopped laughing after two minutes. "Just give her a chance Shadou-kun." I said, "I'm sure she'll be happy with you." "I'm just not sure Shandic." He said, "I might…not be her type." "Well, it's your choice Shadow." I said, "I'm not forcing you." He stands up then left. Then I saw Sonic and Sonika coming this way. "Yes…?" I asked. "Sonika wants you." Sonic answered. She opened her arms then hugged me. She starts to snuggle my chest. "She wants to dance with you." He said. I was shocked at first. "Please Shandic-kun…" She pleaded. I smiled at her then I escorted her. Slow music starts playing. We looked at each other then we started to dance.
The night was getting darker. All of the freshmen and seniors left the gym. Sonic, his friends, my mom, Sonika and I were the ones left. Sonic starts to yawn. "Getting a little sleepy." He said, "See ya in the weekends!" Then he and his friends left. The three of us were alone. "You go ahead Shandic." My mom said, "I'll be home soon." Sonika and I left.
The both of us were walking. Then we heard noises. Sonika got a little scared then hugged me tight. "I'm scared Shandic-kun." She cried. "I'm here Sonika." I said, "When I'm here, you're safe from danger." She smiled at me then starts to snuggle.
When we reached home, I saw Will waiting for me. He was tapping his foot. "What took ya so long?" He groaned. "You know about mom," I answered, "I need to wait for her until she told me to go home." We went in then headed to the den. "Sonika and I won't have school tomorrow." I announced. Then he was jealous. "No fair!" He complained. "Don't worry bro," I said nervously, "I'm sure you'll have a break from school." "It better be, or that principal's dead." He muttered. The both of us had sweat drops. "Is he like that Shandic-kun?" Sonika asked. "Pretty much." I answered.