Chapter 10

I am free from my absence, peoples. Here's the next chapter. Enjoy!

Meanwhile, several hours later, Len was still holding his stomach, for he

was very hungry. He was also waiting for Amanda to come and see him. He was

worried that she forgot her promise.

Just then, a female voice said, "Hey, Len!"

Len turned to see the chameleon-cat-girl coming towards him. He

smiled. "Amanda! You came back!"

Amanda sat down beside Len. "I told you I would. I wouldn't want to

break a promise to you. And I've got a little snack for you."

Len liked the sound of that. "Ooh! What'd you get?"

"You'll see." Amanda reached into her bag and pulled out something that

was wrapped up. She gave it to Len. "Open it."

Len gently took off the wrapper and saw a strange kind of food with a

tortilla filled with meat, vegetables, and cheese. He was confused. "What is this?"

"Try it and you'll find out."

Len smelled it and then stared at it for a few seconds. Then, he took a

little bite out of it. When he chewed on it, he liked the taste. "Oh my God, this is

really good." He swallowed the food. "What do you call this stuff?" He took another

bite.

"It's a taco. I made it myself."

Len swallowed again. "You made this?"

"Well…okay, I did have a little help from my mom. It's my grandma's

special recipe. She's a really magnificent cook and she passed on her skills to my

mom. After that, she taught me and I'm starting to be a pro."

"Either way, this is still really good." Len took another bite.

Amanda smiled. "I'm glad you like it."

After Len took some more bites, he asked the cat-meleon, "So,

Amanda…where were you exactly?"

The girl looked confused. "What do you mean, Len?"

"I mean, where were you, before you came to visit me?"

"Oh. I was at school."

Len raised an eyebrow. "School, what's that?"

Amanda was surprised. "You don't know what school is?" She then

remembered about what Len said the last time she visited him. "Oh, right. I forgot,

you don't know so much. School's a place where kids go to learn things and to get an

education. All the way from kindergarten to twelfth grade."

"Oh. And what grade are you?"

"Twelfth. I'm a senior. After that, I have college for maybe four years."

"Whoa. How long do you have to stay in school for?"

"You mean, how many hours or how many months?"

"Both."

"I guess, for hours…" Amanda counted with her fingers. "…from 7:30

am to 2:15 pm, about six and a half hours. As for months…" She counted again.

"…approximately nine months."

Len looked stunned. "That does seem kind of long."

"I know, but you can sometimes get used to it as you go through the

year."

"What exactly do you usually do in school?"

"Well…" Amanda thought hard. "…most of the time, we have to be in

class and do our work, which can get pretty boring. But, we can also eat lunch at the

cafeteria, do amazing activities, or chat with our friends."

Len thought of the new word. "Friends?"

"Yeah. They're the people you hang out and talk with. You share each

others feelings with them, too."

"Would I be considered your friend?"

Amanda smiled. "Of course, Len. I like you. I'm glad I met you. You

should probably meet my other friends someday." Something hit her mind. "Oh, I

just remembered, I brought my old yearbook from last year. It has a picture of me and

my friends inside. Do you want to see?"

Len nodded. "Sure."

Amanda reached into her backpack and pulled out the book. She

scanned through the pages thoroughly, until she found the right one. "Ah, here it is.

We were all in the yearbook committee last year." She pointed to everyone. "That's

Maria the Hedgehog, my BFF (short for best friends forever), my childhood friend, Fists

the Echidna, and that's my cousin, Clarice Cunningtin."

Len pointed to the chameleon girl. "And I believe that on is you."

Amanda nodded. "Yep, that's me, alright."

"Wow." He noticed another figure. "Who is that?"

Amanda saw what Len was pointing at. "Oh…that's Nat the Hedgehog.

My ex-boyfriend."

Len was confused. "Ex-boyfriend?"

Amanda nodded. "It's someone who you used to fall in love with, but you

broke up with them. That makes me his ex-girlfriend."

"Oh."

Amanda sighed. "Yep. I even remember back when I first met Nat and I

had this crazy crush on him."

Flashback

Amanda's POV

It was the first day of my junior year. I was walking down the hallways,

until I spotted my best friend, Maria.

I smiled brightly. "Hey, Maria!"

The hedge-bat looked at me. "Amanda! Hey, girl! Guess what?"

"What?"

"Fists asked me out."

I was surprised. "No way, he did?"

Maria nodded.

"When?"

"On the last day of school!"

"OH MY GOD!!"

We both screamed in joy.

Suddenly, I saw a tall boy walking down the hallways. I thought he

looked so damn hot. His pink hair, his blue quills, his muscular arms. I literally drooled.

Maria noticed me. "Ooh…looks like somebody has a crush!"

I faced Maria and blushed. "No…maybe." I finally admitted the truth.

"Okay, yes! Who is he?"

"That's Nat the Hedgehog, son of the famous Sonic the Hedgehog, and the

hottest guy in school."

I couldn't take my eyes off of him. "Wow."

Nat came by this way. I tried to stay calm and natural.

As he walked by, he said, "Hey, there, ladies."

I was disappointed. I thought he didn't notice me.

Maria sighed. "Well, that's Nat the Hedgehog for you." She noticed my sad

look. "Hey, c'mon, girl. Cheer up. Nat'll notice you, soon. Who knows?"

I hoped that Maria was right.

A few days later, I was getting my lunch at the cafeteria. I then noticed Nat

and his friends talking and laughing at their table.

I sighed in sadness. I thought I was never going to get a chance to get his

attention.

I walked over and sat next to my friends. It was only a table apart from

Nat's.

I tried to open my soda can, but the tab wouldn't budge. I then shook it and

suddenly, after I finally opened the tab, the liquid came gushing out of the can. It then

landed on the back of Nat's black jacket. I was shocked.

The hedgehog screamed, "Hey! Who did that to me?!"

I was so scared, that I stammered, "I-I…I'm s-sorry…" I felt like I was going

to cry, so I ran away from the cafeteria to the bathroom. I felt so ashamed for doing that

to Nat.

Several hours later, I finally reassured myself, and noticed a note in my

locker. I looked at it and read it in my head;

Amanda the Chameleon,

I have a little invitation for you.

Meet me at the Pussy Cat Bar after school today.

Anonymous

I wasn't sure whether I should trust this guy or not. I thought maybe it was

from Nat, but I wasn't too sure.

After school, I saw the sign that said "Pussy Cat Bar" and gulped

nervously. I had never been to a real bar before, so I shyly went inside.

When I walked inside, I saw a bunch of people talking, drinking, smoking,

and even making out. I was disgusted at the sight of gays and lesbians kissing. My

stomach churned, but I tried to ignore it and kept on walking. A bunch of eyes were

staring at me and it was really making me nervous.

I sat down near the counter and saw the waiter looking at me. "What'll it

be, miss?"

I looked at the menu above me. I wasn't sure what to have, until I said,

"Uh…I'll take—"

"One small blue raspberry martini for the lovely lady," someone interrupted

me.

I turned to see who it was. I knew it! It was Nat, my dream hunk! I

blushed when I saw him gazing at me.

The waiter cleared his throat. "Is that what you want, miss?"

I hesitated. I wasn't paying attention, so I just said, "Um…yes."

The waiter left to get my drink.

I faced Nat again.

He smiled at me warmly. "You're Amanda the Chameleon, aren't you?"

I nodded.

"I just knew I got the name right. You're…the one who spilled that soda on

me during lunch."

I felt embarrassed when he brought up the subject. "Oh, yeah. Look, I'm

really sorry. I didn't mean to—"

Nat silenced me by putting his finger on my lips and shushing me. After he

pulled it away, he said, "No need to apologize. It was an accident, anyway. I knew you

didn't mean it."

My ears drooped in sadness. "Well…it sounded like you were pretty pissed

off."

"That's because I didn't know it was you until I saw you run away." Nat

caressed my cheek. "Don't be embarrassed. It's not like it was on purpose or anything.

I'm not mad at you, honest."

I started to feel cheered up. "Yeah. I guess you're right."

Nat smiled and felt the strand on my hair. "I think you're so cute."

Amanda blushed madly. "Y-you do?"

Nat nodded.

Suddenly, the waiter came back with a tiny glass in his hand. "Here's that

blue raspberry martini, miss." He put the drink down and walked away.

I looked at the drink. I wasn't expecting it. "I didn't order this."

"I did," said Nat. "For you."

I faced the hedgehog. "I…don't really drink alcohol."

"It's in a tiny glass. Try it. It won't kill you."

I stared at the light blue liquid hesitantly. "I don't know…"

"Just one sip. Come on."

I finally took the glass in my hands and started to sip the drink into my lips.

After that, I swallowed it. I took a deep breath.

"Well," asked Nat, "what'd you think?"

"It's…okay, I guess."

"See. I knew you would like it. Oh, forgive me, I forgot my manners. I'm

Nat the Hedgehog."

"I know who you are. You're the most popular boy in school."

"You heard too, huh?"

"Yeah. All the girls are really crazy about you."

Nat chuckled. "I know. But, they're not really so hot."

"Oh, no?"

"Nah. Not really my type."

Amanda sighed. "So, um…how exactly did you know my name?"

"Maria the Hedgehog told me."

I was surprised. "You know her?"

"Yeah. She lives across the street from me. Our dads were once strong

rivals and I think they still are."

"Whoa."

"And I believe I remember walking by on the first day of school and seeing

you with her."

"Oh, right. I remember that too."

Nat smiled and gazed upon me. "So, Amanda…do you have any

boyfriends?"

"Uh…no."

"Girlfriends?"

I twitched my eye. "Ew, no! I hate homosexuals!"

"Shh…they can hear you."

"Oh, right. Sorry. You were saying?"

"Well, I'm single myself and I was wondering…do you want to, you

know…hang out sometime? Just you and me…together?"

I was hesitant over Nat's offer. I blushed madly. I opened my mouth, but

didn't say anything. Suddenly, I began to have a huge stomachache. I felt horrible and

nauseous.

Nat looked at me. "What's the matter with you?"

"I…I feel—" I closed my mouth, trying to hold up the vomit.

Nat looked worried. "Are you sick?"

I ran to the bathroom, but I saw that it was out of order, so I rushed outside.

I hung over a bridge and threw up on the river. It didn't feel good at all.

After I was done, I wiped off the rest of the vomit from my mouth.

Nat ran up to me. "You okay, Amanda?"

I nodded. "I'm alright."

"I guess that martini was a little too strong for you. I won't have you drink

it again, I promise."

"I guess so."

Nat and I looked down at the river, which was now slightly covered in my

vomit.

Nat sighed. "Well, even though that river's covered in puke, you're

reflection still looks pretty."

I looked into his jade eyes. "You really think so?"

Nat nodded and touched my cheek once again. "Amanda…you're the most

beautiful girl I've ever seen, unlike the others I've seen. What I speak is the truth."

I just stared into his eyes, until he suddenly pressed his lips against mine.

I've always dreamed about this. I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around his

neck. I could feel one of his hands slide down my butt, but I didn't care. I never wanted

to let go. As we continued to kiss, the moon shined brightly down on us.

End of Flashback

Normal POV

Len looked at Amanda, hesitantly. "Wow. That must have been…what's

the E word meaning you really liked something?"

"Enjoyable?" asked Amanda.

"Right, that. But how did you two…uh…"

"Break up?"

"Yes. How?"

Amanda sighed.

Flashback (cont')

Amanda's POV

It was near the last week of school. There was a junior prom coming up

and I wanted Nat to go with me.

When I saw him with his friends, I took a deep breath, walked over to him,

and said, "Hi, Nat."

The hedgehog turned to face me and smiled. "There's my strawberry

shortcake!" He leaned in to kiss me. "What's up, babe?"

I was a bit nervous to ask him my question. "Um, well…I…just wanted to

know if you…wanted to go to the prom with me this Saturday?"

Nat looked hesitant. "The…prom?"

"Yeah. I've never really been to one before and I don't really want to go

unless I have a date, so…will you?"

Nat hesitated again. "Uh…s-sure. I'd like that. Whatever you want, dear."

I smiled. "Thanks, honey." I kissed him on the cheek. "I love you."

Nat blushed and touched the spot on his cheek where I kissed him. "I love

you, too."

I ran off to tell my friends the good news.

However, when the big night arrived, Nat never showed up. I waited

impatiently for him the whole night, but there was no sign of him at all.

Maria and Fists saw me.

"I guess he had other plans," said Fists.

"Yeah," agreed Maria.

I felt sad. "I got to go, but I'll see you on Monday." I got up and began to

walk away from the school.

I had made it to the Pussy Cat Bar. I just wanted to get something to drink

to cope my sadness.

Just then, when I walked inside, I saw that the crowd was forming a huge

circle. They were all chanting, "DO HER!" over and over again. If it was a

sex thing, I probably wouldn't want to know what it was. But, I had the impulse to look.

I pulled into the crowd and gasped, for I saw a horrible sight.

My own boyfriend was pinning another woman on the floor while licking her

exposed boobs.

I was highly pissed off. "NAT THE HEDGEHOG!!"

Nat stopped and saw me. He was shocked. "A-Amanda!" He looked down

to see that he was on top of another girl. He got off. "It's not what you think, I swear!"

With tears in my eyes I said, "You…sick…BASTARD!!" I ran out of the bar.

I heard Nat shout my name. He grabbed me. "Amanda, I'm sorry!"

I struggled to break free. "Let me go, you jerk!"

"Amanda, please. It wasn't my fault. I was drunk and—"

"Oh, so you were drunk, huh? Or was it also horny?!"

"Darling, please." Nat put his hand on my cheek. "I love you, honestly, I

do." He hungrily kissed me.

I didn't return the favor. I finally pulled away from him. "Get your mambo

lips off of me! Nat, I-I knew you did so many retarded things with your friends before,

but this has gone too far. I can't believe my own boyfriend would choose to hang out at

the bar with his drunken friends over taking me to the junior prom!"

Nat gasped. "Oh, shit, the prom! Amanda—"

"I don't want to hear any of your crap, Nat! I'm done with you! I hate you!

I don't need you! I can just find someone else who won't run off on me!"

Nat was stunned. "Amanda! You won't be able to find someone else! I'm

the hottest guy in school! No one's better than me!"

"Hmph! We'll see about that, butthole!" I ran all the way home.

I heard Nat call out, "You'll see, Amanda the Chameleon! There won't be

anyone interested in you! You'll just come crawling back to me! Mark my words,

Amanda, you WILL be mine!"

End of Flashback

Normal POV

Amanda sighed again. "I can't believe he would cheat on me like that. I

know for a fact that he's only sorry for getting caught. He's such a pain in my ass."

Len looked surprised. "Wow. That sounds…shocking."

"Oh, believe me, it's worse than that."

Just then, Len began to wrinkle his nose. He found a sweet-smelling

scent. He didn't know what it was.

Amanda was confused on what he was doing. "What's up, Len?"

Len continued to sniff. "What is that…aroma?"

Amanda smelled herself and realized what Len meant. "Oh, you must be

talking about my new perfume. It's cherry blossom scented."

Len leaned his nose closer to Amanda's neck and inhaled the scent. He

smiled. "You smell really nice."

"Uh…thanks."

Len then reached his hand out to touch Amanda's black strand of hair.

He did and lightly stroked it. "Your hair…it's so soft…and as black as ebony." His

hand slid down her cheek. "And your eyes sparkle like azures." His finger traced her

mouth. "And your lips…they shade the red rose."

Amanda pulled away from Len and blushed from his comment.

"Len…where did you learn all of that from?"

"From…a book." Len took out a small book and Amanda looked at it.

She raised an eyebrow. "Night of Romance? Where did you get this?"

"I just found that on the ground. It really is interesting."

"So, you like to read, huh? Well, if you like this book so much, maybe I

can give you other ones to read." Amanda reached into her backpack and pulled out

seven books.

Len looked at one of them. "Harry Potter?"

Amanda nodded. "They're my favorite books ever. I read all of them

already and saw the movies. I think you might like them." She also took out another

book. It was small and red. "And here's a small-pocket dictionary, so you'll learn

some new words and phrases."

Len smiled. "Thank you, Amanda."

Amanda smiled back. "No probs." She stood up. "I need to get home

before my parents worry about me. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Oh, okay. Bye." As Amanda left, Len began reading the first Harry

Potter book.

I'm really sorry I took so long. At least I got this done.

And I didn't know what other book to come up with besides Harry Potter. I'm

sure most of you like those kind of books. I've only seen two of the movies,

though. Please, rate and review.