Chapter 11
"YAY THEY'RE HERE!"
Amber's ears flattened to her head as Amy's voice woke her from her daze. She hadn't meant to, but she'd started drifting off, trying to make up for her loss of sleep on a Saturday.
She took a quick glance in the mirror to make sure she hadn't messed up her hair before joining the other girls in the parlor. They had decided to curl her hair, brush out some of the curls, and put it up in a high pony tail. The headband sat gently in her hair, pushed forward slightly so that her bangs were given a little bit of height, in order to prevent herself from looking flat-headed. It also kept her quills out of sight.
She felt her heart flutter gently as she took in the appearance of the guys.
Each boy was dressed in a tux, their ties matching accordingly to their date's dress. Tails reminded Amber of a ring-bearer at a wedding service. He was so small looking and seemed like he was just trying to fit in with the "older guys." She smiled softly when she saw him and his exotic date.
She glanced over at Amy and Sonic. Sonic had his arm tight around Amy, holding her close to him. Amy was doing her best to hide her excitement. Amber was so proud of her improvement.
Knuckles had greeted Rouge with a long kiss. The shirt underneath his tux was unbuttoned slightly, which bugged Amber slightly. It just looked...unfinished.
Blaze's date was a boy Amber had only seen once or twice around school. His name was Silver. Rumor was he was somewhat of a pothead, but regardless, he looked nice. The quills on his head reminded Amber of a pot leaf, and she had to hold back another giggle. But Blaze seemed absolutely taken with him.
Finally, Amber's eyes traveled up to her own date. Despite her heels, he was still much taller than her. His eyes were wide, but the moment they made eye contact, he forced himself into a more relaxed expression. She smiled and greeted him with a hug, deciding not to acknowledge the look he'd given her.
"Alright every body, out into the garden for pictures! Your dinner reservations are at 6:30, so we need to get these over with!" Amber's mom appeared with her camera. She took great pictures, and Amber was good with adding effects.
Amber decided that this was probably the only time she'd ever actually enjoyed having her picture taken. After the serious group photo and individual photos were taken, they began to take goofy pictures. Amy had suggested they try to take the famous "group jump photo." Amber's mother probably took 50 photos before they finally got it right, but Amber knew at least half of those would wind up being developed and shown off.
For individual "silly" photos, Amber and Shadow found two large sticks and had sword fights with them. Amber's personal favorite was a picture of her riding Shadow piggy-back with her "sword" outstretched towards Tails and Skye, who were in the same pose.
Her mom had snapped a particularly cute picture of Amy standing beside their cherry blossom tree with sonic hanging upside down right next to her. The two shared a kiss right after that picture, which was also caught on camera.
After her mom had filled up an entire memory card with pictures, she let the group go. "Be careful, everyone!" she called behind them as they piled into the white stretch Hummer. They had ginger ale and cider stored in the refrigerator, which they passed around in wine glasses and then proceeded to act like they were all drunk.
Sonic slid a mix CD into the player and cranked it up at full volume. They rolled down the windows and howled every song with glee.
Once they reached their destination for dinner, Shadow noticed a large ring on Amber's hand, and he couldn't believe he'd missed it earlier.
It was the ring that Spikes had given her.
His blood boiled. He could hardly find his appetite afterward, and he wasn't able to enjoy himself like he had been earlier.
When they reached the Convention Center where the dance was being held, Amber noticed that he was acting much different than earlier. He acted aloof and almost like he was mad at her. She sighed to herself and shook her head. Well, he had said that he didn't like dances. Maybe it's just getting to him.
Amber tried to keep herself from bothering him too much. But she so badly wanted to dance. The pounding beat of the song, "Scream" by Usher drew her in, and eventually she left his side to go dance with her girlfriends. She followed their lead and prior advice and let herself relax, letting her body sway and move to the beat and feel of the song. She swung her hips in what she hoped was a seductive way, and suddenly another guy was dancing beside her.
She felt her cheeks grow hot, and she slowly moved away from him. She turned to Blaze, who was laughing.
"What was with that?!" She yelled over the pounding music.
"Well, obviously he liked the way you were shaking what you've got, and since your date isn't anywhere around to take part in it, he figured he'd try to get lucky."
Amber laughed along with the purple cat. "Well, he's not getting lucky any time soon, and speaking of dates, I think I should return to mine. He's bound to feel awkward..."
Blaze simply nodded and went back to dancing with the rest of the crowd. Amber found Shadow back where she'd left him.
"Tired already?" He asked her with slight irritation.
"Someone tried 'dancing' with me, and I decided it was too weird, so I left the floor," she replied. He simply grunted and nodded, which drove the lighter hedgehog crazy. Earlier he was being sweet and...almost a different person than what she was used to. He'd actually made an effort to have fun for her...with her. And it had brought butterflies to her stomach. She felt a slight echo of that lightheaded feeling just being with him, but she wanted to feel whatever she was feeling earlier.
But with him acting the way he was now, she didn't think she'd ever get that side of him again.
After a bit longer silence, she got fed up. "Alright, Shadow, what's your problem. Earlier you were having fun. I watched you laugh like I've never seen you do before. But ever since we got to dinner, you've gone back to being quiet and sullen! Is it really that awful to have to go to a dance with me? If it's so awful, why did you even agree to go?" she challenged.
Suddenly Shadow grabbed her wrist and pulled her outside, where the two could talk and actually hear each other.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "The ring. Why are you wearing it?" His tone reminded her of that day after school when he confronted Spikes.
"I...I don't know," she admitted softly. "I just...felt like it, I guess..."
He growled again, and this time a new emotion was heard in his voice. "Take it off."
Was that...jealousy?
"Take it off. You know what he's like and you STILL want to wait for him? What's wrong with you? Why can't you let go of him and just move on to someone else!" His crimson eyes flashed with anger.
"If I didn't know any better, Shadow the Hedgehog, I'd almost think you were jealous!" she growled back, getting right up in his face.
He growled and grabbed a hold of her tightly, causing her to gasp right before his lips pressed fiercely into hers.
Time stopped for the blonde hedgehog, and she felt the butterflies from earlier not only in her stomach, but her whole body. She felt something she didn't recognize or understand streak through her body.
He pulled away slowly, shock in his eyes as well as hers. "Sh-Shadow...?"
"I am jealous," he breathed. "I...I am."
Her hand shook as she rested it on the crook of his elbow, his hands still clinging tightly to her shoulders. "Jealous..." she repeatedly dully.
"I'm jealous of how you won't let him go. I'm jealous that he's always on your mind. I'm jealous that...he can do all these things to you, and you still stick to him, while I open up my heart to you, meaning only to do so as a friend, but suddenly, falling for you like this...and he still has your full attention…" he trailed off, realizing his words were beginning to become scrambled. "I...Amber...I like you. I really do. I didn't think I would be ready for any kind of relationship like this any time soon but...watching what you felt for Spikes, no matter what happened...it made me realize that maybe, I'm as strong as you are, to go through so much pain and still want to chase that feeling..."
Shadow's hands slowly began to fall from her shoulders, and he slumped forward. "You...showed me that I can't just give up and close off completely like that. That...I shouldn't push away a chance to get close to someone, closer than just a friend, just because one bad thing happened...and when I realized that, I also realized that I wanted that person to be you...You were the one that showed me this. You're the one that's always been there. Who's helped me find this..."
He sighed deeply, and Amber slowly stepped a little closer to him. "I...I'm glad I could help..." she murmured softly to him.
"It pisses me off at the same time," he went on, anger starting to return to his voice. "That you continuously put yourself through hurt like this, for this scumbag. But...that's what you're supposed to do, isn't it? Keep pushing forward. Keep hope that it will all turn out just right, just like it's supposed to, in the end."
A soft hand was lifted to his cheek, caressing him softly. "Shadow..." she whispered. He looked up at her with caring eyes.
"What I feel for Spikes...what I thought I felt..."
Shadow nodded slowly when she trailed off.
"It's nothing compared to what you make me feel," she finally whispered.
Without a word, or change in expression, he took one of her hands in his, and wrapped his other arm around her waist. He kissed her much softer this time, taking the time to notice how it felt to have her lips against his, her body pressed into his.
All too soon for either of him, he pulled away. "Do you want to go back to the dance...?" he asked her softly.
"Maybe after a while...how about we go for a walk?" She held her hand out for him to take, and the two decided to walk the path that wound around the large property.
They assumed their usual silence, but once again it bothered neither hedgehog. They were content enough to be in each others' company, to know that their feelings were back on the same level, and that they were back to a mutual understanding.
Suddenly, five large figures blocked their path. Immediately Amber recognized the shape she's come to fear. "N-no..." she shrank behind Shadow, ears flat to her head. "Not now…"
"Hello, love," spat one of the larger werehogs. "You're looking very beautiful tonight, what a perfect outfit for the occasion. I can see you're wearing my ring, as well..."
"Haven't I taught you a lesson yet, Spikes?" Shadow growled at him.
"Oh yeah, you taught me a lesson," he growled mockingly. "You taught me to bring friends along next time. Hand over the girl," he demanded.
"Over my dead body," he spat back. "Amber. Get back." She slowly began to back away from him.
Suddenly, four werehogs pounced on Shadow all at once. He tried desperately to remove his power rings, but one of them always had a hold of one of his arms, keeping him from unleashing his power. He was resorted to hand-to-hand combat. With a feral growl, he began to throw punches and kicks, aiming for any weak spot he could reach.
While he fought off the werehogs, Amber turned to run for help...and ran straight into a solid, furry chest. "Running back to me, I see," she heard the haunting voice growl. "I'll teach you to deny me what's mine."
"Sha-" her scream was cut short by a heavy blow to the back of her head, knocking her out immediately. While the dark hedgehog was still distracted, Spikes made off with his prize.
How many times do you need second chances?
Not every body gets another second chance
X-X-X
Sorry about the wait everyone. I hope this is kinda worth it. There are two more chapters after this one!
I've had a lot going on in my life. So I'm really not on the computer a lot. (Check my DeviantArt for slightly more details about it all.) But I will try to have the next chapter up Wednesday. Promise.
