High School for the Freaks CHAPTER 12

"So son," Sonic says in a deep voice, "how would you like to learn about the 'birds and the bees'?"

Shadow's eyes widen. "Fuck no!"

Sonic sits on the floor across from Shadow. "Well too bad! You need to learn so you don't end up with a baby by the time your 18!"

Silver and the girls glare at Sonic.

"Anyway, when a mommy and a daddy love each other very much," Sonic holds up a finger on each hand.

"Wait," Silver interrupts. "If this is a talk about 'safety' and stuff, then why are they already a mommy and daddy?"

"Okay fine, when a lady and a man love each other very much, the man leads the woman into his bedroom, and since he thinks the chick is so sexy, he throws her on the bed and they do this," Sonic hits his fingers together repeatedly, "and if they have no condoms to protect themselves, the woman could get pregnant! And you don't want that Shadow, now do you?"

"Oh god." Shadow shakes his head.

"Now if it's a flavored condom, then the woman might s-"

"No no no!" Amy waves her hands in Sonic's face. "Don't get too vulgar!"

"Maybe I was gonna say that the woman might SWALLOW the condoms before they could use them!" Sonic throws his hands in the air.

"Sure, sure you were." Amy rolls her eyes.

"So the message is, always get flavored condoms." Sonic nods at Shadow, who has his face in his hands.

"But wait," Silver holds up a finger. "If the woman eats them all, doesn't that just take away the protection they needed? So they 'do it' unsafely?"

"No, it means they won't have-"

"Okay, okay, we get it! I don't want to talk about this anymore!" Amy stands from her spot next to Sonic.

"Here, Amy, I'll tell it to him more nicely," Silver turns his body toward Shadow.

"That won't be needed." Shadow pushes Silver's face away.

"Well too bad." Silver pushes Shadow's hand away. "Okay so, when a girl and a boy love each other, and they're hormones act up, they bang, and if a condom is not on the boy's little ting-ting, they make a baby. And then the world explodes!"

"Silver, just, shut up." Shadow stands from the couch.

"Hey Blaze, I think we should demonstrate." Silver smiles at Blaze.

"Ha ha, I don't think so." Blaze laughs.

"Silver! That's bestiality! Not with the cat you naughty boy." Sonic flicks Silver's nose.

"Okay, so you can get naughty with mom, but I can't with the cat!?"

"Yes!" Sonic bursts into laughter.

Rouge looks at Amy and mouths everyone needs to leave.

"I swear you guys, making a children's game this vulgar." Amy shakes her head, and grabs Sonic's hand. She whispers in Sonic's ear; "We need to leave,"

"Why?"

"Rouge and Shadow need some alone time."

"Again, why?"

"I can't tell you why." Amy tugs Sonic to the door. "Hey guys, we're leaving!"

"Aw, why so soon? It was just getting interesting!" Silver makes a pouty face.

Amy gives Blaze a look. "Ugh, Silver," Blaze tugs on Silver's arm. "We have to go too. We need a ride."

"Huh? Oh, yeah." Silver shrugs. "Well, then, bye Shadow!" He waves as everyone heads out the door.

"Well that was… sudden." Shadow says.

"Yeah," Rouge sits on the couch. "Um, Shadow? I need to tell you something." She motions for Shadow to sit next to her.

"Sure," Shadow sits.

"Well, um…" Rouge plays with the end of her shirt.

"What is it, Rouge?" Shadow holds on to Rouge's arm.

Rouge looks down and rubs her stomach. "Well, I'm…"

"Rouge, don't tell me you're-"

"Pregnant."

Shadow stands and links his hands behind his head. He paces back and forth. "I swear we were protected!"

"There was the time after we played that 'seven minutes in heaven' thing…"

"This must have been what you didn't want me to know that other day in the cafeteria!"

"No, Shadow, the girls were just asking if you knew… I was figuring out the right time to tell you. I'm so sorry."

Shadow sits on his knees in front of Rouge, and holds her hands. "Don't be sorry. I'm the man, it's my fault. But really, why did you wait until now to tell me?"

"I don't know. I was afraid of how you would react, I guess."

Shadow looks into Rouge's eyes. "Honestly, I was a little angry. I don't know how I will deal with a child. I don't have the best temper. That's my fear, that I'll get too angry with one. I've never really interacted with other children. And, you shouldn't have waited this long to tell me. But I do swear that I won't leave you." Shadow leans forward and kisses Rouge.

"Well, maybe you should remember to protect yourself." Rouge gives a slight smile.

"You too!" Shadow thumps Rouge's forehead. "That's not totally my fault!"

"I know I'm just messing with you." Rouge pulls Shadow up. "Too bad that game of house ended so soon." She giggles.

"Ha, I wish it never started in the first place. I mean, 'the birds and the bees'? Really?" Shadow pulls Rouge to the kitchen. "How about some lunch?"

(Blaze's POV):

I stand outside my door, shaking. I can't decide whether I should actually go inside or not. I'm terrified. Boy, am I terrified. I know if Dad tries anything, Ember will protect me. Mom, I just don't know what side she's on.

It's a good thing I remembered to put my normal clothes back on before I came back. Who knows what would've been shouted at me.

I pull out my phone, and call Ember. I don't want anyone else answering the door.

On the second ring, he answers; "Hello? Blaze!?"

"Ember, please come answer the door."

"O-okay, hold on." I hear a click.

I hear the locks turning, and Ember opens the door. "Blaze!" Ember pulls me into his embrace.

"H-hey, Ember." I'm still shaking.

"C'mon, we have to hurry if you want to avoid Dad, he's in the bathroom." Ember pulls on my hand.

Dad emerges from the bathroom, right when we get to the stairs.

I know I wanted to face him, not to run away.

But right now, I want to run.