Thursday, 4:51 pm
Amy: Hey! Attack on Maple Street! Need backup
Thursday, 4:52 pm
Amy: Hurry!!
Thursday, 5:08 pm
Amy: Where r u?
Amy: Answer!!!
Thursday, 5:14 pm
Tails: Emma, we need help
Tails: Please
Thursday, 5:20 pm
Tyler: Hey about what happened between Mom and Dad...its nothing personal k
Thursday, 5:25 pm
Amy: EMMA
Thursday, 5:27 pm
Rouge: This isn't cool, kid. They need you.
Thursday, 5:28 pm
Tyler: Yo sis u there
Thursday, 5:30 pm
Mia: Where are you?? Eggman's gone nuts!!!
Friday, 9:07 am
Amy: We knocked him out of the city no thanks to you.
Friday, 9:08 am
Rouge: Darn it, Emma. You blew it.
Friday, 9:11 am
Tails: Why aren't you answering?
I stared blankly at my phone for twenty minutes at least. While I should've been catching up on whatever work I had missed for a week, my mind was too preoccupied with all the messages that hadn't gotten to me due to having zero service. I knew I should've texted them. Laziness got the best of me, I guess.
When I walked out of the school that day, a million things were racing through my mind. I had to apologize, had to explain my dilemma. Maybe they would understand. Except, that could've been my one chance to prove I could handle this job. What if I never got another chance? And if I did, would they ever trust me again? What if...what if...
All thoughts stopped to an abrupt halt as I noticed the dark hedgehog from before standing where Rouge would normally greet me. I could faintly recall him saying something about seeing me today. I hadn't realized he'd been that serious.
"About time." He growled as I approached him. My attitude deflated. He was the last person I was hoping to meet. Even Knuckles would've been a better option.
"Sorry." I mumbled. I found I couldn't look him in the eye. The ground was a better distraction than his gaze.
"Come on. The others want to see you. And quit pouting." He scowled, walking away. Immediately my back straightened and I quickened my pace to match his.
"I hear you can go fast." He said out of the blue," So let's see how well you can keep up."
Confusion tugged at my nerves. What could the black hedgie possibly mean? Then he fled in a blur. Nervousness rose up in my chest, but I forced it back down and gave chase. To be honest, I'd never raced anyone before, or tried for that matter. Catching up to Shadow would be the ultimate test for me. And doing it without anyone recognizing me added to the challenge. Thankfully, we were out of the city limits in a blink of an eye.
I followed him to Cream's house, feeling my ears fold back with worry. Shadow watched me with intent as I found my place next to him at the doorstep.
"You act as if it's the end of the world." He noted bluntly. I flinched and averted my gaze. I half expected him to continue on, but instead heard him knock hard against the wooden frame. Vanilla opened it, casting me a warm smile.
"Come on in! The others are inside." She held the door open. Shadow waited for me to walk in before following me inside. I shifted my bag on my back, feeling my heart race. Amy and Knuckles sat at the table with indifference clearly written on their faces. Tails had a seat beside Cream on the ground. I spotted Rouge standing off to the side emotionlessly.
"Shadow says you were at the beach." Amy started.
"Yeah."
"And you didn't bother to tell us." Knuckles grumbled. I didn't respond.
"Why weren't you answering?" Tails asked.
"No service. Didn't get your texts till this morning."
"We're suppose to be able to trust you." Knuckles growled. Once again, no response was given.
"Lay off, Red." Rouge spoke up," It's not like she has a communicator like the rest of us."
Knuckles scowled, but otherwise made no other attempt to argue.
"It's cool, Rouge." I muttered," He's right."
All the drama from the week crashed back down on me. I couldn't do this. I just- I couldn't–…
I clenched my fists and looked away.
"Are you all right Miss Emma?" I faintly heard Cream ask. I gulped with rising bitterness.
"I-I gotta go." I turned to leave, but came face to face with Shadow.
"You can't just run when things get tough." He stated. I glared at him. He didn't understand. None of them did. I wasn't fit for this. I shoved past him and barged out the door. If they called, I didn't hear them. I could only hear yelling, over and over repeatedly from yesterday's events. The long ride between destinations had always been my favorite part. Up until going home.
If I couldn't handle my own problems, how could I handle the world's?
