This chapter marks a new arc that will focus heavuily on several different types of bullying
Warning: Bullying, Homophobia, brief mention of sexual harassment and abortion
Chapter 36: Repressed & Depressed
It had been about two weeks since the court ruling, and a week since her triplets had departed back to school grounds. Aleena had been in a devastating depression ever since the loss of her young adopted son, Tails. When she picked him up from sanctuary eleven years ago she had found the missing piece of her heart, and now it was left in ruins.
The lavender hedgehog laid on the couch of her living room, the TV playing nothing but static as she stared blankly at the pictures on the wall, pictures of her lost child. She didn't have the energy to do much else, feeling as though her world had come to its end.
If it weren't for Jules being home she would have probably starved to death, but she knew he would have to be taking his leave back to the military base soon, and she would be left all alone.
RING!
She sprang up from the couch at the sound of the phone from the kitchen, forcing her to get up and walk over to answer it. Her hair was knotted, eyes puffy, and she wore nothing more than her pink robe. Every step drained her of incredible amounts of the little energy she had left. Finally she made it to the phone, answering completely monotone.
"Hedgehog residence. This is Aleena."
"Aleena, hello." The voice on the other end greeted, making the lavender hedgehog gasp a bit. It was Rosemary, the woman who had stolen her son. His rightful mother.
"Rosemary…"
"Sorry for such an early call. I just wanted to let Jules know that there are openings today if he wishes to drop by for another visit. Last week everyone on staff was just so busy—"
"Visit?" Aleena repeated aloud, brows narrowing together in confusion.
"Yes. He stopped by last week to checkup on your children."
"My children…" The hedgehog whispered, "Tails, how is he?"
"That's another thing I wanted to discuss." The fox on the other line replied, her voice becoming cold. "You've been calling for a week to ask staff about my son. I've ordered them not to release any information to you. It's inappropriate Aleena."
She just nodded, hanging up the phone without bothering to say goodbye. She slammed it back on the hook, tears escaping her as she heaved with anguish. Just then her husband entered, a paper bag stuffed with groceries in his hand as he walked in on her crying in the kitchen.
"Aleena?" He questioned, surprised she was off the couch for once. He set the groceries down on the counter top before walking over to her. As he reached out to grab her shoulder she quickly whipped her head at him, her jade eyes full of sorrow and envy.
"You didn't tell me you went to the school." She growled at him in an upset tone. He tensed a bit in nervousness, searching his brain for an adequate excuse.
"I wanted to see how the kids were doing in that school. I don't get to hear about their studies very often—"
"You could've just asked me Jules." His wife retorted, cutting off his sentence. "So what was the real reason? Bernadette, or Alicia?"
The older blue hedgehog tried his best to keep his façade up, opting to throw his arms around her waist and pull her into a hug. He tried to run a hand through her long hair, but the knots made it impossible. She smelt horrid, not having showered in a week, and had tired bags under her eyes from a lack of sleep.
"It's nothing like that." He assured her, sparing her already distraught feelings. "There's no need to jump the gun. Now come on, let's go take a shower."
"I'm sorry." She sniffled, clinging to his brown jacket. "It just feels like everything is being taken from me…"
"Hey, you and I need to talk." Knuckles spoke up, stomping after Mighty who was saying goodbye to Fiona after walking her to class.
The armadillo turned around to see the upset echidna coming to a stop before him. Knuckles had done quite a bit of thinking since Mighty dropped the bombshell of Lara-Su being his daughter, and realized the armadillo had lied to him same as his ex-girlfriend.
"What is it?" Mighty questioned, adjusting the collar of his bakery shop uniform. "I've gotta go check on Julie, then head over to Vanilla's bakery to open."
"You knew Lara-Su was my daughter from the beginning too!" Knuckles growled, taking hold of the collar his friend had been adjusting. "You both lied to me, you and Rouge."
"Is this the part where I try to defend myself like I didn't? Or beg you to forgive me?" The armadillo retorted, taking hold of the echidna's wrist to pull him off his shirt. "I did what I thought was right at the time. I've got no excuse."
"I get why Rouge wouldn't tell me, but why you?"
"Because Julie-Su asked me to. I made her a promise." The armadillo informed him, "She's my friend. I had to look out for her."
"But I'm your friend too. Hell, I've known you longer than her. Are you sure this is just about her being your 'friend'? Is there something going on between you two?!"
"If you actually think that you're an idiot." Mighty shook his head, "She was thirteen and ashamed, not to mention her childhood friend and obvious crush didn't even recognize her while taking her virginity. You were so busy chasing girls in pretty pink skirts that you couldn't see the one in basketball shorts right beside you."
"I didn't…I…" The echidna was at a loss for words, not sure how to counteract such a true statement.
"But this is redemption time big guy." His friend assured him, resting a hand on his shoulder that forced their gazes to collide. "It's time for you stop acting like a fuckin' idiot and do something right for once. You've always been so careless with girls, and now you have a daughter. Karma's funny like that. Imagine some douchebag treating her the way you do girls. Julie-Su isn't just some skirt, she's been your best friend for years. This is the part in the story where you man up."
"I don't know what to do…"
"Talk to Julie, see where to goes." Mighty smiled, "All I know is, I gotta go. I'm late."
Blaze sat alone on the bleachers, struggling to get a grip on the information in her science textbook. She sighed, running her hand over her head in frustration as she flipped through the pages like a madwoman. The football field was empty, it being too cold for any outdoor sports today. The cat was bundled up in a purple windbreaker and sweatpants, her abnormal body heat keeping her insulated.
"Ugh! Science is so stupid. Why do we even have to learn crap like this!?" She whined, about ready to tear her ponytail right out of her head. "What the hell is a freaking neutron!?"
"A subatomic particle of about the same mass as a proton but without an electric charge, present in all atomic nuclei except those of ordinary hydrogen."
She perked up, lifting her head to see none other than Silver the Hedgehog standing before her, bundled up in a large white coat with a fur color. She blushed upon sight of him and hearing his voice for the first time in what felt like ages. He smiled down at her, his amber eyes contrasting with his all-white attire.
"Silver…"
"Hi…" He greeted with an awkward wave of the hand. She stood up from the bleachers to stand face-to-face with him, both of them blushing madly. The feline clasped her hands together, trying to keep her tail from swishing with excitement.
"Hello." She mumbled shyly.
"I couldn't help but notice you having a bit of trouble with simple physics."
"Ugh, you don't know the half of it." She chuckled in embarrassment, picking up the book she had been studying. "Dr. Robotnik is giving this huge test tomorrow and there's no hope in the universe of me passing."
"Maybe not without me." The white hedgehog smiled, extending his hand for her to take. "Silver the Hedgehog, best science tutor you'll ever find." He added with a playful wink, making her blush.
She took his hand in hers, her smile practically warming the cold temperature. They had both missed each other dearly, but the white hedgehog wasn't ready to dive in just yet. This time he was taking it slow, testing the waters to see if her heart was true.
'It's been horrible. That stupid picture, he sent it to everyone on campus. It's been a week of ridicule, and my phone blowing up with nothing but crude messages about it. I had to shut it off, some of those messages…are so vial. I can't even go into the boy's locker room without someone spitting at me or scolding me to leave.
I never realized how many homophobes went to this school until outed, even people I once perceived to be nice have shown their true colors. It doesn't help that Jet is in charge, and orchestrating a crusade against anyone who isn't straight.
Faggot, dick-lover, homo. They just won't leave me alone. I thought I could handle it, but I can't. I should have never let Wave talk me into coming out. I should have never told her I was gay.
I just wanted a chance…a chance with Cobar.
The only good thing to come out of this week is my talk with Antoine. It's the only drive keeping me going right now.
A couple days ago I was crying, Sonic and Tails were out somewhere when Antoine came in. I knew he saw the picture, everyone had. I couldn't face him. I hugged my knees to my chest, resting my head on them to sob. He was glaring me, I could feel it. Disgusted with me like half the school, like my father…or at least that's what I thought…
He took a seat on my bed, throwing an arm across my shoulders. I lifted my head up, turning to him with eyes practically blinded by tears. He wasn't glaring with a disgusted expression, he was looking at me like…like a person. Like nothing had changed.
"Antoine." I mumbled. He rubbed my back, letting a sympathetic smile cross his face. "I-I-It's not..I…"
"There iz no need in you to be explaining anything to me." He replied with his broken English.
"Aren't you…upset? Don't you hate me now? My dad…he—"
"I don't not care of whom your heart desires. You are still and always will be my friend. With Tommy gone, you are all I have."
"You too Antoine, you and the Freedom Fighters."
"Of course." He smiled, pulling me into a comforting hug. "We are behind you a hundred perzent."
"I'm so sorry I never told you. I was so afraid…so afraid that you might not accept me…or that I might lose you as a friend."
"You have no need to be worrying about lozing me. We are the friends forever, and nozing can take that from us." He assured me, voice so full of support and sympathy. "Now hold your head up with pride, have the courage to be who you are, and be proud my friend."
It was that little speech. That terribly translated speech that has given me the courage, the drive to keep my head up. But as the cruelty rages on…It gets so much harder to stand tall.'
"HOMO!"
"FAGGOT!"
Rotor walked through the locker room, shoes being thrown at him by the homophobic males. Standing among them was a rather satisfied Jet. He reveled in the walrus' anguish, content with the torment he was witnessing.
The walrus moved quickly, trying his best to show no reaction although the cruelty was tearing him up inside. He just kept reminding himself of Antoine, and all the friends he had standing behind him after his outing. He gathered his things quickly, dodging a few cleats being thrown his way. From the corner of his eye he spotted Cobar.
He had been ignoring the echidna, Wave, and the entire LGBT committee since his outing. He didn't want to draw any more attention to himself than necessary, and a part of him was a bit upset with them. Wrongfully maybe so, but he couldn't help it.
Cobar frowned, watching Rotor walk out the door, Jet tossing a bar of soap at the back of his head as he walked past the shower area.
Cosmo and Cream sat on the steps of one of the main building's stairwells. The rabbit had caught the seedrian weeping on the bottom of the steps, hands clasped over her face as she tried to hide her tears. She had called Cream and told her about how cruel Tails had been at the library last week, and how he's been ignoring her.
Cream took it upon herself to try and cheer up her love rival. She had the same concerns about Tails' once again growing interest in the red vixen who had tried to assault them at the Halloween party.
"He hates me…" The green-haired girl sobbed, resting her head on Cream's shoulder.
"No he doesn't Cosmo. You're his closest friend."
The two picked up on a familiar voice, both turning their gazes down the long hallway to see Tails walking with Fiona into a classroom, both of them all smiles and giggles. It left a bitter taste in both their mouths.
"I don't trust her Cream." Cosmo sniffled, clutching the rabbit's hand tightly. "I fear that she might do something no hurt him again…"
"Same here." Cream replied bitterly, eyeing the foxes until they disappeared from view.
"Funny Bunny?" A voice called out from the top of the stairs. Both girls turned their heads back, watching a familiar green hedgehog descend down the steps toward them with a concerned expression. "You two okay?"
Cosmo quickly turned away, making the green hedgehog frown. Cream just narrowed her eyes at him, not too welcoming of his presence. Neither of them had forgotten how harsh he was at the dorm party, or forgave him.
"What do you want Manic?" The rabbit asked coldly, Cosmo's eyes fixed on her shoes.
"I saw her crying." He replied, taking a seat on the step above the one they were seated on. He shifted his gaze from one scowling little rabbit to a shameful looking seedrian. "I've been meaning to apologize to you more than anyone Cream, you didn't deserve the things I said, and neither did you…uh…"
"Her name is Cosmo." Cream huffed, pulling the distraught girl closer over to her as she shot Manic a distasteful look.
"Right." The hedgehog nodded, "I'm sorry Cosmo."
"No, no. It was wrong of me to try to encircle myself with Tails' friends." The green girl shook her head, sniffling every once in a while. "I just wanted him to like me, and now he hates me."
"Cosmo." The rabbit sighed.
"Hates you? Are you kidding me! Tails adores you." Manic laughed, making her pick up her head to face him with hopeful eyes.
"Really?"
"Heck yeah!" He nodded frantically, shifting his gaze to Cream with a smile. "He likes both of you a whole lot."
"Not the way he likes Fiona…" Cream mumbled, staring down at her shoes.
"Please, Fiona's just a phase." The green hedgehog rolled his eyes, waving in dismissal. "He's young, but one day he'll realize looks aren't everything."
"I doubt that…boys can be so stupid." The rabbit remarked.
"Hey, it's Tails! The kid who skipped an entire year of schooling because of his smarts. Cut him some slack. It's not easy being a boy with raging hormones in high school. Feelings get complicated."
"Since when did you start giving out lectures like an overbearing parent?"
"Since I decided to grow up I guess."
"Who woulda ever thought anyone would see the day!" Cream laughed, making Manic blush with embarrassment as Cosmo giggled along.
"Hey!" He pouted, crossing his arms playfully. "This isn't about me!"
"Sorry." His little rabbit friend snickered.
"If anything this lecture should be a scolding! How dare you two put Tails in such a difficult positon?"
"What do you mean?" Cosmo questioned, nervous that she might have done something wrong.
"Having to choose between the two of you perfect little cuties!"
"Manic stop joking like that!" Cream howled with laughter, slapping his leg playfully. They all shared a fun laugh for a while before they all stood up to bid each other farewells before next class.
Manic took a hand to Cosmo's cheek, wiping away a few stray tears with his thumb. She blushed at the contact, grateful for his kind words.
"Don't be so hard on yourself. It's just high school." He told her, giving her a smile accompanied by a wink. "You're pretty cute, maybe if you were a little older I would have scooped you up for myself." He chuckled before walking past them.
Cream giggled, watching as Cosmo cupped her flustered face. Both girls turned over toward him, shouting after him in unison.
"MANIC!" They screeched, making him throw his head back in their direction. They both took hold of one another's hands, both blushing with a big smile to their faces. "We forgive you."
He smiled back, nodding before disappearing around the corner.
'Although having a handful of gay students, the majority of Green Hill Academy isn't exactly known for being very fond of homosexuality. There are a few intolerant assholes running around, my good friend Jet being one of said pricks.
When I first came out it was a fucking nightmare. Everyone looked at me like I was a moron, as if I didn't know what I was saying. Guys would try to shove their hands in my pants, telling me some bullshit like 'I'll make you straight again', and girls would freak out every time I walked into the locker room.
Jet started to argue with me on the matter, obviously upset that he knew his crush would go nowhere after that. Shit, it wouldn't have gone anywhere even if I was straight. The only person who stuck by my side at the time and supported me the whole way through was Storm.
I'm not usually one to play nice girl, but when I found out Rotor was gay and struggling to tell people like I was…I knew I had to help him.
Coming out is a nightmare, but being closeted is worse. Watching your crushes move on because you were too afraid to tell them how you felt, the constant fear of wondering what people would think, and those sleepless nights of trying to suppress who you are.
I was going to be his wing like Storm was for me. Even if everyone in his life turned on him I planned to be there.
But Jet and his little fag-hating crusaders are taking things a little too far, and it's really starting to work my fucking nerves.
Rotor won't talk to me, or Cobar for that matter. He's mostly kept to himself, probably trying to wait out this madness. I just hope he can keep it together by himself.'
Wave looked on in sorrow as she watched her walrus friend get spitballs shot at him. He simply walked on, a blank expression on his face as he marched right along, no longer fazed by the harsh words or objects being chucked at him.
"Wave, you okay?" She looked up to see Storm taking a seat next to her at the lunch table. He followed her gaze, resting intently on their hawk friend. She gritted her teeth, watching Jet bask in the company of his new girlfriend and several other new friends.
"I would be if Jet wasn't such a prick." She grumbled, "I don't get what his deal is. It's fucked up."
"Trust me, he's got his reasons."
Outside, on the center of campus grounds stood Sally. She sat on the ledge of the large fountain, humming a tune as she read through a book. Completely oblivious to her surroundings. She was waiting for Ken so they could go grab lunch as they usually did when her other friends were busy.
1 NEW MESSAGE
Sonic: Hey, wondering if you'd want to skip out on lunch and go for a run?
Sally: A run? Do you have any other hobbies at all? Lol
Sonic: Fine, if you don't want to run we could go grab a chilidog.
Sally: I'm a vegan, and I wouldn't want to risk getting my head chopped off for having lunch with 'everyone's crush'.
Sonic: More like 'everyone's punching bag' now. Some girls just threw tampons at me.
Sally: Join the club Carrie.
Sonic: You got jokes. I dig that. But seriously, when can we hang out again?
Sally: We've hung out every night at the lake for the past week. My nose is still recovering from the frostbite. Besides, I'm having lunch with Ken today.
Sonic: Ugh.
Sally: What?
Sonic: Nothing. Just don't like him.
Sally: He's a good friend of mine, and we have lunch together all the time.
Sonic: So no hanging out for lunch?
Sally: Sorry. Raincheck.
Sonic: Ugh, fine. Just don't make this a habit…blowing me off for him.
Sally: Somebody's J-E-A-L-O-U-S
Sonic: Don't you wish.
The chipmunk giggled to herself, completely engrossed in her text conversation with her desk-buddy from English class. The two had grown quite fond of each other in this last week, but of course kept their budding friendship under wraps in fear of how everyone would react, especially Amy and the Freedom Fighter group.
"Hello Love." A voice called out, making her jump up and nearly drop her phone in the fountain. She turned to see an old friend from Moebius standing before her. Geoffrey St John. The skunk extended his arm out to her, pulling her up to her feet to meet her with an embrace. She smiled as her inhaled her lavender scent before pulling away so he could admire her face.
"Did I ever tell you how beautiful you've become over the years?" He questioned, smiling at her.
"About every time you've seen me since you got here." She giggled, adjusting her glasses a bit.
Their conversation was very short-lived, as the bell signifying next class would be starting sounded. She turned around to retrieve the bag and book she had placed on the ledge. As she kneeled over he tried to make out the curvature of her body through the baggy pants He played off his ogling once she turned around to say goodbye.
"I was just waiting for a friend, but he didn't show. Guess I'll just be heading off to class."
"Little Sally has a boyfriend?" He mused curiously.
"Oh no, nothing like that." She assured him. "Just lunch with a friend."
"Ah, I see." The skunk nodded, putting on his most charming smile. "Well, I'll see you around I suppose. Please tell your sister I said hello."
"I'll be sure to do so when she calls me back. She's still in Moebius, reception is pretty terrible out there."
"Oh believe me I remember." He laughed, giving her a goodbye hug just as long and awkward as his greeting one.
The two were oblivious to the set of blue eyes staring daggers at them from the parking lot. It was Scourge again, squeezing the steering wheel of his car as he gritted his teeth in anger watching the skunk pull the auburn-haired girl into an intense embrace.
It made his stomach twist, sending a violent pang of envy to his heart as memories of their youth in Moebius hit him like a freight train.
He knew it shouldn't bother him, not after their last conversation, but the sight of her with anyone else drove him crazy. He saw the way the skunk looked at her, with such hungry lust. It made him want to hop out of the car and flip out, but instead he did all he could think of.
He picked up his phone and shot his pink mistress a text, telling her to meet up with him as soon as possible.
'Last week I woke up in the nurse's office. She was going on and on about filing a report although I insisted that I didn't want too. Such an overbearing, arrogant, and stuck up woman. The constant clicking of her heels on the tiled white floor was almost as annoying as her obnoxious voice which wouldn't silence for more than a moment.
She didn't peak my curiosity in the slightest, being as easy to read as a picture book. A hard working nurse would know better than to wear heels, and wouldn't bother to cake her face with makeup just to see a bunch of sick kids. She wore no wedding ring, and had no pictures of family on her desk.
"Why did you become a school nurse Ms. Bernadette?" I questioned curiously.
"I want to help children of course. I've always loved kids."
"Do you have any of your own?"
"No." She was obviously lying, the way her brows furrowed in nervousness gave it away.
"I thought nurses had a policy of honesty or something of the sort."
"I'm—"
"You're pretty young, I'd say around thirty-five or so. You must have had your child sometime in high school with a boy you thought would love you forever and ever. You're not married, so clearly that wasn't the case. You look more inclined to be a stripper or some kind of airhead in the fashion industry, but you chose to put that very limited amount of brain power to use and became a nurse to care for children. Trying to compensate? Ease some sort of guilt?"
"I…It's…How did…What are you?" She stammered, taking a few steps back.
"Just someone who knows a lot."
"Excuse me?" A voice called out from beyond the baby blue curtain shielding my rest area. We both turned our heads to see Rose walking in. "I came to visit my friend."
"O-Of course." The purple woman stammered, thankful to be relieved of standing by me. She quickly vanished beyond the curtain, and after hearing the door to the office slam I knew we were completely alone.
Rosy took a seat by my bed, her gaze fixed on the floor. She had her arm-warmers and bicycle chains back on, leading me to believe that she hadn't come to the nurse for help after I found her earlier. I wasn't too surprised. Years of self-harm had probably made her a pro at first aid.
"Were you the one who found me?"
"Scourge told me he hit you, and that I should go to the parking lot and to make sure you weren't dead."
What really caught me off guard was how much more open she seemed compared to before. She was usually so stand-offish, but it seemed that I had torn those walls down. I've always been interested in learning about her, maybe even keeping her as something to amuse me.
"He got you pregnant four years ago." I spoke up, making her look over to me. She cringed at my blackened eye. "Was it a boy or a girl?"
"A girl." She mumbled. I was surprised she even answered. I expected her to go biolistic and try to strangle me. "I was going to name her Lily, like this pet flicky I had when I was younger."
"You said you didn't want to…so why did you get the abortion?"
"Because it was a mistake. Scourge was so angry, like it was my fault when we both fucked up. He would have been a shitty dad, and I…I was supposed to be with someone else."
"Someone else?"
"Yeah…but I was angry and stupid, so I slept with him…and because of that, the love of my life just walked away from me." She whimpered, clutching her black jeans tightly. "I didn't want to, but he put so much pressure on me to get rid of her…and I thought if I did the one I really wanted would come back to me."
"So…you two weren't dating?"
"Chaos no. We were both mad at someone, and wanted to get back at them. It was before he and Fiona started dating, and she has no idea about the baby."
Her story didn't move me, but hat fact that I was fond of her and had seen the aftermath of the ordeal made me feel a bit empathetic. I took her hand in mine, squeezing it to make her eyes lock with my own.
"I would never ask such a terrible thing of you." I told her, "You're not crazy, just broken, but you can be repaired."
"How?"
"Belong to me Rosy..." '
"Mephiles." Rosy called out as she wormed her way out from underneath the covers. They both laid naked on her bed, enjoying the peace and quiet after a long morning of intimacy.
It had been like this for a week, the two coming back to her dorm to lie together, and play along with his manipulative mind games. He knew he'd get her eventually.
In the end, whether anyone liked it or not…no matter how little or how much time it took…Mephiles always got what he wanted. Rosy was just one of the many conquests he had on his agenda.
"Yo Silver!" Manic called out, intent on getting a few notes from the white hedgehog since he hadn't been taking his own during English. He didn't feel the need too anymore, not when he had genius like Silver sitting next to him to copy off of.
The white hedgehog turned around, greeting him with a smile and a wave of his free hand. Manic quickly noticed his other hand, clasped around one belonging to a purple feline. One of the people on his apology list.
Silver's halt in walking caught Blaze's attention, just as his gaze did. She turned around to see Manic walking up to them.
"Wow, it's good to see you two hangin' around again." The green hedgehog smirked before looking over to the distant Blaze. "Hey you, I've been meaning to apologize for a while now. What I said that night—"
"No need." The cat waved in dismissal, a kind and thankful smile on her face. "As cruel is it was, it made me realize a lot of my faults and mistakes. I took it as a learning opportunity, a chance to understand what I want, and mend relationships my idiotic actions nearly destroyed. I'm thankful." She added, squeezing Silver's hand lightly.
"Wow." The green hedgehog chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. "Didn't expect all that. Hopefully Knuckles and Amy will feel the same if I ever get around to apologizing to them. Anyways, it was good catching you guys. I just needed some notes from Ms. Breezie's class."
"Really?" Silver whined, fishing out papers from the bag he brought off his shoulder. "I see you writing in that class all the time!"
"Yeah, not notes though." He laughed as Silver handed over his binder.
"Then what are you doing in that class?"
"Just writing a song." Manic smiled to himself, thinking of the lavender-haired mongoose. "I feel really inspired to get back into music. Never thought I'd be saying that."
"Good for you Manic." Blaze nodded.
"Well, I've gotta get going. Don't want to be late for science. Catch you guys later!" The green hedgehog said before rushing past them and down the hall. They looked back at him, both blinking to make sure it wasn't an illusion.
"Manic worried about getting to class on time? And getting back into music? Wonder what's up with him." The feline mused, curious at her friend's sudden shift in personality.
"Just be glad something's got him feeling all productive." Silver shrugged.
Manic dashed down the hall, rounding a few corners until coming to a stop at his locker. He whistled a happy tune to himself as he put his books away and took out new ones for next class.
"Mind sharing a bit of that sunshine my way? I sure as hell need it." Someone huffed. When he turned to look over his shoulder he saw a not-so-lively Rouge, crossing her arms and smiling his way. "Don't you look happy? I take it things with Mina are going well?"
"You don't know the half of it." He smiled, mind floating back to the mongoose once again.
"Don't get too excited. Everyone has a way of letting you down eventually…"
"C'mon Rouge, you're starting to sound as pessimistic as Shadow now."
"Rouge?"
"What? That's your name isn't it?"
"Yeah but, you usually call me some stupid petname like 'Baby Girl' or 'Babe', something along those lines."
"I figured my girlfriend wouldn't like it." He shrugged, gathering a few more papers out of his locker.
"I'm a little worried about you Manic. The Songoose isn't as sweet as she lets on—"
"Jeez Rouge, I get this enough from Shadow. I get that you're upset about your breakup, but that doesn't mean you have to worry about my relationship."
"I don't trust her."
"You say that about EVERY girl me and Shadow like."
"And I'm right every single time too."
"I'm a big boy." He told her, shutting his locker.
"Well, don't say we didn't warn you." The bat shrugged, "Anyways, smoke sesh under the bleachers? Shadow said he'd meet us there."
"I'll pass." Manic replied, adjusting all of the books and papers he'd been carrying. "I've got to get a leg up on some late classwork, and there's a job seminar in the gym later. Tell Shads not to wait up. I've got a long day ahead of me."
"Wow, who are you and what have you done with my stoner, carefree, lazy hedgehog?" Rouge laughed.
"Haha, very funny." He chuckled, "I just finally see a future for myself...a good one."
'With Mina and my baby…I have something to strive for, something to be better for. I've never seen a future for myself before, but they've given me one.' The hedgehog thought to himself as he walked off with a smile.
Shadow and Sonia walked hand in hand across the grassy lawn of the school, just before the parking lot. No one was out, the weather getting a little too cold for anyone to be lazying about outside anymore. The two hedgehogs had been discussing how to go about coming out to the world about their secret relationship for the last week, not quite deciding on what to do.
The magenta girl had made a seemingly full recovery, no longer feeling the urge to even starve herself anymore. She was in a better place, all thanks to the handsome friend of the family. She felt both confident and comfortable enough to get serious about the relationship, feeling as though their journey was just beginning.
"Should we just say 'fuck it' and tell the first person we see?" She asked the ebony hedgehog, looking up at him with a smile.
"I guess so. I just hope it won't be either of your brothers." He mumbled, dreading the idea of telling either of the two.
As of recently, his interest in the magenta hedgehog had been diminishing quite a bit, conveniently after his last encounter with Honey the Cat last week. It was within that last encounter where he started to realize how much his relationship with Sonia had been lacking. Her self-consciousness about her body prevented a lot of intimacy, and her recovering mental health had him feeling less and less needed.
"Look! There's someone in the parking lot." She yelped, pointing toward someone in the distance waving goodbye to a car that had pulled out of a space and drove away. "Here's a chance." Sonia squealed, pulling Shadow over to the student in the parking lot.
After a short sprint, the person in the parking lot became more visible, making all of Sonia's enthusiasm come to a screeching halt to be replaced with bewilderment. She recognized him. That long auburn hair blowing with the wind, and those beautiful sapphire eyes that fell onto her once he had turned around.
"Elias…" She breathed in a whisper, quickly snatching her hand out of Shadow's.
"Sonia…" The squirrel uttered in exchange, a thousand sorrowful emotions pooling in his chest, making his heart ache with every beat.
The car he had just waved goodbye to belonged to Joss, who had come to pick up Megan after receiving a call from Principal Acorn last week to come get her. The squirrel was nearing her third trimester, and couldn't legally be allowed on school grounds in such a crucial state.
The prince was left behind to continue his education on campus, no longer forced to cling to her side every waking hour.
After Megan had threatened him to stay away from Sonia, he had done an incredible job of avoiding her, but it seemed those days of avoiding the inevitable were over. At least Megan was not around to see their reunion, otherwise he would've kissed fatherhood goodbye.
There was an awkward tension in the air. Both Sonia and Elias just stared at each other not quite sure what to do next. Shadow eyed both of them curiously, feeling all of the angst in this reunion.
"Where have you been?!" The magenta girl finally spoke, tears brimming her jade eyes. "I haven't heard from you in over a month!"
"I've been…struggling with some things." He sighed, looking down at his feet. "It's really complicated Sonia, but I'm sorry."
"Eli." She wept, leaving Shadow's side to throw her arms around the prince.
His eyes went wide, surprised by the sudden action. He kept his arms at his side, not sure what to do. Then he caught that familiar scent, the peach fragrance of her pink hair. All those suppressed feelings, that painful ache in his heart, all of it was put at ease once he finally wrapped his arms around her again.
While standing behind them, the ebony hedgehog studied the squirrel's face as he rested in his blissful hug. He recognized that look. That seemingly hopeless yearning, that emotional anguish, and that stormy cloud of denial. He was in love with her, just as the hedgehog was once in love with his own best friend, and Sonia seemed just about as clueless as Maria was.
Elias opened his eyes, catching Shadow's intense stare and quickly pulling away. Sonia smiled, relieved to have finally run into her childhood friend.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your walk…" The prince mumbled, a hint of envy in his tone as he caught Shadow's gaze again.
"That's okay. I was just helping him find my brother." Sonia lied, making her secret boyfriend raise an eyebrow.
"I see." Elias nodded, accepting her lie as fact. "Well, I've got to go find my sisters. See you guys later." He added, but just before he could walk away the magenta girl grabbed his hand.
"I will see you again…right?" She questioned nervously. He nodded before she released his hand and allowed him to walk off, mouth dropping into a slight frown as he did so.
Fiona and Tails walked down the hall together, both smiling and carrying a stack of textbooks as they did so. The kitsune never dreamed this would ever happen, that he'd be talking to her so innocently again. He never wanted it to end. She had stolen his heart all over again with little to no effort, completely outclassing both his childhood friend Cream, and best friend Cosmo.
There was just something about Fiona Fox that always had his interest. It wasn't just her model-status looks, or her intense personality. The vixen just had so much potential to be grand. Potential he always saw, even when she had on her rough exterior.
No one saw her the way he did. He only wish others could see that this good-girl image wasn't a façade. This is the real her, the bad-girl from earlier on in the year was the real façade. If only everyone else could just realize that.
"Everything alright Tails?" The vixen questioned, peering over at the boy walking beside her.
"Oh yeah. It's just…Well, I'm happy you're different now, and that we could spend time together like this."
"Me too." She smiled, "I was just so sick of living a lie, of letting that bastard hurt me, and ruining my own life. There was always good in me. I just never saw it, but you always did."
"I just wish everyone else could too. You don't deserve all the hate you get." Tails pouted, shifting his gaze to his feet. "Cosmo thinks this is all just an act, and doesn't trust you. It's so annoying. She just doesn't get you—"
"Well, I've never really given her a reason to like me." Fiona cut him off, ceasing their walking to stand in front of him. She gave him a stern yet sympathetic look, kneeling a bit at eye-level with him. "Don't be so hard on her, she's just looking out for you."
"Yeah…" He mumbled, getting lost in those gorgeous two-toned eyes he missed so much. Pools of gray and blue.
"I'll see ya' later. I've got to go find Mighty and Ray. Bye!" She said, walking off as she waved goodbye.
Shard and Mina sat outside on the top of the empty bleachers. It was freezing out, giving her the perfect excuse to bundle up on extra clothing to hide her belly. She sat comfortably in his lap, arms draped around his neck as he leaned back into the bleachers.
She wore a thick purple jacket, and black sweatpants. Her long hair blew with which ever direction the wind picked up, and the tip of her nose red from the cold. Her boyfriend however was dressed in nothing more than a thin gray hoodie and black jeans.
"Aren't you cold?" She questioned, shivering a bit although quite bundled up.
"Eh, this is the kind of weather I'm used to." He shrugged, not fazed at all by the cold air. "DigItaly is always either extremely cold or extremely hot. This is nothing."
"So did you just call me out here to impress me with that information?" She giggled.
"No you Hannah Montana rip-off." He replied sarcastically, making her narrow her eyes at him before he threw an arm over her shoulders and pulled her in. "I wanted to talk to you about something…"
"Something?" She gulped nervously, "Like what?"
"Nicole came to see me last week." He admitted, averting his eyes from hers. "She found out about the letter, and made me show it to her."
"That explains why she's been avoiding me all week." The mongoose sighed, turning his chin toward her with her hand. "So what happened?"
"She read it and cried. I even showed her the necklace. Can you believe she literally had no idea? As if it wasn't totally obvious." He explained in a strained tone, "I had to explain it all to her like a math lesson. She felt awful, I could see it in her eyes. I really wanted to kiss her…so badly—"
"Did you?!"
"No…" He answered in an assuring tone, cupping her face in his hands as he looked her dead in the eye. "Because I tried to show her the best of me, and that wasn't enough. It'll never be enough, because I'm not a good guy by nature. I'm a bad guy with good aspirations, and you know that…and you accept that. Which is why what we have means so much to me."
"Shard…"
"But I do still have feelings for her, and think about her constantly—"
"Did you really just say that to ME, your girlfriend?" The mongoose pouted, crossing her arms with a huff.
"Well, no one else is here so obviously." He rolled his eyes with a slight chuckle. "I feel like I can be honest with you like that, because you're honest with me…Unless you've got some deep dark secrets you're keeping from me?"
"NO!" She yelped a little too defensively. She blushed in embarrassment as he cupped her face and kissed her pretty pink lips.
"Relax, it was just a joke." The hedgehog smirked.
"Right…a joke." She mumbled as she nodded her head in understanding.
Amy creaked open the door to the green hedgehog's room, stepping into the darkness as she strained her eyes trying to make out Scourge's figure in the dark. She had never been to his room before. He usually told her to go to his car, or to the forest area lining the parking lot.
"Scourge? Are you in here?" She whispered, taking a few more steps in and closing the door behind her.
As soon as she did so, she felt a pair of arms snake around her waist and pull her in their direction. Her surprised yelp was muffled by a sudden kiss. She instantly relaxed when she felt that cool steel bar, instantly knowing whose tongue had just been rammed into her mouth. Through the darkness they maneuvered their way over to his bed, and he quickly threw her down on it.
She prepared herself to feel the weight of his body fall on top of hers, but instead the green hedgehog took off her shoes and tossed them to the floor before laying down beside her. He switched on the dim lamp that only barely illuminated his dark room.
The pink girl was confused. What else would a guy invite a girl to his room for at night? She thought maybe he wanted her to initiate things for once, but her attempts at kissing his neck were quickly rejected when he pushed her head away rudely.
"Not in the mood." He told her in a flat tone.
"Then why'd you need to see me so bad?" Amy questioned, a bit upset by the rejection.
"Because you're the only person I can talk to these days." He sighed, turning his face toward the ceiling. "Now that Fiona's A-Wall and Mephiles is starting to annoy the shit out of me."
The pink girl was surprised, but loved the idea of getting to talk with him like this. The entire time they talked about seemingly nothing she felt her heart flutter at the sound of his voice, and didn't dare turn her gaze away from his pure blue eyes for a moment.
"This tattoo." She pointed out, holding up his hand to the light to see the 'K' on his wrist a little better. "When did you get it?"
"Fourteen I think, maybe fifteen." He shrugged, "Can't really remember."
"Well the shop butchered the hell out of it." Amy cringed, taking note of how the ink had faded and the lines were a bit shaky.
"Didn't get it at a shop. It's home-done."
"What does it stand for?"
"King, what else?" He laughed, leaning on his side to face her again.
"You sure like being called a king." The pink girl smirked, "Talk about arrogant."
"Well, I am a king." He shrugged, their eyes locking before he turned back to the ceiling. He put both arms behind his head as she snuggled up to his side. He let out a frustrated sigh, a sorrowful expression crossing his face. "But there's really nothing in being a king without a queen…"
'A queen…' Amy thought to herself, her cheeks glowing red as she stared intently at him.
"Why did you lie to him about us?" Shadow questioned his girlfriend over the phone as he rummaged around the dorm room he shared with Manic for a cigarette.
"I haven't seen him in so long." Sonia sighed, gathering her toiletries to go take a shower. "I didn't want that to be the first thing I told him."
"I suppose I understand." The ebony hedgehog mumbled, fiddling with a lighter.
"Just please don't freak out and get all jealous like Knuckles did." She sighed in annoyance. He could imagine her rolling her eyes. "He and I are just good friends."
"Well, I won't get jealous unless you give me a reason to be." Her boyfriend smirked, finally getting his cigarette lit and at peace. "Anyway, you should come over…"
"And risk getting caught by my brother? I don't think so." She giggled.
"He'll be out for a while, his job seminar thing is running late tonight."
"Job seminar? Are we even talking about that same lazy idiot anymore?"
"I'm not even sure myself. All week he's been hitting the books, going to meetings, and getting tutoring lessons."
"Wonder what got through to him." Sonia shrugged, "Let's just hope it lasts."
"So…come over."
Shadow I—Oh, hold on! I'll call you back. Eli's on the other line!" She then ended the call, forcing Shadow to pull his phone away from his ear with a sigh.
This relationship seemed to be strained, but only at his end. He was glad about her recovering, but found that there was no longer a foundation for them to stand on. Although physically better, she was still so self-conscious. Always dodging every attempt at being more intimate. It was frustrating.
He turned off his cigarette, flicking it into the nearby ash tray as he scrolled through his contacts. He knew he shouldn't, but he just couldn't help himself.
"I knew you'd come around eventually." The tempting voice on the other line mused, "They always do."
"Come over." He commanded, caving in to his selfish needs.
"Roger that."
Welp, after all that build up and romanticism, Shadow proved to be no better than Knuckles after all. What effect will this have on Sonia? Will she cave into her insecurities again? Or forgive him? Will she ever even find out?
Rotor is feeling the full-force of bullying, all thanks to Jet and his new narrow-minded followers. Will the new king of everything rein forever? Or will a new challenger arise and finally knock him off his high horse?
The best thing about writing a character like Shard is the ability to be a complete asshole and a sweetheart at the same time. His nature absolutely contradicts his personality and makes for a fun character. He's never really felt 'good enough' but believes he's found acceptance in the form of a Mina. He feels like they can be honest with one another...but honesty might be what ruins them.
Rosy was going to name her baby girl Lily, after a flicky she had as a child. In reference to Sonic Adventure.
Tails and Amy are both falling fast and hard for notorious heart breakers...will this prove to be fatal in the end? Or do they have the potential to tame wild hearts?
Manic's getting it together, making amends, and working hard. He's always been described as lazy, carefree, and reckless...but for the first time in his life something has given him drive, a reason to better himself. Will Mina be the best thing to ever happen to him? Or the worst?
Let me know your thoughts. Who do you love? Who can't you fucking stand? Who can you most relate to at the moment? I really love how open and respectful people are being about opinions in reviews. You guys make me so happy! Wish I could say the same about angry PMs. Lol, oh well. You win some you lose some.
Next Time On Green Hill Academy
Amy sees a softer side of Scourge, one he doesn't show quite often
Fiona takes on the role of Cupid, juggling several hearts
Silver is giving Blaze another shot, but will her friends ruin it for her?
Knuckles has a heart-to-heart with Julie-Su, not going at all how he would have liked
Mina puts a plan in motion, one that might land Manic in hot water
Shade the Echidna finally makes her first appearance
A new challenger arises, threatening to kick Jet right back to the bottom of the food chain, but he won't go down without a fight. Just who is this opposing force?