All characters belong to Sega/Archie except my OCs.

Chapter 18

He tasted like mint leaves and cinnamon sugar. A hint of rain still lingered on our lips, the water adding some moisture to our kiss. Beneath my trembling, desperate lips, his were calm and steady. Easily, they took control of my clumsy, uneven kisses. His hand clasped around the back of my neck, steadying my movements. I paused for a moment, expecting him to push me away. Instead, he slowed our rhythm and established cautious, tender kisses.

Relaxing, I allowed my hands to inch towards his body. One hand traveled into his hair while the other held his shoulder. His soft ringlets curled around my fingers as I ran my hand through his dark locks. I took the opportunity to push back his bangs and gently hold them between my palm.

A soft moan erupted from my chest, waking me from his lips' spell. My eyes shot open. What the fuck was I doing? I promised myself I wouldn't do this. I couldn't do this. Not with him.

Hastily, and a bit too roughly, I pushed him away. "Sorry!" I yelled. "I'm so sorry!"

His brows came together. "What?"

I stood up and threw off the blankets around me. "I need to leave."

"What? Sonic, stop."

I dodged his hands as I searched for my hoodie. I grabbed it from off the floor and ducked under his arm. "I have to go."

He followed me to the door, his hands still reaching for my wrists. "Go where? It's still raining outside. Let me give you a ride."

"No! I can walk."

"You're going to catch a goddamn cold! For fuck's sake, will you stop?"

"I'm sorry. I'll see you on Monday."

I slammed the door behind me. The rain poured down on my body. I barely noticed the shivers it brought. I was too busy running down the dark sidewalks, anxious to put as much distance as I could between me and the ruby-eyed boy.

On Sunday, I wallowed in my misery. I lay in bed all day with my head crushed into the pillow and my covers pulled over my head. I locked my room door and turned off my phone. I didn't want to talk to anyone. Not even Manic. He shouldn't see me like this.

My blood boiled at the memory of kissing Shadow. I couldn't decide whether it was in desperate heat or shameful anger. I wished I could punch myself in the face. How could I do something so fucking stupid? There were too many risks with Shadow. He was too damn close to the world I'd just repaired my mask for. What if he told someone in school that I'd kissed him? The rumor would spread like a virus. Everyone would know by the end of the day, including my basketball teammates. I could already picture the disgusted looks and endless insults that would be thrown my way. Scourge would have a fucking field day.

Or what if Shadow didn't want to be my friend anymore? The thought made my heart sink more than the others. I'd come to truly enjoy his company. Though our friendship was still new, we had fun together. The weekend when we spent the afternoon in my house was filled with jokes, video games, and playful arguments. We went toe to toe in 2K20, and I beat Shadow's ass. He insisted I was cheating.

"No, you just suck," I'd told him.

He kicked me off the couch. "Keep talking shit and you can meet me in the street."

"Oh, so I can kick your ass out there too?"

He glared at me. "You're gonna have to throw hands with me," he said. "I bet you won't be talking shit after that."

We did end up taking our basketball rivalry outside. Shadow was a lot better on the concrete than he was in the video game. I still dunked on him though. He wasn't that good.

Truthfully, I was looking forward to spending more days like that with him. Now, it seemed as if I was lucky if he ever spoke to me again.

On Monday, my heart rammed against my chest for the entire day. In the halls, I tried to listen to the whispered gossip, waiting to hear my name. Thankfully, my name was never spoken by anyone who wasn't talking to me. I was relieved by this, but I still had to face Shadow in eighth period.

The day dragged on as I anticipated the confrontation. I mapped out the conversation in my head.

Hey man, sorry about the other night.

It was a huge misunderstanding.

I promise it won't happen again.

Are we cool?

Based on his answer to the last question, I formulated next steps. If he said we were fine, then we could continue to be friends. I'd just put a stronger leash on my impulses. If he said we weren't, then I'd try to keep the damage between us. I'd try to convince him never to speak of the kiss and we'd be cordial in class. I didn't like the idea of the latter, but I'd have to deal with it if necessary.

Shadow was already sitting at our table when I arrived. My stomach rolled with nausea and butterflies at the sight of his flopping bangs and wrinkled shirt. My gaze drifted to his lips, and I remembered how sweet he'd tasted.

I gritted my teeth as I willed the memory away.

His eyes followed me as I walked to our table. "What's up?" he said once I was seated.

I feigned a smile. "Hey."

He didn't have the opportunity to say anything else. Mrs. Ryan promptly started class.

Today was solely based around a Socratic Seminar Fishbowl discussion about Hamlet. I worked to participate often and distract myself from Shadow's body beside me. Honestly, I was surprised when he took the seat beside me in the circle. Nonetheless, his presence was reassuring. Maybe he still wanted to be friends. Maybe we could still hang out. The kiss didn't have to change anything. Or at least I hoped so.

"Are you feeling better?" Shadow asked as we walked down the hall after class.

"Yeah. Thanks for everything on Saturday night."

"Yeah, sure." He glanced around the busy hallways. "Walk with me to the parking lot."

We stopped at my locker first, and then we exited the crowded halls to the brisk air. I waited until we were far from the crowds to speak.

"I'm sorry for...kissing you. I... I didn't mean to. I was just..." I choked on my words under his curious gaze. I rubbed the back of my neck. "I promise it won't happen again."

"Oh." He looked away. "Okay."

I raised my eyebrows. "That's it? Okay?"

He shrugged. He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his blazer. "What else did you want me to say?"

"I just...thought you'd be mad that I kissed you in the first place."

"Nah," he spoke quietly. "I'm not mad." His voice lowered with every word. "I was worried about you. You were so upset, and you ran off so fast. I thought... I didn't know what you were going to do."

I frowned. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you."

"It's fine."

I moved a bit closer to him. "I hope we can still be friends."

"Mhm." He glanced at me. "I'd like that."

"Can we keep what happened the other night between us?"

"Sure."

I smiled. "Thanks."

"Yeah." He nodded his head in the opposite direction. "I parked over there. I'll see you tomorrow."

He walked off before I could get a chance to say goodbye. I watched him with a small frown. Instead of the relief I was expecting, my body filled with dread. Had I made the wrong choice by disregarding the kiss?

I shook the thought away. No, I did the right thing. We couldn't be together. Not like this. Not right now.

I glanced in his direction, hoping for some sort of physical confirmation that I'd made the right choice.

As if he felt my eyes on him, he turned and looked at me. Rather than his smug smile or a playful raspberry, a frown spread across his lips. The look only lasted a second before he averted his gaze.

A rock slammed against my chest from the sight. Goddammit, what had I done?