009. Trying

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Tikal sat on her desk and worked away, numerous of ideas filling her head as she wrote them down on her paper. She loved her literature classes! It was where she could focus on writing her stories creatively, jotting down plots and devices in her plan. She paused in her writing before quickly reading what she had wrote so far as a smile of satisfaction curled her lips.

"Tikal."

The echidna looked up to see Amy unfolding her wheelchair. The pink hedgehog smiled at her. "Time to go!" she whispered.

"Oh," Tikal said feeling a little disappointed. Time went so quickly. "O-Okay."

Their teacher came up to them with a small laugh. "I'll let you have some time to finish it tomorrow, dear," she neatly began to collect in her papers, "Good work today!"

"Thank you," the echidna said politely, feeling happy. Packing her things away, she slowly got up from her chair, and with the help of Amy, she placed herself onto the wheelchair. Her friend began to push her out of the class as they entered the hallways.

"Do you think we could go to my locker first?" Tikal asked, "I just want to put these books away."

"Of course!" Amy replied cheerfully and made their way to her locker. Once there, Tikal unlocked the passcode to it and carefully put the heavy books away inside. Once she closed her locker, the sound of the bell rang.

"They should be out of soccer practice right now," Amy said as she pushed her along, "Do you want to wait outside the gym?"

"That'd be fine," Tikal responded with a kind smile as the hallways began to get busy with students coming out of their classes. Amy stopped them near the entrance and after a few seconds, all the sports teams started to out come one by one and group by group. She felt hesitant as the area became packed and clutched on the arm rest of her wheelchair for some comfort. Amy seemed to have noticed this for she pulled the both of them to a corner. She silently thanked her as they waited. She nervously looked around, trying to avoid people's gazes until her eyes spotted red and black coming out the door. Tikal relaxed herself as he walked towards them.

"Sonic's outside waiting for you," Shadow told Amy.

Amy nodded and looked down at Tikal. "Call me later if you need help with the homework, okay?"

"Sure," Tikal said with a laugh as they shared a hug. Amy waved at them before walking off. She saw Shadow walking around her and took a hold of the push handles before wheeling her outside the campus. The echidna closed her eyes and leaned back, taking in the fresh air. Today had been a busy day, so she was pretty much exhausted. Tikal made sure to remember to do all her homework before the weekend, where she could catch up on some sleep.

She opened her eyes as they came to a stop. Rubbing them, she saw Shadow setting his stuff down onto the table before going up to her. Tikal adjusted herself as he lifted her up off the wheelchair and onto the wooden table seat.

He set her bag down for her and sat on the opposite side. "How was class?"

Tikal finished taking the last sip from her water bottle. "It was good," she smiled, "It was a creative writing piece we had to do."

"Ah," he nodded with a small smile of his own, "Of course you must've did amazing."

"Thank you," she giggled and looked at him, "How was soccer practice today?"

Shadow's face fell a little. "I don't feel like talking about it."

Tikal's eyes widened slightly. "Did something happen?"

"Yes," he responded, "Some of us had a few arguments with the coach, that's all."

That cleared some things up. Shadow didn't particularly like their coach, just because how loud and obnoxious he could be, not to mention strict. She felt sorry for him and the others that they had to endure it, but Shadow loved pushing and exceeding his limits, so he must've gotten used to the pressure. She had seen him play before, and he was incredible.

"We're only here for a few more weeks," Tikal said, trying to lighten up the mood, "You'll be free after."

"Mm," Shadow said with a chuckle, "That's what's motivating me right now."

She shook her head with a smile and got out her writing book, flipping a few pages until she got to her most recent. Just when she was about to mark her pen on the paper, Shadow's finger tips stopped her. Gazing at them, Tikal shifted her look to him.

"Do you," the hedgehog started, "Do you want to go to the dance with me?"

Tikal felt taken aback, her mind focusing on the one word. "D-Dance?"

Shadow took note of her changed attitude but said nothing about it. "Yes."

The dance everyone was talking about never really caught her attention that much. Whenever her friends brought it up, she'd slowly zone herself out into reading a book or doing something that had nothing to do with the event. She felt somewhat left out, embarrassed, because of not having the faith in herself and the potential to get involved.

She stared at him, her blue irises almost quivering as she glanced down at her legs. She felt nothing of them, they were just numb. They always were. No matter how much she tried, even as a child, there was no possible way, physically, to walk or move them.

The echidna gazed back at him. "I-I can't..." Tikal placed a hand on her leg, "I really want to, b-but..."

Shadow stayed quiet for a while, his expression unreadable. He gently grabbed both of her hands, making her blush feverishly as their eyes locked again.

"You can," he said, squeezing her hands.

Tikal blinked, thinking he was just about insane. "I can?"

He didn't answer and instead stood up, their hands letting go of each other's. She watched him as he glanced around the area before setting his look on her again.

"I'll show you."

She sat there, bewildered. "W-What?"

Shadow leaned forward and gently lifted her up from her elbows. Feeling panic arising, Tikal frantically latched onto his neck, her stomach doing flips. "Sh-Shadow?"

"Sorry," he mumbled and held her steady, "Just bear with me..."

He held her with one arm as he knelt down. Holding him, Tikal averted her eyes down at the hedgehog, and saw that he had shifted her feet onto his. Shadow stood up carefully, making sure she was steady and used his other arm to loop it around her waist.

Tikal blushed, not used to being in such a position before. She looked up at him and her blush worsened when his stare seared her. The echidna yelped, gripping onto the hedgehog's shoulder as she swallowed down a gulp.

Fortunately enough, she wasn't the only red one in this awkward situation. Being so close to him, she could see the faint redness dusting his cheeks.

"Lift up your right hand for me," Shadow commanded softly. Tikal obeyed at his request. He watched as she held her hand up before finally intertwining their hands with his left. Once again, his other hand slithered down onto her waist. Shadow observed her, his ruby emeralds sending a nervous shiver down her spine.

He started moving. Shadow took a step forward and then another to the side. One step back and then one to the other side.

"Shadow?" Tikal whispered, feeling unsure.

He ignored her and kept his eyes down at their feet, making sure he didn't screw up. He looked back up at her, a slight frown on his lips. "Do you want me to stop?"

She pressed her lips together and then parted them just a bit, gritting her teeth slightly. Of course she didn't want him to stop. This was something she never got to do before, ever. This wasn't how couples normally waltz, but Shadow somehow made it possible for her to participate. Even though she wasn't the one who was moving.

"N-No..." Tikal stuttered. She was scared but she didn't want to disappoint him. This was probably something he had been wanting to do with her for a long time. Why put the opportunity down for him?

Shadow tightened his hold around her waist, involuntarily making crimson bloom onto her cheeks again. "I've got you," he reassured her ever so tenderly, their faces close.

She gave him a slow set of blinks before hesitantly nodding. Shadow held his gaze on her before he moved again, doing the same routine of steps. Her grip on his shoulder loosened as she got the hang of it, regardless of the fact that Shadow was the one doing all the work.

"Are you getting dizzy?" he asked when noticing her eyes. She didn't respond but he stopped and carried her anyway. Shadow placed her onto the wheelchair and knelt down, his hand on her cheek. "Do you want me to get you a drink?"

Again, no response. Tikal didn't know what to say. She quickly wiped off some of the tears that suddenly fell. But it was fruitless. She tried so hard to keep everything in, but she couldn't fight off her one weakness. The echidna took jittery breaths, hesitantly making eye contact with the hedgehog. "I want to go with you, b-but..."

Shadow stared at her, his face softening even more. "I'm sorry," he helped wipe off some of the tears, "I just wanted to try," he averted his eyes to the side, "I'll be more considerate next time and not make you feel uncomfortable like that again."

Tikal sniffled and let out a few laughs. The sound confused the hedgehog as he fixated his look on her again. She rubbed her eyes, smiling at him tearfully. "I've never done anything like that before and having you try your best to make me experience it," she paused as she sniffled some more, "Is the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me."

"Of course," he said and nodded, taking a hold of her hand, "I love you."

Tikal tilted her head with another tear falling smile. "I sometimes wonder how you can love someone who can't do simple things," her voice cracked, "Who has to rely on a wheelchair to move around and have someone do things for them."

The glare he gave off didn't surprise her in the least. He hated it when she berated herself like that.

"Don't," his glare somewhat intensified, "Just don't."

"I know," she said, her voice hoarse though her smile remained.

"You know I'd do anything for you," Shadow stated firmly, "And I will never pressure you into doing something."

Tikal giggled again. He was so sweet. Maybe to some people from a glance, he wasn't. But he truly was. The word would've been strange to the hedgehog but to her, it was the perfect way to describe him and his actions.

"I want to go," she said with confidence this time, squeezing their hands, "I-I really want to go."

Shadow leaned closer, and she could've swore she saw his eyes almost lit up. "You do?"

She smiled sweetly and pressed their foreheads together. "If I'm with you, then yes. I do."

It was a chance or risk she was willing to take.

Shadow cracked a smile and seeing that, she couldn't help but softly kiss him on the lips. It was only a brief kiss. The echidna was still so shy to do longer ones while out and about in public. He didn't mind it though, as he had gotten adjusted to her likes.

"Are you sure?" he suddenly queried, concerned, "You're not scared?"

Tikal took a shaky breath. "I-I am," she squeezed his hand once more, "But if I don't do this, then I'll never be a hundred percent proud of myself."

"You can always change your mind," Shadow said, "Like I said, I'm not forcing you to—"

"Shadow," she whined, making him stop abruptly, "Please?"

He gazed into her eyes for a moment. They quivered but they held confidence and determination. Feeling his cheeks go a little warm from the sight, he shifted his look to their hands. "Fine..."

She smiled and embraced him tightly, burying her head onto his shoulder. "Thank you..."

She felt his hands slithering around her waist as he pressed their bodies together. He let out a few chuckles, leaving butterfly kisses on her shoulder. "Don't mention it."

"I'll have to find a dress," Tikal stated as they pulled away. She shyly played with her dreads. "Though, Amy said she would take me shopping."

Shadow shook his head with a laugh. "Regardless of what you wear, you'll still look beautiful."

Tikal yelped at the comment as heat flared up her cheeks once again. "Shadow..."

He smiled, admiring her bashful attitude. "Let me do this properly," he brushed his lips against her fingers, "Will you, Tikal the Echidna," Shadow kissed her hand and looked up at her, "Be my date for the dance?"

She melted against his touch, almost feeling weak against them.

Tikal closed her eyes and then opened them. Ignoring the flustered heat on her cheeks, she nodded. "I'd be honoured."

They shared another smile together before Shadow cupped her cheeks. "It feels like a dream."

She leaned into his hands, eyes half-lidded. "But it's not."

"Yeah," he breathed in, "I know..."

...

She nervously pressed on the creases of her blue dress as she waited. Wheeling back to the mirror, Tikal took a look at herself.

The echidna slowly leaned back against her chair. Amy had a good taste in dress choices. The midnight blue on this sundress really did stand out on her. She stared at her thin overalls. At first, Tikal wasn't sure if exposing her shoulders was all that necessary. However, her pink friend reassured her that it was normal. Amy did add in a suggestive comment about how Shadow would love it, but she'd rather not go into the details about that...

The doorbell rang, making her flinch over to the door. Adjusting her dress once more, Tikal anxiously pushed her wheels to the front. She twisted the knob and went back as she pulled it open.

Her gaze locked onto the black hedgehog that stood there. Blue irises trailed down the black suit he wore, with a matching tie and dress shoes, all contrasting with the white dress shirt underneath his suit coat. A single red rose was held in his hand, and Tikal couldn't help but notice his analytical eyes trailing down at her.

"Wow," he was speechless, much to her flustered self, "You look beautiful."

She blushed, clasping her hands together. "Th-Thank you."

Shadow smirked and handed her the rose. "For you."

Trying to fight off her blush, she took it with ease. She smiled at him bashfully, nodding in thanks. Shadow brought up her free hand against his lips before kissing it.

"Shall we go?" he asked, walking to go behind the wheelchair.

Tikal leaned back to look up at him with a smile. "We shall."