Rouge
I came into the gym in my free time to practice. Basketball was pretty much my go-to, except for shopping. I ran across the court dribbling, winding up for a dunk. On my way to jump, my foot got caught and I missed pretty horribly. It was frustrating, I NEVER screw a dunk up this badly. I'm not captain of the team for nothing. I turned around to fetch the ball when I noticed it had bounced right into someone's hands. Knuckles, drummer of Spindash, and man were those hands huge. Now I realize why he's their drummer. We locked eyes, and I have to admit that he was fine, fine, fine. But I could only expect that he'd be a giant douchebag.
"Missed that dunk pretty badly," he snickered. I rolled my eyes and caught my breath. "Not sure what it is too you, little drummer boy," I snapped. He chuckled and bounced the ball back into his hands. "Haven't heard that one before, my sister calls me Tommy Lee. I like to think I'm more Neil Peart," he said. "Isn't he like, the best?" I asked. He laughed and a cute, but sarcastic grin crept on his face.
"Exactly," he said. This boy had already gotten on my nerves.
"You really are full of yourself, aren't you? Should've guessed," I said, clearly annoyed. He laughed and approached me. "It's all jokes. I could never be Neil Peart, but I try my best," he said, as he ran and performed a flawless slam dunk. He landed and passed the ball to me. "Your turn!" he exclaimed. I couldn't help but smile a little. He was obviously cocky, but I think in a funny way. "You sure? I messed up pretty badly just a second ago," I said. He smiled and laughed, "Yeah, but I have a feeling that was a mulligan."
I stared at him for a second before running towards the hoop. In a flash I was in the air, with the ball going right through, before landing. "See! I knew you could," he said. "So, do you play?" he asked. I put my hands on my hips and looked at him inquisitively. I'm not sure what his angle is, but I suppose I'll play along. "Captain of the girl's varsity team, so I have no time for fame and adoring fans like you do," I said snidely. He laughed as we started bouncing the ball back and forth, in some weird rhythmic sync. "I used to play, but then I joined a band. Lost a lot of time, but basketball and football used to be my thing. Didn't last too long as you can see," he said.
He seemed a little sad, and I started to see a little human in him. "Well you're here now, I'm sure the varsity team would love to have you," I said, "maybe you could be their mascot, since you're so famous and all," I said. "I'd rather play, I miss the court and field. I love drumming, but I can't help but want to play again." he said. I stopped for a moment. Sure, being a sarcastic asshole to him was fun, but I'm starting to feel like I'm just being an asshole. "Well, then you should try out! I really think you'd have a good shot," I said. He frowned a bit and looked at the ground.
"I don't know. They'd probably only think of me as some hot-shot famous guy who just wants to show off. That couldn't be more wrong though. I really want to play again, it's been too long," he remarked. I smiled, and in a moment of weird hormonal reaction, I ran towards him and knocked the ball out of his hands into mine. His eyes widened, before a challenging smile crept on his face. "I see, someone wants to help me prepare for my tryout," he said snidely. I smiled and got into a playing stance.
"Or maybe I just wanna beat your ass, but we'll see how this goes,".
Maria
I walked out the back of the school and found my favorite bench. I always came here during my free time to read, write, or just enjoy the world I live in. For some reason, today just felt off. I can't put my finger on why, and I don't want to blame the ruckus of the Spindash guys coming to school, but I can't help but think that might be it. I got out my journal and started jotting down my thoughts. I put my AirPods in and, wouldn't you know, a Spindash song comes on. "Clocks" began playing and, while it was my favorite, the timing couldn't have been weirder. My favorite part slowly comes in, the beautiful guitar chords echoing throughout the song. I heard the door open, snapping me out of my trance, and out comes the boy responsible for those guitar chords. Shadow.
Speak of the devil.
He sat down on the ledge, back to the wall. He lit up a cigarette and started smoking. I smiled a bit and took my airpods out.
"I thought I told you to stop smoking those cancer sticks a long time ago," I said. He looked at me with a serious look. "Back when we spoke, I guess," he said. I got up and walked towards him, and sat on the ledge. "Are you going to hold this over me forever? I'm sorry Shadow, I can't sit here and defend my feelings, cause that's what they are, FEELINGS," I said, emphasizing the "feelings" part. He took another drag of the cigarette, one hand in his jacket pocket. "I'm not mad at you for that, that was a long time ago. I just wished we stayed in touch," he said.
I frowned and kicked my boots. "I know. Things just got hectic. For both of us. You got famous, I became parentless. Shit happened, it just wasn't right. I'm sorry for assuming what you were upset about," I said. He smiled and put out his cigarette. "That was in middle school. I had a weird moment where I liked you. I just wish we stayed friends." he said.
"I guess I thought things got awkward because of that. I didn't really know what to do, everything happened so fast," I admitted. Then I remembered someone, Tikal. "Have you talked to Tikal?" I asked.
He frowned and looked down. "Yeah, it didn't go well," he admitted. "Do you want to talk about it?" I asked. He looked at me and smiled. "Over coffee?" He asked. I smiled and hopped down. "I know the perfect spot," I said.
Amy
Class ended and I really just wanted to get out of there as fast as possible. I saw Blaze get up and Silver run to stick with her. I approached them cautiously, knowing how nervous Silver was. "Hey! Can I walk with you guys?" I asked. "Would be our pleasure!" Blaze said. I followed them out. People stared at the two of them and exchanged whispers and glares. I'm surprised at how unfazed Blaze was. If that were me, I'd be shitting myself right there. I stood by Blaze at her locker.
"How are you holding up, Silver?" I asked. He smiled a little and fumbled with the strings on his bag. "I'm doing alright, your friend has been really helpful," he said meekly. Blaze chuckled and grabbed his hand. "He's been delightful. Very surprised at how not douchey you are," she said. He blushed and scratched the back of his head. Boy, he was falling QUICKLY. I'm just not sure if Blaze is reciprocating or not. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I jumped. I was ready to turn around and slap someone, until I saw Sonic. "Ames! What's your next class? I have no idea where this room is, Mr. Taz's History?" He asked. I stood stunned for a second. Ames? What was THAT? Did he just come up with some random nickname on the fly? Why would he feel the need to do that? My mind was running, I imagined a bunch of mini Amy's freaking out, running around my head. I must have been silent for a while, as I slowly heard his voice snapping me out of my trance.
"Earth to Amy! You in there?" he asked, smiling the whole time. Looks like he enjoyed that. "Yea! Sorry, uhm, I have him next, I can show you!" I said, way too quickly offering my help. "You make me happy, Ames! Silver, what do you have next?" he asked. "I have Math, Blaze is gonna take me there," he said. "Oy vey, MATH," he said, mimicking nausea and rolling his eyes. "Have fun with that, Silv," he said. Silver chuckled and scooted closer to Blaze. She smiled and they bid us farewell. So, I took that as the cue to start walking.
"So, you called me Ames. What's that?" I asked. He slowed down a little bit and started to look concerned. "I dunno, just a nickname I came up with. If you don't like it I won't call you it," he said sweetly. "N-no! I like it! Just, was unexpected, that's all," I said. He smiled and started picking the pace up. Jeez, he was a fast walker.
"Slow down!" I said, "Remember, I'M showing you where to go, remember?" Turns out I was talking to a wall, because I saw him staring in a room, a huge grin on his face. "You good Sonic?" I asked. He looked at me, and I went to stand by him, when I noticed who he was looking at. Inside was Miles Tails Prower, a two-tailed fox a year below us, working diligently on a science project. He was at the top of his class and was supposed to be a Freshman, but he skipped ahead two grades. He was unbelievably intelligent. Sonic and him were apparently best friends before he went and got famous.
Tails was muttering to himself about the project. Sonic slowly and quietly walked in, motioning for me to follow. I wasn't sure why he wanted me to be a part of this moment, but I felt happy he wanted to include me in this.
"I see you haven't lost your-"
"I'm really sorry, but I'm really busy right now, so if I could pleas-" he stopped as he realized who was talking. His eyes lit up and the biggest smile I think I've ever seen crept onto his face. "SONIC!" He exclaimed, as the two bro-hugged. I was cheesing the entire time. I barely knew them but seeing this just made me really happy. Sonic, a world famous frontman who I expected to be some big-headed, cocky jerk was reconnecting with his longtime best friend, and it just felt so…
Genuine.
"Tails, how are you! I missed you!" Sonic exclaimed. They were both so giddy to see each other. "I've been okay, but it just hasn't been the same! I'm sorry I wasn't able to come see any shows, I've been juggling 4 clubs, student council, academic teams, science fairs, math olympic-" he kept rambling on and on and Sonic stopped him by grabbing his shoulders.
"It's okay buddy! I know how busy you are, being smart and all," he said. "Hey! I have History right now? What about you?" he asked. Tails frowned a bit, "I have AP History, different teacher," he said. Sonic frowned, but quickly smiled again. "Well, we will definitely hang out! I know the guys miss you a lot!" He said. Tails smiled, "I missed them too." He said.
They chatted and bid farewell, and I followed Sonic out. He was beaming the entire walk, going on and on about how much he missed him and how excited he was to see him. "Sonic?" I asked. He turned around, giving me a concerned look. "What is it Ames?". That goddamn nickname, that cute, butterflies-in-my-stomach nickname.
"Why did you want me to come inside while you talked to him? I'm not mad or anything, but confused. I don't want to intrude on your friendship or anything," I said. He smiled and approached me, hands in his jacket. "Well, I like to think we're getting along pretty well. You're helping me adjust and, I don't know, I'd like to think you could be a part of my life," he said. I smiled and looked at my shoes. I don't know what it was with him, but I did NOT expect this. But something tells me I'm glad it was unexpected, because the butterflies in my stomach aren't there for nothing. I looked up at him and grinned.
"I think I'd like that,"
