Chapter 2: Getting Ready for Date
A few days later, Shadow is laying down on his bed deep in thought about what Sonic and the boys say. He really wants to ask Maria out on a date, but worries that she might not accept or might not be ready. He looks at the phone for the longest time, trying to figure out what he should do.
Shadow sighs, "Might as well get this over with. The guys are annoying."
Shadow picks up the phone and presses Maria's name on the screen. He then puts the phone to his ear and hears it ring.
"I really hope you pick up," Shadow says in thought.
In her own bedroom and reading a book to little Jay, Maria is telling the little Dark Arm a story.
"It's a really relaxing afternoon to read a book," Maria says.
Suddenly, she hears the phone ringing. She puts the bookmark in the book, and puts it on the bec. She then picks the phone to see who it is.
She answers the phone, "Hello Maria's residence."
"Hello Maria," Shadow's voice comes up.
"Oh hi Shadow, how are you doing?" Maria asks withy her cheeks turning red.
"I'm fine, uh, how have you been doing?" Shadow asks, feeling a bit flustered.
"I'm fine," Maria answers, feeling a little shy.
Shadoe says, "Uh listen, if you're free this saturday, will you uh, like to hang out together. Maybe go out to dinner or something."
Maria becomes speechless and blushes like crazy.
"Hello? Maria? Are you there?" Shadow asks, sounding confused.
"Um yeah… I mean yeah. I would love to go out to dinner with you," Maria says.
"Cool. I'll see you this saturday around six. I'll pick you up at your place," Shadow says.
Maria smiles, "Sounds good."
"Great. See you then," Shadow says.
They both hang up the phone and can't hear each other.
With Shadow not hearing anything, Maria lets out a scream with glee. She then dials a different number in excitement.
When the phone rings and picks up, Amy's voice picks up, "Hi Maria how are you…"
But Maria screams with glee, "I have a date with Shadow!"
"Well, that sounds wonderful," Amy replies.
Rouge who is also with Amy in her home asks, "What's up?"
"Shadow has just asked Maria out on a date," Amy says.
"Finally, I thought he never ask," Rouge comments with a smirk.
Maria shyly asks on the phone, "Yeah. Um, listen guys, I'm going to need a little help. I never been on a date before and uh, I like to wear something nice."
"Well, I think it's a great idea for us to do some shopping," Amy says.
Then asks the bat, "You wanna come."
"Thought you never asked," Rouge says.
Not long, Maria, Rouge and Amy are at the shopping mall at future city looking for nice clothes for Maria to wear. Amy and Rouge are looking for as many clothes, make up, and jewelry as they can.
"Um guys, I do need help finding clothes, but I think you're going a little overboard," Maria shyly says.
"Why you say that?" Amy asks.
"Uh, I don't think I can hold these clothes anymore," Maria say, and is actually holding a lot of clothes, jewels, and make up in her arms.
Then she falls over on her back. Amy and Rouge look at Maria with guilty looks on their faces.
"Uh how about we just choice a few things that suits her?" Rouge asks.
"Agree," Rouge says.
After getting the stuff of of Maria, the girls make small selections, and make their way to the fitting room. Rouge and amy watch as Maria put on different variety of clothes and jewels. Many of them seems wrong, and some are either too big or too small on her.
Finally, Maria comes out and the two girls are amazed.
"Hmm, I think we have a perfect match," Rouge smirks.
"You look beautiful," Amy says.
Maria is wearing a light blue dress with no sleeves, and a dark blue blouse jacket that is tied with a white belt. She is wearing a black choker with a gold medal on it, gold wristbands, and blue hairband with a white flower on it that makes a small ponytail on the back of her hair. She also has a small white purse in her hand.
"You really think so?" Maria asks with her cheeks slightly blush.
"Girl, you look nice. I think you can win any boys' heart," Rouge says.
"You look lovely. And I know the right makeup that will go along with your dress," Amy happily says.
Maria giggles, "Thank you."
After purchasing the dress, accessories, and make up, the girls decide to stop at a cake shop for a snack.
"So Maria, you have any idea where Shadow will be taking you?" Amy asks.
"I don't know. I haven't been here for very long so I don't know many nice places to eat," Maria answers.
"That's true. Shadow and I have been places thanks to G.U.N missions, so he might have a place in mind," Rouge says.
"I guess so. Rouge, can I ask you something?" Maria asks.
"What is it?" Rouge asks.
"Well, I know I said that I've known Shadow for a long time, but I also notice some changes in Shadow. I do like to get to know him better, but I'm worried to ask about thing that has happened while I was gone," Maria says.
"Like what?" Amy asks.
"Well. I didn't want to make him uncomfortable, but I wonder about this Eclipse character. He called Shadow is brother, and shadow doesn't seem to like him that much. Shadow didn't seem to tell much about him or his relationship with him," Maria says.
"You shouldn't worry Maria, Eclipse is gone for the time being. And well, let's just say he and Shadow have a troubling experience with each other and now they want each other dead," Rouge says.
Maria gulps in reply.
Rouge smiles, "Hey, that happened a long time ago, so don't worry about it and think about your date with Shadow. And no more talking about it okay."
"Um okay," Maria replies.
After the shopping spree and having cake, Maria is back at home in her bed. She is having trouble sleeping. She can't stop but think about the special time she will have with Shadow. But part of her is concern about asking Shadow so many questions about his past.
Maria sighs, "Shadow, what did happened after I was gone? And how could what happened a long time ago changed Shadoe so much?"
Maria then closes her eyes and head off to sleep for the night. By this Saturday, Maria will be on her first date with Shadow. She can hardly wait.