Chapter Five: School days

"Why hello there!" Mrs. Anderson exclaimed as the two hedgehogs walked into the room. Then glanced at Shadow, who had his eyes glued to the floor, occasionally looking upwards to see where he was going. "Is this our new student?"

Sonic smiled. "Yeah, I helped him register and get to class." He stopped to glare at Shadow who was baring his teeth at him, then quickly added, "But only because I asked him if I could go."

"You've been a great helper, but I'd wish you would tell me these things before you go running off."

Sonic blushed "Yes, Mrs. Anderson."

Sonic's blush evolved into a deeper shade of red when the whole class broke into laughter. Mrs. Anderson turned to the class, ready to yell, when someone yelled, "Be quiet!"

Shadow glanced up to see a human girl with blond hair and blue eyes standing on a chair.

"I can't believe you guys! Why are you being so mean?" The girl shouted. "Imagine if you were in his place!" She pointed at Sonic. "And everyone was laughing at you! How would you feel?" She waited to see everyone completely silent, and then added, "I'm glad you understand now." With that, she sat back down, and began flattening out the wrinkles in her dress.

Wow, Shadow thought as he stared at the kids. She made them as quiet as mice…

"Thank you, Maria," Mrs. Anderson said, then turned to Sonic. "You can sit down now."

"Okay." Sonic mumbled.

Mrs. Anderson turned to Shadow. "Would you like to tell the class your name?"

Shadow shook his head. This teacher is giving me a choice?

"No? Come on, the whole class wants to know your name."

"No we don't!" Someone shouted from the back of the room. "It's probably something girly like Sunshine or Midnight!"

"Frost! Is that anyway to treat your peers?" Mrs. Anderson exclaimed as she put her hand on Shadow's shoulder.

Shadow shuddered from the sudden touch. This touch… is like the one I got from my father before he…

Mrs. Anderson gasped as Shadow smacked her hand away. Shadow quickly backed away, hand over his mouth.

"Shadow, what's wrong?" Sonic asked, rushing to his friend's side.

Unable to speak, Shadow only clutched his stomach and glared helplessly at Sonic.

"Mrs. Anderson, can I take him to the nurse?" Sonic asked.

"Uh sure," Mrs. Anderson mumbled, looking at her hand.

XXXXXXXXX

Everything was quiet as the two hedgehogs walked.

Sonic looked at Shadow his face of concern. "Does your stomach still hurt?"

Shadow focused on the two stray students chatting in the hallway.

Sonic frowned. "You know it's not polite to ignore people, especially your friends."

Shadow shook his head.

"Then what does hurt you?" Sonic asked.

Shadow only shrugged, clutching his stomach.

"Why do you keep holding your stomach if it doesn't hurt?"

Shadow immediately stopped walking and quickly turned to face Sonic. "None of your business."

"Then why am I taking you to the nurse if you're not even sick!"

"Did I ask you to take me?"

Sonic's ears drooped a little like a depressed wolf that let his meal scamper off. "No, but you looked like you were in pain, so-"

"So you decided to play the hero and take the sick kid to the nurse? Well let me tell you, heroes do not always win. They don't always get the perfect life, with the perfect parents and friends. They don't always become the talk of the town by retrieving a little kitten stuck in a tree." Shadow blinked a few times, trying to hide the tears forming in his eyes. "Just for once I would like to see someone besides the hero. Someone who could be a hero but they have something or someone holding them back in life."

"Is there someone or something holding you back in life, Shadow?" Sonic asked, his emerald eyes glittering with worry and a hint of concern.

Shadow clutched his stomach. "I guess so."

Sonic grinned. "Alright! Now we're making some progress here!"

Shadow sighed. "Yeah." He turned and started back down the hallway.

"Where are you going?" Sonic called chasing after Shadow.

"To the bathroom. Do you mind?"

Sonic sighed. "Shadow, I think we're missing something in our friendship. Something, like, oh I don't know, maybe giving me a heads up before you just walk off like that?"

Shadow sighed pushing Sonic up against the wall. Sonic gasped, turning red.

"Shadow, what are you-"

Shadow put his finger to Sonic's lips. "I'm sorry for making you worry." He lifted Sonic's chin up gently with his right hand.

Sonic's heartbeat quickened as Shadow stared deeply into his eyes. His eyes began to close as Shadow leaned in closer. Sonic's knees buckled as Shadow kissed him gently on his forehead.

Shadow backed away quickly realizing his mistake. "I'm sorry…" he whispered backing up towards the bathroom. "I'm so sorry…"

Sonic could only stare at his friend. He was at a loss for words and his legs weren't stable enough to walk without falling.

He watched in pain, wondering why Shadow wouldn't tell him what was wrong.

XXXXXXXXXX

"I'm so stupid!" Shadow yelled kicking the stall with his foot repeatedly. "Why did I kiss him!" He paused, in mid thought. "Why did I kiss him? Did I kiss him to provide comfort or was it really something…" He kicked the stall door again, and stared at the deep gauge in the door. There is only one thing that can solve this, and ease my confusion… Tears stained his blood red eyes as he pulled a pocketknife out of his quills and began to cut…

Another chapter finished! I am so happy :] I am already starting to write the next chapter. Did the ending scare you? Shadow has a lot of problems… just kidding. ;) He just has a complicated life like many of us do. I keep on forgetting to do this so here you go:

Sonic, Shadow and Maria belong to Sega, all other characters belong to Sonadowlover121.

Bye for now!