Freshman: Chapter 12
Shadow's POV
The next day, Tuesday, Amy and I were once again sitting in the same classroom. Today's first period was French, but though, we were all accounted for and sitting behind our own desks, class hadn't started just yet.
Instead our teacher handed each of us a piece of paper and it looked like one of those permission slips I've been hearing about.
"Oh wow, a trip!" Amy, as cheerful and excited as always, chirped as she read the contents of the paper.
I was curious to know what got her, and all the rest it seems, so hyped up and took a closer look myself.
It was about that camping trip Sonic told me about yesterday. Hmm, let's see.
We were supposed to leave on the 10th of May, which was a Wednesday, and were expected to return the 12th, a Friday. We'd be staying at a place called 'Silver Lake' Camping. That doesn't sound familiar at all.
"Amy, where is this place?" I decided to ask the pink hedgehog next to me and she was more than happy to enlighten me.
"It's just a great place to go for a camping trip! We've been there once before with the whole team, but you couldn't go back then. It's way up North, but I hope it'll be warm and sunny by the time we leave!" Already she was on cloud number nine while I was still trying to imagine what that place would be like.
"There is a lake, an obstacle course, this small diner for all campers, and... Oh, Shadow, I think you're going to love it there!" She squealed, cupping her own cheeks.
She might aswell have already left because she was so excited.
I moved my gaze back down to the paper in my hands and wondered if I could sign this myself or if Rouge needed to be the one to do it. I suppose I should ask her later after school.
There was a date and time for departure and return, a list of things that we needed to take along with us, and there was also an incomplete list of the activities we might do while there. Teambuilding, obstacles, treasure hunt, there was a whole list and I'm not about to mention them all.
I do feel a little excited as all of this sort off sounds fun to do. I'm wondering what it'll be like to go on school trips like this.
Our first period of French came to an end after an elaborate discussion about the trip and a small 15 minute break arrived before we needed to get to our next period. Which in my and Amy's case was biology.
I was the last one to leave the classroom and my French teacher locked the door behind me as I walked down the corridor, letter still in hand.
I don't know where Amy had gone, but I figured that she has already hurried up ahead to meet with Sonic and I was left to catch up with her.
Once I've met up with that blue hedgehog and his two-tailed friend, we can discuss what to do this weekend. I don't know what movie he had in mind, but I was looking forward to hanging out with him again and finally visit my very first movie theater.
Like expected, I saw them outside near a vending machine that served mainly water, reserving only two expensive slots for sodas, but one of the three was missing.
"Where is Sonic?" I asked the pink and golden mobians, who each greeted me with a smile.
"Eggman's been causing trouble in the city this morning. Sonic had to check it out and so had to miss school. I would've gone too, but he told me he'd call me if he needed my help." Tails responded and I am a bit surprised.
I can't help but feel bad for him. Eggman keeping him busy when the guy is supposed to be at school to study and get his education?
"Do you know when he'll be back?" I asked as I had hoped to make arrangements for this weekend, but the kitsune simply shrugged as he apparently didn't know.
"It's been a good while since Sonic left, so he should be back soon." Tails replied as he seemed to be aware that I needed to have a small talk with him.
I hummed in response and crossed my arms. I suppose I can only wait and see if he returns soon.
"Oh, Tails, did you hear about the trip too? I'm so excited for it!" With the topic of Sonic's disappearance taken care off, Amy decided to bring the topic of our school trip up to the kitsune aswell.
"Yeah, I did! I'm not so excited for it, though." The golden fox hesitantly admitted, scratching behind one of his ears.
"Why not?" I asked in surprise. So far everyone I've seen, who were in our year, were excited for the upcoming trip, so I can only wonder why that was the case.
"I don't like to spend too much time away from my workshop. Plus, trips like this don't really bode well for me." Tails answered and I think I know why.
It was green, had malicious blue eyes, and the asshole attitude to go along with it.
They did tell me that Scourge had the annoying habit of bullying people who were close to Sonic.
I had also been told that he did most of the taunting on order of Fiona, that red fox I have yet to even exchange one word with. It didn't really make sense to me. I feel like there was something missing, though I hadn't been effectively searching for an answer to why I belong on the hedgehog's long list of victims.
Well, if we do go on that trip and Scourge decides to cause trouble for either one of those three mobians, than I will make sure to put a stop to it.
"If it's that green goblin you're worried about, than don't worry I'll-"
"Shh!" Amy quickly shushed me before she look towards something. I didn't know why she wanted to shut me up and, though I noticed it was Scourge she was looking at, I still don't understand.
Was she also worried I'd get into even more trouble? Someone with her kind of strength?
Since when am I under both Amy's and Sonic's protection? Both seemed to be trying to prevent trouble from befalling me.
I wanted to stay out of trouble, but I foolishly decided that soothing Tails' nerves was a little bit more important right now.
"Like I was saying, if it's Scourge you're worried about, than I'll be sure to smuggle a few balls with my luggage." I still reassured him, playing along with what had apparently become a running gag ever since the gym-incident.
Tails smiled, appreciating the gesture, though he didn't confirm weither or not the 'green goblin' was actually the problem or not.
The bell rang again a little while later and we all knew we had to return to class.
Never before have I watched my fellow students rush inside as fast as today. Because the weather had been a little dreary and cold, people were longing for the warmth inside of a classroom.
For once the hallways were empty almost immediately and I couldn't help but be surprised at how quickly the mass of students dissipated. I have even lost sight of Amy again! Just where does that girl keep running off to so fast and why?
But I was nearly alone, only a few more students were making their way to class, and someone saw that as the perfect opportunity to catch me alone.
"You bastard.." The insult had only just reached my ears when I was sudden pulled outside through a door that I passed and found myself pinned against the brick wall with a grunt.
Looking up to the culprit, I noticed that it was Scourge. No surprises there.
"You bastard, you made a fool of me yesterday!" The green hedgehog growled, holding a tight grip on my collar.
A sense of agitation welled up and I glared at the pair of blue eyes. Just what does he want this time? He doesn't need me to make himself look like a complete moron.
"What do you want, Scourge?" I asked and hoped he would just go straight down to business.
"It's not about what he wants, but what I want." A voice I didn't recognise joined us and finally I met the one supposedly responsible for the hedgehog's shenanigans.
Fiona Fox.
"Oh look, it's the mistress herself. Finally decided not to let this idiot do all your dirty work?" I asked, showing her that I wasn't intimidated by her black leather outfit and 'bad' attitude. I've had to arrest elderly people more threatening than her before.
Fiona's eyes narrowed, angry with me when I didn't curl up and flinch like I'm sure many of their other unfortunate victims have.
"I want you to stay away from Sonic. Just like I've been trying to make it clear to that pink hedgehog and two tailed little freak, he's mine and I'm not about to let you take him away from me." She told me, her arms crossing in front of her endowed chest.
So this really was all about Sonic all along? Amy has often been called obsessed with him, but obviously this chick takes the cake. What normal person treats their crush this way?
A soft feral growl rumbled in the back of my throat. Who was she to decide who and who not he can hang out with?
"He's not yours. He can choose for himself who to befriend and who to fall for. You have no right over him, the decisions he makes, or the feelings he holds! Maybe if you weren't such a bitch and in the least bit normal, you might've actually made a chance with him!" I shouted, my temper flaring at her ridiculous reason for bullying anyone who just as much as talks to the hedgehog.
Her anger grew too as she heard the insults I carelessly threw at her and I wasn't about to stop.
"Face it, Fiona! Even if you were the last woman on Mobius, that hedgehog would rather go for a man than be stuck with someone like y-"
A sudden punch to my gut was what cut me off out of nowhere, keeping my voice from growing any louder and from finishing that sentence.
Damn, and I had so many creative things left to yell.
Sucking in a breath of air and placing a hand where Scourge had punched me, I glared back at him.
"Now you're just pissing me off." The green mobian growled himself, baring his small fangs.
"Do it, Scourge." Fiona gave him the order and he pulled his fist back.
I just noticed we were somewhat isolated, mostly hidden from view, and I quickly figured that this is where they must drag people to beat them up. I doubt teachers would think to look here.
Before he could strike, I did the same but quicker, grabbing his collar, pulling a clenched fist back, and selling him one right across the face and causing him to stumble back.
Without a doubt that would leave a bruise and I will probably receive some too, but if it was a fight that he wanted, it was one he would get.
Except, when I start to deal physical punches, how long until I can't control my Chaos Spear anymore? That powerful energy is already boiling just beneath my skin, ready for use. And how long till the Commander knows? I know the principal is keeping him updated on me.
Rouge, as my appointed guardian because I simply trusted no one else, would surely get in trouble. She'd be punished severely. And what if I lose my place here in school and throw away the only chance at getting an education?
Were decorating Scourge's face with black and blue truly worthy of my education and Rouge? I didn't know would could possibly happen were I to start beating on him like he's about to do with me.
For once I felt afraid. Not because of this bastard and this obsessive broad, but for the consequences of my actions.
Should I let him do it?
By the end of it, I was left panting and curled up on the ground with my arms wrapped around my abdomen, my stomach aching terribly. My lip was busted and I'm pretty sure I have a broken nose and two black eyes. I might've even bruised a couple of ribs because Scourge was absolutely relentless.
But what hurt the most was my pride.
I let some nobody punch the living daylights out of me, the Ultimate Lifeform.
But it was a sacrifice I had to make, right? For my first real friend since Maria and for a secure future.
It had to be worth it.
"Shadow!" Though Scourge had enough of kicking me for today and settled for laughing at my 'inability' to defend myself, someone apparently felt the need to come to my rescue.
And who better to do that than Sonic?
With the blue hedgehog's well-known speed he was at Scourge in not even a moment, punching him in the jaw. Anger that I wasn't used to seeing on his face was present as he looked like he was just seething. It shocked me to see him this pissed off.
He was yelling at them and even sold Scourge a couple of more punches while I could only watch in shock. He's protected me before, but I had been somewhat annoyed by it. Somehow that felt differently this time.
It had almost broken out into a fight until Fiona put an end to it and told her henchman that teachers could come by any given moment now. So the two walked off and left us here by ourselves.
Once they were out of sight and I was on all fours and unable to stop my groaning, Sonic turned his attention to me.
"What was up with that, Shad? I've never seen you get taken like that!" The cobalt hedgehog asked as he helped me up on my feet. I appreciated it, my body hurting more than I had expected, but did not show or say it out loud.
"It's nothing, I was just worried about what would happen if I did turn the tables and beat him up instead." I explained and a huff left him.
"Normal students get detention, suspended, or even expelled. I'm not normal, so what would happen were I to get in such trouble? With Rouge, my education, myself... I always have the sense that I need to be careful." I added as I dusted myself off, trying to ignore the aching of bruises forming on my lithe body.
Sonic looked at me for a moment before smiling at me.
"You got your face busted, but somehow it was a form of self-preservation, wasn't it? I've always knew you were brave, though not the regular kind, and still you surprise me." I don't know why he felt the need to tell me this and with that kind of smile too, but I'm glad he didn't find my approach too crazy.
"Come on, let's get you cleaned up." With a friendly arm around my shoulder did Sonic take me along to the nearest men's restroom, probably to take care of these bruises and try to prevent possible swelling.
Inside I soaked some paper towels and placed them on my eyes, hoping that my black fur would hide the staining and the chill water would combat the swelling of my skin.
Instead of going to class, Sonic stayed with me, leaning again the sink next to mine as he patiently waited for me to finish taking care of myself.
Sonic could be patient, who knew?
The water felt cool and refreshing on my fur and skin, but I do hope the physical effect is just as good. But while I kept myself busy by savouring this feeling, my cobalt rival decided to speak up again.
"So about this weekend," He started up another conversation.
I didn't look at him, but an ear moving to his direction told him that I was listening.
"How about we go this Saturday in the afternoon? It gets too busy on Sundays." He suggested and I guess I could agree with that. I don't have much to do, so I was pretty much free the entire weekend.
I took the paper towel away from my eyes to use it to wipe my bloody nose and busted lip next and smiled at the other.
"Sure, let's meet up then."