Past Secrets

Chapter 9 - Shadow's Inner Despair

After school let out; Amy was trying to figure out a way to even approach Shadow after today's events. Sonic on the other hand was no where to be found. Maybe it was for the best. Not even knuckles or any of his friends where in sight. On the way to Shadow's house Amy stopped at a cute little store filled with all sorts of gifts meant for "your lover." Amy entered the store and picked out a super cute black and red teddy bear, it looked just like Shadow. She also bought a little rose that she attached to the bears chest.

"I hope this will make Shadow feel better." Said Amy to herself.

Amy walk only about half a block from the store to reach Shadow's house; they lived fairly close to each other. As Amy walked down the street she finally found Shadow's house. His house was a two story Victorian that was painted black but had white detail. Amy walked up the front steps and knocked on the door.

"Knock. Knock. Knock." Amy waited for a response.

"I'm coming. Be there in a sec." She heard someone say behind the door.

Shadow's POV

"I wonder who's there. No one ever visits me." I thought to myself as I looked through the peep hole in the door.

When I looked in the peep hole I was staring at bear. A stuffed bear.

"What the hell." I said out loud.

When I opened the door Amy came flying towards me and gave me a hug.

"Hi Shadow." Said Amy.

"Woooo Amy; what are you doing her and what's with the bear and the rose?" I asked her.

"It's for you Shadow. I bought it as a cheer you up gift. I wanted to make you feel better after what happened today in class." Said Amy.

"Wow thanks Amy." I said as I took the bear in my hands.

"No problem." Replied Amy.

I was nervous having Amy at my front door. But in a way I was curious as well.

"Do you want to come in and take a seat Amy?" I asked her.

"I'd Love to Shadow." Said Amy as she entered my house.

"Just sit on the couch I'll be right there." I told her as I went up to my room to put the bear she got for me on my bed.

After I was done putting the bear away; I went back down stairs and took a seat next to Amy.

"So Amy, if you don't mind me asking; what are you doing here? Won't Sonic be mad if he finds out you're here and that you bought me a present?" I asked her.

"No, not anymore. I broke up with Sonic." Replied Amy.

Those words shocked me.

"Why?" I asked her. Why did I ask her that? I can already guess why she dumped him. But I had to be sure.

"I'm sick and tired of being treated like shit all the time Shadow; and just being with him made me feel stupid, worthless, it's like when I was with him I was nothing to anyone." Said Amy.

I put my hand on her shoulder. She blushed and stared into my eyes. God am I not use to that.

"Amy your not stupid, or worthless, and you mean a lot to everyone. Especially me." I said to her.

"Awww, thanks Shad." Replied Amy.

"Shad." I thought to myself as I blushed.

"What's with the nickname?" I asked her.

"Well….. I think it suite's you." Replied Amy.

I laughed.

What's funny? Asked Amy.

"Alright Amy; what's going on?" I asked her.

Amy put her head to the side as she continued to blush. When she turned her face I noticed she had a cut lip and a really big black and blue mark on her cheek. I put my hand on her face and she blushed extremely hard.

"Who did that to you Amy?" I asked her in anger.

"Ohh the marks, it's nothing Shadow really." Said Amy.

"No Amy; if someone hurt you I need to know who." I said to her in a serious tone.

"Well, today in class when I dumped Sonic, he didn't take it well and he …" I cut her off.

"Did that blue piece of shit hit you Amy!" I Asked her in rage.

Amy nodded and I was pissed off now.

"He will pay for ever hurting you. I told him earlier today not to ever lay a hand on you again or I would kill him." I said in anger.

"Shadow don't worry it's ok." Said Amy as she tried to calm me down.

"No Amy, it's not ok." I said

Amy took my hand and I stared into her emerald green eyes.

"Shadow, I left Sonic for that very reason, that's why I'm here." Said Amy

"Why are you here?" I asked her softly.

"I wanted to know if you would be my boyfriend?" Asked Amy.

My eyes widen and heart race. I guess Silver was right; I do have a chance with Amy. I thought I would never hear those word come from her mouth. I sat there speechless and in a way insanely happy. But I knew I had to be careful with what I'd say next to her, if I said yes then I would have to protect her from my past, I couldn't let her get hurt because of some dumb mistakes I made. But on the other hand if I said no; I would be sure she would not get hurt at all in anyway but ….. I like this girl a lot maybe even I love her… Love what a silly thing to think about ever since the first person I loved died saving my life.

"What do you say Shadow?" Asked Amy.

"I…..I'd…I'd love to be your boyfriend Amy." I finally came up with my response.

Amy's eyes widen and she put her hand on my cheek and moved her face towards mine. I was startled when she began to move in.

"Amy…" I stopped once our lips meet. I kissed her back with great passion as she did the same to me. We kissed for a few moments and soon she pulled away and stared once again into my eyes.

"Shad?" She started.

"What is it my beautiful rose?" I said now in a complete love filled trance.

"If it's not rude of me to ask. Earlier in class what did you mean by "ever since?" asked Amy.

I put my head down.

"Silver mentioned to me that you lost someone a few weeks ago, did you mean…" I cut her off by taking her hand and guiding her upstairs into my room. When we entered the room; I sat Amy on my bed and went to my closet and pulled out my photo album of her. I took the album to Amy and put it on her lap, as she looked at me confused.

"That's her in the photos." I said as I let her explore my childhood.

Amy's POV

I looked at the album and read the title to myself. " Shadow and Maria Forever." I opened the book and went through ever photo witnessing a timeline of Shadow's childhood with this one girl, I think this is Maria. I went through ever photo almost tearing up at some of the photos, I noticed a different Shadow. He was a energetic hedgehog with all the love for this one girl. I wonder what changed him; but when I got to the last page I knew what had happened. I looked at shadow and he was crying while looking at the photo. The picture was Maria's opened casket with a signature under it signed " From EI." Shadow was unable to handle it and he took the album away and put it back in his closet. I stood up and went towards him and gave him a gentle hug. He began to sob on my shoulder.

"It's ok Shad, I'm so sorry about her." I tried to calm him down.

"I'm sorry Amy; it's just so hard to see that picture, I loved her so much but she died saving my life." Said Shadow.

"How did she save you?" I asked him.

Shadow hesitated then finally said. " I used to live on a space station called ARK. One day the owner of the cooperation that ran the station decided to get rid of all useless assets and I was to be killed along with my… Ahhh never mind but Maria got me to an escape pod and ejected me to earth. She was shot while ejecting the pod and the leader who knew I escape sent that photo to me. I don't know why he sent it but it broke my heart and I have never been the same since then." Said Shadow while wiping his face.

"I'm so sorry Shad. I had no idea that ever happened to you. Is there any way I can cheer you up?" I asked him sincerely.

Shadow took my hand and looked into my eyes.

"How about this?" Said shadow as he gave me a kiss on my lips.

I kissed him back slowly and I wrapped my arms around his shoulders as he held my waist. I looked at my watch as we kissed and it was 11:00 pm. I pulled away from his lips slowly and said " I need to get going Shad."

Shadow looked at me with a big smile and took my hand.

"Come on Amy I'll walk you home." Said Shadow as he took me outside.

Shadow's POV

I walked Amy home and as I held her hand; I realized I had someone in my life again that I knew for sure I loved. We finally reached Amy's house and I let her walk up the front stairs by herself. When she reached her front door, she turned around and looked me in the eyes.

"I'll see you tomorrow at the bus stop Shad." Said Amy as she entered her house.

Alright I'll be waiting for you my beautiful rose. I said.

Amy gave me one last sweet smile and shut the door to her house. I turned around and began the trip to my house once again. I couldn't believe that all this happened on my first day of school. I already have friends and enemies, and even better I have someone to love again. I promise for as long as I live I will always protect you my beautiful rose.