SunLove: Finally, I've updated this!

Shadow: Took you long enough.

SunLove: Yeah, well, I've had a case of writer block.

Sonic: But now you're on Thanksgiving break and you have an entire week to write!

SunLove: Exactamento.

Silver: Now let's get this show on the road.

Chapter 22: Are you serious?

Drew stared at the two with a cold glare like none other before.

There they were again. The two people he had watched for over two weeks were once again flirting. From a distance they would look as close friends sharing a joke between each other, laughing carelessly, and playfully glaring. It looked harmless and innocent from the untrained eye. One passing by would never have noticed the little times they stared at each other, seemingly lost in the other's eyes, or the times were when they touched they seemed to have stayed in that position a second longer than they were supposed to. Or maybe when they complimented each other the flustered look they obtained.

But he caught all of these. Drew was nowhere near inexperienced in this type of "talk". The flirting game wasn't something new to him. He wasn't ashamed to say he was introduced at an early age, having been hit-on, and he charming the other gender with his smiles. He knew what to say, do, and act. He knew when to cut something off or hold back just to keep the girls guessing. Drew also recognized how they acted, blushing, sometimes retorting a playfully just to keep up. And each little detail he identified between Chelsea and Noah, it only confirmed his conclusions.

It was obvious they were flirting, and he didn't like it one bit.

His hazelnut eyes darkened as Chelsea clutched her notebook to her chest and bashfully smiled. She resembled something like a school-girl. He could picture it clearly in his mind and this only seemed to enrage him farther. Why couldn't she smile like that to him? How come she would act so flustered around Noah, almost seeming to blush, but not around the tanned-skinned man? Did he have something he didn't? Was it because he was blond with blue eyes? Drew always thought, no matter how stereotypical it sounded, blonds with those traits were a bit dumb. Well, the few h met were, but that was in high school. Still, he couldn't help but wonder what made him so desirable to the dark-skinned woman. He couldn't see a strip of muscle on the guy, though he was lean. To Drew, his face even looked a bit too babyish, like that Justin Bieber guy.

Drew's fists shook as they were clenched together and his knuckles altered to a startling white. Never had this feeling taken to such an unattainable height: jealousy. Yes, he was jealous and hurt and angered and many other things. And watching the woman he had come close to act in such a way towards a guy he barely knew but hated infuriated him. After all he'd done with her and all the times he strained to make her smile, she'd already went to the next guy.

He snorted. This wasn't helping him. Drew walked away, glaring at his path, whatever it may be. His quick paced steps lead him to the front and he put on a smile for the customers. It hurt to smile as of how much he wanted to hit something but he had to. He had a job to do after all.

(0…)

"Do you think you could eat with me today?"

Her hand slowed its pace as it wrote before coming to a stop. Her lids blinked slowly and her hand slowly gently dropped to her sides. Her coffee brown eyes widened with complete shock, almost appearing blank.

"E-excuse me?" Chelsea's voice quivered.

Did he just ask me-did he just say what I think he said?

Noah looked away clearing his throat. A diffident smile showed those handsome creases around his lips and his sapphire spheres were out in the open looking to the menu out of spite. "Would you like to sit with me today?" he added quickly seeing her eyes widen more, "Only if you want to."

Chelsea tilted her head, brows scrunching together. The notepad she held so close was placed on the table causing Noah to look at her. "Why?" she couldn't help but ask.

"It just that I enjoy our talks and I kinda wanted to talk to you a bit more. It's kinda hard talking to you since you have others to serve and stuff like that," he mumbled his voice lowering as he spoke. He peered into eyes for a second before scratching the back of his head and looking away. A nervous chuckle escaped his lips and a full on blush he tried to hide illuminated his cheeks. "Well if that's a no that's quite alright. I understand." He continued chuckling tensely.

She blinked once again. Chelsea processed what was happening. He wants me to sit with him. Me. He asked me to eat with him because he liked talking to me? He really likes talking to me?

Seconds of silence enveloped to two. Chelsea observed as Noah tersely scowled at the menu, probably from the unbearable silence. He seemed to have cursed under his breath. She sighed catching his attention.

"I-I would love to accept your offer but…" she trailed off her voice full with disappointment, "But I can't. I don't think the manager would like it if I just were to abandon my shift. I'm really sorry Noah but I can't."

Her one chance. Her one chance she had to be with him, she blew it off. Of course something had to have been in the way preventing her from being alone with him. Chelsea felt her chest ache as Noah nodded, smiling fathomably.

"Like I said," he replied, "No big deal."

But she could see the displeasure in his tenor.

She shook her head. "Noah I-"

She didn't know why or how she lost her balance, but she did. Chelsea fell forward, arms stretched forward and a tiny scream of both surprise and fright left her lips. Noah saw the oncoming body fall towards his way and his eyes amplified. He caught her as she hit him. The booth kept them up from the force that would've sent them back. Chelsea closed her eyes from the impact and opened her eyes when she heard a voice with light a light teasing manner. She casted her eyes to Cathy who chuckled and winked at her. Her hip retracted- she must've hip-bumped her- and she said, "Don't worry Chelsea. I'll take care of your tables for you." She began to walk away.

The 23 year old twisted herself in the grasp of Noah having her sit in his lap, but she didn't seem to notice. "But I can't let you do that. That's not fair!" she exclaimed.

"Oh, consider it a favor you can return later. Besides," she looked over her shoulder devilishly, "You two look comfortable already." Cathy walked off laughing.

Chelsea tilted her head and looked examined her situation. Her arms were around Noah's neck as his hands were softly gripping her hips. She sat on his lap, their torsos in contact with another. Her breath hitched as she realized on more inch and their mouths would soon be entwined.

Her voice was caught in her throat as she could feel her body flush with warmth. This was unbearably sinful. She could only whimper in response to his worried expression.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

How could he have not noticed how close they were? And if he did, why wasn't he reacting to it? Did he not realize a stranger was sitting on his lap, so close they would've been mistaken for married?

She could only nod, her voice seem to have abandon her. Why wasn't she moving? If she had the decency she would've been off apologizing to him ten-fold. But somewhere, deep inside her guilt, she liked this. Chelsea liked this feeling of this closeness. She could feel his body heat and his warm breathes. His soft skin was smoothing and all too inviting as it seemed to envelop her curvy frame. Chelsea had to catch her head from falling into his as she was closer to his pools of blue. They appeared even more beautifully up close. She could feel herself get lost in them almost as if hypnotized.

"You-you have lovely eyes," she said absent-mindedly. Her hand shakily went brushed hair away from them and traced her fingertips along his jaw line.

"I should be saying the same thing to you," he breathed. Noah brought his own hand to her cheek, smoothing his thumb over it. He began to pull her head towards his, slowly. His brows scrunched in concentration as he did so and his lips parted ever so slightly. Chelsea knew what he was doing. She could feel his breath getting warmer every second and the details of his face were much more apparent. His skin was flawless. His blond hair, now that she could see it up close, did not look blond but silver. She had never met anyone with silver hair before, gray but not silver.

"Chelsea…" Noah growled.

Growled?

Her eyes snapped open.

When did they ever close?

Her senses came back and without thinking she covered her mouth and pushed him back, harshly. "Noah!" she exclaimed.

His back hit the booth seat with a dull thump. Noah blinked in surprise and widened his eyes. They both sat there, one on top of the other, gasping and eyes wide with disbelief.

They both thought the same thing.

What have I done?

(0…)

Silver scratched his head as a bead of sweat rolled down his temple. He looked over to his older brother, Shadow, wincing at another loud bang.

"I don't think this is normal," he said.

Shadow grimaced as another bang sounded the room, this one was louder. That must've hurt. He shook his head as his arms were crossed.

"I couldn't agree more."

In front of the two hedgehogs was their mother who stood head against the cream colored wall. Her hands were pressed against it as she gritted her teeth, eyes clenched. She stayed like this for what seemed as minutes before bringing her head back and forcefully jamming her forehead into the wall. The dark-skinned woman didn't appear to even feel the aching sensation in her skull. The only thing that proved herself not a numb less vegetable was her mutters.

"Oh God."

She repeated this and again mumbled curses. Her fists clenched with each passing second, shaking. There was a point where she seemed ready to burst into tears but only sighed heavily, unclenching her fists. She went back to first plate and repeated the whole process again.

This was definitely not, under any circumstance, normal.

Shadow raised a brow at the peculiar behavior as Silver almost screamed at another bang. It was a wonder how Sonic could sleep through these sounds.

"Mother, are you okay?" the dark male stated. He already knew the answer to the obvious question but felt he needed to say it anyway.

Chelsea slammed her head back on the wall.

"No," she huffed through her teeth. She brought her fist against the wall with strength and growled. "I just…" she raised her voice. Again, her fist met the wall but this time softer. This process happened several times before the hits became as light as a feather and her eyes opened sorrowfully. Pieces of her hair dragged against the wall as she slid down it and sat on her knees. Her feeble fingers lied on her lap and she crushed her teeth harder against each other. Silver winced waiting for the teeth to crack under pressure.

"I'm such an idiot. I stupid, dumb, worthless, low-esteemed, selfish, cruel-" she began but was cut off profusely.

"Woah, woah, woah….woah!" Silver exclaimed shaking his head with confusion, "Why the sudden behavior? What happened at work? You were perfectly fine before."

The young woman lifted her hand, fingers curled as if wanting to strangle someone. "Have you ever just wanted to throw yourself off a cliff for doing something stupid," she sighed.

Shadow's eyes widened. "If this is an act of suicide I will, in no way, let you kill yourself. Think of another alternative for dealing with your depression."

"Mom, you're not thinking of that right?" Silver asked worriedly.

She shook her head. "No. It's just that…that," a sound of frustration escaped loudly from her puffed lips. Chelsea put her hands against the wall and with all the remaining force she could muster, slammed her head on the wall. This time the two boys didn't stand there and wince. Their pupils dilated with pure disbelief and they shouted her name, running over her to separate her from the wall.

"Are you crazy, woman!" Shadow shouted, eyes blazed, "I wouldn't be surprised if there was damn crack on the wall!" He grabbed her arms and stood in front of her checking her forehead for any markings.

Silver, using his powers, had an ice pack float beside him. His golden eyes were wide with jolt and he too checked her bruised head. "You're worried about the wall? Let's just hope she doesn't have brain damage after this."

"It's a little too late for that."

Chelsea shook her head, slapping away their hands and the ice pack on her forehead. She wobbly stood up, a headache splitting her skull into fractions. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to punish herself like that. No matter, she would at least never do it again. Chelsea brought a hand to her head and verified for any wounds. She was so upset. Why couldn't she ever think for herself anymore! Was really that stupid?

"He goes to kiss me and I push him away. Ugh…now my head freakin' hurts!" she shouted beyond aggravated. She was just setting herself up to be alone forever.

No, they weren't going through this again. Not after what happened last time.

"E-excuse me!"

Funny, that was just how she sounded when Noah asked her to sit with him.

"What the-mother!"

"What!" Chelsea whined crossing her arms. She was just fed up with herself that she didn't notice the angry expressions on her sons' faces.

The metallic colored hedgehog pinched the skin between his eyes and sighed. "Are you kidding me," he said below his breathe. "Are you telling me that a guy has you like this?"

Not in her right mind she dumbly said, "Umm….yeah."

Shadow scoffed. "Before this goes anywhere, I'll just tell you this: It's not worth it. Whatever fool you've decided to fall for today will only bring you to your knees." He raised a brow to her. "And it looks like it's already started."

"What would you two know? You guys have never liked nor experienced real attraction towards anybody."

Both hedgehogs started, "Yes we've-"

"Angelina Jolie doesn't count cus' we both know you've never met her and never will," Chelsea said placing her hands firmly on her hips.

Stubbornly accepting defeat they both blushed shades of red. Shadow grunted. "W-well that's beside the point," he retorted.

"Then what's the point!" she cried, furious.

Silver stepped in. "Mom look at yourself. You're all tensed up and you're crying."

Chelsea took a step back in surprise. She gritted her teeth and leaned her head forward. "I'm not crying," she said trying her best to believe her watery voice was just from the yelling.

The crimson stained male sighed and gently said, "Mother, yes you are."

She breathed out in realization as she took the time to notice she felt something roll down her cheeks. Her finger tips touched her cheeks to feel they were hot and wet. Chelsea gasped and unclenched her fist, not even realizing they were first clenched. Startled beyond belief as to why she would cry over this, embarrassment flooded her body. Chelsea scrunched her brows together and looked away, eyes narrowed.

She couldn't face their pitying eyes.

As low but clearly as she could she said, "I-I'm going upstairs. Call me if you need anything." With that she marched her way past the two boys and up the stairs. A sob threatened to escape her lips as someone, or a sleepy Sonic, asked what was wrong. His emerald green eyes shined with concern and this only caused her to cover her mouth and push past him. Sonic turned towards his mother. He stretched a hand in her direction but only retracted it as her bedroom door shut stridently. He silently made his way down the stairs, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Sonic observed his two brothers who looked away from him.

"Okay," he yawned, stretching, "Why's mom all emotional and stuff? What did you two do?"

Shadow huffed, "She's merely just on her period that's why her behavior so erratic."

While Sonic's face twisted in disgust Silver rolled his eyes pushing Shadow for such a silly statement. "She's just having…girl…er boy issues."

"Wha?" Sonic questioned scratching his ear with his pinky.

Silver sighed. "Apparently some guys tried to kiss her and she pushed him away."

"I don't see the problem here," Sonic leaned against the staircase, "Isn't this supposed to be good? Does she feel bad that he rejected him or something, cus' I mean people just have to move on with life?" He waved it off and flicked whatever gunk was on his finger from his ear.

Shadow shook his head. "As much as I would like to agree with you, I don't think she rejected him on purpose."

"How do you know for sure?"

"Oh believe me," he grimaced remembering the loud sounds Chelsea's head made connecting to the wall, "I'm pretty sure I know."

The azure hedgehog shrugged it off. "Okay then, since you're so sure, tell me what you think happened guys."

"One thing's for sure. She really liked the guy. I mean she literally almost split her head into two, calling herself names for pushing him away. Not that that was a bad thing on her part," Silver mumbled beneath his breath.

Sonic made a face. "Why would she do that," he said almost sounding alarmed. Was he really that heavy of a sleeper?

"I don't know," the ruby eyed hedgehog sighed, "She said something about us not getting it because we have never liked anyone which is absolutely untrue."

"Yeah!" the cerulean boy puffed, "I would die for Angelina Jolie. She smoking hot!"

"Anyways, I think we should at least say something to her. Something that doesn't involve attacking her emotionally," he eyed both of them.

The two older ones rolled their eyes.

(0…)

The door squeaked open and three pairs of eyes peeked out from behind it to see their mother groan into a pillow. She lied face-first and her body was sprawled out. Her hair was spread apart like a giant black wave, covering her entire head. They mildly wondered how she could breathe.

Silver entered first knocking on the door. "Hey mom?" One by one they moved in the room.

All they received was a curt, muffled, grunt acknowledging their presence.

"Oh come one mom!" Sonic exclaimed happily jumping on the bed. He shook the mattress with his jumps and landed on his knees. "Aren't you happy to see us after a long day of work?"

His smile instantly dropped and a dead pan stare was casted over her body as she mumbled, "No."

"Ouch, mom. Ouch."

"Mother, we're sorry for saying those things alright? Now will you stop sulking? It's depressing," Shadow almost pleaded.

Her head lifted and her eyelids were half covering her cried out, dry, eyes. Her lips pressed against each other and she bluntly said, "Tell me when I care." Without her sound, her head dropped back onto the pillow.

"Double ouch," Sonic said.

Chelsea just stayed silent as she heard her mattress squeak. Two other weights joined the one and she could already tell all three hedgehogs were on her bed. She could practically feel their stares. "What?" she whined, irritated.

A hand smoothed into her tussled hair. "Moooomm?" Silver stretched.

Oh no.

"Mother, you have to the count of three before we do it," Shadow teasingly said by her ear.

"1," Sonic counted.

Chelsea groaned not at all in the mood for this.

"2."

To stop this, all she had to do was lift her head.

"3."

But she really didn't want to get up.

With the volume of a thousand bull horns the three boys took deep breathes and shouted, "MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!" Chelsea shoved a pillow over her head waiting for their lungs to tire but it never happened. Their voices stretched for what seemed like eternity. Chelsea couldn't handle the constant yells and tore the pillow off her head. She threw it at one of them- she didn't care which one- and revealed her fury filled orbs.

"WHAT DO YOU GUYS WANT!?" she yelled.

Sonic snickered at her crazed appearance. "Now that we have your attention," he rubbed his nose cockily as he dodged an oncoming pillow, "Stop moping over your boy crush or whatever."

Chelsea crossed her arms and humphed, blushing. She closed her eyes not really wanting to look at the three right now. "Why should I?"

"Because we're going to help you with him."

Time seemed to stop. Chelsea's eyes popped open along with Shadow's and Silver's. A deep scowl plastered itself on the hedgehogs' face and a wide smile seemed to stick on the human's.

"Really!?" the three said, two having a separate tone from the other.

Sonic nodded confidently, "Yep! Silvs, Shads and I are going to help you get closer to this guy so that whatever happened today will never happen again."

Chelsea jumped over to the three and hugged them kissing their cheeks. "Oh thank you! You don't know how much this means to me!" she exclaimed.

In her grasp Silver and Shadow frowned at their azure hedgehog who smiled cheerfully. "You better have a good explanation for this," Shadow growled, "Otherwise I'll mess you up so bad you will know the true meaning of being blue."

"Don't worry about this. I've got this all under control."

"Lord, helps us through this," Silver sighed.

Chelsea: I just don't see why you guys are so obsessed with Angelina Jolie! It doesn't make sense. I mean she's pretty and all but-

Shadow: Pretty? You dare to call her just...pretty?

Silver: Beautiful is even an understatement.

Sonic: Excuse me...you mean hot. She's smokin' hot. I would give anything just to have her breathe in my direction.

SunLove: Well, that's not weird.

Thank You. R&R

~God Bless You~