Freaks Like Us

Chapter 19

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see in a minute."

Sonic has one hand over my eyes and the other clasped in my fingers as he stands behind me, whispering in my ear. It feels so good to have him this close, I can't help but giggle and grin like one of those Belivers whenever they see a poster of Justin Beaver.

He moves me forward, pressing against my back and keeping his face tucked by my shoulder. At this point, I don't care where the heck we're going. I kind of hope we never get there.

"Okay," he whispers, and goose bumps crawl everywhere his breath hits, "you ready?"

I nod so fast he laughs at my enthusiasm. Then he drops his hand from my eyes.

Major nerdgasms. I'm standing in the middle of what looks like a movie set. There's no one around. Dead quiet, but I know exactly what movie set he brought me to.

"Night of the Werehog?"

"What do you think?"

"I thought they would've torn it down already. The movie's been out for a few years."

Sonic smiles and turns me so I can look at him. "I called in some favors."

"Wow. You did all this since this morning?"

He nods and tucks his hand into mine. "Of course. I knew you'd like it."

Holy hell I like it! This is frakking amazing! I lean up to kiss him, because I just have to, but before I get there, someone calls out from behind me.

"Hey!" Shade pops out from behind the huge replica of the Werehog waving to someone behind her. "They're over here! I told you she wanted to deflower Dork Lord."

Crap. It's not just Shade. It's everyone. Even teachers. Everyone at my school swarms behind her, throwing out awful names and laughing at us.

Sonic doesn't even do anything. He's still smiling at me, waiting for me to kiss him, or respond somehow. Like he's totally oblivious to the girls making fun of his lack of abs, and his warm sweaters and Secret Rings keychain. I mean all the stuff they say about him pisses me off because Sonic is so much better than what they see, but what they say about me hurts so much I can't find the strength to defend him.

I try to block it all out, slamming my hands over my ears and closing my eyes. But it still hits me. Like the volume turns up when I do and their faces are more focused.

My chest is so tight, and my stomach churns as I shrink to the floor. I want it to stop. Everything. What they're saying and how it affects me.

Sonic leans down and cups my face.

"Amy?"

I don't answer him. I can't.

"Amy!"

I open my eyes, but things blur, and he releases his hold on me. He smirks and then starts tapping on my face.

What the crap?

"Amy!"

My eyes pop open, and I shoot upright. My quills are matted in sweat, and Sonic's jacket hangs loose off my shoulders exposing Sir Lancelot in all his mighty glory across my chest. I hear a chuckle from the side of the bed.

"I know I'm early, but I can't believe you're still asleep."

I rub my eyes and shake my head, making sure I'm actually awake this time. "Sorry, I didn't sleep well."

"Yeah. You looked like you were having weird dreams." His eyebrows pull together. "You okay? Do we need to do this another time?"

No. I'm not really okay. But how can I tell him what I'm so worried about without screwing up this chance I have to make things good between us? Yeah, I can't. So I lie.