Out of the Slump~Shadamy

Too Late

Amys Pov

As I turn the key to lock up my shop, the sun is already setting. I sigh and prepare to go home where I have nothing but my thoughts to keep me company. Lately, my thoughts have been terrible companions. They always lead me down a rabbit hole of fears and doubts.

I take out my phone and check to see if there are any notifications. To be specific I check to see if Shadow messaged or called at all. He didn't.

Just as I'm about to stuff my phone back into my pocket along with any hopes of getting a reply from that stupid emo, it buzzes in my hand. To my surprise, it was none other than the purple hedgehog that I had just seen at the lake the other day.

Toni: Ms. Rose, are you free right now?

Me: I'm not doing anything special. What's up?

Toni: I was wondering if you'd want to hang out for a while. I realized that I get off my shift in a bit, and thought of you ;)

Me: Save the terrible flirting for someone else.

Toni: :(

Me: Where should we meet?

Toni: There's this park across the street from my job. It has this hill with a really nice view of the skyline. We can watch the rest of the sunset there. I remember that hill. It was the one that Shadow and I had planned to watch the sunset on together. We missed it and just ended up star-gazing and talking.

The memory of that day brings a small smile to my lips. But then I'm hit with the reality that a day like that may never come for Shadow and me again. I feel myself grow a bit angry. This is the first time I've let myself be angry about this situation but I can't help it. I feel confused. I thought I had finally connected with someone who wouldn't abuse my feelings and betray my trust. I was so happy to have Shadow by my side these past months. I thought that it was forever. But slowly I'm beginning to realize that I may have put too much faith in the Ebony hedgehog.

My phone buzzes again.

Toni: Does that sound good?

If Shadow doesn't want to talk to me and plans on giving no explanation, why should I sit around and wait for him?

Me: Yeah, I'll start heading there now.

...

I can see the park in the distance. In front of it is a purple-quilled blue-eyed hedgehog smirking at something on his phone. As I approach he looks up and that smirk turns into a bright smile. He puts his phone away and begins walking toward me as well.

"Ms. Rose, I'm glad that you made it." He says once he stands in front of me. Like Shadow, he is taller than me, but Shadow is a few inches taller than him. He continues to smile as I look up and greet him with a smile of my own.

"Hi, Toni," I say enthusiastically, but my eyes wander to the other side of the street for a moment. The cafe where Shadow and him work is directly across from us.

I can't help but wonder if Shadow had gone to work today. Maybe he was getting off his shift around the time too? I get excited thinking that I can finally see him. My excitement fades into a bit of resentment when I remember that he is ignoring me. Why am I so excited to see someone who doesn't want to see me? It's like Sonic all over again. The thought that I could become obsessed with Shadow sends a shiver down my spine. That darker place that I had just barely crawled out of seemed to be inching closer once again.

"Ms. Rose, are you alright? You look a bit pale." Tonis worried face has gotten closer to mine and his hand is up as if he's about to place it on me. I quickly step back a bit and throw on a smile.