A Love Like Never Before: The Shadow and The Shrek.

Chapter 4: The Lady in Dark.

The next day was a Tuesday, but what was it that made it so special? Was it Shadow's new attitude towards the world that surrounded her? Perhaps her new looks that made eyes fall on her? Perhaps her newly acquired eyeliner that faintly resembled the flap of a birds' wing as she blinked? Or maybe, it was her grudge towards the hierarchy that shone like a everlasting fire within her. Nothing could change that, for Tuesdays are associated with the Germanic god of war "Tiu", the Nordic equivalent being "Tyr". 

Whatever it was, her usual school uniform had a different tone to it. She wore a black jacket that suited her tightly, a short red skirt like the ones the kids up in the hierarchy would wear, and her necktie ribbon was redder than blood. The edge was in the environment, it felt bitter.

"What's up Edgehog?" A familiar voice insulted her from the distance, it was Barry B-word Benson. Her hips swinging from side to side as if she was a professional cat walker. Her thick white fluffy jacket with long ends shone with the hallway lights. Her Gucci glasses reflected the envy of all the other girls. 

"Not much, how's your sugar daddy doing after he realized you spend his hard earnt money on garbage?" A long and wide gasp could be heard all around them after Shadow said her magnificent words.

Barry B-word Benson stood there speechless at the honesty this edge queen expressed in her own words. If Shrek were to be here, he would've known he was right. Something about Shadow had changed. She was now a butterfly fresh out of her coccoon. 

"You better watch your words, unless you want another good beating." Barry warned as her boyfriend came up to her aid.

"Oh yeah I am so scared. Would it help inflate your ego once again? Or would it help your boyfriend's I wonder..." Shadow teased as Patrick gave her a nasty glance.

"You b*tchy hog, don't you dare call my girlfriend names." Patrick hissed as he hugged his girlfriend close to his chest.

"Your relationship is as fake as her looks." Shadow said as she left gracefully like a black swan among the white ones.

Everyone stood there impressed at the hedgehog's glowup. She was now a proper and respectful lady, but they knew that she was up to something. Something not so good. Shrek happened to walk by yet did not witness anything going on. All he heard was the bickering of parrots through his ears.

Did you see her? How can a low peasant like her be so bold...

She's everything Barry failed to be! Look at how she put her in her place!

Shrek's feelings were right, he knew something was up with Shadow, and he liked it. He liked how she had the courage to stand up to these two foul creatures that threatened her. He liked how she changed herself in a sort of protest to others. She dared challenge the hierarchy and stereotype established upon her. Shrek felt his heart beat to the gentle melody of a song of love. Something about him had changed as well and he did not seem to mind it. It was the first time he had felt these feelings in his life, feelings for someone else. 

Shrek wanted to talk with Shadow about how things were going, but he did not have her number nor any of her social media to contact her. If he attempted to talk to her however, he knew Shadow's integrity would be threatened because of him. Shrek was stuck in an endless sea without any solution available for him. Any wrong move meant a game over for him and for Shadow. He then remembered Princess Fiona. What if I tell her to let Shadow be?  Shrek thought as he put his swamp colored headphones on. As he walked he considered both the dangers and pros of this solution, but he knew how much of a feral beast Princess Fiona was. Shrek knew that if he spoke with her, she would think Shadow asked Shrek to do something about the bullying. He thought about the horrid treatment Shadow would get if she was left alone after school. Pictures of Shadow bruised, crying, or even hospitalized went through his ogre mind. It was terrifying to think, to hear, and to watch if it even happened. But something was needed to be done to protect Shadow and keep Princess Fiona in her place. Right now he knew one thing for sure, Princess Fiona would go on the hunt for Shadow. That being directly or after school, Princess Fiona sure thought like a psychopath.