For The Love of Speed

Chapter 5: Alone at the Cafe

POV: Sonic

As we finally get to the Cafe, Shadow seems to perk up a bit and we all step inside. Shadow immediately walks up to the counter and I can see his tail wag slightly 'heh, I didn't know he liked coffee so much.' I also walk up to the counter deciding I wanted something. I read the menu and decide on a coffee that sounds good. 'Maybe I can ask Knux if he'll let me use some of the money he had left from today?' I hear Shadow order "I need a large hot mocha with double espresso and add some caramel in there... Also whatever the blue hedgehog wants" he adds the last sentence hesitantly, pointing his thumb at me 'I wasn't expecting him to pay for me. That was... nice?' "Oh. Um thank you Shads. I'd like a medium iced caramel macchiato please." I turn and say to the lady at the counter with my signature smile.

We wait up at the counter for a bit, awkwardly if you ask me. When we get our drinks, we both go sit down with the others "Thanks again Shads. But um, why are you being nice. Not that I'm complaining bu-" he cuts me off with his hand in the air "look, you brought me to my coffee and you seemed interested in getting one. I know you don't have any money yet so I figured buying you a coffee was the least I could do. And it's too early for this much conversation. I would have already chaos controlled out of here if it weren't for what Rouge said yesterday. Now please. Let me drink my coffee in silence." 'Wow... that was the most I've heard him actually talk in... well ever'

Amy and Rouge stood up "well we were talking before you two got over here. We are going to buy us some beds and a few other things. Plus i want to turn in that application. We'll see you later." Said Amy as they grabbed their things to leave. Knuckles also got up "I'm going to the house to wait for the furniture" He waved and started to leave. Tails stood up too 'did they plan this? Are they seriously leaving me with this ticking time bomb?' "Sorry bud, I hate to leave you with Shadow, but I have to go too. I want to check out the school they have. I heard some teens talking about a science club and robitics class." I wave to all of them and sip my coffee nervously. 'Shit' I sit there in silence for a while hoping Shadow will leave too, but he doesn't. He just sits there... drinking his coffee. 'Well, this is awkward' I'm about to get up and leave too, but shadow starts to talk.

"Look, I will only say this once in my life and never again. So you better damn well be listening. I stayed awake thinking for a while last night and I realised some of- most of what I said...and did, was unacceptable. You just reminded me of Mar- my past and I didn't want you to have to deal with the same guilt I deal with daily. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. You couldn't see what I was talking about and it made me even more angry. I'm sorry." He never once looked up from his coffee while he said this. I feel like I got stabbed through the heart with a stake. My body is frozen and my heart rate is elevated. Shadow the Hedgehog just... apologized... To me. "I- I accept your apology Shads. I'm sorry too. You said some hurtful things and at first it made me sad if I'm being honest, but it quickly turned to anger. I couldn't see what you were talking about because I was just mad at you insulting me. I still don't quite know your side, but I'm willing to listen. I will definitely try to be more observant during battle from now on, if it's any consolation." I take another sip, trying to calm myself down.

'When did I work myself up so much?' I give my signature smile to Shads and he shakes his head slightly "Faker" my face turns into confusion and he adds on. "I know that smile is fake. You look like you feel trapped and limited. Probably because you can't do what you want to do. I saw it on your face earlier. I just didn't want to say anything before my coffee or in front of the others. Didn't want them thinking I cared" 'Did Shadow just admit that he somewhat cares for me? Whats going on? Are we on some reality TV show? Is this a set up? Is Dr. Eggman pranking me? Is-' I realise that I was just staring at him blankly and I shake off my thoughts. "Yeah, I guess I am missing it already. It just really sucks that we can't. Y'know. In public" I heard some giggles behind me and turn my head to see a couple girls looking at the two of us and making kissing signs with their hands. I feel the heat rise to my face and I'm sure I'm beet red now at what they're implying. I turn back to Shads and clear my throat before taking a sip of coffee again, trying to ignore the giggly girls behind me. Out of the corner of my eye I see Shadow raise his eyebrow at me, turn to the girls, then back to me, then back to the girls, growl lowly wich makes them stop immediately, and then he turned back to me. 'Damn, that growl. Why does it give me shivers? It's probably because he's intimidating. Anyway it's fucking weird' Shadow then says "Let's finish our coffee then come with me. I have an idea."

I nod suspiciously, and we finish our coffee, tossing the empty cups in the trash before heading out. Shadow immediately starts walking off in a direction and I follow hesitantly, unsure of what he's planning. After a little while we come up to what looks like a big building. Thinking thats where we're going, I turn towards it, but Shadow walks across the street, so I turn and speed up In order to follow closely behind. He brings me to a park. 'What the fuck? Why are we in a park?' "Sit on this bench and wait for me to come back." I sit, tapping my foot impatiently even though I have no idea what is about to happen.