Heart Racing

Stickers

Shadow relaxed his eyes once the door finally came to a close, his frown deepening at the silence. He didn't realize just how quiet it was.

Shadow was alone with his thoughts again. The familiar feeling of warmth and safety, nowhere in sight. The room was and would never be his car. Fuck. His car.

Shadow felt a sudden pain in his head, grunting as he placed a hand over the area. He could always get a new car. A new suit. A new head would also be a great help. He sighed as he lay in bed, feeling helpless. There was no way he would be back on the track. At least not for a while. His mind raced with thoughts of his career, wondering just how much the accident had affected it.

"That darn woman is probably getting a good kick out of this." Images of his manager filled his mind, a smile wide on her face as she laughed. He felt like a joke, but mostly...

Weak.

He slowly opened his eyes, wincing once again at the light, his eyelashes fluttering with every blink.

Shadow had to admit that the room felt bigger now that Sonic was gone. Without the blue distraction, he could finally get a good look around. He groaned as he scanned. The white walls, curtains, and cabinets were going to drive him crazy. Not to mention the blinding light that sent him into overdrive. A frown stuck to his face as he continued to observe. Red eyes finally land on a red bag.

Shadow stared at it, unsure of what to think. Why did Tails bring it with him? Into his room, nonetheless. Just what was Sonic thinking? He asked himself, taking a closer look from afar. Initially, it looked like an ordinary red duffel bag, but after closer inspection, it was...ugly.

"Who the fuck covers a duffle bag with random stickers? There isn't even a theme." He cried out, his eyes narrowing the longer he looked. "That idiot has terrible taste."

Shadow thought back to the time he first met said idiot. The familiar scene of cameras flashing and people shouting played. He remembers how he was forced to stand in front of a crowd filled with photographers and journalists. Hands crossed over his chest as they continued to bother him; some even shoved microphones close to his face. Well, as close as they could behind the bars, which protected the red carpet. A frown plastered to his face.

"What are your thoughts on the new racers joining today's race?" A voice asked from the right side of the crowd: One lady in a bright red shirt asked as she leaned over the bars. Shadow turned away as quickly as he looked. Eyes accidentally falling upon her chest because of their height differences. She would easily tower over him if she were standing up straight. However, because of the fence, she leaned over, her shirt unable to cover her cleavage in any way. Shadow shut his eyes, unable to look in her direction. "A racer, going by the name Super Sonic, is said to be a prodigy! Do you believe he could potentially take your place as number one?"

Shadow bit his lip in anger. Arms tightening over his chest.

"I'd like to see this so-called "prodigy" try." He spat, unaware of the presence beside him. Cameras began flashing at a quicker pace, voices raising loudly over Shadow's thoughts. The light somehow made it past his eyelids, making him snarl. He opened them only to find the crowd's attention fixed to his right. A wave of relief passed through him but was replaced by a curious one. Normally, he wouldn't care to look at the other racers on the carpet. He was positive he would see them later as he passed them on the track. However, the excitement of the people did entice him to at least take a peak.

"Put this on." A soft voice filled Shadow's ears, his eyes widening at its proximity. He turned swiftly, anticipating coming face-to-face with whomever spoke. His chest lowered when his fiery red eyes met royal blue hair, messy from the wind. He watched as the guy handed the journalist a jacket. Her cheeks turned red as she put it on. "Looks great!"

Shadow felt his heart quicken slightly at the sound, landing beautifully on his ears as the man laughed. A gloved hand covered his mouth while the lady thanked him bashfully. Shadow groaned at his own body's reaction to the noise, angry. It didn't go unnoticed.

The dark-haired racer's eyes suddenly met emerald-green ones. He stared, unsure of what to do, as they slowly scanned his face. Shadow stood completely still as the other racer straightened up. He didn't expect the sudden hand that now extended towards him; a small smile sat on Sonic's face in anticipation.

Shadow took the chance to scan the stranger. A similar shade of blue caught his attention first, his eyes widening at the sight. A helmet sat comfortably against the racer's side, ocean blue coating the exterior. However, the thing that caught his eye wasn't exactly the helmet itself. It was the disaster that decorated it. Stickers of all different sizes were scattered randomly as colors bashed against one another. Red, white, and the occasional yellow made Shadow wince internally. It was disgusting, to say the least. Especially the unnecessary amount of chili dog ones.

Disturbed, Shadow moved his eyes to the blue suit, noting how it matched the helmet. The only other difference between it and his own was the red writing. "Super" laid nicely over his chest, its light yellow outlines not going unnoticed. Shadow also took note of how dirty the whites of the suit were compared to his own. Tick lines draped on the racer's side all the way down to the shoes.

Oh, the shoes.

The bright red shoes. Shadow judged. He judged harshly. Who let this guy walk out here looking like that? He didn't want to focus much attention on them any longer as he swiftly moved to the other's face, finally.

Blue strands lay loosely over the racer's eyes and portrait; the rest pulled back. Probably hair gel, Shadow guessed. Somehow it looked rather natural on Sonic. His round eyes worked well with his button nose, giving off a more childish look compared to his hair. Shadow realized how big of a smile he had, his white teeth almost shining against the camera flashes.

"Challenge accepted." The blue racer said it with a smirk, reaching his hand out further. He looked rather desperate. Shadow paid no mind, finally returning to reality.

To the crowd's surprise, Shadow raised his own hand. A white glove cleaner than another. Cameras flashed quickly again, irritating the dark racer. He glared at Sonic. His usual frown did not shock anyone, and neither did his actions.

He smacked the hand.

"See you at the finish line, prodigy."

"Sonic. Call me Sonic."

"Nah, I'm good."