SonAdow - Romance in Highschool?

Shadow: A Familiar Table

It's even louder than I remember, I think, flattening my ears against my skull to protect them from the cacophony of cafeteria sound. Why exactly did I ever agree to come back here again? I cast a small look at Sonic, seeing the junior grin like a kid in a free-for-all candy store. Sighing, I wonder for the innumerenth time why he's so set on being nice to me.

I've never met anyone like him before, I muse, watching as he politely thanks the lunch lady for serving him food. He goes so far out of his way to be a kind person to everyone, and he includes me in his social circle even though I'm giving him nothing in return. Normally I would refuse the attention anyways, but I kind of enjoy being around him. He's just so caring towards me that it's hard to say no... I mean, it's been years since I made a new friend, and I'd forgotten how nice it is to feel as though I'm a part of other people's lives. My face not knowing which to expression to wear, I sit down at Rouge's table with my lunch box for the first time in 2 years.

"So, uh, Shadow," Sonic says, smiling at me like it's his purpose in life to do so. "This is Amy, Julie-Su, Knuckles, and I guess you already know Rouge. Welcome to our little group!" I wait for him to continue, but everyone seems to be waiting for me to respond.

"..." I open my mouth, but I haven't introduced myself to 'fellow teens' in, well, years. "It's nice to meet you?" Rouge looks like she's about to burst out laughing at my pathetic attempt at a greeting, but I am not amused by the awkward situation. Sonic couldn't possibly know that I originally sat with this very same group--minus Amy--for my first few weeks of school, but I certainly remember the fact, and I'm sure Knuckles and Julie-Su haven't forgotten, either.

"It's nice to meet you, too, Shadow," Amy replies, looking politely interested in my presence. I flatten my ears again as someone at another table screams something at Chaos-knows-who, and the silence at our table stretches longer.

"You know," Julie-Su says unexpectedly, making everyone jump, "you haven't aged a day since you last sat here; you look exactly like you did two years ago. How?" I blink, wondering if she's insulting me or just asking a question. Sonic tilts his head in confusion and opens his mouth.

"Wait, you've sat here before?" He asks, and I sigh, leaning back in my chair and crossing my arms.

"2 years ago, yes," I reply, inwardly huffing at how much I would rather be in the nice, quiet guidance office. Sonic lights up, however, despite my unexcited demeanor.

"Seriously? Awesome! Then you already know our group!" I give Sonic a surprised look, baffled at why he's so thrilled over the fact I'm loosely tied to his friends.

"Well..." Rouge says, drawing out the word. "He kind of knows our group. You see, hon, Shadow was kind of an...outcast when he enrolled during freshman year. He still is, really..." I give Rouge a disapproving look, but she's on a roll. "You see, Shadow has always stood out from the crowd for several reasons, and two years ago he had even more than he does now..." I start tuning her out, deciding to remember my first day of school on my own terms.

I'm standing with Rouge in G.U.N.'s employee garage, waiting for Topaz to pull the one Mobian-accommodating car G.U.N. owns around. I shift nervously, knowing that I only have one chance to escape imprisonment-by-stasis. I clench at the strap of the large, well-stuffed red and gray backpack that is mine now, wishing I could get this day over with without having to go through it.

"It'll be fine, Shadow," Rouge assures me, but I'm not nearly so certain. Just then, I see Topaz driving around the corner. She rolls down her window.

"Ready for your first day of highschool, you two?" She asks, and Rouge jumps into the air eagerly.

"You bet!" She crows, swooping around the other side of the car. I don't say anything, not trusting my voice to be steady. I open the backseat car door closest to me, climbing into the altered car seat for average-Mobian-sized creatures. I close the door and fasten a seat belt for the first time in my short life.