SonAdow - Romance in Highschool?

Sonic: True Love

"You asked to see me after class?" I ask apprehensively as I peek my head into my chemistry classroom.

"Oh, yes! Sonic, I need to talk to you about your grades..." Mrs. Brinklet begins, and I wince. That's never a good sentence when it comes from a teacher. "Now, I know you're new, but it's in my contract to assign a tutor to students with grades below a D. Since your grade is currently a 58%, you fall into this category." I gape at her, not having realized my grade was so low. "Look, I don't doubt that you'll be able to pull your grades up. However, you have a test tomorrow, and if you don't get a 92% or above your grade will remain below the required 76%. If that happens, I will have to assign you a tutor." I sigh, leaning against a table.

"Well, I'm not sure I can get a 92% on that test, but I can promise you that I'll try," I offer, trying to sound remotely positive. Mrs. Brinklet smiles at me, and nods.

"I'm sure you will. Have a good day, Sonic. Good luck on the test." I smile back at her, exiting the room and heading home. Whew... What a day... My eyes slide closed as I remember the things I did today, some of which being practicing Romeo and Juliet with my group--we decided to memorize all of our lines for the optional 15 points extra credit per person--taking a math test, sitting with Shadow at lunch again, and having a long, gossipy conversation with Rouge during study hall. Altogether, I'm exhausted, and more than eager to head home.

I only wish I didn't have that chemistry test to worry about... I feel embarrassment creep up my spine as I imagine having to be tutored in a class. Knowing the kind of people who tutor, I'll either get a total brainiac student or an incompetent teacher... Ugh. Leaving the building, I run home. Between studying, eating, and relaxing, my time passes quickly. Before I know it, my bedtime is here and I'm turning out my light.

At least I can look forward to seeing Shadow tomorrow...

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"What do you mean, 'Amy's absent'?! Who's going to play her parts now?!" Cries Rouge as she looks anguishedly at Julie-Su. We sit in English class, and I glance at Shadow reflexively to see if he has something to say. He doesn't, and Julie-Su answers Rouge in an equally frantic voice tone.

"I mean she's absent! She told me she might be late today, but she just texted me that she's too sick to come!" Julie-Su says, sounding stressed.

"And after all of the work we did to memorize this stupid thing?! Can't she drag herself to school for 20 minutes?!"

"Rouge, you know Amy wouldn't take a sick day unless she was on death's door. Look, we'll just explain the situation and hope we can get partial extra credit," Julie-Su responds calmly, trying to keep Rouge's volume level down.

"Yeah, well, I--Shadow!" Rouge exclaims, lighting up like a neon sign. Shadow blinks at her owlishly, along with Julie-Su and I. Seeing our blank faces, Rouge explains. "Shadow can do Amy's parts! He knows her lines!" Frowning, Julie-Su gives my crush a weird look.

"Why would know her lines?" She asks, looking confused. Rouge laughs, putting her face in one hand.

"He has a photographic memory! With it, he can--"

"No." Rouge gapes at Shadow, who just interrupted her. "No, Rouge. I'm not playing an infatuated 13-year-old girl. No way, no how. And I'm not playing her chatty nurse, either!" Rouge's face goes from surprised to fuming in record time, and she turns redder than a beet.

"Oh, no," Rouge says, sounding scarily humored, almost laughing with rage. "Oh-ho-ho, no. You are not costing us extra points because of your stupid ego. You are going to play Amy's parts, even if I have to chain you to the floor and beat the lines out of you, damn it! This one isn't up for debate, Shadow! The amount of time our group spent memorizing those lines is far more important than your personal image! Now, read over those lines, because: You. Are. Playing them! GOT IT?!" Rouge holds Shadow's crimson eyes in a deadly stare, her teal irides the colour of icy sea-water. The stare-off lasts nearly 10 seconds before Shadow closes his eyes, leans back, and sighs.