SonAdow - Romance in Highschool?

Shadow: A Family Experience

Important Author's Note: There has been a time skip. I have a few things that mention this in the chapter, but I'm going to state it now. This chapter takes place about 2 months after the last one, and Sonic and Shadow are a public couple to both their parents and their classmates. Enjoy the chapter!

The moan leaves me involuntarily, drawing the gaze of everyone around me. I blush furiously, embarrassed at my lapse. Oops.

Behind me, Sonic chuckles, happy that his unexpected action drew such a reaction from me. His arms still wrap around my waist, holding me in his lap, but the guilty fingernails that just now dug into my lower back have retreated from their position. My lower back stings and tingles where the crescent divots now lie in my skin, both liking and resenting the attention it was given. The faces of Sonic's group--our group now, I guess--range from amused to embarrassed at having witnessed such a suggestive display of affection.

"So, uh, you two have any 'plans' after school, or are you just practicing?" Knuckles asks jokingly, and I swallow loudly, averting my gaze to the inactive scoreboard.

"Nah. We're just playing," Sonic replies, laying his chin on my shoulder rather seductively. I stiffen, trying to ignore the warmth blossoming in my lower regions. "Since, you know, there's really nothing else to do." I glance briefly at the small groups of competing teenagers on the gym floor, thinking to myself that Sonic is, unfortunately, correct in his statement. The pep rally is incredibly boring, leaving precious little to occupy its viewers besides the bleachers and the bored expressions of the observing teachers.

"Preach it, brother," adds a sandy-haired canine I'm unfamiliar with. He turns back to his group, and my sudden curiosity dims into nonexistence.

"Why do we have these stupid rallies, anyways?" Amy complains, arms crossed with frustration. "We could be learning. Instead, we're stuck in an overloud gym, watching our classmates play stupid games to earn stupid points and get a stupid 'Spirit Award.'"

"We have them because the school wants people to have school spirit. The sports teams get mentioned, and the grades compete to find out who has the most spirit. It's stupid and boring, yes, but there is a reason for these things," Julie-Su points out, and Amy huffs. I start tuning out the conversation, uninterested in it. Instead of listening, I squirm on Sonic's lap, making him lift me off.

"Shadz?" Sonic questions, and I plop down on the bleachers next to him, successfully wrapping an arm around his waist and making him flush.

"I have to go soon. Remember?" I remind him, and he nods.

"Yeah, I remember," he says, wrapping his own arm around my shoulders and letting me tug him closer. "I wish I could be here with you forever..."

"Here? Ugh, pick someplace quiet if you're going to wish for it," I groan, ears folding down to escape a rush of cheering.

"The point is, I want to be with you forever," Sonic continues, voice slightly muffled as he talks into my shoulder. "As long as we're together, I'm happy, now matter where we are." I smile, but the expression is only skin deep. Sonic doesn't notice, thankfully, the pit forming in my stomach and pulling at my heart uncomfortably.

When am I going to tell him? I wonder, feeling both disappointed in myself and stressed. When can I? At what point can I be certain he won't recoil from me in horror when he learns the truth? I fidget, cracking my knuckles nervously. This Sonic notices, and he looks about to mention my nervous habit when an announcement shouts over the roaring crowd.

"Shadow Tower to the office for pick-up, please. Shadow Tower to the office for pick-up." I offer Sonic a wan smile, and he returns it with a more upbeat one.