Like Old Times, a short story

Catching Up

We were a few minutes in when a thought occurred to me. "Luke didn't actually have a meeting, did he?" I asked.

Shelby sighed. "No... but he did call me. Tails told him what was going on. He said he wanted me to get the chance talk to you for a bit, since he knows that's how you usually are with Tails on the way home, and it's been a while..."

"Really? That's sweet of him..."

"He was actually worried you'd be angry at him about it." I could see a smile form on his face like he was trying to hide a laugh.

"It's nice to see you, I'd never get angry about that."

He didn't respond. I realized we were stopped.

This'll definitely be fun... I thought.

The light turned green.

Shelby floored the pedal.

We were barely accelerating for two seconds before he let off.

"It's... fast." I couldn't manage much more.

"Yeah. It's fast. And it's not even maxed out yet. I don't think I've ever hit 30 in under two and a half seconds before..."

"So anyway..." I started. "How've you been?"

"Pretty normal. Been having a lot of fun with this car, if you couldn't tell. You?"

"I've been anything but normal... back in July I had to help Tails with some crazy scheme of Eggman's. That was pretty intense..."

"Speaking of you..." He paused for a second. "Did you hear how many people were talking about you when we left? They were just in awe. I'd show up early next week if I were you, so you don't get mobbed..."

I could feel tears in the corners of my eyes. "What's wrong?" he asked. "I didn't mean to upset you..."

"You didn't..." I stopped to breathe. "It's just... nobody but you, Tails, and Luke has ever really liked me before. I guess I'm not ready to make more friends, you guys are plenty for me. That's all."

"I know you get this a lot... but you're the sweetest thing in the world."