Chapter Text
“Sonic! Sonic! I found a beetle!”
Amy tumbled over to Sonic, a small iridescent beetle in hand. She was a scrappy girl, loved all things cute but could never seem to keep her legs free from bruises. She giggled as the beetle walked across her arm, its tiny legs tickling her skin.
“Alright! It's shiny, like Metal’s jacket!” Sonic laughed, as Metal huffed. Metal was Sonic’s step brother, the same age as him, but quiet. Sonic took the beetle gently from Amy's hands, placing it inside the bug carrying case he got for his birthday. As they continued to walk through the grassy field, searching for anything interesting, Amy padded alongside them.
Amy was their next door neighbor, the first person to welcome Metal and Sonic to the block. Amy was practically attached to Sonic's hip the moment she met him, wide eyed and infatuated with the boy. Her clinginess tended to wear on Sonic’s patience, but a part of him appreciated the sentiment.
As the trio squeezed through bramble and grass, Amy piped up, plucking a flower from a nearby bush. “Sonic, what kind of flowers do you want at our wedding? I was thinking of roses! Or…Maybe bluebells!” She giggled, a blush creeping on her face. Sonic’s face scrunched up, a look of annoyance painting his features. “Yuck! We’re not gonna get married, so quit planning!” the boy groaned, swatting trees with a stick. Amy simply smiled, plucking more flowers as they walked.
Once the sun began to set, Metal turned to Amy and Sonic, a stoic look on his face, “It’s dinner time, we should head back.” He explained, gazing down at his silver watch. Sonic quickly dumped out the bugs they had caught, watching as they scurried away into the bramble. “Ok, homeward bound!” He chuckled, leading the three back towards their street. Amy couldn't help but watch Sonic as he led the charge, her face split by a smile. She adored how easy he could take the lead, how adventurous the young boy was. She couldn't tell if she loved sonic, or wanted to be like him, but honestly? Who could tell her there was any difference?
Metal and Sonic finally reached their house, their mothers voice ringing out as she called them for dinner. Before Sonic could grab the door handle, Amy reached for his shoulder, offering him a bundle of flowers she collected on their expedition. “For you! I thought you’d like them.” She smiled, pushing the flowers into Sonic’s hands.
Sonic stood for a moment, taking in the gift. He shyly smiled, rubbing his neck. “Thanks, Ames. I’ll…uh…Keep ‘em safe.” He chuckled, heading into his house. Amy stood on their doorstep for a while, practically shaking from excitement. The Sonic took her gift so kindly! She bounded towards her house next door, tripping over her feet as she giggled. The excitement would keep her up all night, she was sure, but what a lovely reason to stay awake!
---
The sound of loud, abhorrent trumpets rang through Amy’s room, as her alarm startled her awake. She quickly turned the alarm off, shooting up in her bed. It was her first day of junior college, specifically picked of course! She had the credits to apply to a nicer school, but why would she do that when all her friends went to the college down the road?
She shimmied out of her pajamas, and quickly put together a stylish outfit. Her wardrobe was something she took seriously, almost as seriously as her studies. Once her clothes met her standards, she hurried to toss her supplies into her bag, rushing out of her room.
Knuckles watched as Amy bounded in, rushing through the kitchen to grab a drink from the fridge. “Good morning to you too, I guess.” Knuckles grumbled, sipping a coffee in his hands.
“Sorry, I'm just so excited!” Amy giggled, rushing to Knuckles to give him a smile. “Aren’t you excited too? I'm sure you’ll meet someone cute in one of your classes!”
Knuckles rolled his eyes with a smirk, tossing his bag over his shoulder. “I don't think anyone gets this hyped over school other than you.” He teased, leaning on the kitchen table. “Schools gonna be just as lame as it was in high school. Don't get your hopes up too high.” He huffed.
Amy let out a soft chuckle, taking Knuckles’ empty coffee cup and placing it in the sink. “Oh hush, have some faith! Plus, I'm sure school can't be boring with Sonic around!” She beamed, her face heating up at just the mention of him. Knuckles walked towards the door, opening it wide for his roommate.
“Hey, you said you wouldn't let Sonic distract you from school, you better keep that promise.” Knuckles sighed, as Amy walked out with him. Amy shook her head, patting the sides of her face. “You’re right, as always.” She hummed, holding Knuckles hand as they walked to the bus stop.
The school was beyond what Amy had imagined, sleek walls and students as far as the eye could see. She led Knuckles through the fray, as she searched for their friends. Her eyes widened as she found Rouge and Blaze, waiting outside of the library.
“There's our girl!” Rouge smiled, waving her over. Amy slowed down as she got close, a bright smile on her face. “Hey! Me and Knux just got here, what’d we miss?” Amy hummed, as Knuckles avoided eye contact with Rouge.
“Nothing much, people are just scrambling to get their schedules.” Blaze answered softly, her voice calming Amy’s jittery heart. As they talked, Sonic walked past them, waving as he passed. Amy could practically feel her heart skip a beat at the sight of him, her face turning pink.
As Knuckles moved to join Sonic and Metal, Amy rushed forward, jumping on the balls of her feet. “Hey Sonic! Have you got your schedule yet? How was the walk over here? Isn't it great everyone's going to the same school?” she rambled, as Rouge and Blaze watched the scene unfold. Sonic chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “I got my things, the walk was fine. Have you got your schedule yet?” He replied, giving Rouge and Blaze a smile.
Amy perked up as he mentioned her schedule, realizing she didn't have hers. “I forgot!” She exclaimed, scrambling towards the teachers in the library. Once she returned, Sonic had already left, heading to his first class.
“Jeez, I didn't even get to talk to him!” She sighed, fidgeting with her paper. “Amy, c’mon, aren't you a bit…Old to be falling over yourself every time Sonic is around?” Rouge asked, her arms crossed. “I mean, really, he's not even cute enough to justify it.” She chuckled. Amy’s eyes widened at her words, a look of bewilderment painting her face. “What are you talking about? Sonic’s the coolest guy I know, how could I not be interested?” She protested, as Blaze and Rouge exchanged confused glances.
“I mean…Everyone has their type. Nothing wrong with a little crush.” Blaze sighed, leading Amy to their first class. “Just don't let that crush distract you, okay?” Amy gazed at her feet, her brows furrowed. She hated that everyone saw her interest as a ‘distraction’, but she couldn't blame them. Their high school years were filled with neglected homework and unfinished projects because of her wanting to spend as much time with Sonic as possible. College would be different, it had to be different. She repeated that in her mind, over and over. ‘It's gonna be different. I won't let a silly crush ruin this.’
---
Her first day went just as she planned, the perfect first day to her perfect college life. She padded down the sidewalk, the keychains on her bag jingling. As she sat at the bus stop, her eyes drifted to the boy across from her on the bench. Tall, black hair with red highlights, quiet. He glanced over at her, his eyes falling to her keychains.
“...I like your bag.” He hummed, glancing back at the road. Amy’s face heated up, her words coming out jumbled. “Oh, thank you! I like your hair!” She stammered, her eyes still fixed on him.
The mysterious boy's lips almost formed a smile, as he glanced back at her. “Thank you.”
Amy could've left the conversation there, but something about him made her want to learn more. She couldn't just let the conversation end there. “So…Do you go to Green Hills?” She asked hesitantly. The boy turned slightly, nodding softly. Amy smiled, tilting her head gently. “Really? What's your major?” She chirped. The boy was silent for a moment, before responding. “...I'm a nursing student.”
Amy was taken aback by his answer, such a gloomy boy, a nursing student? How…Cute! “Really? Wow, I could never be a doctor, blood makes me squeamish!” She giggled, watching as a small chuckle escaped the boys lips. “What about you?” The boy asked. Amy perked up, surprised he wanted to know about her. “Oh! I'm a fashion major!” She explained, taking a sketchbook from her bag and flipping to a random page. “I just love fashion styles and subcultures, and I've always wanted to make my own fashion line!” She beamed. The boy listened to her rambling, a smile growing on his face.
“Your designs are beautiful.” He hummed, as Amy’s face turned pink. “You…Really think so?” She asked softly, watching as the boy nodded.
He watched as she flipped through her sketchbook for a while, pointing out the drawings he found particularly beautiful. Before long, his bus was arriving. Amy watched as he stood up, brushing himself off carefully before approaching his bus.
“Wait! I never…Caught your name?” She called out, watching him still. “My name is Shadow.” He replied, smiling politely as he stepped into the bus.
She watched as the bus drove away, her face pink as the sketchbook in her hands. She sat for a moment, processing his name. Shadow. Though, her thoughts were soon halted as she realized. “Wait…Shit! That was my bus too!” She exclaimed, watching as the bus was already leaving her far behind.