Chapter Text
Sonic the Hedgehog yawned into his hand. His morning shift at the Green Emerald Cafe was almost over. He would have to run to school if he was going to make it to homeroom before the final bell rang. Not to mention he still had to change into the likely wrinkled uniform he had stuffed into his backpack. His manager didn’t like it when he wore it under his apron at work.
“I don’t need people inquiring about child labor laws, which they’ll do if they know you’re still in high school.” He had told Sonic.
Sonic frowned. He was pretty sure it was obvious that he was still in high school. He wasn’t very tall, yet, and his face unfortunately still had a baby-ish sort of roundness to it. But still, he obliged. He really needed this job.
The clock ticked slower and slower toward the hour mark. He had been up since four A.M.. At least his manager was nice enough to allow Sonic to make himself a coffee during each shift. He could really use another, though. He was about to fall asleep.
A rumble sounded from outside. Sonic looked out of the window, and saw a black and red motorcycle roaring into view. It was huge, and the hull shined bright in the sunlight. Strapped onto the back was a carrying case, stamped with the logo of a popular food delivery company.
The person on the bike leapt off and swung the keys around their fingers nonchalantly as they entered the cafe through the automatic doors. He—well, Sonic assumed they were a he—strode up to the counter. His aura, behind his blackout helmet that covered his entire face, was intimidating. Sonic bristled involuntarily.
“I’m picking up an order,” A voice sounded from beneath the helmet. It had a red racing stripe painted down the center.
“For?” Sonic asked.
“…Samantha.” He said curtly.
Sonic leaned over and looked through the pile of cups awaiting pickup. “Not a talker, eh?” he tried joking as he picked the order out. Two Americanos.
The stranger didn’t answer.
“Ookay.” Sonic said, “Definitely not a talker. Do you want a drink carrier for that?”
“No.” The person snapped, and abruptly turned his back on Sonic to leave. He had on a dark leather jacket that Sonic couldn’t help but think was really cool. Even if the guy was kind of a jerk.
“Have a nice day!” Sonic called after him, but it was drowned out by the growl of his motorcycle as it roared to life and sped away wicked fast.
Sonic stood in silence for a moment. That was weird.
Then he looked at the clock. Crap! He was going to be late.
***
Sonic was out of breath and sweaty by the time he made it to homeroom. Why did the juniors have to be on the third floor?
He dropped down in his assigned seat, breathing heavy from exertion. He let his head fall back. Even through his closed eyes, he could see a shadow stand over him. When he opened an eye, Amy’s face was seriously close to his.
“What do you want, Ames?” He asked. “I’m resting.”
“You’re tie is all messed up.” She pointed out. “Do you want me to fix it for you?”
“Just leave it,” Sonic said. Too tired to care. He was pretty sure his shirt was buttoned askew as well.
“You’re going to get in trouble with the student rep,” she chided.
Sonic groaned and sat up. He started undoing his buttons. He knew Amy was right, and he couldn’t afford any marks against him as a scholarship student.
He had just finished re-tucking his shirt when the student rep walked in. What was his name again? Oh right.
Shadow.
He fixed Sonic with a pointed glare. He was staring at Sonics still messy tie. Sonic could almost see the ‘Improper Uniform’ write up unfolding in his mind. Sonic hastily pulled straightened his tie and smiled nervously at Shadow.
Shadow grunted in response, and took his seat at the front of the class. Sonic slumped in his seat. That was close. Annoying…, Sonic thought of Shadow. Shadow’s uniform was always perfectly neat and tidy. His shoes un-scuffed. Not a single quill out of place. Ever. He showed up early to school and left late every day. He was always helping the teachers, even when they didn’t even ask. He was top of their class, even above Shadow. No wonder he was chosen for class representative.
Sonic on the other hand, was always running a little bit late to everything. He was lucky he was a fast enough runner that he could make up for it. Sonic had to juggle his rigorous scholarship program, complete with a required position on the schools track team, on top of working as much as he could to keep up with the cost of living in the city. So what if he didn’t button his shirt all the way to the top, or keep his indoor slides mud-free? Any time Sonic stepped out of line, even a little bit, Shadow was there to threaten him with a write up.
Why couldn’t he pick on someone who could afford it?
Sonic supposed Shadow was like that with everyone. Shadow had a reputation around the school for being a major hardass. Not to mention how unfriendly he was. Shadow barely spoke to anyone besides his cousin, Rouge. She was one year older and an exact opposite to Shadow. Wildly popular, not just with boys, but with girls too. It must have been something about her well-filled out uniform and flirty personality.
Sonic stifled his yawn through Calculus. It was his easiest subject, so at least he could zone out for a little during. His eyes drooped as he rested his chin in his hand. The stranger in the blackout helmet from that morning flashed to the forefront of his mind.
“Sonic,” Amy whispered harshly.
“Hm?”
“Sonic,” the instructor repeated. “Are you listening?”
Sonic sat up straight, embarrassed by the snickers from the other students. “Yes, teacher?”
“I asked you to solve this equation,” she said, tapping on the board.
Sonic stared at it. They were learning about Intermediate Value Theorem. He just had to verify that the equation had three solutions on the interval (0,1) for 112X6^3 — 114X^2 + 35x —3 = 0. He started calculating the answer in his head.
He got up and wrote his answer in chalk on the board.
“Yes, that’s correct,” the instructor said, a hint of surprise in her voice. “You may sit back down.”
When he passed by Shadows desk, he couldn’t help but frown at the scowl Shadow was giving him.
***
By the time Sonic had finished with track practice, he was exhausted. He had to rush once again, to pack up his bags and pick up his little brother, Tails, from the elementary school nearby.
Tails was waiting patiently by the gate when Sonic went to grab his hand.
“Hey buddy,” Sonic said with a smile, “how was school?”
“I knew all the answers in my all my classes, today!” Tails said enthusiastically.
“You say that every day, Tails.”
“You look tired, today, Sonic.” Tails said less enthusiastically.
Sonic picked him up and nuzzled him. “You say that every day, too.”