It was too early. I grimaced as my cell phones alarm clock blared beside me. I had slept through the rest of Sunday and now it was now Monday morning. Even though I had slept so long I was dead tired. Stumbling out of my covers I swiped the alarm on my phone reading 5:30 A.M. and rushed to prepare for the day. Carefully pawing through my wardrobe I selected white skinny jeans, a teal and light blue t shirt, and some matching tall teal lace up converse.  I had early classes  Monday and Wednesday before my shift at work. Stuffing my materials into my beat up light blue backpack I rushed out the door and took off to college. 

Class was predictable. I listened to Professor Von Schlemmer ramble on and on about his own theories and concepts not mentioned in the book and took notes. He was a great guy but he was a bit eccentric and possibly loony. But what I really admired about him was the respect he had for his students. It was the second class of the day that had me sweating. I am terrible at arithmetic. Over time I had worked my way to higher level classes and I was placed in Calculus. Almost everything went over my head. But what was most painful was my professor. Dark green eyes always seemed to focus on me during every lecture. Today as I walked to class I was relived to see a bulletin stating that the class would not meet. After signing my name on the sheet I started to walk down the hall deciding to possibly stop for some coffee before work.
 
I made my way to my favorite coffee shop “Nautical Nonsense” to order my usual and decided to kill some time doing homework in the shop as I drank. Instead, I ended up watching the owner Marine yell at her staff in the kitchen after they managed to spill a giant bag of coffee grinds. After giving the staff an apologetic smile I set off to work. I worked at a  grocery store  called “Sprouts”. It was owned by a wonderful single mother and her daughter. Running through the back of the store I quickly tied a dark green apron on and washed my hands in the restroom before meeting my boss Vanilla. 

“Hello Sweety.” The beautiful dainty rabbit had her ears tied back underneath a straw hat as she took inventory of the fresh produce in the back of the store. 
“Good Morning Miss Vanilla.” I looked at the clock reading 11:30 am verifying it was still morning. “Do you want me to unload the peaches?” I asked eyeing the boxes of rare golden peaches that were in season. 
“ Please, and can you man a cash register today. Poor Espio called in sick.”  Vanilla took off her hat and handed me the keys for the cash register.
“Yes Mam.” I  got to work using my telekinesis to lift the produce into the air and stock the store in record time before manning the cash register. The rest of the day passed by pretty quickly. Vanilla left to pick up her daughter and I was left to take care of the store alone. I wasn’t afraid though. My powers would come in handy if an emergency happened. After charging an elderly badger I witnessed one of the last people I wanted to see walk into the now empty store. 

My Calculus Professor dawned in business casual slacks and a button down with a blazer walked to the tea section and scanned the different types of exotic teas before moving to pay and spotting me. He gave me a crooked smile that looked like It should never exist on his face.

“Hel..lo Professor Mephiles.” I stuttered watching him size me up behind the counter.

“Why hello Silver. Fancy meeting you here.”  I quickly scanned his ginger, lemongrass and earl grey tea boxes.

“Yeah. Um, do you happen to have a bag or would you like to carry these?” I asked hoping to make the transaction as quick as possible without much interaction. I swear this guy gives me a bad feeling. 

“ I never bring one.I am feeling a little sick today hence the reason why I cancelled class. Would you please help me take this to my car.” I looked at the three small lightweight tea boxes in front of me and looked back at him. He needed help carrying these?Once again a weird feeling washed over me. “Sorry Professor, I told my boss I wouldn’t leave my post until she comes back. If... you really need help...you can ...wait until she comes back?” I mentally kicked myself. What if he decides to stay? Oh no. Why did I give him that option?! 

“I will wait then.” My professor sat down at a folding chair propped up near the exit and watched me as he adjusted his blazer. The shop was silent and it seemed there was a pause in any other customers coming in. It was getting extremely awkward as Mephiles continued to smile darkly at me as the minutes passed. I prayed for either Vanilla to return or for ANYONE to come into the shop.  

My prayers were answered when a handsome blue hedgehog a little older than myself cheerfully walked into the store. He was drop dead gorgeous and I couldn’t stop myself from taking quick looks at him as he walked through the packaged meat and bread isle.  I looked back at where my Professor was sitting and saw him now bearing a scowl as he also watched the striking customer. Taking another quick look I saw him grab a bag of Vanilla’s homemade peppermints. I watched his emerald green eyes light up as he crossed over to the junk food isle to grab some Funyuns. He was so toned, he could afford to eat any junk food he wanted. Decked out in a fitted black t-shirt, tight jeans, and black and white checkered vans he was certainly from a different crowd than I. Nevertheless, he could be a model.

I started to get nervous as he made his way to pay and load everything on the cashier’s belt.  Those bright emerald eyes met mine and I could feel myself melt. “Did you get a good look?” He asked with a smile that could also pass as a smirk. I blushed so hard desperately wanting to hide my face. He saw me looking at him! Fearfully, I blurted out an apology.
 “I’m so sorry, I.. you are just so handso...I mean I...” The model in front of me gave a hearty laugh. “Don’t worry about It man, I was just teasing you. You are pretty handsome yourself.” I blushed even harder as I struggled to scan his items. A silence settled as I  started to scan his haul.  “I take it Vanillas out getting Cream?” He asked conversationally. “Um, Yes... and Espio is out sick so I’m covering from the back.”  He nodded. “That explains why I’ve never seen you before. My names Sonic.” While typing in the code for the peppermints I responded trying my best to avoid eye contact with him and not check him out anymore than I already had.  I could still feel the blush on my cheeks and instead focused on a guitar pick that had been punctured and was hanging from his neck on a black chord. “I’m Silver.” As he paid I placed his items in the reusable bags he had brought with him.  Just then, to my relief, Vanilla returned with Cream.

“Mr Sonic! Mr Silver!” Cream shouted as she tumbled into the store. My professor’s scowl deepened hearing her yells as Cream rushed in holding pictures in her tiny gloved paws with Vanilla trailing closely behind her.

“Hey Nilly! Hey Cream!” Sonic turned and greeted as the small rabbit gave him a hug and struggled to show him her pictures. “I made pictures of my favorite people Mr. Sonic!”  The gorgeous hedgehog bent to see the pictures as I finished packing his items and reluctantly moved to help my professor.  

“I’m going to help a customer to his car Miss Vanilla. I’ll be back.” I called as I watched my professors scowl transform back into that off putting grin. We walked down the sidewalk in silence as I held his three measly tea boxes. He said nothing but directed me to a black luxury sedan with tinted windows and opened one of the back doors. As I bent down to place the tea bags in the back I felt a hand caress my ass. Jerking up I stared at my professor in shock. He acted as if he did nothing wrong. He simply thanked me and drove away. I walked back to the store still in shock to see Sonic still talking to Vanilla and Cream. 

“Mr Silver, are you okay?” Cream rushed to me holding a cartoonish drawing of what I recognized as Espio in her hand. 
“Yeah, I’m okay Cream. Wow! You did a good job drawing Espio.” I praised noting the extra spirally tail and emotionless expression she drew.

“Thank you! Mr Sonic is looking at yours!” Cream smiled and skipped back to the cashier’s register that Vanilla took over. I walked over and saw my picture in Sonic’s hands. My head quills were exaggerated but she did a great job on my boots and my pose. She drew me flying with strawberries floating around me. “Wow Cream, that looks just like me!” I smiled. “The golden peaches came in today, do you want some?”  

“Yes please!” Cream’s eyes sparkled as I summoned a golden peach that I had previously cleaned for her.  My phone jingled and I realized my shift was done. Rushing to the back I washed up, took off my apron and started to leave through the front of the store. To my surprise Cream rushed up to me her eyes watery. 

“Mr. Silver, your picture is gone and Mr. Sonic forgot his!” Cream cried out holding said picture of Sonic. 

“I’m sorry Cream, I’m sure he didn’t mean to forget his and I’m sure mine is around here somewhere.” I  consoled, petting her ears.

“But you are leaving, and now you won’t get anything.” The small rabbit sniffed.

“I really like that picture of Sonic. Can I have that for now? I can give it to him when I see him again.” I reasoned trying to make Cream happy again.

“Okay.” She sniffled and handed me a cartoonish picture of one of the most handsome hedgehogs I had ever seen. “Thank You Cream!” I placed the picture in my backpack and gave her a hug and a kiss on her forehead before leaving. 

Looking up directions on my phone I started to make my way to Club Rouge exhausted but anxious to see what the glamorous bat I had met would have in store for me. It was 6:00 pm and the sun was starting to set as I finally made my way downtown to Rouge’s club. The building was huge. It featured a black exterior with red and purple accents and a light up sign that was currently turned off. The door was open with the interior being almost pitch black. Shyly, I made my way to the entrance and walked in. 

I found myself in the lobby of a lounge. Candles lined the red wallpapered walls leading to a pitch black reception desk.  No one was operating the desk so I respectfully waited in a red seat near the entrance of the lounge, taking in the intricate bar and massive stage and pit filled with tables and tea lights. 

*Unauthorized Intruder: Subject has infiltrated outside of business hours.*

With a jump I noticed a huge metal robot come from the depths of the lounge to tower over me. Stepping back I raised my hands in self defense. 

*State your business and proceed to the exit*

“I...I’m here to take lessons from Rouge.” I stammered fearfully.

The large metal tank in front of me stopped as if to process what I said and turned around to walk into the lounge. I waited stunned, unsure as to what I was to do and if I was supposed to follow him or stay behind. To my relief I saw Rouge come out from the curtain on the stage and make her way towards me in black heels and a shimmery skin tight dress.

“My, my I didn’t expect you to come so soon Silver! What a wonderful student you must be to be so eager to learn!” Rouge smiled and offered a hug that I returned before leading me into the dark club. 

“I see you have already met Omega.” She stated as we passed the full bar that the large robot was currently tending. “ The club opens later on Mondays, so this is perfect timing.” She lead me to the stage where a shimmering black grand piano stood. I sat down on the flat piano chair and stared into the lounge awkwardly as Rouge made her way back down to the pit in the audience and perched herself in a chair.

“What do I play? Do you have any sheet music or ...anything?” I asked and listened to my soft boyish voice seemingly echo through the club. 

“Play anything you want honey.” She encouraged placing one of her legs on top of the other. 

Shyly, I started to softly play a slightly complex rendition of Fur Elise my hands faltering a few moments in the song. I flinched after every mistake, hearing them loud and clear through the club. When I finished I turned to her expectantly.

“ Relax Hun, it’s okay to make mistakes.” Rouge smiled as she shifted her legs. 

“ I don’t want to hurt your ears... you are a bat.” I explained feebly. “Any mistake I make you can hear better than I do.” Rouges facial expression melted into a look of awe and appreciation. “ You are extremely sweet Silver. Don’t worry about me, mistakes are a part of learning.” She explained before placing a finger to her chin delicately in thought.
“Why don’t you try to make up a song?” She asked and I looked at her shocked. Shadow would of never asked that of me. He believed that a student should always follow pre-written music. Even though I was shocked I was still prepared. At my keyboard at home I would often make up my own songs instead of practicing. Nodding to her, I turned and started to play a melody that I had created and would always play instinctively. Even though my melody was my own I still stumbled upon a few keys. Embarrassed that I had managed to mess up the melody I created I blushed hotly and waited for her critique. 

She was silent for a while, staring at me. I squirmed in my seat and traced the keys with my finger. Finally she spoke.

“The way you hold your hands as you play is causing you to stumble in your songs. You are deliberately playing each note instead of playing fluidly. But that song is gorgeous.” She studied me carefully as she waited for me to answer.

“I’m not so good with my hands. I am not used to using them like this.” I watched her look at me questioningly. It was true, It was an odd thing for me to say to anyone. Carefully correcting myself I continued. “I have telekinesis, I’ve always relied on it. So, when I use my hands I am not as good as other people.”

“ Piano is really challenging for me.” I admitted and watched her look at me shocked, her ears twitching. 

“Show me.” She stated slowly leaning forward in her chair.

I showed her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Insecure Silver is insecure. I know, how dare I end the chapter there.