"Thanks, Vanilla," Shadow thanked. "Robotnik and his weak machines have been vanquished for...I lost count. They were not prepared this time...but if not for Alinta, the fight would have ended quicker than Sonic eating a chili dog."

If not for me? Shadow was blaming me? Did the others blame me as well? It is not my fault that I was captured too easily. A powerful robot with the ability to soar can definitely outpace even the fastest human. Not my fault that Sonic almost surrendered - and was almost turned into a robot hedgehog. If my buddies wanted to protect me, somebody should have just taken me to the village. Yes, Silver did, but it should have happened way before Metal Sonic got me! And confessed his feelings for me. Shadow probably wanted to scold me about me putting "myself" in peril. Now although that I was embarrassed for embarrassing him, I would not endure his lecture.

"Alinta is not at fault here, though," Shadow continued. "Sonic should have acted like a hero and gotten her out of there."

"Sonic was likely kicking some metal behinds," Vanilla defended the blue hedgehog.

"Then Tails, Knuckles, or Amy should have - instead of being airheads with their tails between their legs."

"Amy's and Knuckles' tails are much too short to reach their legs."

Shadow did not blame me after all, which made me feel relieved - until I quickly realized why he truly came. He wanted to say that I humiliated him and threaten me to not repeat it. Metal Sonic is mostly responsible...right?

"No jokes. Please. It has been a nightmare today."

Shadow called me a nightmare?

"Imagine how...Alinta feels. Right after Silver dropped her off, the poor dear started screaming into my pillow. She must miss her home."

Vanilla was cooking in the kitchen, so how did she even know about the pillow screams?

"Hi, Mr. Shadow!" Cream greeted. "Here for Alinta?"

"Yep. I brought her things that she will need until Tails can return her home."

"Alinta is in the living room. I got her to quit screaming into the pillow."

"Good, Cream. Vanilla. Would you, Cream, and Cheese give me and Alinta alone time?"

Alone time?!

"Sure, Shadow. Cream. Cheese. You can help me in the kitchen."

Shadow wandered into the room. "Alinta, what are you doing?"

I was in front of the big window, my hands grabbing its bottom. "Um, trying to get fresh air. I am definitely not trying to run from my problem." Why did you add that, Alinta?! Why can you not shut up when you need to?!

"That window does not open."

"...oh." I stepped away from said window. "I feel stupid now. Actually...when—"

"When you announced to the entire neighborhood that you do not love me? Is that why you tried escaping? To avoid me? Am I a problem?"

I went into full panic mode.

"No! You are not a problem. I worded that wrong. I am sorry. I meant that I am a problem. I was hoping to run away so I could not embarrass you more than I already have. I just did not want you to feel uncomfortable. But Metal Sonic started it. I swear on my life that he fell in love with me. He said so just because I called him cute. Then he stated that he had some plan to keep the black hedgehog from falling for me, referring to you. I...I was furious and argued that you would never, ever love me. Boyfriend-girlfriend stuff. Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, Amy, and Eggman were all in their own world, and I guessed that you had enough and bailed. I-I did not realize that you were standing underneath me and Metal Sonic. Of course, everybody heard what I said because that is my life in a nutshell. If I could take it all back, I would. I...I am so sorry, Shadow."

Shadow placed the bags on the sofa, his face showing a hint of surprise. "Wow."

"Too much?"

"Yeah, but I am glad that you told me everything."

"Should I repeat some things?"

"No need." He sat on the sofa and motioned to me with his hand. "Sit. We must clear up a few things. No. Tons of things."

I tapped my index fingers together. "I...know what you are going to say."

"Can you read minds?"

"No."

"Then sit and listen."

"You—"

"Or I will teleport you to a faraway island and leave you stranded if you do not sit and shut up."

"You can teleport?"

"Alinta."

"Fine. But do not tell me to shut up again. Or else."

"Or else what?"

"I will...annoy you."

A small smile appeared on his face. "Heh. Compared to everyone else in my life, you are amusing."

I sat next to him. "I amuse you?"

"You would understand...if you were trapped in a room with Sonic and his annoying friends."

Turns out, Shadow was not embarrassed by little me. I suspected that he was at least a bit embarrassed, but he reassured me that he was okay - adding that he had felt worse. He was glad that I did not believe in love at first sight. Most women in this village and other parts of his world try flirting with him and asking him out. Shadow admitted that if they were evil, he would have punched them. I encouraged him to, evil or just entitled.

"Heh. You are not so bad, Alinta."

I prayed that Shadow would not see my bright red face. "Thanks. And thanks for not threatening me to stay out of your way."

"I would not have come...if I wanted nothing to do with you." He set a bag on my lap and the other between us. "Are you happy that we talked?"

"Yeah."

"Me too."

"What are in the bags?"

"Not sure. Sonic, Amy, and Rouge did the shopping. By the way, Amy is hosting a sleepover tonight."

[There should be a GIF or video here. Update the app now to see it.]