I was sweating, fingers stumbling across ivory and ebony keys. My tune was sporadic and infrequent as I struggled to salvage the classical song I had been given. One, two, three wrong notes before I was halted, my breath hitching. 

“Silver, stop.” 

I anxiously turned meeting the gaze of my stoic instructor beside me. Ruby eyes pierced mine as a feeling of shame overtook me. Clad in his formal blouse and slacks he continued to stare me down. All that could be heard was the gentle ticking of the metronome beside me. I wrapped a pale arm around myself and stared at the keys before me in contempt. 

“Did you even bother to practice beforehand?” “ You are still playing by ear.”

I bit my lip. How could I tell him? What could I say? The Truth?

I hate classical music and the only reason why I’m learning piano is to get close to you.

“I...I’m sorry.”

My amber eyes flick up to meet  his and I watch him wipe a hand across his beautiful face in agitation.

“You have so much potential Silver; I don’t understand why you choose to waste it.”

His lips, they looked so soft. His hands were so strong yet so gentle on the keys. The way he played his pieces, so elegantly, so composed. He was mesmerizing, his deep tenor so soothing. But most of all his eyes were so full of emotion. 

“Silver, pay attention!”

I jolted snapping out of my thoughts and once again took in his deep voice.

“If you are not serious about this then you are wasting my time.”

My eyes widened in fear. Oh no! Say Something!

“Sir, you know I am not excited about practicing and playing these songs.” “ May I please play more contemporary songs?” 

  I could feel him stiffen beside me and I realize all too late that there was nothing worse I could have said in the world to him at that moment. His gaze hardens and a flash of anger is visible in his eyes.

“Please, I’ve never been good with my hands like you and I think contemporary songs would fit me better.” I blurt out quickly and honestly.

He rises swiftly and I can feel his anger coming off of him in waves.  Nervously, I turn and glance at a poster he has had framed beside the piano since before I started taking lessons.

The Solaris International Music Competition was everything to him. It was all he would speak of between my lessons. The grand prize was 100 grand along with worldwide fame and recognition. According to him, a month before the competition is to start they mail requirements to each participant. The requirements change every competition. The last competition required each participant to play songs featured in movies. 

“I thought you were different Silver.”

Confused I turn towards him again and decide to go for broke.

“What do you have against modern music?” My voice rises and I lean forward glaring into his deep eyes.

“Why can’t you accept any other type of music besides classical?!”

His composure falters and I see shock and a blush dust his perfect tan cheeks.

“This has nothing to do with that! I can clearly see you are not serious about this.”

I stand as anger starts to bubble up from within me. It was not fair how he expected me to be as perfect as him and forces me to play songs I don’t even like for his benefit. 

“I am not you Shadow! My tastes are different and I’m sick of classical!”

At once he swipes the sheet music off of the piano and places it in my binder.

“Go home Silver.”

My words are cut short as he hands me my binder with a cold stare. Shocked I head for the door.

“and Silver?”

 I turn and take in his gorgeous form next to his spotless grand piano, in his modern high rise apartment. His crisp attire perfectly complementing his features.

“Don’t come back.”

My jaw drops and my vision blurs. Covering my face with my arm I turn and bolt out the door before I can break down in front of him. I burst out of his apartment and run down the hall towards the elevator. I jab the button to go down and wipe my warm tears all over my face. I fear anyone seeing me like this yet my eyes continue to blur my vision and I desperately wish the elevator would hurry. 

  The steel doors finally part and I rush in not realizing someone was inside. A beautiful white bat looks up from her jeweled iphone in shock and studies me as I press the button for the ground floor. Embarrassed, I shuffle through and organize my hastily put away sheet music before finally meeting her turquoise gaze. 

“What do you play?” She questions softly. 

I look down and mumble. 

“I was learning piano but not anymore.” I mutter before meeting her gaze once more.

A flicker of understanding washes over her features and a look of empathy replaces it.

“Do you want to talk about it?” She asks lightly 

I had planned on going home to have a drink and try to forget the handsome beauty I had just lost. I didn’t have anyone else to talk to so I simply nodded my head. A slow smile spreads from her glossed lips as she places her iphone in her black designer purse before picking up a small black case off of the floor. The elevator doors open and we step out into the lobby.

“ I know a good cafe just down the street, let’s chat over lunch- I’ll pay the tab.” 

 “Y-You don’t have to...” I stutter uncertainly as she heads out and down the sidewalk.

She turns with a flourish, “Oh please, I insist- I’m Rouge by the way.”

“Oh! I’m Silver.” I say quickly as we filter down the street and into a small yet busy cafe. I order a water and a house salad as she orders a panini with a side of fruit. As we wait I tell her everything about how I met the detached Shadow as he was playing at the park near my work. I was mesmerized by him and continually came to watch him play. He noticed me watching and asked if I wanted to learn. Music came naturally to me, I could play songs by simply hearing them without any sheet music. 
          
    After I finished telling her  most of my story our waitress brought our food. At the mention of Shadow despising modern music played on a classical instrument Rouges gaze hardened and a soft frown materialized on her face. I stopped fearful that I had offended her but was calmed when I watched her smile again. She took a small sip of her iced tea before giving me a leveling stare.

“Are you willing to continue learning music if someone was to let you play what you want?”

The question takes me off guard and I take a moment to evaluate how much music means to me. Since Blaze’s death, Shadow and music was what was keeping my chin up. Because of Shadow I learned that I had more potential within me than I gave myself credit for. 

“Yes, even without him I would want to continue.”  A pang of pain hits me as I remember his deep scowl earlier that day. Rouge picks at her fruit with a smile before shooting another question my way. 

“Have you ever heard of the Solaris International Music Competition?” A nervous smile spreads across my face and I nod slowly.

“Well, many musicians of any caliber aim to compete. I’m sure your instructor will be either competing or paying attention to the competition. Normally, I like to compete here and there but I do not plan on competing this year on account of me getting hitched soon.” 

She flashed her engagement ring briefly, the extra large diamond practically bursting out of the ring. 
"Congratulations!" I beam 

“Thanks Hun, but I was actually thinking of taking in an understudy with the hopes that they would compete. Would you be interested?” 
  
  My eyes widen and I stare at her utterly shocked. 

“Really?!” 

She laughs heartily before nodding. “Of course! What do you say?”

“Yes!” I exclaim as I reach for my wallet to pay for my meal.

“Don’t you dare, I said I would pay.” Rouge admonished before handing her debit card to the waitress.

“Then I will cover the tip.” I quickly blurt as I take cash out of my wallet. She gives me a look and I add “Please, I feel bad. You didn’t have to help me.”

She laughs once again and relents before handing me a card.  “This is my business Hun. Come in anytime and we will see what we can do.”

“I didn’t know you play piano. It looked like you played something else” I said as I gestured to her small black case before taking the card offered to me from her perfectly manicured nails.

“Piano was the first thing I learned but I play just about everything- really helps at the club you know.” 

Confused, I look at the embossed lettering on the card.

“Club Rouge?” 

“Mmhmm” She sips the last of her tea, thanks the waitress after she returns her card and stands.

“Well, I was off to see an old friend before meeting you. I look forward to teaching you Silver, maybe you can get the attention of that handsome hedgehog hmm?”

She winks before shaking my hand and strutting out of the cafe.

I wave to her as she walks away mouthing a “Thank You.” as I giddily make my way to my apartment.

Unlike Shadows apartment my place was further from the downtown district that was well known for it’s pricey venues and wealth. I walked several blocks to my rinky dink apartment with paint peeling at the edges, barred windows and a hardly kept landscape. Quickly unlocking and locking the front gate after waving a hello to my neighbor Big; I trudge up a flight of stairs to my small studio apartment.

Exhausted from my big day I flop on my full bed and knock out to dream of competing and impressing Shadow. 

_______________________________

Rouge continued down the street smirking to herself as she strutted right back into the high rise apartment she had just visited. Stepping back into the elevator she pressed the button for the highest level and waited, savoring the whole situation she had just created. 

 The doors slid open once again and she briskly walked toward the door of the penthouse apartment her new understudy had just burst out from. Pausing outside of the door her sensitive ears picked up muffled cussing from the other side. Grinning at the antics of her old friend she knocked. 

"The door is open."
 
 Turning the knob she walked in and a burst of conditioned air assaulted her.  Looking up she saw a surprised anxious look on Shadow's face be replaced with a scowl.

"Why Shadow! For a moment you looked so happy to see me! Were you expecting someone else?” Rouge smirked watching Shadow avoid her gaze.

 "What do you want Rouge?" Shadow snapped as he walked toward his kitchen to fetch a bottle of red wine, his question sounding more like a statement.

"So testy, Is that any way to treat a friend?" Rouge smirked watching Shadow step into the living room. Placing two wine glasses in front of Rouge Shadow grimaced as he popped the cork and poured them a drink.

"I'm not in the mood for your sarcastic teasing."

"When are you ever in the mood?"Rouge laughed and accepted the drink tipping it to her lips before adding " What ruffled your quills this time I wonder." 

The dark hedgehog sat down beside Rouge cupping his face in his palms solemnly. Rouge's smiles died as she watched the normally prideful hedgehog crumble before her. 
 
 "I took my anger out on a student."

Softly Rouge rubbed Shadows side comfortingly careful of his razor sharp spines. She was one of the only people allowed to comfort him in such a way. Sighing Shadow continued.

"I was weak, I let my past influence my relationship with him."

   Rouge nodded carefully and was secretly surprised Shadow was so quick to confide in her. Usually, he kept his affairs private and guarded his emotions. It was rare for him to admit anything to her without her prodding him extensively beforehand. 

" I didn't know you were teaching anyone Shadow; You haven't taught since…"

"I know." Shadow cut her off briskly before carefully sipping wine from his glass. His ruby eyes glanced toward his prized grand piano before settling on the bat next to him once again.

  " It is in the past, he…" the dark hedgehog solemnly paused glancing away "isn't coming back." Tipping the last of the wine in his glass to his lips Shadow steadily placed the glassware on the coffee table before them.  "We need to prepare for the competition." 

Topaz blue eyes studied her stoic friend ever so carefully. Rouge was mesmerized at Shadows deep guilt for telling off the sweet student she had met earlier. Usually her dark friend would care less about the feelings of others unless he was very close to them.  Just as she had thought ; this Silver character had managed to strike Shadow deeply which was a feat that not many could claim. At the mention of the competition she paused in her deductions of Shadow's uncharacteristic behavior. 

  Placing her half full glass down she sighed. " I came to speak to you about that. I will not be competing this year Shadow." She watched as he subliminally tensed beside her before continuing.  " As you know Knuckie proposed and I want to prepare for the wedding. I will be focusing on the club and training a new student as well." A full scowl materialized on her hosts face, his brow furrowing in agitation before he responded.

"I know and I understand."  The scowl disappeared to be replaced by a look of dejection. Ruby eyes scanned her and a barely concealed grimace crossed his face.  “I didn’t know you took in a student.” The dark hedgehog dissected his old friends expression carefully.  The bat smiled and swirled her wine to airate it. “They haven’t started yet but I believe this one has great potential.”  Shadow nodded solemnly, once again reminded of his own failed teaching. 

Rouge sipped from her glass as her turquoise eyes looked at the Solaris International Music Competition poster mounted on the wall by the piano. “I was hoping they might enter the competition. Rookies  have won before...”  Downing his glass in one go Shadow leaned forward to place the glass on the coffee table before him before giving the bat a smirk. “ I look forward to competing against a student of yours.”  The bat leveled the hedgehog with a smirk of her own. “ As do I.”