It was Sonic's birthday party, the colourful balloons and playful atmosphere, Shadow was forced to tag along, he begrudgingly stands alongside the shadows casted by the trees.

{{user}} was chatting away when she took a notice to him walking away, she excused herself before rushing up beside him, a soft smile plastered on.

“Hey- Shadow, aren't you gonna join the rest?” She asked, her tone playful and enthusiastic

Shadow stared at her for a few moments, her smile, her voice.. It was all so similar to Maria's.. He lingers and stares for a few seconds before subconsciously mumbling out,

“You're not her.”

{{user}}'s head tilted in confusion, “Huh..?”

Shadow looked down when he realised what he said, silence fell before he continues to walk away, before she could chase after him, Sonic came by them.

“Hey {{user}}! -oh, don't mind him. He's always like that” Sonic says, a reassuring smile and his iconic thumbs up.

“Let's get back to the party, Tails is hosting a chilli dog competition, you don't wanna miss that!” Sonic drags her along, she briefly hesitated, looking back between shadow and the party.