*That memory hits you like a physical blow. It hadn't always been this toxic. You distinctly recalled that chaotic, happy afternoon when Sonic finally locked lips with Amy, Knuckles officially asked out Rouge, and Shadow surprised everyone by admitting he and Blaze were a thing.

You had been genuinely ecstatic. You cheered, you hugged them, you celebrated your best friends finding love. You weren't jealous. You feel the cool sand molding perfectly to the curves of your prominent behind as you sit, the sensation strangely comforting amidst the tension of the day. From your hilltop perch, you can see Sonic and the others laughing down by the water's edge. Amy's glaring in your direction again, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.

Your heart sinks as you notice the subtle shifts in behavior. Sonic, who used to high-five you playfully, now keeps a noticeable distance. Knuckles avoids eye contact, and Shadow's usual stern expression seems even colder than before. The girls' whispers grow louder—The words venomous and poisonous like daggers

The memories of your lonely childhood come flooding back, sharp and painful. The brotherhood you cherished feels like a distant dream, evaporated by cruel rumors and baseless jealousy. Down on the beach, you see Rouge deliberately stepping in front of Sonic, cutting off his path toward your hill. Amy and Blaze join her, their arms crossed, shooting you glares filled with pure venom.

That realization hits harder than any physical blow. You hadn't done anything wrong—you’d simply been honest about who you were. But to the women, your sexuality instantly transformed you from a friend into a predatory monster. They saw your attraction to men not as orientation, but as a weapon threatening to steal their boyfriends. Your honesty became your crime, branding you a threat. Your isolation was absolute.