Spike's First Love

“Happy birthday Jason!” screeched the pimply pre-teen as he entered the house. The room was cluttered with balloons, presents, and excited children running and laughing. Jason was in the center of the chaos, playing with his friends.

In the corner on the far table sat Spike in his cage. Spike the hedgehog was used to spending his days playing with Jason, but today he felt very forgotten and alone. He didn’t understand why there was so much noise today, and all he wanted was a normal afternoon playing with Jason. They would have fantastic adventures; yesterday they were pirates searching for buried treasure, and the day before they were soldiers fighting for victory. But today, Spike did not leave his cage, and he did not have any adventures with Jason.

Just as Spike was about to give in and hide away in his igloo, he spotted something across the room that caught his attention. Perfectly round, shiny, and candy apple red, it was the most alluring thing Spike had ever laid eyes on. It was floating above the crowd, like magic! He sat dumbfounded for a moment gazing upon this new beautiful sight. All the loneliness from before was suddenly forgotten. He didn’t know what this was, but he was awestruck. Is this love? After much admiration from afar, Spike decided he must get closer and show his affection.

The first obstacle was to exit the cage. But how? He has seen it done numerous times. The machinations seemed fairly simple. There was a front opening with two locks that slid in sideways. After examining the cage, Spike decided he could push one lock at a time and the door would open. Spike stretched up and began pushing the first lock. It took concerted effort, but when he felt himself loosing motivation he would gaze upon the object of his affection. With a click, the first lock was undone. He went to work on the bottom lock and slid it open.

 All the commotion of the birthday party, Spike decided that making his getaway would be simple. He pushed the cage open and crawled out onto the table. He carefully shimmied down the table leg and landed on the floor. A sea of sneakers bouncing rapidly across the floor presented a challenge that Spike had not considered.

Spike thought back to his days of war games with Jason and formulated a plan. He made it to the couch by carefully zigzagging to avoid the kids’ shoes pounding down on the hardwood floor. Next, he made it to the coffee table by making a mad dash, and hiding underneath. He skirted to the outside of the room, and hugged the wall as he made his way to the corner of the room.

A few steps away lay the most beautiful thing he had seen in his short life.

Spike suddenly felt a rush of nerves, he had not thought about what he would do if he made it to this point. For a few moments more, he sat and admired the shining, round object before him.

He gathered all his courage and strode forward. He got close enough to see himself in the reflection. This was the most spectacular experience. Spike was engulfed in the beauty, and felt that all his hard work was worth this moment. After drinking it in Spike wanted more. He could not resist.

Spike reached out to caress the smooth surface. But before he could touch it—POP!

With an explosion of sound, all of Spikes dreams had vanished. He stood among the shrapnel of red latex, feeling crushed.

Spike let out a long, slow cry. He felt utterly defeated. In all his adventures he had never lost, and he had certainly never destroyed something he loved. 

Spike curled up in the red remains, clutching what was left of wondrous thing he ruined.

“Spike? What are you doing out here?” Jason said as he scooped his pet into his hands. Jason slid his hedgehog into his front pocket, Spike’s favorite spot, and went to show him off to all his friends.

Spike spent the rest of the party at Jason’s side. He no longer felt alone and neglected. He was still sad about losing his love, but he was back with his best friend having birthday adventures.