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Chapter 1: A Friendly Wager

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After coming to a reluctant halt, Amy Rose bit her lip, her head turning from side to side as she strained her ears, listening. Amy was very trained for this one particular sound - having had almost 4 years experience of listening for it, the girl could pick it up miles away. She had to - for the creator of this sound was... elusive to say the least. But still, Amy spent all of her free time and then some chasing after him. For she simply couldn't help herself... he was just so dreamy!

Zip!

Yes, that was it again! A grin overtook Amy's face and her bright red go-go boots were put to work, propelling the girl after her long-time crush and hero.

"Sonic, wait up!" Amy called up after him, now that she'd seen the blue blur pass by. He was running up ahead of her, jetting along so effortlessly, and totally oblivious.

Oh, Sonic... you don't know it yet... but one day... you'll be mine! And we'll be so happy!

Amy continued to run after Sonic, chasing him down through both alleys and the main streets, wondering where in the world he was headed off to this time. Maybe... he's off to finally buy me an engagement ring!

A giggle escaped Amy's lips at her fantasy of Sonic proposing to her, but it was swallowed up in her quickly laboring breaths. After all, she'd been following him for a good hour, and was exhausted.

But finally, he'd stopped running, and just being able to see him stand still in all his glory was worth it to Amy. But jeez, why doesn't he ever get tired? she wondered as she came to a breathless halt near a park bench, watching to see why indeed Sonic had stopped.

A snarl of anger escaped her lips as she saw who Sonic was talking to.

Really, Sonic? Jet? Why would Sonic talk to that guy? He's so annoying, has a squeaky voice, and is just a cocky hawk who actually thought he was faster than Sonic. Must have missed the fastest thing alive memo! Amy huffed in annoyance as she approached the pair, getting her Piko Piko Hammer ready.

"So whose that girl who always follows you around, Sonic?" Jet's trademark squeaky voice carried over to the girl.

Amy came to a halt and blinked. This sounded interesting. Oh... is Sonic going to declare his love for me?

Sonic blinked at Jet, wondering what had inspired him to ask. Then again, Amy had really upped the stalking, hadn't she? Ah, whatever. Sonic really didn't want to even think about this, let alone talk about it. "Oh. You mean Amy?" Please tell me this will be a quick conversation.

"I guess. Is she annoying or what?" Jet asked, a smirk carving over his beak.

Sonic had to wince. Honestly, he didn't like people referring to Amy that way, even if she was sometimes. Okay, most of the time... but still. Sonic would trash talk freely, but never about one of his friends, behind their back. Gotta stick up for her, blue. "Nah, I don't mind her," he said casually.

"Really?" Jet tilted his head in bafflement, not expecting this response.

The hedgehog shrugged, a hint of a smile at his lips. "There's worse things in the world than having a cute girl chase you around, huh?"

Amy's jaw dropped and she had to cling to the park bench to steady herself, not believing her ears. Had Sonic…just called her…cute? Oh, no, no, no, she was dreaming. Yet here she was, breathing hard and grasping onto the bench, watching Sonic get defensive.

"Oh, so you do like her!" Jet said triumphantly.

"NOOO! I never said that!" Sonic protested, putting his hands up as his emerald eyes widened. Oh man, oh man, what had he said that for?

Jet could not stop cackling. "Ha ha ha, you said she was cute! Ha ha!"

Sonic frowned a little and moaned, "OH, that's not what I meant! Trust me, man I definitely do not like her."

The hawk ceased his laughter and turned his blue eyes back to Sonic, not believing him. "Whatever you say, man. Your loss."

Sonic scrunched his face up in annoyance. That was really was true, wasn't it? "What about your girlfriend?"

Now it was Jet's turn to feel uncomfortable. A blush came over his beak. "Huh?"

Knowing he had the upper hand now, Sonic smirked. "Oh, you know…Wave."

Jet shuddered at the thought. "Ugh, no! Uh. She's more like a nagging older sister. Definitely not my girlfriend."

Sonic shrugged. Not like he really cared.

"Hey," Jet continued, one of his brilliant ideas sparking in his brain. His smirk and attitude coming back. "Why don't we have a race, Sonic?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Sonic said, his own grin returning, relieved they'd changed the subject to one where he clearly was superior. "Hold up. You're challenging me to a race?"

"Yep. But not only that. Why don't we put some stakes on it?" Jet tilted his head.

Psh. Like Sonic was gonna lose a race. "Whaddya have in mind?"

"When you lose, you have to kiss Amy. In front of everybody."

Off in the corner, there was almost the sound of a pink hedgehog squealing in pure happiness. But luckily for Amy, she was somehow able to keep her fangirlish joy from overflowing in the form of an ear-splitting scream and instead kept it at a much less noticeable level of hopping up and down. For if they noticed her, the bet would certainly be off.

But back to the guys, who were still oblivious to her prescence.

"No way," Sonic said firmly, crossing his arms across his chest in defiance. "Nuh-uh. Not happenin' Jet."

"Oh, you're afraid you're gonna lose, huh?" Jet baited him.

"No, I just know you'll try and cheat," Sonic spat the last word to try and cover his tracks and get the focus off himself.

"Who me? I'd never do such a thing," Jet huffed, as if he'd been deeply insulted.

Sonic glared at him for a second, but kept his cool. He was getting tired of Jet's shenanigans, but knew that he would be the winner here. He veiled his eyes. "That's the only way you can beat me, you know."

"Well, there's one way to find out…"

Sonic sighed, knowing he was trapped. "Look, I'll race you but don't bring Amy into this."

"Oh c'mon you big chicken. There are certainly worse things in the world than having to kiss a cute girl, huh?" he snickered.

Sonic clenched his fists. So much for keeping his cool..."Argh! I tell you, if you start spreading it around that I like her…"

"Psh. Sonic, I'm sure everyone already knows-"

His patience shot, Sonic got up in Jet's face, saying, "Look dude, I'm serious. There's nothing between me and Amy, got that? So don't be spreading lies about me."

But Jet merely kept smirking, relishing that he'd struck a nerve. "Jeez, I had no idea you were so sensitive about this."

Sonic narrowed his eyes, but backed off. "Just drop it, okay?"

"Hmph. No bet, no race."

Meanwhile, Amy listened to the conversation, fascinated. Sonic had called her cute. She'd heard him. It didn't matter that he'd denied it, she still knew he liked her.

But still: the chances of her getting to kiss Sonic depended on him losing a race?

Great. That'd be about 0%, if you rounded up.

Amy would have to come up with a way to get him to lose. Otherwise, Sonic would get away. Again. She couldn't lose this opportunity. She had to delay them somehow, figure out a plan. So Amy did the first thing that came to mind: run and glomp Sonic.

"Sonic!" she squealed, launching herself at the blue hedgehog.

"Ah! Amy - uh -" Sonic was muffled by a crushing hug.

"I've been looking all over for you!" Amy said as she nuzzled his oh so soft chest fur.

Sonic winced and he turned bright red. It wasn't that he minded being held by a girl, but did she have to squeeze him so hard? And always in front of his boys? He heard Jet laughing at him.

"Sonic's girlfriend, I presume?" the hawk asked.

A grin overcoming her face at being called that, Amy released Sonic, causing him to breathe heavily, and looked at Jet. "Yep, that's me!" she announced.

"You two make such a cute couple," Jet said, fully enjoying the murderous glare Sonic was sending his way.

Amy giggled and squealed, crushing her 'boyfriend' in another hug. "I know, aren't we though?"

A smirk started carving its way up Jet's beak and bloomed into a grin. Sonic was so going to kill him for this later, but this was so worth it.

"So, Amy. Me and your boyfriend are going to have a race. Would you like to come and watch?"

"Hey, I never agreed to that!" Sonic protested before Amy could respond.

"Oh, you're wussing out on me?"

The hedgehog surpressed a sigh, trying to keep his composure. This was impossible. He couldn't back out now. In front of Jet? In front of Amy? Man, how did he get himself into these things? "No way. You're going down, Jet. But forget that little bet of yours…"

"Bet?" Amy feigned ignorance.

Sonic blushed, hoping that she'd never find out... "Uh, forget it Amy…"

"Then what's the point of racing? I already told you: No bet, no race," Jet insisted.

"C'mon, Sonic, it's not like you're going to lose anyway…" Amy encouraged. "I know you can beat him."

Yep. He was stuck. "Alright, Jet, I'll race you," he said reluctantly. Man, when was the last time he was actually reluctant about a race? "But only…if when you lose, you have to do…the logical thing," he said, hoping Jet got his drift. There was no way he was going to hint at what this was about in front of Amy.

Jet turned pale at this. Oh no. There was a very good chance he was about to lose a race to Sonic the Hedgehog and have to kiss Wave. Talk about double humiliation. But no, he was already way too invested in this now. Backing out now…why, he'd never live this one down.

You set yourself up for this one, buddy, Jet told himself.

"Fine," he said, steeling his expression and tightening his grip on his Type-J board. "I'll meet you on the course in 20 minutes."

"I'll be there in 10," Sonic shot back.

Jet sneered at him. "20 minutes, Sonic."

"What, need time to prep your cheat-board?"

"No, I need time to prepare for the humiliation you're gonna receive," Jet said as he flew off.

Sonic turned to Amy. Now it was awkward.

"Uh, yeah. Don't worry, there's no way I'm losing to him," Sonic said and took off.

Amy watched him go, her heart sinking a little. But I want you to lose. I just want you to hold me and kiss me and never let me go. Oh Sonic… it doesn't have to be in front of everyone. It could be just us, under the stars. It doesn't have to be because you lost a race, but because you want to. It would be so wonderful, if only you'd give it a chance…

Oh, if only he would.

Amy shook her head. She'd have to figure out a way to get him to lose. Had to. The pink hedgehog started walking away, trying to figure out a way to get the Fastest Thing Alive to lose a race.

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