Amy's POV

We've been together for ten years now. I'm 17 years old and I met him in primary school. Now we're in our final year of high school, about to go to college(university). There's something wrong, I can just feel it. It's happened before, the giveaway - the thing that makes me realises I'm not a paranoid freak, that it's not all in my head.

Flashback: New Years, last year
Sonic grabbed Amy and took the glass of champagne away, giggling. "Lighten up, Ames - its a new year! Aren't you having fun?"

Amy fake-smiled and kissed Sonic's cheek. "Of course."

Bursting through the door of Amy's mansion, came Sally, her best friend. She greeted Amy and kissed her, and then smiled happily. She took the glass of champagne out of Sonic's hand and hugged him playfully. "Happy new years! What are your resolutions?"

"Finish this year without dropping out!" Sonic laughed. Amy glared as Sonic and Sally shared a certain connection through their eyes. Sally probably didn't intend for it, as she was so carefree and unmeddling, but Amy was constantly fearing that people were out to get her, and that her best friend, especially, would turn on her.

After hanging out for an hour more, Amy went to bed. Her over thinking was exhausting her. She knew everyone else would stay up - even Shadow, who had already somehow survived a bottle of whiskey and still eyeballing people at the party; and Knuckles, who was so stoned he didn't even know where he was.

The next morning, everyone was still asleep, except for Shadow, still going strong and holding a drink. He came up to Amy as she entered the kitchen and placed a hand on her back. "You missed out last night..." He drunkenly murmured, but not drunk enough to reveal the entire truth. "Things would have been different if you'd stayed up Amy... *hiccup* Good luck.. With... So..." Shadow collapsed on the ground, passed out. Amy groaned and continued to make breakfast, taking Shadow's glass and finishing the drink.

"Perfect... That's just what I needed to hear."

Flashback ends

It's not like Sonic doesn't love me. He respects me, and he spends time with me. But my reluctancy to lose my virginity and his impatience has caused him to give up, whether he's aware of it or not. I see the way he looks at Sally, my best friend - hopelessly, helplessly. It's like he just wishes she would notice him. Maybe he's secretly in love with her, I don't even know. It's hard for me to care anymore, what with my mother being away so often, and my grades deteriorating. I don't even enjoy the rare times I see Sonic, not really.

The only person who really grinds my gears is none other than Shadow.

Ever since my NY party, he's awoken some kind of fire in me - a dark, realistic fire, that diminishes my old view on life: my view that everyone's intentions are pure and kind. Shadow completely sees the opposite, and I'm starting to side with him. We connect on a mental level, rather than physical/basic. Sonic chases for short term solutions and distractions, but I just want stimulation intellectually. Some one who can open up a new way of life, a new way to do things. Shadow can do that.

It's just a shame that he uncovers these "new things" in a way that I probably won't.

Anyway, there's a party on tonight. I'm hosting it of course - and everyone wants to get in. But first, I have breakfast with Sonic, Shadow, and Sally. Hopefully if things go smoothly, we'll all end up attending the party too.

3rd Person POV

The lights shine in the dining room of Amy's mansion onto the tables filled with breakfast foods. Pastries, fruits, hot meals and more. There are bouquets of flowers and decorative art pieces a plenty; and the walls are a light pink with a pleasant pattern.

Sonic, Amy, Sally and Shadow are sitting together at a table, having a discussion - everyone is joining in, except Shadow. Shadow is looking at all three of them with a smirk on his face.

I've had enough of this.

How can Faker just sit there while his girlfriend and her best friend are clueless?

It's been over a year now... I have to do something.

"Hey, I've got a good story." Shadow said, his expression remaining the same. "Last year I went to a party, you wouldn't believe what happened."