Long time no see, peoples. (Y'see what I did there?) The title has changed, but yeah, this is the revamped version of my original fanfiction, Missing Out. Basically, I didn't like the way the original story had progressed, which was the main reason I lost interest in completing it. There are parts of the original story that seriously make me cringe when rereading them. However, I do miss writing fanficiton and I do want to complete this story. Trust me— it's not going to be a complete rehash of the old fic. I can't guarantee speedy updates, but I will do my best to deliver quality chapters. Enjoy!

1. Seriously?

Nothing really exciting has been happenin' around here lately.

Normally, Robotnik would try to initiate his "Eggman Empire" - "Robotnikland", whatever the hell he calls it - with some lame-o robot. It wouldn't be a problem, though. The gang and I would usually have his plans scrambled in no time. Sometimes, if we were lucky, the old geezer left us a Chaos Emerald or two as a parting gift.

Occasionally, there would be some other nutcase other than the talking egg who would try to conquer the world. I have to admit, though, foiling their plots isn't nearly as fun as ruining Egghead's.

Too bad no one has tried anything in like ... forever.

Don't these bad guys know that they're my source of entertainment? How else am I supposed to keep busy? Admittedly, at first, yeah, it was cool not having to bother taking down any killer robots or having to save a city from being destroyed for a while. But now...

Gah.

Things are just boring.

I mean, you know its boring when I've got nothing better to do than to walk mindlessly throughout the city. Yeah, yeah, I know. Why don't I just run, then? I dunno; I just felt like it. Running is great an' all, but it doesn't hurt to walk around sometimes. Plus, I couldn't deny that Station Square was a pretty cool place when it wasn't being terrorized by a colossal water god or threatened to be blown to smithereens by some random missile. ...Ahem.

I guess I can't complain. It has been calm around here. "Calm" as in the city hasn't been in danger of being destroyed or anything. I suppose I should be thankful for that. Even Robuttnik hasn't been comin' up with any of those oh so original "take over the world" schemes or "kill that damn blue hedgehog" jigs. I frowned sourly. Really, it irks me to admit that I'd rather fight that Egghead than have nothing to do. At least fighting him gave me something to do. He hasn't made an appearance since the last time we fought in Central City.

You would think that with all of this free time to kill that I would probably spend it doing something useful. Like helping the police clean up the streets a little or - more preferably - hang out with my many friends. Well, to option one, I was never too keen in getting involved in police business unless I absolutely had to. And to option two... well ...

My best bud, Tails, was cooped up in his lab again in the Mystic Ruin, "remodifying the structure" of the X-Tornado again ... whatever that means.

The ever-irritable Knuckles was up on Angel Island, probably loafing around near the Master Emerald ... or plotting his revenge on me. A few days ago, I had dared ol' knucklehead to drink eight two-liter bottles of Coke nonstop. Oh gosh... I don't know what happened to the guy, but he got so ... crazy, the dude kissed Big, which was hilarious. I mean, it was just pop! He was mad as hell, but for the life of me I couldn't stop laughing. And now, whenever Big sees him he tries to offer him a Coke. So now I got a hit out on me. Imagine that, huh?

Cream and Tikal (who had recently been extracted from the Master Emerald - how, I don't know) were in the Mystic Ruin's Chao Garden playing with the local Chao there. Me, I don't really dig the whole take-care-of-a-Chao thing. Too much work. I mean, they're adorable an' all, but I'm pretty sure none of 'em would be able to keep up with me. Would probably end up bein' extra baggage.

My other two friends, Silver and Blaze, were down at the Emerald Coast - the place I just escaped from. It was horrible ... they had tried to drag me into that dreadful water to teach me how to swim. I mean, Silver's one thing, but I would've thought Blaze would sympathize with me, with those flames of hers, let alone being a cat. Jeez. Thank goodness that ice cream truck distracted them - well, more so Silver, Blaze just followed - lest I'd be good as dead.

I paused at the entrance of Casinopolis, managing a slight grin. Heh. Haven't been in there in a while. Then again, I don't exactly fancy pinball machines. Plus, I've been thrown in their sewage system one too many times.

Heh.

I guess you could say that all of my friends are doin' their own thing. Still, I make the effort to keep in touch with all of them.

Well ... except for one.

I frowned a bit, narrowing my eyes before continuing my walk.

For the past two weeks, for some reason, she's been avoiding me. And, I frankly ... well, I don't know why. I didn't yell at her or anything. Wasn't mean to her, I don't think. She's just been acting so weird around me lately. I mean, no tackling hugs? No persistent requests for a date ... or worse, marriage? No painful hits with her hammer? ... No tackling hugs? I don't get it.

At first, I just thought that she was sick, and didn't want to show her vulnerability in front of me. I hadn't seen or heard from her in a couple of days, so I worked up the nerve to go to her apartment a couple of times to try to see what was up with her. How many times do I willingly go over to her place? I mean, give me some credit here! Much to my annoyance, each time she blew me off with that, "Sorry Sonic, I'm busy," or "I'm fine, don't worry about me."

What really confuses me is that I'm the only one acting this way around. Everybody else, she's the same ol' Amy. Same smile. Same cheerful personality. The whole nine yards. Yet, I'm the one getting the cold shoulder. Hell, she's more willing to approach Shadow than she is me!

I shook my head, and placed my hands behind my head. Why was I was letting this get to me?

I sighed. "Can't spend the day fuming over one girl, right? I gotta find something to do." My stomach then randomly grumbled. I chuckled, grinning a little sheepishly. "Findin' a meal is first on the list."

Let's see...

Italian restaurant across the street? Nah, too fancy. Plus, I didn't have that kind of money on me.

I could go to the sushi bar 'round the block. I was cool with the guy runnin' it, and had went there last week after saving his son from running in the middle of the street. ... Meh. Raw fish was cool an' all, but... eh. Wasn't in the mood for it.

I paused in my walk, as my gaze absently scanned my surroundings 'til it settled on the best thing I'd seen all day: "DAILY TREAT: CHILI DOGS". I had barely registered I was walking again, my mouth nearly savoring as I stared at the white sign of the local diner of which this amazing treat was being served.

Exactly how long has it been since I've sank my teeth into one of those heavenly, spicy dogs? ... Well, a couple of hours, but still. No way was I passing up this deal!

With a quick dash, I was at the entrance of the diner, and casually entered its open doors. Heh. Come to think of it, I don't think I've been to this particular place before. Was it new? Heck if I knew, since I don't usually go into restaurants in the first place- I usually get my 'dog on the go off some vendor on the street. There didn't look to be any take-out venues in here either...

Well, sitting back and enjoying a plate full of chilidogs couldn't be too bad, right? I'd just gulf 'em down in a couple of bites and then back on the road with me! No big deal.

Shrugging, I approached the stiff-looking otter waiter who stood at a small podium just beyond the threshold of the door. After establishing in a hushed conversation that I was Sonic the Hedgehog and not an impersonator (not that anyone could truly copy this), and giving him an autograph for his kid and himself, I placed my reservation for one.

Took long enough.

"Right this way, Mr. Hedgehog sir," the otter waiter said perkily, motioning with his sleek tail to follow.

Mr. Hedgehog?

Sir?

What was I, a businessman? That's almost as bad as when Cream used to call me "Mr. Sonic" all the time. I understand that it's about polite an' that's not a big deal- I just don't like being called a mister. Makes me feel old...

I waved my hand dismissively as I stepped past the waiter, casting him a slight smirk. "Nah, don't worry me 'bout me, man; I can seat myself." I leaned a little against an idle banister, raising a finger to silence him as he motioned to protest. "Just tell the crew back in the kitchen to whip me up a big plate of chili dogs."

"But, Mr. Hed-

"By the way, dude," I added, my playful smirk widening. "You can drop the formalities. It's just Sonic. Thanks."

With that, I turned and faced the floor of the diner, glancing absently about the plain sea of burgundy and beige chairs and tables for a place to devo- I mean, eat my lunch. Just how it was outside, the diner was pretty empty. There was only but a few people in here. Of course, with my being there, I wasn't surprised to see a few heads peeking from the booths to catch a glimpse of me. Not that I was really paying attention.

Ah!

There was an empty booth along the window aisle facing the street. Perfect.

Casually, I strolled to my seat, looking around the place a bit more. Mostly just kids hanging out or workers on their lunch break. I cast a quick look at the table in front of mine. It was just Amy and some guy.

...

Wait...

What?

I paused mid-stride in my walk as I dared to take another look.

What ... the hell? What the hell was this about?

I'm in the same room, same vicinity as Amy Rose, the girl who has proclaimed she was in love me basically since we met, and she has not even acknowledged me? ... Something's not right here.

So, she can talk to some stranger, but not me? What was that about? I mean, I-

Wait a minute.

I can't go jumping to conclusions like that. I don't even know who that guy is or his relationship to Amy. I keep forgetting that we all have our own friends outside of the immediate crew - Amy, no exception. Maybe he was some guy she had just met or maybe he was her friend. Who knows? It wasn't my place to question.

... Though, they did look very involved with each other. With the intense staring in each others eyes and his hand touching hers over the table and-

Jeez, I look like an idiot just standing there looking at them. I'm surprised they haven't noticed me yet.

I swiftly dived into my booth before that could happen, as I reclined back against the windowpane, my legs resting on the burgundy cushions of the seat. Exhaling a sigh, relieved, I frowned sourly as my gaze averted to the checkered diner ceiling.

That was so weird. Why had I just ... acted like that?

It's just Amy ... and some hedgehog. A blue one, ironically. Though, not the same blue as me. More of a darkish blue. With really loud orange highlights... and some urban-lookin' clothes.

He looked like a punk.

No, no, that's not cool... I don't even know this guy. Can't go callin' him names based off of nothing. He had a few piercings in each of his ears. That was kinda cool, I guess.

Oh my - why do I care, anyway? Amy can do whatever the hell she wants! 'Sides, shouldn't I be happy about this? I mean, if this dude is keeping Amy occupied now, then I don't have to worry about her pestering me for dates an' all that. It's the perfect situation!

... 'Course that's assuming they're even together like that. I mean, not like that, but-

"So, Kano. I've already told you what I like to do. What about you?"

Oh great, now they were beginning to talk. Cue the cheesy, romantic dialogue.

As much sense as it made to simply move and go to another table - especially since there were plenty to choose from - my nosin- erm, curiosity stopped me from makin' the smart move.

Curiosity or not, it was rude to just eavesdrop on other folk's conversation. It wasn't right ... yet, it wasn't anything serious. I mean, it's just Amy. They couldn't be talkin' 'bout anything too important. Furrowing my brow, I closed my eyes as I folded my arms loosely across my chest.

Yup. This wasn't a big deal.

"Me?" the one, apparently named 'Kano', chuckled. I didn't need to look at him to know that he casting her some sort of cocky smirk. Jeez ... whom else would she be talking to? "Well, I'm a real fanatic of soccer. Been playin' the sport since I was a kid, y'know. My goal is to make the national team."

Amy giggled. "That must explain that soccer ball you had back at Twinkle Park."

He replied 'smoothly,' "I guess."

Give me a break.

For the next five minutes, I listened to their chat ... while still waiting for my amazing plate of chilidogs. It felt like a freakin' hour. What was the hold up? Continuously growing antsy, my foot tapped rapidly against the cushion of the seat as my fingers idly drummed the tabletop. Why I haven't jetted out of there yet, I have no idea. I really don't.

But that wasn't nearly as annoying as this stuff I was listening to. Their conversation was like an interview. Asking each other question and the other responding in some overly elaborative way. I could hear Amy gush and this 'Kano' dude filling her head with cheesy compliments. I could gag.

"Amy..."

I opened one eye. His tone was ... different from before. More serious.

Curious, I tilted my head slightly so I could catch a glimpse of their reflection in the window. He was holding her hand in his, staring at her intently. Amy just looked at him confused, blushing for some reason.

"What is it, Kano?"

Okay ... this was getting awkward.

'Kano' sighed. "Amy, y'know, it's been two weeks since we first started talkin'."

Wait, wait, wait. Two weeks. Two weeks?

Whoa! She's known him for two weeks? That's ... that's about how long she has been ignoring me!

But, ah, it's makin' sense now! I think. She must've started seeing this guy and didn't want me to meet him ... or something. Why, though?

"Well, I've been thinkin'," he murmured, gently caressing her hand before planting a kiss on it. Gross. "I don't like bein' just your 'friend' anymore, Ames."

Both Amy and I looked surprised. What did he mean by that? Does he mean that he doesn't want to be friends with her anymore? Nah, he wouldn't be sayin' that while ... acting that way toward her. I mean, it was cool either way, even if he-

"I want you to be my girl, Ames." He cast her a - I guess? - charming, playful - Sure? - smile. "Just say, 'yes'." He nudged her in jest. "You know you want to."

Those words ears echoed in my ear, repeating themselves mockingly in my head. I could feel my hands ball up into a fist as my brow furrowed even further. Mad. Was I mad? Annoyed? ... Jealous? Of who?

Him? No way!

Never mind that, though. What was up with me? I mean, what was the big deal? Why was this ... not sitting well with me?

Amy was speechless. She began to quiver a little bit as she bowed her head, shaking her head slowly as light tears spilled onto her green shirt.

"Kano, I... I don't know what to say..."

Ames, you cannot be serious here.

He laughed softly before gingerly lifting her head up with a single finger. "Amy...~"

Okay, this is just stupid.

Forget the chilidog. I'll just find a damn vendor.

I abruptly sped out of the door in a neon blue flash and began running aimlessly throughout the now crowded streets. I didn't care if she saw me or not.

Somehow in a very crude way, this is all very funny. I mean, of all freakin' people, Amy fell out of love with me? With me? The pink hedgehog who has been following me 'round for like ... forever? The same girl who had declared everyday that she would marry me? Now she's fallen for some other guy just as quick? Pffft.

I'm not jealous or anything. I'm just sayin' - I don't get it.

Jeez, what the hell. Not only did I see one of my friends acting all ... gaga with some complete stranger, but I never got my chilidog.

I'm never goin' back to that place again.