Not much to say here, other than that I'm glad to be back and I greatly appreciate the reviews, messages, and the like that I've received since my return. Thank you to everyone who's supported me and my work in the past, and especially to all of you who have personally talked to me and been very casual about it since I came back. You know who you are. It's great to get back to writing, and I hope y'all are eager to read! Anyway, without further ado... Enjoy!

Late For A Date

As I glanced down at my brown leather wristwatch for about the millionth time, I saw that it read 4:03. 4:03 PM. She had agreed to meet here at four o'clock. Did she forget? I wondered. Maybe she changed her plans and forgot to tell me? I should stop thinking these things. Or maybe she's just blowing me off. That wouldn't be the first time a girl has done that... No. I needed to stop worrying; obviously she had just gotten held up briefly, she'd be here or contacting me any second now. I was nervous, to say the least.

I was leaning against the wall outside the Gajeks Cinema, sporting my usual brown attire and the appropriately similar wristwatch that I had received for my birthday. Even after dad passed, mom stayed in touch with the world around her and to this day she knows how to bring someone a smile or what to get them for their birthday. Oh, mom...but I digress.

Now I looked at my wristwatch for the 1,000,001st time; meanwhile thinking partially about the new Aviators movie that would be showing in seventeen- no, now sixteen minutes, and partially about the golden mongoose I was planning to watch the aforementioned movie with. Maybe I should check my breath, I pondered. While doing so my thoughts were drawn back to my conversation with Mina earlier this morning.

"Tails!"

"That's what they call me."

"Uh, yeah. Hi! What's... what's up?"

"Oh, well firstly I just wanted to call and check up on you..."

"...Check up on me?" She giggled lightly at this. "Why's that, crazy fox? What's the matter?"

"Oh, well, uh... It's just that I remembered that this is the five month to-the-day mark of you and Ash breaking up, so..."

…

"So?"

"Well, you know, I just wanted...to make sure...you're feeling okay about it. You know, seeing how close you two were before."

"Eck, don't remind me... Tails, you know I came to terms with this a while back. I'm fine, I assure you." She had another little chuckle over those last few words. "What else is on your mind, then?

"Oh. Well, what are you doing this afternoon?"

"...Um, nothing comes to mind. Why d'you ask?"

"Well... It's just that I remembered talking to you about The Aviators once or twice, and you said you couldn't wait to see it."

Mina interrupted, "Yeah, but it doesn't premiere until Friday at midnight."

"Technically... But they're doing a special early showing this afternoon at 4:20, at the Gajeks theatre off of Halberd Street."

She did it again. "What? Are you serious? That's awesome! ...But there's no way we'll get in at this point. They must be sold out by now!"

"They are. I ordered my ticket online several weeks ago, and because I was so early they gave me a second one free. They came in the mail last night."

"Tails. Don't mess around with me about this. Are you SERIOUS?"

"Indeed I am."

"Tails, you must be the luckiest fox on all of Aurora's great Mobius to get those tickets, and the coolest person I'll ever meet for inviting me to go with you." Way to make a guy blush, Mina.

"Oh, stop. I'm just being me is all."

"I know, Tails, I know... I love you for that."

Whoa.

She... loves me? Ohh, man...

Wait a second. Surely she doesn't mean what I'm thinking.

"Anyway, do you want to meet up outside the theater at four, and maybe catch a bite after the movie or something?"

"Yeah, that sounds great, Mina!"

"It's a date! See ya, Tails!"

"R-right, see you later."

*Click*

I'm just imagining things...

I had known all along that when she said that she 'loved me' and that we had 'a date', she'd only meant those things figuratively and not in the way that set my heart aflutter. Ever since I realized just how much I care for this girl, I've been dreaming of some sign that she feels the same way. I catch little things like that on occasion, but it never amounts to anything else.

That's just Mina being Mina I guess. I love her for that. ...Yes, when I say that I mean it. I love Mina Mongoose. Oh, Mina...

Looking down to check the time yet again, I saw that it was now 4:06. Goodness me, where is she? This was getting out of hand, and I was genuinely worried at this point; although, I couldn't decide whether to be worried for her or for myself. I didn't have to wonder much longer, though, because right at that moment -

*smooth alto sax melody plays* (imagine "Careless Whisper" by George Michael)

"Hello? Mina?"

"Hey, Tails. How's it going so far?"

"Oh, Espio. I told you, man, I've got this."

"I know. It's just, I thought you'd be getting worried by now. Your movie starts soon and Mina's not even there yet."

"Well, yeah, but-" Realization hit me. I hung up the phone. "Espio, come out!" I ordered to apparently no one.

Espio turned off his Chroma Camo and jumped down from the roof of the building on the other side of the street. He then proceeded to walk across to me, looking slightly embarrassed. "Damn. I never give myself away like that... Guess I've been out of the action a bit too long."

I wasn't impressed. "Why are you spying on me, Espio?" Said chameleon didn't look particularly eager to answer this question.

"I'm sorry, Tails. I know you like her, and you told me you haven't been on a date with anyone in a couple of years. I just wanted to feel assured that everything worked out for you, you know? You're my best friend." This was true, and I was beginning to understand what drove the reptilian mobian to come check on me. We've been the best of friends (dare I say it, maybe even better than me and Sonic) since the day when- well, that's a story for another day. "Plus," Espio continued, "I don't have anything better to do today. It's boring not having any spy work to do." Of course, the sarcastic follow up to cover the emotional value of any previous statements. Why did I expect any less? I simply rolled my eyes.

"Thanks, man. I appreciate you looking out for me and all. I just wish I knew what happened." I looked down at the ground in an attempt to hide the somewhat gloomy look that I knew was on my face. "I was really looking forward to spending some time with Mina today..." Whether she returns the feelings I have or not, I told myself, it's nice just to hang out with her.

Espio sighed. "I know you were, my friend." He patted me on the shoulder a couple of times. "It's not the last day on Mobius, though. One thing you'll almost always have is time."

"Thanks, man." That did cheer me up a bit. I looked up from my staring contest with the pavement, and watched Espio nod at me very slightly before giving a little solute and dashing off. That chameleon will never change completely, as much as time passes. Just like everyone else. The thought was comforting. You always knew who you could count on, in the end.

Assuming at this point that Mina was a no-show, a disheartened me began flying off toward home. I'd try to figure out what went wrong tomorrow. For now, I just wanted to lie down.

A Tails-centric chapter, apparently. Admittedly, I wasn't too sure how this was going to play out when I was typing it up. I changed the prewrite several times, and still ended up not following it. Hooray for improv!

Espio: Remind me why I'm significant here, again?

Oh, shut up, chameleon. You'll all see eventually. Man, these character interruptions are really getting on my nerves. Is this permanent as soon as it starts?

Espio: Putting your thoughts in Italics doesn't mean I can't hear them. I'm in your head.

Damn it. Well anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed! Please rev/fave/rec, and whatever else you guys do. This is DP, signing off, and have a good day!

*Oh, and if anyone likes making art, or knows someone who does, please PM me! I'd like someone to make a cover for one or two of my stories. Thanks!