Chapter 1
Amy grumbled as she stepped into the air-conditioned mall, soaked. But it was somewhat a relief from the wet, humid weather. Her sneakers squeaked and sloshed wetly when she walked down the corridors passing store after store. People stared and snickered at her wet state. Amy glared at them. It wasn't her fault she couldn't afford a car and had to walk in the rain.
"I look like a drowned rat," she muttered to herself. "Once I'm a famous actress, they'll all see…" but even she doubted her own thoughts.
Rouge's store wasn't hard to find at all, considering it was the largest store in the entire mall. The pink, curly letters stuck out to Amy like a sore thumb spelling out Rouge's Boutique. The shop looked incredibly artsy and beautiful. Girlish music played above her head just as Amy stepped into the store and beheld the lovely chandelier twinkling above her head. The store was a bit dim, but it gave the effect of flickering candles. Expensive-looking dresses, hats, accessories and clothes hung all over, and even a hair and nail salon in the back next to the comfortable changing rooms. It looked like Rouge had cleaned up nicely. Amy sloshed in, looking and feeling terribly out of place with her wet sneakers, tan shorts and dark purple tank top, and we mustn't forget her new hairstyle.
"Amy!" Rouge trotted over, smiling. She looked terrific, as always. She wore high-heeled black sandals and a hip-hugging black skirt that was layered and flared out at the knees. Her leopard patterned V-neck shirt stopped at her elbows and flared out as well. Besides that, about six different black and gold bracelets dangled from each arm – some an inch and a half thick, others as skinny as a toothpick. She had rings on every finger – and every toe. Her flawless hair and makeup made her look like a movie star. Amy tried to push away a tang of jealousy.
Rouge screamed when she saw the state Amy was in.
"AMY! What happened to you?!"
"Um…I'm fine Rouge, just a little wet. I wanted to talk to you about…"
"Fashion disaster!" Rouge threw her hands dramatically in the air. "Where's my hairdryer…?" She began to drag Amy to the back of the store.
Amy hurried along, tripping over her own feet. "Rouge, really! I need to ask--"
Rouge plopped Amy down in the styling chair and began to brush her hair. The brush didn't get far, too many tangles. But Rouge pulled harder as tears pressed against Amy's eyes.
"Rouge! We can do this later! Right now I – OW!"
"Sorry, hon." Rouge picked up the hairdryer. "Fall in the fountain?"
"I WANTED TO ASK YOU FOR A JOB!!"
But Amy's words were drowned out by the hairdryer, blowing through both Amy's hair and ears. She clenched the seat. The only way Rouge would start listening is when she finished styling. Until then, nothing could stop her. So Amy decided to wait.
Ten more minutes passed and the hedgehog was getting impatient. Rouge didn't just want to dry Amy's hair, oh no. She fluffed it up and studied it, like an artist wondering what masterpiece to create next. Then she grabbed her scissors…
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" Amy shouted. Rouge pinned her back to her seat.
"Calm down, Ames! It's just a trim, your hair's past your shoulders…wouldn't it look great if…?" her voice trailed off into hairdresser land. To get on Rouge's good side, Amy let the bat do her thing, then she would ask her about a job.
Amy waited another 5 minutes as Rouge finished snipping and used a torture rod she called a "curling iron" on Amy's hair. Amy tried not to wince too much. Finally Rouge smiled with satisfaction.
"That's much better!"
Amy looked at the floor. There was WAY too much pink hair covering it. She felt her fingertips up to below her shoulders where her hair used to be. Instead, she felt only the ends of her hair. Amy grabbed the mirror from Rouge and screamed.
"YOU CUT MY HAIR?!" Amy was ready to shatter the mirror. "I spent years to finally grow it out and you cut it?!"
Here comes my famous temper, she thought. Amy took a calming breath.
Rouge shook her head and smiled. "You don't know how long I've wanted to chop all that off! It just wasn't the right look for you. All I did was fix you up."
For the first time, Amy studied herself carefully in the mirror. She cocked her head. Her hair was down to her shoulders, only about 3 inches cut off. And her hair wasn't Shirley Temple curly either. It was more layered, and the layers curved in and out and looked very stylish, yet natural. Amy loved it, and suddenly felt sorry for blowing up at her friend who was only trying to help. She looked up sheepishly.
"Sorry, Rouge…"
Rouge grinned, flashing teeth so white, Amy could have used them for a flashlight. "No problem. You just need someone to teach you about fashion."
Amy hopped down from the seat and hugged her friend.
"So, Ames, did you want to tell me something…?"
This was it, no turning back now.
Before she could speak, a really cute-looking male fox entered the hair salon. "Miss Rouge, I put all the clothes in their proper place, and there's a customer out here wondering about what bra size she is. Can I measure her?"
Rouge's eyes widened. "YOU'RE A GUY, ANTHONY!"
The fox nodded enthusiastically. Rouge shook her head. "I'll be right there."
Anthony looked disappointed and left. Amy stared with her mouth open at Rouge. Before she could say anything, another guy strolled into the room and flashed a wink in Amy's direction.
"Miss Rouge, would you like me to cover hair today?"
"I've got it, Tony. Why? Do you need something to do?" Rouge asked him.
Tony nodded his head rather sadly. "I was doing bra-measuring, but Anthony said he had it covered."
Rouge looked appalled. Amy gagged.
The bat looked Tony straight in the eyes. "I hired you because you said you wanted this job more than anything, and I specifically said that all of you boys may only put the clothes away and man the register! Is THIS why you wanted this job; to measure girls' breasts?!"
Tony shook his head. "Oh, not at all, Miss Rouge! Well, actually…"
Amy's fist came across the guys' face. He slunk out.
"So you hired a bunch of guys…?" Amy started.
Just then, about five other guys walked in. They were all asking Rouge questions like if she needed anything, did she need any measuring of any kind, and other perverted questions. Rouge covered her ears.
"GET OUT! ALL OF YOU! YOU'RE FIRED, PERVERTS!"
They all looked disappointed and left the store, leaving it empty except for Rouge, Amy, and a very confused girl in the changing rooms. Rouge took a deep breath and sat down in the nearest chair.
"I should have known better," she muttered. "I just needed help so badly, I…"
Rouge stopped in mid-sentence. "Amy!"
Amy was waiting for this moment. "Yes?"
"Would you like a job here? I'd be happy to pay you full time. Is that okay?"
Amy swallowed. Full pay? That was more than Blaze made at the Diner!
"I'd love to! But…" Amy breathed deeply. "I still haven't paid you back from last month, so I'll work for that first."
Rouge waved her hand like she was shooing flies. "Forget about it, hon. I can't even remember lending you money."
Amy thought she would nearly burst with pleasure. Instead, she hugged Rouge tightly, and ran out of the store before she was going to scream. She got a job! Nothing could be more perfect! She could finally pay off all of her bills! People stared as this full-grown woman raced through the mall, but she didn't care. Amy didn't stop running until she was at the front doors. She stopped to catch her breath and hoped that the security guard didn't see her running. Amy stepped out the door to feel a small streak of sunshine hit her face. The rain had died down to a drizzle, and Amy was glad. She had gotten the job without even opening her mouth.
She was just walking on the dirt path that led up to her house when a blue stream of light streaked past her. No matter how many times Amy saw it; her heart always caught in her throat. The blue light came hurdling back and stopped right in front of her. Amy almost toppled backwards, but was caught and pulled back up. Sonic the Hedgehog gave her sides a squeeze. "Nice haircut, cutie."
Amy hugged him. "Hey, Sonic! Where have you been?"
Sonic glanced nonchalantly at the sky. "Oh, you know, around." He fingered the slightly curled ends of her hair and raised an eyebrow. "You look like you've been to the salon."
Amy laughed. As Sonic walked her back home, she told him about her bills, her new job, and the perverts at Rouge's Boutique.
Sonic sighed. "Rouge always seemed to be the one who would hire guys like that."
The pink hedgehog shook her head.
"So, how's your back, Sonic?" she asked.
Sonic shrugged. "Could be better."
They were following a daily script.
Sonic blinked twice and hesitated. "It happened again last night…" he said in a low voice, slowing his walk.
Amy stopped and turned her concerned, shiny eyes at him. The poison in his back hadn't really acted up that much in a month. They all thought he was getting better.
Amy thought she was about to cry. She looked at her shoes. "I…I'm so sorry…" but she couldn't finish. Sonic squeezed her shoulder.
"Hey, no worries," and he winked at her.
They walked the rest of the way to Amy's house in silence, but it was the good kind. When they reached the front door, a look of realization flashed across Sonic's face. He slapped himself in the forehead.
"Oh yeah! I almost forgot the reason I came to see you!" He fished around in the pockets of his long, tan shorts. He looked up and gave a goofy grin. "Not that I ALWAYS like to visit!" He pulled out a crumpled article cut out from a newspaper and handed it to Amy. "It was in the paper this morning."
Amy grabbed the sheet from her boyfriend and read:
"AUDITIONS
This year, we are searching for talented actors and actresses for this year's production of Disney's classic, Beauty and the Beast. The musical will be directed by professional director, Ian White, and he is excited to bring a favorite classic back to life. The show will premiere live on television on opening night, and continue for one week at the Chestnut Street Theatre. Actors, please show up for auditions on June 10th. We hope to see you there. Note: Actors will be paid for this professional show. Thank you."
"Umm…Amy? Are you still alive?" Sonic waved his hand in front of Amy's blank face. The answer to her prayers was in her hands – an audition! She could try out and that would perhaps lead to a better courier and…!
Amy shook her head, as her logical side kicked in. This was a professional play, for professionals. There was absolutely no way she was going to get in. Everyone there had probably had their rich parents pay for lessons since they were two months old – Amy took classes in high school, she couldn't afford real lessons.
Sonic watched her face sag. "What's wrong? I thought you'd be happy!"
Amy attempted a smile. "I am. But I don't see how I could be good enough for this huge play. I couldn't even get into Wicked, and that was just a community play!" Her heart sank.
The blue hedgehog lifted her chin. "That was different, Amy. I've seen you act and sing, and you have real talent."
"But Sonic," Amy started, not ready to feel good about herself. "I didn't get into Wicked…"
Sonic put a finger over her lips. "They're looking for people who fit the character. Maybe you just weren't right for those parts in Wicked. It's got nothing to do with how 'bad' you think you are." Sonic chuckled. "For Beauty and the Beast, they're looking for a young, sweet, pretty girl with a beautiful voice for Belle. Not some loud-mouthed 30-year-old playing a wicked witch."
Amy couldn't help but laugh. She hugged Sonic. He kissed the top of her head.
"Thanks, Sonikku," she said, using his pet name. "You really think I have a chance?"
Sonic blushed slightly. Amy almost never called him "Sonikku" unless she was feeling extremely flirty. "I know you have a chance. It's whether or not that Ian White director guy sees it. If not, we'll all know he's blind."
Amy almost smiled, but her face froze. She pushed Sonic backwards and he toppled on his tail. "OW OW OW!! MY BACK, REMEMBER?!" He rubbed his back, but Amy didn't seem to notice. She frantically looked at the article again.
"Auditions on June 10th…" Amy's eyes widened. "That's tomorrow!"
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And now you know why this is rated "T" for teen O.O. PERVERT ALERT! (woah, that rhymes) And so, Amy has a job, AND an audition! But the question is…will she even get in the play?? AHH SUSPENSE AGAIN! How do you guys like it so far? Can't wait to post the next chappie! Poor Sonic and his poor 'lil back. We'll see what happens to him later on! The story will progress more after chapter 3, and, what's this, Mel visiting?? And, ooh, is this a WEDDING?? Oh, my, SONIC GETTING HEALED?? Hm, oh, perhaps I said too much!
Maybe, maybe not. I ain't telling…unless you comment! 3