Thank you to my reviewers! I can't believe people are actually reading this... I'm glad they are, though! Here's the next chapter. This one's probably going to be the oddball chapter. We're switching to Amy's point of view.

I still own no one.

Chapter Three: Pretentious Confusion

...She was just.... standing there. With her hand on the doorknob. I waited for her to open the door, to go inside but she... didn't. I didn't really want to rush her, but it was hot outside, and I really didn't want to sweat... This was a new dress! So, I finally just asked, "Are you gonna actually open the door, Rouge?"

She turned around to me then, and the look on her face was.... scary. Her aqua eyes were unfocused as if she wasn't really seeing what was in front of her, and she had the creepiest smile plastered on her face. I looked at her, unable to say anything else... I was scared to say anything else.

She simply continued to smile at me, her eyes blank voids, and I backed up a step. Then I saw her open her mouth and her voice came out, "Of course, Amy." Her voice was strangely calm, and she turned around back to the door, opened it, and went inside.

I smoothed out my new red dress then followed her through the door, closing it behind me, and I looked around. Sonic and Tails were lounging on the couch, seemingly immersed in some tv show. I walked over to them, trying to forget about Rouge's strange behavior. Neither the fox or hedgehog looked up as I approached. I sighed, taking a seat on the couch next to Sonic and glanced at the tv.

Then I turned to Sonic, eyes narrowed, suddenly sure that he was only pretending to watch the screen. I crossed my arms, annoyed, "Sonic..."

He innocently turned to look at me, his eyes their brilliant emerald green, and he tried to feign surprise, "Oh, hi, Amy. Didn't see you come in." He gestured toward the television, "You know... So caught up in the tv..."

My expression didn't change, and I shook my head, "Sonic, since when did you care about the history of quantum physics?"

He shrugged, refusing to admit that he only pretended to watch the show, hoping that I wouldn't talk to him. I rolled my eyes, then looked around the room again. Rouge was standing against the wall, her eyes roving the room, that creepy smile still on her face... She was the only one in the room, other than Sonic, Tails, and I. She suddenly turned her head in my direction, and I quickly jerked back around, leaning closer to Sonic.

I could tell that she was still looking in my direction, so I tried to sound casual, asking Sonic, "Where's Knuckles? Isn't he supposed to be here?"

Again, Sonic shrugged. I felt Rouge's gaze shift away from me then, and I breathed a sigh of relief, hardly listening as Sonic answered my question, "He didn't seem too thrilled about the idea when I talked to him. I think I eventually talked him into it." He then whispered, nodding his head in Rouge's direction, "You know, once I told him Rouge was going to be here."

I faked a smile, before seizing the opportunity to mention her weird behavior, "Sonic, have you noticed Rouge's acting... strange?"

He tilted his head, returning my hushed voice, "What do you mean?"

"...Well... Just outside a few minutes ago, she was just standing at the door, with her hand on the doorknob... But she didn't go in. I don't know how long she was standing there before I got here, either. I waited on her for about five minutes..."

"Ames, I think you're overreacting. She's probably just nervous. You know, she hasn't seen Knuckles in a long time. And you know she likes him."

I thought about that for a second, then came up with another question, "Wait, how do you know she hasn't seen Knuckles in a long time?"

Sonic rolled his eyes, "When I went to see Knuckles to tell him about the party, he was in his 'depressed' mood. The one where he sulks and won't make eye contact or anything. So, I figured he hadn't seen her in a while. That's usually why he's in a bad mood."

I nodded, "Oh, okay." But I still couldn't get Rouge's odd expression out of my head... If I didn't know any better, I'd think her smile was almost.... deranged.

Sonic watched me for a second but he seemed to think I was still worried about Knuckles. He smiled, and I studied his smile... But it only made me more confused. Sonic's smile was genuine, natural, bright.... sane. Everything that Rouge's hadn't been. I closed my eyes. What were the chances of Rouge actually going mad? Sonic was probably right; I was overreacting... But... Still...

Still misreading my sudden silence, Sonic said, "I'm sure he'll show up. He's just a little late."

As if on cue, not a second later, the door swung open. I took a deep breath, deciding it was best just to pretend like I hadn't witnessed any bizarre incidences.... So, I put on my friendliest grin and twirled around, opening my eyes... And I immediately regretted it. My smile faded, my jaw dropped, and I felt a strong desire to snap my eyes back shut.

If it hadn't been for the fact that I knew who the guy standing in the doorway was before I even turned around, I wouldn't have recognized him... In fact, the only thing that seemed even remotely recognizable about him now was his red fur.

I was shocked by my own voice, "Kn-kn-Knuckles...?"

I stared at him, awed, unable to say anything else. Never before had I seen his skin covered in so many scars like the ones I saw now. They didn't even look like they'd been treated, still covered in dark, dried blood. His fur was more matted than I'd ever seen it, he was covered in dirt, and there were dark circles beneath his eyes...

For a split second, he turned his head, making eye contact with me. And I froze in place, despite the room's comfortable temperature. His eyes were black. Cold, hard, and far from the purple color they'd been the last time I saw him.

And I'm not sure if it was my imagination or not... But I could've sworn I felt Sonic shift uncomfortably beside me.

What's going on? Is Amy just seeing things? Is this all in her head? And what about Knuckles' frightening appearance?

Not the best chapter, in my opinion... But I don't know. Anyway... I'll update again as soon as possible! And I promise, I'll stop switching point of views so often for the rest of the story. It's just these first few chapters that require that.