Chapter 6
Reconcile
TAILS' HOUSE
9:15AM
When Tails was in Tronis, he would always take long drives in the countryside on weekends. However, on this Saturday he was stalled by some extra work. He sat in his living room, his laptop and rapidly cooling breakfast on his coffee table.
He had to cancel plans with Sonic and his friends to hang out that morning, hoping to get his work done before ten o'clock. Pausing to rest a bit, Tails finished off what was left of his tepid breakfast. That's when he heard his phone ring, indicating he had received a text. Checking the ID, he was surprised to find out it was Cream that was texting him.
Ever since Tails came back to Mobotropolis, Cream had been cold towards him so it was definitely surprising she had texted. Curious to find out what she wanted he opened the message.
"Hi. Are you busy?"
He wanted to lie and say he wasn't but he didn't want to force her back so quickly. He replied, "Yes"
Tails waited about a minute before she texted back.
"OK. Can we meet sometime today?"
The fox smiled to himself. What was Cream up to, he thought to himself.
"Hmm. What time exactly?"
She texted back a bit sooner.
"Noon. Around three, at Maximilian Park. Sound OK?
Tails frowned at her suggested time. He had hoped to hang out with Sonic and his other friends at that time and felt bad at blowing them off. But if it meant reconciling with Cream somehow, it would all be worth it. He replied, "Sure, sounds great."
He tossed his phone aside and prepared to return to work, when it beeped again. Tails groaned in frustration and looked at the text. It was Cream, just sending a "see you then." The fox found himself smiling at that. He could imagine Cream saying it in that cute little way.
Putting all thoughts of Cream out of the way, Tails returned to his work only this time he no longer felt that previous exhaustion.
He couldn't wait for three o'clock.
MAXIMILIAN PARK
3:00PM
Tails parked his Pathfinder in the public parking lot just near the park. He checked his watch and saw that he was right on time, despite wanting to appear fashionably late. While most people would stay and check their appearances in the mirror, he merely got out, locked his car and headed towards the park. This wasn't a first date.
When he told Sonic that they weren't going to hang out that afternoon, the blue hedgehog was surprisingly cool about it, saying they could hang out on Sunday. "Go get your girl back, dude." He said. Tails' replied with a smirk. "Let's not get our hopes up."
Tails scanned the park, hoping to spot Cream anywhere nearby. She definitely wouldn't be at the recreational areas or the playgrounds although those were the places they liked to hang out at when they were kids. He decided to check the park benches since that seemed like the ideal place to wait. Considering she had arrived earlier.
Soon, Tails spotted her, sitting at a table, an ice cream cone in one hand and her phone in the other, happily texting away. He sat beside her. "Hey."
Cream looked at him and smiled. "Hi." She said almost too eagerly. She hoped Tails didn't notice her chipper attitude.
"So what's up? Everything OK at home and work?" Tails asked and internally slapped himself. He was just making this awkward.
"Yeah, everything is fine." Cream replied. Then the awkward silence returned, with Cream nibbling at her ice cream cone.
Tails could easily tell she was stalling and he wanted the awkwardness to end as quickly as possible. "So what is it you wanted to talk about exactly?"
Cream finished of her ice cream and then began playing with her thumbs. "Well I… I wanted us to spend the day together." Tails stayed quiet so she continued. "You see, ever since you came back, I've been rather cold towards you. And well… even though we broke up, that doesn't mean we can't remain friends."
Tails scowled for a brief moment before wiping it off his face. He wanted to remind her that he never wanted that but seeing that she was trying to make things right he softened up. "OK if that's what you want to do, then fine."
Cream's face brightened up. She rushed in and hugged Tails. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you." She released him. "So what should we do first?"
Tails smiled. "I'll let you decide first."
-x-x-x-
5:45PM
Tails and Cream spent the better part of the last two hours chatting and catching up. Cream saw that she actually enjoyed herself, spending time with Tails like that. That moment made her realize something: she enjoyed two hours with Tails than months with Clement.
Tails also enjoyed himself. He almost felt like Cream was his girlfriend once again. The way she laughed to his jokes and sarcastic quips and the way she always threw him her easy smiles. He felt like nothing could spoil this moment.
Later, as Tails and Cream sat by a pond drinking smoothies, Cream asked Tails, "Can I ask a favor, Tails?"
Tails thought for a moment before nodding. "Sure, Cream. Anything."
The rabbit took a deep breath. "Well, Clement's birthday party is tonight." She looked at Tails' face and saw it drop a bit. She continued. "Since the place will be full of people only he knows, I was wondering if… you could go… with me?"
Tails was silent for a good length of time. Then his face slowly broke into a grin. "So you're asking me out on a date to your boyfriend's house? How ironic."
Cream blushed. "It's not a date. It's just… I don't wanna feel out of place. Just think, everyone there will be someone who Clement knows and I don't. At least if you're there, I won't feel… you know"
Tails snickered. "You're the birthday boy's girlfriend. What's so scary about that?"
Cream sighed. "That doesn't make it anymore different." She was beginning to lose her hope of convincing him so she decided to end it quick. She steeled her voice. "Will you accompany me or not?"
Tails merely shrugged. "Ah, what the hell, it's not like I'll be doing anything else tonight. Alright, Cream, I'll go with you."
Cream brightened up once more. "Oh thank you, Tails." She hugged him briefly then pulled back. "Well we'll have to go get ready. Can you come pick me up around eight?"
Tails stood up. "Sure. Sounds good."
The two walked to Tails' car and he drove her home. After he dropped her off, he drove back to his house. All along the way he kept saying in his head over and over. "I've got a date with Cream… at her boyfriend's house