This one was really a filler... And then it got a mind of it's own.

Sonic's POV

After we finished our meal, bro left to see if he "could find some action…" He didn't tell me why he was leaving all alone after our little chat, but whenever he doesn't say anything I end up with a rude awakening when he stumbles home. I could only hope that he wouldn't bring her or them home. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to bust open his head every time he brought someone home with him. He's lucky that Mom can sleep through anything.

With Ma mentioned, I remembered what I promised Amy earlier. I would rather get this whole thing over with instead of putting it off and having to disappoint Amy in the afternoon tomorrow. That and I wanted to watch a South Park marathon. I stood up getting grossed out and laughing at the sheer stupidity provided by the events and the characters. The drama and crap these kids go through makes me feel better about myself. A few hours in I heard Ma's car coming up the driveway. I turned off the TV and met her at the door.

"Oh, Sonic." She looked exhausted and I would think kind of annoyed and sad at the same time. "What are you doing up?"

I felt sorry for her when I looked at her. But maybe forgiveness might help her a bit. "Just to say I'm sorry for these past few days is all Ma."

She smiled warmly at me in that way only a mother could and gave me a great big hug. She kissed my head a few times and said, "I'm sorry too Sonic." She gave me another squeeze. "I really shouldn't have accused you like that. You've always been a good boy."

"Always?" I asked a little suspiciously. Was there something she wanted from me again? I knew she couldn't possibly believe that with Blake getting his kicks from framing me and watching my own mother side against me indirectly.

"Well with me you are…" She looked at me just slightly letting me go from her grasp. "And with Amy too." She let go of me and cupped my face with her hands. "Oh, I can't believe how grown up you are Sonic."

"And not a teen yet." I said kind of funny.

"Even then you still need your sleep." She let go of my face. "Now go on." She pointed at the staircase.

"Aww Ma." I made my way to the stairs acting as if I was in quite the slump. I chuckled to myself.

"Go. I promised Amy's mothers you'd take her to the carnival tomorrow."

"You what?" I turned back around wondering if my ma had completely gone bonkers. Amy couldn't be seen with me in public.

"I said you're going to take Amy to the carnival tomorrow."

"By myself?"

"You're responsible Sonic." Somehow I felt like that was more of a question just hidden away in her voice.

"I am but-"

"Please Sonic. Her moms are busy and she really wants to go."

Something popped into my head with her last sentence. "Why didn't she say anything?"

All of a sudden she looked guilty. "I might have promised it this afternoon when I went to the restaurant that Amy's mom worked at." She looked away.

"And you didn't tell me?" Unbelievable. Ma's are supposed to keep you informed on what they want you to do. How could she do this to me?

"How could I? You didn't want to speak to me since the dinner. Please Sonic. Do this and if Amy comes back really happy then I'll never suspect you of foul play with her ever again."

So that was her game. She was thinking: Let me have a night with Amy on my own. If she came back her bubbly self I was trustworthy with a completely innocent girl. If she came back disturbed or scared in the slightest I'd be put to Ma's prying. I understood that it was nice for some reassurance on what I already told her. Something like this was pretty big and many could get hurt. But did having Amy come by every afternoon not tell her anything? We were alone in the woods most of the time. Did she really have to go and do that to me?

If anyone were to recognize me it would be all over. I'd go back to being the uncool loner and Amy would be forced to side against me. Even if she didn't go to my school this year, whoever saw us was sure to spill and eventually Blake would know and ruin my chances. It was too early in the summer for me to be stressing.

"Are you sure about this Ma?"

"Yes." She looked at me weird. "Why? I though you really liked Amy."

You have no idea. "I do but… I-I don't know if I'm ready to go to the carnival on my own. And with a girl."

She smiled warmly at me again as if she actually believed that I was just nervous about taking Amy out in public. "You'll be all right Sonic." She came to me and patted my head. "After all you two play in the woods all day and you always come back safe and sound."

Even with that evidence you still think I'm up to something. "And if I don't want to go?"

"Come now Sonic," she said annoyed with me. "You always want to go." She was right. The carnival we had every year early in the summer was one of the few events that I had to look forward to every year. A kid and his ma always had a good time.

I didn't want to keep arguing and trying to weasel myself out of this. It looked liked Ma really wanted me to do this. "Well I guess I'll go."

She said, "Good boy. Now get some sleep. I don't want Amy to have to carry you home because you collapsed because of lack of sleep.

I tried to laugh as I turned and went up the stairs. I sighed. Oh, Ma didn't have the slightest clue as to what she sentenced me to. What was I going to do? Just go along with it and wear a red cap and I would hope that no one would identify me?

It's so simple and stupid… it just might work!