Original post date: 26/09/2012 | Edited post date: 15/09/2017

Edit: General editing with this one, though I noticeably changed the last scene's P.O.V from third person (not sure why it was originally like this) so that the whole story is in first person. I'd also forgotten about Shadow being awesome in this chapter, so I loved re-reading that! :D

Thank you to: CharleytheTitan, ProwerPower85, ShinigamiAkira7, Nickyyy, RealDove-Staar, hannahtranter16, Unnoticed, Fables-and-FairyTale, GOWERNCMW, TheBlueAlienRobotZombie, Person46, sugarbaby0417, Savvy0417 and SpeedsMyGame!

CharleytheTitan - Whoops, my bad! Nope, I made a mistake there! The chapters are the same, for some reason! It's sorted now though, thankfully! :D Thank you for letting me know!

ProwerPower85 - My apologies, yes, I did for some reason! Not sure what happened there! Sorry about that and thank you for telling me! :3

ShinigamiAkira7 - Thank you for letting me know about the problem so that could fix it as quickly as I could! Hopefully that won't happen again!

Nickyyy - Sonic is giving Edward-Cullen-vibes, a little bit, right now! xD Thank you so much! Manic is just hopelessly trying to make his OTP happen x'D

RealDove-Staar - EEEK! ;D They're finally working it out for themselves, but how long will it take for them to confess? ;3

hannahtranter16 - Thank you, it makes me insanely happy to hear that! :D Ooh, that is an interesting theory! But, sadly, the Chaos Emeralds are not the cause of it, though I see what you mean! Nope, in this instance, Sonic is being affected by the power of luuuuuuuurve or is he?! ;D

Unnoticed - Ah yes, sadly Shadow is without a partner at the moment, but that doesn't mean that he won't experience his own share of romance ;D Yay, I loved writing Amy meeting Sonic's family! They're so lovely :') Ooh, definitely, Sally is not going to be happy! And I'm so glad you're enjoying it, despite not having watched Mean Girls I have taken it more as inspiration, as the plots are vastly different, but you should definitely watch Mean Girls because it is AWESOME :D

Fables-and-FairyTale - *squeals* Thank you! I'm so glad! :'3

GOWERNCMW - Oh my gosh, that would be such an awkward scene! X'D I love that thought though Sonic's just yelling "I swear, I wasn't even doing anything, we were talking!" as he's getting chased out of the house XD

TheBlueAlienRobotZombie - It's finally here in full force! :D I'm glad you're liking it, hehe! :3

Person46 - Finally! Aw, Sonic is adorable when he doesn't know his true feelings ;) *sings* But we know the truth~! Thank you ever so much! I'm glad that Sonic's torment was prominent in this chapter, as it's definitely not going to be an easy ride for him, in overcoming his nervousness!

sugarbaby0417 - Ah, I'm so glad you thought so! Sonic has it in him, when he tries ;D Thank you so much!

Savvy0417 - Thank you very much! Aww!

SpeedsMyGame - Thank you so much! I was sooo much happier with that chapter, afterwards! :D Aw, thank you — TBT for MMG ;3 Ahhh, Colours is an amazing song! Oh, is that on the new album? I haven't heard that one — I adore Heaven in Hiding! Hurricane has to be my all-time fav tho :3


Chapter Eleven - Love Or Lust?


(...Amy's P.O.V...)

I was over the moon, the next day at school, but I hadn't told anyone about Sonic's visit, in fear of Sally finding out. I had no idea what she would do and I really didn't want to know.

My excitement kept me floating through the tedium of the day, with the only notable events being Knuckles slamming his head into History's wall, for a dare; my discovery that I had been allocated a lesson of the Waltz for next week's Action Day (Sally had bragged that Sonic would be her partner); finally, Rouge's three-in-a-row basketball score in PE.

This was the last lesson and Rouge needed to rush off to collect an essay, so I was alone when I came out of the changing rooms.

I watched as Sonic strode past, with his head hanging low. Briefly, I thought about calling out to him, but his shoulders carried a certain weight that I didn't want to intrude upon. He carried on into the Gym, where cheerleading practice was taking place.

Why is Sonic going there? I wondered. Trying to ignore the thought that this definitely counted as stalking, I crept after him and peeked through the window of the Gym's door. To my dismay, Sally bounced over to the blue hedgehog, wearing an emblazoned cheerleader's outfit.

I couldn't hear what they were saying. But it seemed important, because the rest of the cheerleaders had stopped their routine to brazenly listen in.

Sonic's body language suddenly changed from tense to unsure. He ruffled his quills, as if he was pondering something, and Sally sexily smiled at him, placing her hand on his shoulder. He didn't look thrilled, but he didn't shake her off, either.

They conversed — and either Sonic was on a roll, or Sally was hamming it up, judging by how often she burst out laughing — before Sally sashayed towards her team. Sonic gave the cheerleaders a smile, the kind that makes hearts melt. They simpered back, giggling and blushing. He rolled his eyes, good-naturedly, and then sped out of the opposite door.

I looked down at my clenched fists.

When I glanced back up, Sally was skipping over to me. There was nowhere to hide. I flinched as she flung the door open.

"Why, hello there, whore! Spying on me and Sonic, were you?" Her eyes sparkled with a knowing gleam, alongside the red pom-poms which were glittering and attached to her wrists.

"Of course not," I snapped, racking my brains for an excuse, "...I wanted to speak to Coach. About...the basketball team. I wanted to know when practice is on,"

Sally cackled.

I gulped, nervously, "What's so funny?"

"You are!" She wiped a fake tear from her eye, revealing more of her outfit. The uniform's red top ended above her stomach and the skirt fluidly moved around her hips. I enviously glared at her flat stomach, adding it to her attributes of popular, pretty and well-endowed, "You're the worst liar on Mobius. You're crap at basketball. And even if you had a hint of talent, I'm on the basketball team. Your name isn't on the list, wannabe-me,"

The she pouted into the trophy cabinet behind me and checked out her reflection, presumably in anticipation of Sonic's return.

I rolled my eyes and sighed, "Okay, you got me there. But I was just passing through. Not everything is about Sonic, you know,"

"Sure you were. Listen, for the last fucking time, Sonic is mine. We have something that you can never have. There's history between us. If you think you can swan in and steal his heart with the whole 'pity-me-because-I'm-the-new-girl-act', you're dead wrong," Sally stepped forward, menacingly, "Remember that,"

Despite wanting to crawl into a corner and cry, I stood my ground, defiantly, "If Sonic is yours, then how come you're not dating?"

That threw her for a second, "Sonic is a freedom-seeking kind of guy. I'm not going to chain him down; I understand him like no one else does. So we've agreed that we'll make it official at Prom,"

"Yeah, whatever, Sally," I wasn't fooled by that for a second.

"Don't believe me? Just wait until Prom!"

"That's nine months away! You're really going to wait that long?"

"I don't need to. That's a maximum — he'll have asked me out long before then," She scowled at my disbelief, "Just face it: he doesn't want you. Sure, I guess you're cute, so he puts up with you. But that's just lust. Sonic and I, we're permanent. He just said so! Love conquers all," Satisfied, Sally sauntered towards the cheer squad, who were curiously staring in our direction, "I'd give up now, if I were you!"

I marched away, teeth grit and blood boiling. He didn't want me? He said that they were permanent? Then why the hell did he invite me to his house and stay with me afterwards?!

Lust? Love? I had no idea.

I broke free of school and stormed down the long road home. There was nothing that I wanted less than to run into someone, but a black motorbike pulled up alongside me and its rider took their helmet off.

"What's wrong?" Shadow asked, with a tinge of concern. I considered letting everything gush out, because my anger was bursting at the seams and I was sorely tempted by the thought.

"Just Sally. Being Sally," I sniffed, containing my tears.

Shadow growled, lowly, "What has she done?"

"I don't want to talk about it..." Holding back a wail, I shifted in my boots.

"I presume it involves the blue hedgehog?"

"Maybe," He continued to stare, "Yes,"

Shadow paused, thinking for a minute, before swinging himself off the bike and popping open the seat-compartment. He removed a second helmet and tossed it to me, as he clambered back on. I just managed to catch hold of it.

"What's this for?" I asked.

"It protects your head,"

"Yeah, I kinda understood that part. Why are you giving it to me?"

Shadow blinked. He beckoned for me to come closer and, when I did, he took the helmet from me. Gently, he placed it on my head and clipped the straps up, gloves brushing against my cheeks and chin.

"You were clearly interested in riding, when we discussed it before. It will take your mind off things,"

My lips parted, as I thought about the thrill of an adrenaline rush and agreed with his logic. Excitedly, I scrambled onto the bike, just about tall enough. Shadow looked amused, shoved on his own helmet and revved the engine. We suddenly moved, racing off down the road. It dawned on me that I needed to hold onto something, so I wrapped my arms around Shadow's waist, feeling him stiffen. Soon, though, his body relaxed.

We rode for a while. I wasn't sure for how long, because I soon lost track of time. I was simply enjoying the blow of air through my hair and the rush of wind swishing past me. Occasionally, I was saddened by the familiarity of Sonic carrying me as he ran, but I pushed the thought aside and gripped Shadow tighter. He often picked up on my dips in mood and increased our speed.

Before I knew it, Shadow started to ask for directions and then slowed down to a stop, outside my house. I was deeply disappointed that the ride had ended, but I jumped down and pulled the helmet off my head. There was a sensation of static, as if my hair was awkwardly sticking up, but I chose to ignore it.

"Better?" Shadow dismounted, not breaking eye contact, as he too pulled his helmet off.

"That was amazing! Thank you, Shadow. You're the best," I threw my arms around his neck, burying my face in his shoulder and squeezing. His hands hovered, before they fell on my waist and he stiltedly hugged back. We pulled apart, "I guess I'll see you on Monday?"

I vaguely turned in the direction of my house, but was surprised when Shadow followed.

"Yes,"

"Anything interesting planned for the weekend?"

"Hm. I'm working with Rouge on a Geography project. Which means I will be working and she will be talking," He shoved his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket.

"I see," I laughed, hugging my arms around my waist to shield me from the cold, as we climbed the stairs of the porch, "You never know. It might be fun,"

"She will endeavour to make it so," He relented, leaning against the door frame. But he quickly steadied himself when my mother pulled open the door.

"Amy, you're a little late," She stopped when she noticed Shadow. He was perfectly impassive, simply regarding her, "Ah! You must be Sonic?"

I tensed up. Shadow showed no visible reaction, to his credit.

"My name is Shadow. Shadow the Hedgehog," He turned to me, nodding once, "I'll see you at school. It was nice to meet you, Mrs Rose,"

Mum gave Shadow a wave, as he turned on his heel and mounted his bike, swiftly leaving. Then she hurried me into the hall and shut the door behind me.

"What?" I inquired, confused.

"What was that all about? How old is he? Why does he ride a motorbike? Did you ride that motorbike? What happened to Sonic?"

"Mum, seriously. He's in my class. Having a motorbike isn't that rare. And what's Sonic got to do with this?" I wisely avoided the question about my journey home.

"I thought you liked Sonic?"

"Things aren't as simple as that," I mumbled, climbing the stairs towards my bedroom.

"Amy! Are you dating Shadow and not telling me?"

I laughed out loud, "There's no need to worry about that, Mum. There's nothing going on between us. He's not interested in that. Besides, no one would ever believe that we were dating."


(...Sally's P.O.V...)

"Not bad, Suki," I praised, not bothering to hide the impressed disbelief in my voice, as I eyed up the photo on the rabbit's phone. This was perfect for the next stage of the plan.

"I don't get it. How will this help?" Molly scratched her head, dumbly. I rolled my eyes, wondering why I bothered with her. She added nothing to my status or schemes, but she was loyal, so there was that.

Suki scoffed at Molly, receiving her phone back from me and obediently sending the photo to my own phone, "Keep up!"

"It was easy to make Amy think that Sonic doesn't like her. Of course, we'll need to make her know it, not just think it. But I'll work on that. In the meantime, if this gets out, Sonic will think that Amy doesn't like him either. Ergo, no complications," A smile crept onto my lips and I victoriously crossed my legs.

"Ohh! Who's going to print out the photos?"

"You are. Next time, don't ask stupid questions. I need quick-thinking, not dullards," I deposited my phone in Molly's hands, as she blinked, "About a hundred copies should do it,"

I stood and threw my cheerleading kit over my shoulder, leaving Suki and Molly at the cafe's table, before making my way down the street. They were always on-board with my plans and Suki was useful with her ability to collect gossip, but our group was definitely a dictatorship. For obvious reasons. Otherwise, it would end up like Amy Rose's chaotic band of nerds.

Pretty tough nerds, I had to admit. They were harder to crack than my previous rivals. But they would break: I was the Queen of Mobius High. And I'd fight until my last breath to keep it that way.

I pushed all thoughts about what Sonic had said to me out of my head. It had thrown me when he amiably tried to persuade me to let my gripe with Amy go, but I'd quickly recovered and pasted on a fake smile, agreeing to do as he asked. If Sonic thought that I'd stood down, then that would make things easier for me.

And Amy had made it even easier for me, by sealing her downfall. I mused about Sonic's reaction, as I smirked at the thought of the photo of Amy and Shadow, hugging outside her house.