Here is chapter 8! Two updates in one night to make up for my absence. Please R&R

"Amy, you look beautiful." Cream assured her.

Amy was not so content. She stood in front of her mirror poking and prodding at her face, tugging at her quills and eyeing her outfit with suspicion. She really did look lovely; She wore a strapless red dress, with a black lace design along the edges of the big flowy skirt. Her hair was curled, and she even put on some makeup. Amy thought it was a bit much, but Cream had insisted on all of it.

"I'm not sure about this eye shadow." She said, squinting at the smoky eye Cream had done. "Black is a little harsh on me, I think."

"Shadow's an edgy guy, isn't he?" Cream teased. "He'll love it."

Amy let her shoulders slump. "I don't know. I feel like I look like a streetwalker. I don't think Shadow likes that sort of thing."

"You're too hard on yourself. Amy, can I ask you something?" Cream cocked her head to the side. "Why do you seem so nervous?"

"I've never really been on a real date." Amy admitted. "Only ever with Sonic, the few times he showed up, and honestly? I wouldn't count them." She crossed over and sat on the bed next to her friend, letting her face fall in her hands. "What if Shadow doesn't even show up?"

"He will. Relax." Cream soothed, rubbing Amy's back gently. "You have nothing to worry about." At that moment, Amy felt just a little bit of hope.

Now she sat on a bar stool alone. She checked her phone about every other minute, and it wasn't helping the time pass. It was a few minutes until eight, when Shadow promised he'd meet her. It was very like her to arrive early—she supposed she was used to waiting anyways. Still, as she looked around, she saw no sign of Shadow anywhere. The club was packed, as it usually was on a Friday night, and that didn't calm her nerves at all.

When her phone read 8:00 PM exactly, she started to really get anxious. I shouldn't have come here. I bet it was all a dumb prank. They're all laughing at me right now. She tried to push these thoughts away, but she couldn't.

A hand on her shoulder gave her hope, until she glanced over and recognized the glove.

"Sonic." She said flatly as she turned around to face him.

"Hey, Amy, I saw you over here and I thought I'd join you." He said, plopping down in the seat she'd been saving for Shadow. He waved to the bartender who came and brought him some drink without asking. He must come here often. "Let me buy you a drink, what are you having?"

"Nothing, thanks." She said looking down. Why, oh why was he here? She found herself now praying that Shadow would stand her up, just so that he didn't see her sitting here with Sonic. After dwelling on this thought for a moment another hit her: What's going to happen if Shadow does show up and Sonic sees that she's here to meet him? Will Sonic flip? Will Shadow be offended? Does she care what Sonic thinks at all anymore? Surely a little bit, right?

"You seem upset. What's the matter?"

She lifted her head to lock eyes with the man she once proclaimed she loved. He wore a half smile and a soft expression. "Oh, nothing."

Sonic did not seem satisfied with this answer and eyed her wearily. "Amy, I know I'm a real jerk and I messed up, but does that mean we can't still be pals?"

She only looked at him blankly. If she spoke, if she even allowed herself to process these words she might start crying.

He continued, not seeming to notice her expression. "I'm sure you're still pretty angry at me, but maybe once things calm down, you'll be willing to give me one last chance. If I screw it up, I swear I'll never bring it up again. But I'm not giving up yet." He added with what she supposed was a playful wink.

Amy checked her phone again. 8:06 PM. Shadow, hurry. She couldn't believe what she was thinking. She felt so powerless when it came to Sonic. Her mind and her resolve told her to stand up and throw his drink in his face and leave. Her legs felt like jelly, like she would collapse if she put any weight on them at all. Why did he still have this effect on her? The way her body told her she still belonged to this man, no matter how loud her mind screamed in protest, made her want to hurl.

She looked up at the blue hedgehog, who, surprisingly, was still talking. "…so, I don't think that will be a problem going forward, even though it did sting a little bit to hear it from someone other than you. Whoever the guy was, though, I promise I'll make you forget all about him, you won't even remember that you—"

"Excuse me?" She asked, face flushing red as she realized he was talking about the night she'd spent with Shadow.

Sonic sputtered for a moment. "It, it's just that, uh…"

Amy, exasperated, looked around the club again for any sign of a familiar face. She caught sight of Rouge leaving the backroom door, followed closely by none other than the ultimate lifeform himself. Amy felt relief wash over her, but as soon as they locked eyes, she felt panic again. She watched his gaze flicker between her and the hedgehog beside her before he cocked a brow. She gave him the most "help me" expression she could muster, and though he looked confused for a few seconds, he eventually started heading towards them.

"Shadow," She said warmly as he grew near, interrupting whatever nonsense Sonic was spewing.

"Good evening, Amy." He replied, eyeing Sonic curiously before flashing Amy a small smile. "You look lovely tonight."

Sonic stopped talking and simply stared at the other hedgehogs in surprise. "Shadow, what are you doing here?" He eventually asked.

"I don't suppose that's any of your business." Shadow replied coldly, pointedly taking Amy by the hand and leaning closer to her. "Why don't we get out of here? It's a little crowded in this place."

Amy only nodded. Shadow gave Sonic a shrug and pulled Amy away with him towards the door. She hadn't expected him to do something like grab her hand, and she was glad it was too dark for him to notice how red her cheeks had become.

Once they hit the cool night air, he let go of her and stuck his hands in the pockets of his black jeans. Shadow looked at her somewhat expectantly, although he didn't seem upset.

"Thanks for rescuing me." She said softly, wringing her hands as she spoke. "Sonic keeps trying to corner me."

Shadow frowned a little but sounded like he was trying to come off as sympathetic. "He's kind of a dick."

"Tell me about it. I'm sorry. Where should we go instead?"

Shadow briefly glanced around before smirking to himself. "Well, there's a little dive bar I like down the street if you still want a drink."

"I think I need one." She laughed nervously. The ebony hedgehog gestured for her to follow, and before he could put his hand back into his pocket, the girl bravely snatched it. He didn't seem to notice, other than lacing his fingers through hers as they walked. She could almost hear her own heart racing.

They walked in silence for a minute or two before he broke it. "I was glad you agreed to see me tonight. I found myself a little distressed when I noticed you with the blue one."

"Like I said, I didn't exactly want to see him." She looked at him and noticed how he cringed just a little when she said that. But why? "I was so glad you called me. Nervous, though."

"I don't know why you'd be nervous. It's just me."

"Just you." Amy repeated softly as they came to a stop in front of the door to the bar. "Don't be ridiculous, Shadow."

He seemed to ignore her comment and opened the door for her. "After you." He said with a smile.