Amy marched herself through Knothole, filled with the confidence only those determined to make a rash decision can know. She had to make it to Sally's home before her courage- however foolish- disappeared.

She raised her fist and knocked on the door, taking the small moment before Sally answered to steel herself in preparation of her reckless confession. She sucked in a deep breath and held it as the door slowly swung open.

Okay, Amy! Just say it! No fear!

She swallowed her nerves as Princess Sally Acorn, still bleary eyed and bed-headed from sleep, answered her knock.

"Oh, morning Amy," Sally yawned, smiling sweetly at the pink hedgehog as she stepped to one side. "Just in time for breakfast. I was just about to make some pancakes." She motioned for Amy to come in before she turned and headed back into the kitchen, leaving the door open for her to follow. Amy stood there frozen in the doorway as all her courage instantly drained from her.

Oh, Chaos, what am I doing?! She mentally screamed, slowly and stiffly stepping into Sally's home to follow her into the kitchen. I can't do this, not now! Abort mission!

Despite every fiber of her being telling her to turn tail and run, Amy soldered on and took a seat at the kitchen table.

Everything else about this scenario was peaceful- idyllic even. The bright sunshine streaming in through the kitchen window The smell of maple syrup and pancakes filling the whole home. Sally standing by the stove, humming softly to herself as she cooked.

The more Amy sat quietly observing the little details, the more at ease she became. Sally had always had that effect on her. Even by doing the littlest things, she could effortlessly lift Amy's spirits.

Her heart swelled and she felt a smile tugging at her lips as she watched her. She was getting caught up in the fleeting daydream of every morning being like this one- quiet, relaxed… With Sally. That's when she remembered. Sonic wanted this, too.

"Sally, I need to tell you something important!" Amy blurted out, unable to stop herself. Sally paused mid-pancake-flip and looked over her shoulder at her. The look on Amy's face must have been enough to convince her to turn off the stove and join her friend at the table.

"What is it Amy?" Sally asked gently, reaching across the table to take Amy's hand. Amy hesitated at the touch but took her hand firmly. She looked up into her blue eyes and saw genuine concern in them.

Her heart was hammering away inside her chest and her breath came short and swift- it was almost enough to distract her from finding the words she needed to say.

"Sally, I… I have feelings for you!" Amy gasped, instantly filled with a strange mixture of relief and regret. She looked away as soon as the words left her mouth. She didn't want to look Sally in the eye.

She waited anxiously for something- anything- to happen in the following moments. But instead she was met with a stunned silence. Amy bit her lip and forced herself to glance up at Sally, already starting to feel the familiar sting of tears prick at her eyes.

To her surprise, Sally didn't seem to be upset or distrubed by the news. Instead she only seemed to be taken aback- just surprised. Whatever Sally had been expecting Amy to say hadn't been enough to prepare her for this kind of bombshell.

"Oh," Sally breathed, sitting up a little straighter in her seat. Amy knew the princess well enough to notice this was her shifting into a more serious mindset. It was the same way she sat when formulating her battle plans.

Whatever plan she had come up with must have fallen apart. She let out a long sigh and pulled her hand away from Amy, bringing it up to run it through her auburn hair.

"Amy… I don't know what to say," Sally began, her voice slow and quiet.

Of course you don't, Amy thought, her heart sinking into her stomach. This was a stupid plan! What was I thinking?! She swallowed hard and stood up quickly, almost knocking her chair over behind her. She opened her mouth to say something but the only thing that came out was a high pitched, nervous laugh as she turned to leave. Sally got up and took a step towards her to take her by the arm.

"Amy-"

"No, it's- it's fine." Amy shook her head and pulled away from her, holding onto herself tightly. She looked up at her and gave her a half-hearted smile. "Really. Just… Forget I even said anything, okay?" Sally frowned and took a step back, looking down at the floor as she anxiously knitted her fingers together.

Amy bit her lip hard and spun around on her heels. Without anymore grand declarations, she left Sally alone in her home with her thoughts. For the third time in such a short span of time, Amy had to make another tough decision.

What do I do now?