Party Hardly


(Ayla's POV)

*A few days have gone by since Chris's parents came home. Nelson had already gone back to his company, but Lindsey was still here. Right now, me, Cream & Cheese were in Chris's room. He was just about to leave for school*

Chris: Now remember you three. Stay inside while I'm gone, ok.

Cream: Kay.

Cheese: Chao.

Ayla: You got it.

Chris: I'll see you later.

*As soon as Chris left the room, Cream & Cheese looked at each other & sighed. They then went out to the balcony*

Cream: I don't wanna stay inside. I wanna go outside and play.

*I understood how she felt. I didn't want to stay cooped up either, but Chris didn't want his family to find out about us just yet, so we had to stay hidden. "I was about to go sit on the bed & read a book when Cream & Cheese ran past me & headed towards the door*

Ayla: Where are you two going?

Cream: We're going outside to pick some flowers.

Cheese: Chao-Chao!

Ayla: Don't you remember what Chris said? We have to stay hidden.

Cream: Please, Ms. Ayla?

Cheese: Chao-Chao?

*They both gave me puppy dog eyes. One of my weaknesses (my other weaknesses are my family & friends, my hoverboard, & spicy food)*

Ayla: Ok, but, just for a few minutes

Cream: Yay!

Cheese: Chao!

Ayla:*in her mind* I'm sorry, Chris.

*The next thing I knew we were outside. I stood behind Cream & watched her pick flowers. It made me think of back home on Mobius*


(Flashback)

*Tails & I were taking a walk together when we saw Cream in a field of flowers*

Tails: Hi Cream.

Ayla: Watcha doing there?

*She turned to us with a bouquet of flowers*

Cream: I'm gonna surprise my Mom by making her a crown out of flowers.


(Present Time)

*I started wondering how Cream's Mom was doing. I bet she's worried about us, especially Cream. I was also thinking about my brother's childhood friend/girlfriend, Sally (I'm still surprised Amy clings to Sonic even though he's off the market). Suddenly a blue streak went by us & headed off towards the horizon. I knew right away that it was my brother. He was probably going on another one of his runs. I turned around & saw Tails & Amy watching us from the garage window. I waved to them & they waved back*


(Gotta Go Fast!)

(Ayla's Theme song - Better in Stereo - Liv and Maddie)


(Ayla's POV)

Cream: I think we have enough flowers.

*As we snuck back inside & headed back to Chris' room, we passed the dining room. I cringed as the smell of smoke filled my nose. We peeked inside & saw the table filled with burnt food. Chris sat next to table looking glum & Lindsey stood next to him wearing a pink stained apron & holding a plate of burnt pancakes with a smile on her face*

Lindsey: It's marvelous to be back in the kitchen again. On my movie sets, the chefs won't let me cook a thing. Here are your buttermilk pancakes, dear. Enjoy.

*Chris picked up one of the pancakes & it crumbled in his hands*

Ayla:*in her mind* And I thought I was a bad cook.

*Suddenly, I head footsteps running down the hall. I grabbed Cream & Cheese & we hid behind a nearby vase. Ella ran into the dining room*

Ella: Oh my! I smell something burning! Oh!

*We peeked back in*

Lindsey: Oh, Ella, it's so good to be home again! I have an idea! Let's have a big party!

Chris: Party?

Lindsey: Yes, a dinner party tonight! We can all dress up! I'm sure Ella can prepare something absolutely scrumptious!

Chris: A party's a great idea, Mom. And do you think you could invite your brother Sam to come over since he's my favorite Uncle?

Lindsey: Of course darling, you can have anything you want! *she gave Chris a big hug* Anything at all for my adorable baby boy!

*I started feeling a little jealous again*

Ella: If we're having a party tonight, this calls for heavy duty cleaning. Time to clear some clutter!

*She rolled up her sleeves & ran out of the room*

Cream: Wow, a party! This is great! I love parties!

*I saw Lindsey about to look up, so I grabbed Cream & Cheese again & ran all the way back to Chris's room. As soon as we got there, I put them down & gave them a stern look*

Ayla: You need to be more careful, Cream. If Mrs. Thorndyke had seen us, we'd have been in big trouble.

Cream: I'm sorry.

Cheese: Chao-Chao.

*I sighed. I couldn't stay mad at them*


*About an hour later, I was lying on Chris's bed, reading a book, while Cheese was watching Cream make flower crowns. But she soon ran out*

Cream: This crown doesn't have enough flowers. We'd better pick more.

*She jumped off the bed & ran out of the room before I could stop her*

Ayla:*in her mind* Babysitting can be a real workout.

*I quickly ran after her & Cheese. I found them at the bottom of the stairs, looking into the living room. I looked & saw Lindsey putting up decorations for the party*

Cream: Maybe I can help decorate for the party.

*The next thing I knew, I had somehow been talked into helping them make paper chains. I didn't really mind. It brought me back to when I was little. Sonic & I would play together like this for hours. Later, we made our way back to the living room. Just then, I heard the front door open. I looked & saw Chris*

Chris: Hey, I'm home!

Mr. Tanaka: How was school today, Master Christopher?

Chris: It was pretty good, Mr. Tanaka.

*Lindsey ran over & wrapped him in a hug*

Lindsey: Oh, Chris, darling, you're home!

Chris: Uh, I hope it's okay, but my teacher, Mr. Stewart's coming over today to visit. And it sounds like he's a really big fan of your movies, Mom.

Lindsey: That reminds me. What am I going to wear? I should have had the studio send over a gown.

Chuck: I feel sorry for dogs. *I looked & saw Chuck coming down the stairs, wearing a black suit* How do they stand it? This collar's killing me.

*I giggled. He looked a little silly in it*

Chris: How come you're wearing those clothes, Grandpa?

Chuck: Mr. Tanaka said I couldn't wear my lab coat to the party. I don't see why not.

Chris:*whispering* Hey Grandpa, when you see Sonic and the others, can you ask them to please stay out of sight until Mr. Stewart and my Uncle go away?

Chuck: I know that Amy and Tails are up in my room, but I haven't seen Sonic, Ayla or Cream and Cheese all day.

*Suddenly, they heard Cream humming & started to turn around. They gasped & turned around fully when they saw Cream & Cheese hanging their paper chain on the ceiling lamp & me standing next to the door. I gave them both an apologetic smile*

Chris: It's Cream, Cheese, and Ayla!

Lindsey: Is something wrong?

*While they kept Lindsey busy, I tried to persuade Cream & Cheese to leave.

Ayla: Cream, I really think we should go now.

Cream: I'm almost done.

Cheese: Chao-Chao.

*Just then, Chris ran into the room*

Chris: What are you guys doing here, Cream?

*Suddenly, I saw Ella about to enter the room with a laundry basket. Chris grabbed Cream, I grabbed Cheese, & we all ducked behind the couch*

Ella: Mrs. Thorndyke decorates like a little kid.

*As soon as she was gone, I sighed in relief*

Chris: Cream, I asked you and Ayla to stay upstairs so nobody would see you.

Cream: That room is boring. But we only wanted to help you get ready for your party.

Ayla: I'm sorry, Chris, I tried to stop them.

Mr. Tanaka: Master Chris understands. *Chris & I both flinched* It is very thoughtful of you to help us get ready, Ms. Cream.

Chris: Mr, Tanaka, you know about these guys?

Mr. Tanaka: Of course.

Ayla:*in her mind* This guy's sharper then I thought.

Chris: You knew all along. Do you think you could help me and Grandpa keep this a secret for right now?

Mr. Tanaka: I will.

*Chris & I both sighed in relief*

Chris: Thanks a lot.

Ayla: Ok, I'll just grab these two and we'll - AAGH!

*I looked down & gasped I saw Cream & Cheese were gone. Chris looked where I was & gasped too*

Chris: Hold on! They're gone!

Ayla: Ok, let's split up & find them. As soon as you find them, take them back to your room.

*He nodded & we both ran our separate ways*


*I looked all through the downstairs, but so far nothing. Suddenly, I heard a scream coming from the kitchen. I went into the room & saw Cream & Cheese standing in the middle of the room with the blender & the mixer sending food flying everywhere. Careful not to get any food splashed on me, I turned off the machines, grabbed Cream & Cheese, & ran out of the room. We made it to the upstairs hallway, when I heard Ella scream, probably from the mess in the kitchen. I put Cream & Cheese down & glared at them. They both looked down, ashamed.

Ayla: Do you two have any idea how close we were to getting caught?

Cream: We're sorry. We were just trying to help.

Cheese: Chao-Chao.

*We started to walk down the hallway back to Chris' room, when we heard a ringing sound. It was coming from a nearby room. We looked in & saw Lindsey on the phone*

Lindsey: Hello?" *gasps* "What's that? The starring role? I'll catch the next plane! *she suddenly got serious* Oh, actually I'm having a little party for my son tonight. I'm afraid I'll have to leave tomorrow morning. Oh, I didn't realize, we have to shoot on location first thing tomorrow morning. I know you can't put a hundred million dollar production on hold for a party. I'll leave immediately. Goodbye. *she hung up the phone & turned off the lights on her vanity* Why does it always have to happen this way? I don't even have time to spend with my little boy. I may be a great actress, but I'm a terrible Mother. *she put her face in her hands & started crying* Please forgive me, Christopher.

*Cream, Cheese, & I both gave her sad looks. I started to walk away & Cream & Cheese followed me*

Ayla: We should find Chris and tell him.

*Cream nodded & we headed down the hallway. We made our way to the living room, when Ella & Chris walked into the room. An adult human male holding a bouquet of red roses walked into the room I grabbed Cream & Cheese & we hide in one of the curtains*

Ella: Sit down. *the man noticed the paper chain on the lamp. I'd forgotten about that* Do you like it? Mrs. Thorndyke isn't only a great actress, but an artist too.

Mr. Stewart: Well, it's great. I can't wait to meet Chris's mother and give her my compliments.

Ella: I'm very sorry, Mr. Stewart, but just before you arrived, she was offered an important movie part and she had to leave right away to start filming.

Chris: No way!

Mr. Stewart: Oh, well that is too bad. I was really looking forward to meeting her in person. Hmm, I guess I'll offer these to you, then.

*He gave Ella the bouquet*

Ella: Oh! Why thank you, Mr. Stewart! What beautiful roses! I'll put them in some- *suddenly I heard a crash right next to me. I looked & saw that Chuck had fallen out of the window* What was that?

*I turned to Mr. Stewart & saw him pull a small black box out of his pocket. He started fiddling with a painting*

Chuck: Ha ha, sorry Ella. I was just leaning out the window and I fell out and knocked the pots down.

Ella: I don't know what you think you're up to, but you better be on your best behavior. Because Chris' teacher is here.

Chuck: Oh! I better come in and say hi.

*He started to climb in through the window*

Ella: Oh sir, why can't you just use the front door like everybody else?

Chuck: One way in as a good as another.

*Suddenly, Chris gave a shout of surprise. No doubt, he saw our feet poking out from the curtains*

Ella: What's the matter, Chris? Why did you scream?

Chris: Uh, duh . . . It's nothing.

Mr. Stewart: Well my, this certainly is an extraordinary painting.

*Suddenly, Cream, Cheese, & I saw Sonic land on a tree branch outside, holding a bouquet of daisies*

Ayla:*in her mind* So that's where he went. *he pointed the far side of the mansion & jumped away. Cream started to walk away**out loud**whispering* Wait! Cream! What are you doing!?

*She didn't seem to hear me as she left*

Cream: Thanks, Sonic. Guess what, Sonic went out and picked a whole bunch of pretty flowers just for me. *Ella picked her up* You can have some too if you want.

Ella: Oh . . . I can't . . . Is this little animal talking?

Chuck: Talking animals? What a joke!

Mr. Tanaka: Yes, that's some joke.

Mr. Stewart: Love this painting.

Chris: Thanks for finding my stuffed animal toy for me, Ella. Can I have it back now?

Ella: Toy?! *she gave him Cream* Look, I heard that thing talking and nobody's going to convince me otherwise! If this is some kind of joke, then you better quit before I do!

Sam Speed:*off-screen* Hey hey!

*My eyes widened*

Ayla:*in her mind* That voice! No way! It can't be!

Sam Speed: Ha ha, hey, where's the party?

*I peeked through the curtains & my eyes widened when I saw the "Highway Star" come into the room*


(Flashback)

Sam Speed: They call me the 'Highway Star. *he looked at Sonic* So even if you think you're the fastest thing around. *he glared at him* Think again!


(Present Time)

*I never would have imagined that guy was Chris' Uncle*

Chris: Uncle Sam, this is my teacher, Mr. Stewart!

*He & Mr. Stewart shook hands*

Mr. Stewart: A pleasure. I understand you're involved in the Highway Patrol somehow.

Sam Speed: Well, I don't like to brag, but I'm the leader of the S Team.

Chuck: That statement is only half correct.

Mr. Stewart: Really?

Chris: My Uncle drives fast. No other driver's quick enough to catch him! That's why he's called the Speed King. You came up with the name yourself, didn't you?

Sam Speed: Sure. A little self-promotion never hurt anybody! Ha, ha, ha! Let's cut the chitchat and get this party moving. It's too slow!

Ella: And your mouth is too fast.

Ayla:*in her mind* Glad I'm not the only one who finds him annoying.

Sam Speed: Ha! I can't help it that I like speed. I've always been fast, I even beat the doctor to the delivery room. I was the only kid in town who had a five-speed transmission in my baby carriage.

Ayla:*in her mind* And l thought Vector was a motor mouth.

Sam Speed: There's only one guy who's faster. *I knew right away he was talking about my brother* I never saw anything move that fast, but don't you worry, I'll catch up with him someday!

Mr. Stewart: Really? What did he look like?

Sam Speed: It's weird, but he looked like a blue hedgehog. And there was blue girl hedgehog with him that had a purple - huh? *he looked towards the window. I turned around & saw Sonic waving at Sam from the tree* Hey! There he is! *I sent Sonic a glare. he gave me a nervous smile, held up his hands in defense, & jumped away* There did you see?! It was the blue hedgehog I was talking about!

Mr. Stewart: Sorry, I was just admiring this painting.

Ayla:*in her mind* Would you knock it off with the painting already.

Chuck: I didn't see anything, did you?

Mr. Tanaka: Perhaps your eyes were playing tricks on you, sir.

Sam Speed: But I'm telling ya, I saw it! You saw it too, Chris, didn't you? *Chris didn't answer* I saw it! My eyes don't lie! That thing waved at me and ran off!

Ella: You know, they thought I was crazy too when I heard that animal talking.

Sam Speed: Animal talking? Well, I didn't hear it say anything, but I'm sure it could understand what I said. We both saw the same creature! That proves that I'm not crazy.

Ella: The animal I heard is over there.

Chris: You know, I'm sorry Mom can't be here for the party, but she got a phone call and had to leave to make a movie. I was pretty mad. Mr. Stewart was looking forward to meeting her, but she went away before he even got here. That was pretty rude, huh?

Sam Speed: That sounds like my sister alright.

*Suddenly, Cream jumped out of Chris's arms*

Cream: You're wrong! Your Mom felt very badly that she had to go and she tried to find you to say goodbye. You're lucky. You get to talk to your Mom all the time on the phone. I can't do that!

*She ran out of the room in tears. While everyone was distracted, I climbed out of the window & ran after Cream. I felt the same way she did. Chris wasn't being fair to Lindsey. She wanted to stay, but she didn't know how to say "No". It was probably the same with Nelson. I ran into the garage & went up to Chuck's room. I found Cream sitting on the bed crying. Amy & Cheese were trying to comfort her. Sonic & Tails were standing nearby, looking at her sad. They all turned to me when I entered the room. Cream got up from the bed, ran over to me, & cried on my shoulder. I held her tight, crying a little myself*


*That evening, Chris told us that he, Chuck, & Mr. Tanaka had told Ella about us, so we didn't need to hide anymore. I was so glad that we had more freedom now. Right now, Me, Sonic, & Chris were watched Cream, Cheese, & Ella bonding in the kitchen*

Ella: So the only nutty thing in my kitchen is my pecan pie. What a relief! I'm so happy that you don't have to hide from me anymore, sweetie.

Cream: Yeah. We can be friends and I can help you out in the kitchen.

Ella: You're such a dear. I'm sure your Mother misses you terribly.

*She started to cry*

Cream: Please don't worry. Sonic and my friends will find a way to get us all back home and you can take care of me until then.

Ella: I will, Cream, I will.

Cream: Thank you, Ella.

Sonic: Now that Ella knows we're here, we can have the run of this place.

Chris: Sure.

*He suddenly got sad & walked away*

Ayla: Chris?

*We followed him back to his room*

Sonic: What's wrong? Why are you sad?

Chris: I didn't mean it when I complained about my Mom missing the party, but Cream got really angry. I didn't even think about how bad she misses her Mother. I . . . Just hope she doesn't stay mad at me.

Sonic: Don't worry. It'll be okay.

Ayla: Yeah. Cream's not the type to hold a grudge.

*Cream came into the room holding two flower crowns*

Cream: Hello Chris. I made this especially for you. Do you want to put it on?

*She put in on his head*

Chris: Wow, thank you.

Cream: You can wear it to school and tell your friends that I made it for you. *she turned to me* I made this one for you, Ms. Ayla. To thank you for being my big sister. *I smiled, got down on one knee, & she put it on my head* You look really pretty. Now I'm gonna give Ella her flowers.

*She ran out of the room*

Sonic: Way to go, buddy. Cream will only give her flower crowns to the people who she really likes a lot, like you.

Chris: Really? You think she likes me?

Ayla: You better believe it.

*I smiled. We were all now one big happy family*