Chapter 2: I'll Be Home For Christmas

"Ahhh, what a wonderful day."

I back and forth between the rooms of my house like an idiot. Fortunately, I had the place to myself for the evening and I liked it that way.

Call me a loner. Anti-social. Whatever.

A little quality time with no one except me, myself, and I never hurt anybody.

"And now for some food. What have we got?" I conversed with myself as I was treated to an outstanding dinner of lasagna flavored Hamburger Helper. After dinner I leaned back in my favorite chair, pulled a thick blanket over myself and settled in for a quiet night of TV and music.

"Well this sucks." I said quite loudly after I was done watching Wheel of Fortune.

I was tired of watching TV.

Maybe my brain was just getting bored? So I got up and walked around the house for about fifteen minutes.

"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea?" I told myself as I looked at my pitiful excuse for a Christmas tree on my kitchen table.

It was one of those dinky little white trees that barely has the strength to hold up two ornaments.

I sighed quite noticeably. I didn't really have much choice. I know they invited me, but I didn't want to intrude on Rouge, Knuckles, and Shadow's trip, and I know I would just get in the way of Cream's and Tails' cutesy mushy sappiness.

And of course there was Amy.

Even though the earliest things I remember about growing up are from that orphanage, I guess I have to admit Christmas didn't feel the same without some people to share it with.

Maybe that's why I didn't bother to talk to Amy this week?

"Beep. Beep Beep. Beep."

I flung my bedroom door open as my answering machine invaded my thoughts. I pressed the button as I flopped onto my bed.

"You have four messages. Message one: Hey Sonic, how's your holiday going? But, what day isn't a holiday for you right? What are you doing this week? Are you going over to Cream's on Christmas Eve? Give me a call if are. Bye."

"Message two: Sonic. I guess I missed you again. Did you go out on vacation? Well, if you did, have fun."

"Message three: Hey Sonic. It's Cream. If you want to, come over to my apartment tonight around five for dinner with me and Tails and Amy. Merry Christmas!"

"Message four: Hey, it's just Amy aga—"

I hit the stop button. Then the erase button.

"Gahhhhhhhhh!" I rolled back and forth on top of my covers. "Why does this bother me so much? Am I lonely? Why in the world did I listen to those messages again?"

I shook my head trying to find an answer. I groaned as I sat back down in front of the TV and watched the same shows and listened to the same music again.

Before long, I noticed it was about eleven o'clock, and that's bedtime for me. I went to the kitchen and got a glass of milk first and saw the snow falling through my window. I paused for a moment and admired the scenery outside.

See, even someone as shallow and superficial as me can enjoy something like that. I thought ruefully.

I sighed again as I had resorted to talking to myself as I headed to my room and got into bed. I laid down on my back and looked at the ceiling, knowing it would be a long time before I feel asleep.

After another fifteen or so minutes of awkward silence I reached for the remote and turned on the TV.

"Damn telethon." I muttered as I tossed the remote at the table.

Still, the soothing glow of the television was a great comfort. I stared at it mindlessly for a few minutes and rolled over onto my stomach.

"Knock! Knock! Knock!"

My eyes shot open and my heart raced as I was awakened by the unexpected and I'll admit, somewhat scary noise.

I stepped out of bed quietly and headed toward the center of my house. I tried not to make a sound, hoping whatever it was might just go away. I stood on the chilly tile floor. I flipped on the light over my front steps and glanced through the peephole. I quickly opened the door and saw the snow falling behind Amy's nervous face.

To Be Continued…