"You're my weakness, my downfall, but still the best thing that I've known. Your light just saves me, my hero. Where would I be without you." - Jordyn Kane, Falling

"That would be 25.50, please"

"Huh?" I dumbly stated, snapping myself out of my thoughts. I glanced up at the cashier, the teen raccoon with her poker face stare.

"25.50 please…" she flatly repeated.

Heat rushed to my cheeks as I mumbled out an apology, my hand scrambling into the pocket of my white buttoned jacket. I gave Cream a quick glance before giving the cashier my money. Her ember eyes stared back at me, concerned. She and Cheese waited near the exit doors of the supermarket with her own shopping bag in hand. The raccoon girl finalized the sale, handing me my change. I swiftly grabbed my shopping bag and hurried to Cream's side. My face must have still worn the look of shame because the next thing I hear is..

"Amy…are you okay… I didn't want to be rude and say this but you've been daydreaming a lot today."

When a small chuckle escapes my lips, I quickly wave my free hand as if to shoo her words away. "I'm just… making sure that I got all the ingredients for the charity bake sale this weekend. It would be a pain to come back out." I lied with a smile. Cream just raised her eyebrow, while Cheese crossed their arms. Cream started to say something, but I cut her off. Anything to change the subject. "We should hurry back to my place, don't you have to meet your mother back home, before noon? I questioned, making my way past her and through the ringing exit doors. She and Cheese followed behind me back into the city of New Station Square.

The cool air swiftly hits me, swaying my hair like quills. The breeze reminds me, why I put on my fashionable jacket this morning, over my crimson turtle neck, ruffle dress, paired with my high knee beige boots. Vanilla must have had similar thoughts, as Cream is wearing her own adorable puffy light brown, zippered jacket along with her black leggings and matching Mary Jane shoes.

I take in the sight of the city before turning to the right of the sidewalk, going in the direction of my apartment. Cream hurries to my side to match my walking pace. The wind continues to brush against my face as I look around the bustling city, full of people on their daily commute to wherever they needed to be. This city was built in honor of the old Station Square many years ago. Despite the name of New Station Square City, it looked nothing like the old one. This new place had more modern looking skyscrapers and artistic looking buildings. Some had different flares of color, like reds, blues or golds. To be honest, I think I actually prefer this newer version of my old home, it's more beautiful and cultured.

"Is that the park where the Spice Festival is taking place this weekend?" Cream gushed, pointing to the nearby area, coming into our view.

I look over to see that the park's city lamps are decorated in small red and yellow banners saying "The 3rd Annual Spice Festival". There are round shaped orange and yellow lanterns hanging on every other tree that seemingly lead into the center of the park. The leaves of the trees were already in different color shades of yellows, oranges and reds. I can see why Cream was in awe, the scene before me was breathtaking. I can only imagine how stunning it's really going to look when the night festival starts.

" Yeah it is! The city council decided to do it in Meadow's Park this year." I beamed, still admiring the decorations.

" I heard Mr. Sonic is going to be one of the judges for the chili contest."

I whipped my head to look at Cream, feeling my mouth gap as my eyes widened. There was a moment of silence between us. Her once excited face slowly turned into a frown. "I thought... you knew…." She trailed off. I feel the heat rise to my cheeks. I looked away from Cream before she could notice the water forming in my eyes. I held back the incoming tears. Of course, that jerk! Sonic tells everyone he was coming to town except me… And here I thought things were changing between us after we fought that awful war against Eggman. But after what he did on my birthday I can't help but..

Cream interrupts my overloaded thoughts and feelings, calling my attention back to reality. "I'm sorry…I wasn't trying to make you upset. Maybe...Sonic forgot to tell you. You are one of his closest friends, I'm sure he didn't mean it."

"Friend?" I think to myself. It almost feels like a knife to the gut. I know I shouldn't feel like that but somehow it does. I know Cream meant well but her words weren't making me feel better. She didn't know better. She didn't know what was happening between me and Sonic for the past couple of months. She didn't know what almost happened at my birthday party. I didn't tell her. I told no one and I could bet money that Sonic wasn't telling anyone either, not even Tails.

" Tails was the one who told me and mama last week, after he came to do an oil checkup for Gemerl." Cream stated. I scrunched my nose and looked at my walking feet.

"Oh… so Sonic has been around town long enough to tell Tails." I mumbled. There was a long silence between us until I felt Cream's hand on my shoulder. I was met with her sympathetic eyes paired with a small smile. "I'm sure you'll get to see Sonic during the festival, you can spend time with him then." I blinked at her. If only she knew what was really going on but I don't want to worry her anymore than I already have, so I returned her smile. "You know what, you're right Cream, I'll have my chance at the festival this weekend." I nodded. Her smile widened in approval.

Before anything else was said, we realized we made it back to my apartment complex. Cream and I were surprised to see Gemerl waiting at the entrance, inspecting his surroundings. "Gemerl!" Cream shouted, running up to him. I don't know any better but I guessed the noises of the city were overloading his computerized senses. He kept rapidly looking around like he was about to be attacked. I giggled at his innocence. I know all too well how an A.I robot can be super smart and naïve at the same time. It reminds me of a robot friend I used to know long ago…

Once he noticed Cream and I approaching him, he stood still, then grabbed Cream's shopping bag from her hand in his robotic fashion. "Cream and Cheese retrieval complete. Area's danger probability is at 30%. Affected by overcrowding and automotive vehicles. Must bring Cream and Cheese home to Vanilla Rabbit immediately." Cream and I just blinked at each other before we started giggling. "You're too funny Gemerl. A city is normally like this, it's my new home." I mused. "Cream's not in danger here. If there was any danger, I got my trusty hammer with me at all times." I said, pointing a proud thumb at my chest. My best friend and her chao nodded in agreement.

"Amy Rose is a fighter and trusted companion. Danger probability now at 2%." I chuckle at his words and take them as a compliment. "Thanks Gemerl." I turn to Cream, giving her my sweetest smile.

" Well it looks like your mom wants you back now. I'll see you at your house on Saturday, to get ready for the bake sale."

I give her a loving hug, which she returns in her warmth. When I pull away, she's pouting. "I wish I could stay longer and go with you to the pumpkin patch today. But Mama made a playdate for me with Charmy. He's coming over with Vector at noon." My ears perk up and I don't blink. I feel myself starting to smirk. She continues.

"Vector is helping Mama move furniture around. He's been coming over a lot lately, so I get to play with Charmy. It's so nice for Mama to make a new best friend." Cream beams excitedly. I have to hold in a laugh as I know Cream is still a little young to understand what might be really happening between her mother and Vector. Is love in the air for those two? I'm super curious but I don't want to pry…for now. I guess time will tell… At least someone I know is getting some action in the romance department…I shake the thought.

I give Cream, Cheese and Gemerl my final goodbyes before seeing them fly off into the bright sky. I finally headed inside my building where the automatic doors lead me into the ivory and golden decorated, luxurious lobby. There's even a wishing water fountain in the middle. I can't help but grin every time I come back to my home, it's amazing. This complex even has a gym so I could do my boxercising. I'm so grateful that I was able to get a place like this. It made me feel like one of those A list movie stars.

I made my way to the gleaming elevators, where I was lifted to the 11h floor and then entered apartment #1122.

"I'm home." I said out loud, closing the door behind me. Only silence replied. I know that sounds sad but the way I looked at it, it gave me a sense of this place belonging to me, a place to truly be myself and to be mentally at peace. That sense of inner peace made me smile. The living room is the first area I see upon walking in. It's fully furnished with soft pinks and Halloween colored decorations, some even handcrafted by me. What makes the room even more beautiful is the huge glass wall leading to the balcony. It gave me the entire view of the city, Meadow Park's fall colored trees and the beautiful snow capped mountains that lay further away. I continued to smile in pride as I made my way through the area to get to the kitchen with my groceries. Passing the suede couch, I noticed Cream left her cute beanie hat. I guess I'll have to bring that to her Saturday.

I continued to pass by looking at the many pictures of me and my friends on the wall, until I stopped at one particular picture. I felt my ears drop, my cheerful demeanor subsiding. It was a photo of me and Sonic embracing at the Resistances headquarters during the war. The day he came back alive after being locked up by Eggman for 6 months. I remember not letting anyone speak a word before I ran to hug him, as soon as he set foot into the room. Tears of relief streaming down my face as I buried it into his warm peach chest. I had to hear his heartbeat as it was proof that MY heart was never wrong about him being alive, despite everyone else thinking he was most likely dead. Sonic had a small smile in the picture. I still hear the words he whispered to me. "I'm sorry I worried you, Amy. I promise things will get better from here, we'll win." He said it with such softness and care. It's a side of him that I hardly ever get to see. Silver must've thought it was a tender moment too and ended up taking the photo without anyone noticing. He gave it to me as a gift before leaving for his own timeline. Prickly tears started to well up in my eyes as I remembered what Silver said when he handed me the picture.

" You were the only one who truly had faith in Sonic, despite everything. Never lose that faith. It's gonna help you more than you know." There was a knowingness in his smile as he hugged me goodbye. I tried to press him further for what he meant but all he said as he was flying off " I can't tell ya, but just take my advice, okay!" He gave me a bright smile and like that, he was gone.

It's been a year and a half since the resistance disbanded and yet I find myself doing the opposite of Silver's advice. I've been questioning my faith…..if Sonic and I are really meant to be. What does Sonic really want from me or if he even wants more than just…..being his "friend"?

Ever since I met Sonic at Never Lake, there was no doubt in my heart or mind that he was my true love. My tarot cards have told me over and over again with the 10 of cups, the world and the lovers card always coming up in such readings. Despite my deep faith in this, just like when everyone thought Sonic was dead, other people would try to discredit my feelings. I've heard it all, over the years, "She's a stalker." She's just a fangirl." "I don't even know why Sonic even puts up with her." "He's never gonna love her." "She should give up". I can go on and on but I didn't let their words affect me. I was following my heart on what I knew to be true, even if others didn't see it yet. I let no one shake my faith about Sonic… until it was caused by Sonic himself. I looked at the floor, in silence as unpleasant memories started to fill my mind.

I lightly shook my head to snap myself out of my thoughts as I wiped the small tears from my eyes with my free hand. Refusing to keep moping about Sonic, I pushed the unease down to go concentrate on something else.

"I'm not gonna let Sonic keep me down." I say to myself.

With new determination, I went into my wood inspired, industrial kitchen, opened up one of the cabinets and started putting away the ingredients for my very popular pumpkin spice cheesecake. I'm baking other autumn inspired items for the event, such as my double crusted apple pie and my pumpkin torte but it was the cheesecake that stole the show. It raised more money than any other baked goods we had. I had to make sure I got more than enough ingredients for the multiple cheesecakes I'm doing this year. All that is left is getting all the fresh pumpkins I need from the Pumpkin Patch. Vanilla, Cream and I started participating in the charity bake sale last year. The bake sale is during the Spice festival to raise awareness and money for the people who are still being affected after the war. In fact the whole festival is to raise money for charities that are helping with relief efforts to rebuild areas that were hit hard during the battle. It's a great way for me to help others using one of my favorite hobbies. My heart warms thinking of all the fun Vanilla, Cream, Cheese and I had last year with all the baking we did. I'm sure this year will be more fun and hopefully I'll get more details on what's going between Vector and Vanilla. I feel myself smirk, scheming different ways to get the scope on those possible lovebirds without looking nosy.

I would have continued my scheming if it wasn't for a knock at the door. I stopped putting my groceries away as I heard the light knocking continue. "That's gotta be Cream and Gemerl coming back for her hat. That's so funny, I was just thinking about her too." I giggled out loud. I had a feeling she might.

I grabbed Cream's beanie hat on my way to the door. I quickly turned the knobs to open it. " I knew you would come... back." My heart stopped, too late to take back my words as I looked at my visitor.

"Did ya now?" He chuckled out. A small beautiful bouquet of orange and red primroses in his right hand. My nose immediately noticed the flowers as they smelled freshly picked with it's strong sweet fragrance. His emerald eyes piercing mine made the heat rush to my muzzle. He must have noticed how flustered I was becoming because his lips curved into a devilish smirk he was well known for. His bright eyes gleamed as he continued to stare back at me.

"Sonic…" I finally muttered.