Keep It Crescendo
Chapter 5: Dinner Drama
Eh heh, yikes.
As I stated in my update back in January, this chapter was a PAIN to write. But I've luckily taken these last few months planning this story and it should be finished this summer. I'm finally done with this year of university! I'm hoping I finish this before the next school year starts. For now, enjoy!
Sonic fidgeted nervously as he played with his dress shirt.
"If you keep messing with your shirt it's going to end up wrinkled," Tails pointed out as he and Sonic walked toward Eggman Studios.
"I can't help it Tails! You heard what my dad said! If this all ends in disaster not only will he be proven right, I'll also be stuck in an office for the rest of my life!"
"Let's change the subject then, you're coming to the dinner tonight right?"
"Of course! Wouldn't miss it for the world, who was hosting again?"
"Rouge, goodness Cream is so excited!"
Sonic patted Tails on his back, "Bro, you're a mess."
"Shut up!" Tails said as he swatted Sonic's hand away while chuckling.
As they approached the studio, Sonic took a deep breathe.
"Here goes..." Sonic said. "What are you going to do while you wait?"
"I'm going to go visit the record store to see if I can find anything cool," Tails said. "Good luck buddy!"
Sonic nodded as he walked into the studio.
"Are you Sonic the Hedgehog?" the secretary immediately asked.
"Yes, I'm here for my appointment."
"Go right on ahead."
Sonic nodded and knocked on the door to Eggman's office.
"Come in."
Sonic walked in and Eggman immediately greeted him.
"Sonic! What a pleasure!"
"Good morning Dr. Eggman," Sonic greeted as he shook Eggman's hand.
"Likewise Sonic, take a seat," Eggman said as Sonic sat down.
"So Sonic, from what I've seen you are an amazing dancer. This is more of an interview where I question your loyalty and drive to get things done. Tell me, why do you want to work here?"
"It's always been my dream to be a choreographer. You are actually the only person who has believed that I can do that, which is why I'll work very hard to not disappoint you."
"That is very relieving to hear, I'm glad you are aware of what I had to do to get you here."
Sonic nodded, understanding that Eggman has done a lot for him.
He didn't want to let him down.
"I have one concern that I would like to notify you on. With every business comes competition, and that studio across the street is one of them."
Studio?
Sonic must have been so busy worrying about the interview that he must've missed noticing there was a studio across the street.
"That studio is the most popular studio in the State, we are marked 2nd, which is completely embarrassing considering that it's only a small business ran by one 24 year old girl."
"How could ONE studio override this one?" Sonic asked, obviously confused, Eggman Studios was one of the best studios in the country.
"Because of their choreographer. Who happens to be the same 24 year old that I just mentioned. She's amazing according to reviewers. But it doesn't matter, we need to put our names back on that map! And you're going to help me."
"I'll come up with dance moves that will be incomparable to hers, I promise you!" Sonic exclaimed.
"I have no doubt about that, now, I have a few conditions for you."
Tails walked across the street and was bewildered with the sight of another dance studio.
"Keep It Crescendo Studio? Interesting," he said as he looked from Eggman Studios and back. "Ironic that they're across the street from each other."
"Welcome to Shadow's Records. Can I help you with anything?"
Tails turned and noticed a black and red hedgehog standing by the cash register in the records store.
"Oh, no, just browsing around," Tails said as he scratched the back of his head.
Shadow nodded and went back to counting the money.
Tails looked back at the Keep It Crescendo Studio, wondering why it was so intriguing for him.
"Nice studio isn't it?" Shadow asked as Tails turned. "My best friend works there."
"Really?" Tails asked as he approached Shadow. "What do they do?"
"She is the head choreographer, she opened the business herself."
"That's amazing! Yeah I was just curious as to why two different studios were right across from each other."
"It was the only place she could find unfortunately. But it hasn't been easy for her. Eggman Studios has been trying to shut her down ever since her studio was ranked Number 1 in the whole state."
Tails blinked in amusement, "Really? Wow Eggman didn't seem like that type of person when I met him."
"Well if you see him again you didn't hear it from me. But he's not a good man, his studio is as corrupted as his business."
"Well that's very worrying! My friend is at an interview right now for a choreography job!"
Shadow blinked in surprise, but his face then faded back to normal. "Your friend doesn't know what they're getting themselves into. That, I can guarantee."
"Thanks for the info, I'll let him know," Tails then looked down and widened his eyes at a Beatles CD.
Cream will love this!
"May I get that Beatles CD?" Tails asked as Shadow nodded and made the transaction.
"So if you betray me, I will not only take the money back from your father, I will also make sure that nobody hires you in any other studio. Understood? I am not a man to be messed with."
"I understand sir," Sonic said as he nodded at Eggman's conditions.
"Remember, if you meet the choreographer across the street and her little friends. I swear to you, that they'll try to bad talk me and my studio. They are only trying to brainwash you so that you can betray me and they can remain at the top. Don't let them get to your head!"
Sonic nodded.
"Good, I'm glad we're seeing eye to eye. Let's shake on it," Eggman said as he extended his hand, Sonic gladly taking it.
"Now sign here, with your signature you're basically confirming everything I just told you."
Sonic read the contract, "It says here that half of the money from my annual salary will go to my dad and his Corporation."
"Mhm."
"My dad has borrowed $100,000 from you!"
"And that's the amount you'll get annually from working with me."
"That means I'll be working here for two years... since half of the money will be going to me."
"Or more if I decide to add interest."
Sonic widened his eyes but nodded as he signed the document.
Eggman snatched away the document and put it away. "Now that we got that taken care of, welcome to The Eggman Studios Team!"
Sonic smiled as he shook Eggman's hand, "You won't be disappointed!"
Sonic came out of the studio at the same time Tails came out of the record store.
As Tails crossed the street Sonic glanced at the studio across the street, their supposed competition.
"Keep It Crescendo Studio... where have I heard that before?" Sonic asked himself.
"How did it go Sonic?" Tails asked as Sonic shrugged.
"Eggman is a little intimidating but I got the job."
"How so?" Tails asked, concerned and thinking back to what the hedgehog at the record store was telling him.
"My contract with him is for two years, he's paying me $100,000 a year and I'm expected to pay my father's loan out of that salary. So technically it's $50,000 a year. He also warned me to not betray him or else he would take the money loaned to my father back and he said something else about making sure I wouldn't get hired in some other studio."
Tails gave his friend a concerned look, "You didn't accept did you?"
"I did, why?"
Tails cringed as he shook his head, "The guy who worked at the record store told me to warn you because Eggman meant bad news..."
Sonic waved his hand in dismissal, "Eggman told me something like that would happen. He told me to ignore anyone who bad talks him because usually the people who do are the people who favor that studio," Sonic said as he pointed at Keep It Crescendo. "It'll be okay buddy, trust me."
"If you say so Sonic, I have to go, I agreed to take Cream out to buy a dress for tonight!"
Sonic nodded as Tails waved and departed, leaving Sonic to his thoughts.
Could Tails be right, did I make a mistake signing that contract?
Sonic looked across the street at the studio he was competing with, "Wouldn't hurt to check out the competition."
Sonic stood up and headed toward the studio, just as he was about to enter, the same pink hedgehog from the night before walked out of the door and locked it.
"You?"
Amy jumped, startled with the foreign voice as she turned and stood face to face with the blue hedgehog.
"You again? Sonic right?"
Sonic nodded as he looked at the studio. "Do you practice here?" he asked as Amy shook her head.
"Honey, no, I run it," she said as she winked.
"You have your own studio!?"
"Jealous?"
"Maybe..." Sonic said as he crossed his arms. "But it doesn't really matter, the studio I'm in is going to mop the floor with yours."
"Really?" Amy sarcastically said as she rolled her eyes. "Tell me, what IS the studio you choreograph in?"
Sonic motioned his thumb to Eggman Studios causing Amy to widen her eyes.
"ARE YOU CRAZY!? What in your right mind made you think it was a good idea to work there. No one who works at Eggman Studios comes out okay, NO ONE! Mobians end up without jobs, lied to and betrayed!"
Sonic shrugged, "Of course you'd say that, they're your competition."
Amy shook her head, "He has you brainwashed, what a shame, happens to everyone. Don't come crying to me when he runs you over."
"We'll see who's going to be ran over once we wipe the floor with your studio," Sonic challenged as Amy scowled.
"I guess we will! Now if you excuse me, I've got more important things to do than to be hanging around you!" Amy scolded as she left Sonic.
As Amy left, Sonic crossed his arms, "Man! She's annoying!"
"I HEARD THAT!"
"Knuckie, can you hand me the streamers on the table?" Rouge asked as she stood on a ladder and held onto a pin in between her teeth.
Knuckles grabbed the streamers and handed them toward her, "What's with all the decorating?"
"I want Cream and her husband to feel welcome! I heard Sonic is joining them. I invited Amy too, that way Sonic won't feel like he's third wheeling all of us."
Knuckles snorted, "That'll make Amy very happy, those two were at each other's throats the other night."
Rouge shrugged, "It's all fun and games, besides don't you think they'd make a cute couple!"
Knuckles shrugged, "You know I don't pay attention to those things."
"Which is why I love you, you tame me when I go crazy with my match-making!" Rouge exclaimed as she pecked Knuckles on the lips, causing his muzzle to grow bright red.
He gulped as he reached into his pocket, good, it was still there. He just needed to wait for the right time.
"Wait, isn't Amy dating Scourge?" Knuckles asked, suddenly remembering the green hedgehog.
Rouge scrunched her nose, "I wouldn't call that dating. I'd call it enslavement."
"Rouge," Knuckles reprimanded lightly. "Scourge is not going to like it if he finds out what you're trying to do with Sonic and Amy. You know how dangerous he is!"
Rouge sighed in exasperation, "He doesn't deserve Amy! You know she called me last night to tell me that he hit her again? This isn't okay Knuckles! And I feel like his accomplice because I'm not doing anything about it."
"Don't you dare get involved Rouge!" Knuckles exclaimed. "That's not your fight! Amy is old enough to know when enough is enough."
"See that's the thing Knuckles," Rouge retorted. "'Enough' could mean many things, what if he does something to her and there's no way we can repair it?"
"Chaos forbid Rouge don't say those things!" Knuckles exclaimed.
Rouge opened her mouth to retort but was interrupted when they heard a knock on the door.
"That must be them," Rouge stated. "Do me a favor Knuckie and check if the lasagna is ready."
Knuckles nodded and headed towards the kitchen while Rouge opened the door.
"Amy!" Rouge exclaimed as she checked out the pink hedgehog's dress. "You look stunning!"
Amy checked out her red sun dress and her black high heels, "I wanted to make a good impression. I decided to come a little earlier to help you with cooking and decorating."
"Thank you! And you picked a perfect outfit! Come in, Knuckie is in the kitchen checking out the lasagna."
Knuckles came out of the kitchen and beamed, "Amy you look great!"
"Doesn't she?" Rouge exclaimed as she motioned towards Amy with her hand.
"You two spoil me too much, mmm something smells good!"
"Knuckles made lasagna!" Rouge exclaimed, causing Amy to give Knuckles a look of surprise.
"Wow Knuckles look at you! Do you guys need help setting up the table?"
"Yeah, you can come help me take plates out from the pantry," Knuckles stated as he and Amy headed towards the pantry.
"I'm finally going to do it," Knuckles whispered, causing Amy to gasp.
She had heard that Knuckles was interested in proposing to Rouge, but every single time he'd gain the confidence to do it he'd crack under pressure.
"Tonight?" Amy asked, causing Knuckles to nod.
Amy squealed, only causing Knuckles to shush her.
"Shhh, I'm only telling you because I'm currently a nervous wreck and I'm afraid that I won't be able to follow through with it. Like, what am I supposed to tell her?"
"Simple Knuckles, just tell her how you feel and pop the question. And DO NOT forget to go down on one knee, you simply can't forget that! You also need to remember to—"
"Amy! You're making me more nervous!" Knuckles exclaimed as he banged his head on the wall.
Amy put a hand over her mouth, "Oops, sorry. Just speak from the heart Knuckles. I know it sounds cheesy, but it really is that simple. If what you're nervous about is Rouge's answer, then I can assure you that she's going to say yes. She only has eyes for you, which is saying something considering her love for jewels."
Amy placed a hand on Knuckles' shoulder, "It's going to go great, I promise! And if at some point during the dinner you need to pull me to the side to calm your nerves feel free to do so, good luck!"
Amy then grabbed a pack of cups, winked at Knuckles and headed towards the dining room.
Knuckles sighed and frowned as he stared at Amy's retreating figure.
It was unfair.
How could someone so caring and full of heart be with someone so nasty and unbearable. He hoped that Amy would one day wake up and throw Scourge out of her life forever, and maybe then she'd find someone who truly cared about her and treasured her just as much as he treasured Rouge.
With a shake of his head he grabbed the plates and headed toward the dining room, noticing that Rouge was opening the door again.
"Cream! Tails! It's so nice to see my favorite couple!" Rouge exclaimed as she turned towards Sonic, who was wearing a tuxedo and smiling dashingly. "And you're looking snazzy big blue, welcome."
"Thanks Rouge," Sonic said as he, Tails and Cream stepped into the home.
Amy turned and noticed Sonic come in, causing her eyes to wide and narrow.
What the heck was that cocky blue hedgehog doing here? Rouge must've done this.
"Hello, you must be Amy, I'm Tails and this is my wife Cream, Rouge's cousin," Tails greeted with a warm smile.
Amy smiled softly and shook their hands, "Yes, Rouge has told me a lot about you too. It's very nice to meet you."
Cream gasped, "I love your dress, where did you get it?"
"Oh, I traveled to Times Square and got it in one of the boutiques my friend from college manages. I'll take you some day!" Amy exclaimed.
"Oh that would be wonderful! Tails and I are new to New York so it would be nice to have someone show me around!"
Tails smiled softly towards his wife, it truly was very easy for her to make friends; her friendliness was one of the reasons he fell in love with her in the first place.
Sonic snorted and Tails turned towards him.
"You're such a sap," Sonic muttered with a shake of his head.
"We'll see whose a sap once Cupid decides to give you your time," Tails retorted.
Sonic rolled his eyes and waited for Cream and Amy to finish talking before approaching her.
"Well, look who the dance club dragged in," Sonic teased, causing Amy to glare at him.
"Not to be rude or anything but what are you doing here?" she asked with ice in her voice, causing Sonic to touch his heart and gasp dramatically.
"Now now that is no way to treat a guest! I just happen to be Tails' friend/best man. What are YOU doing here?"
"I'm close friends with Knuckles and Rouge," Amy responded as she crossed her arms.
"Well whether you like it or not you and I are the only ones actually single here, which means you're going to have to deal with me and my shenanigans for the whole night."
"Sorry to burst your bubble genius but I'm not single," Amy responded. "I have a boyfriend."
Sonic blinked, causing Amy to flare up, "What? Do I not look like the type to have a boyfriend?"
"No, it's not that," Sonic responded as he threw his hands up in defense. "I'm just wondering why he's not here."
"Couldn't come, not that it's any of your business," Amy huffed and turned her head, causing Sonic to get a good glimpse at a bruise on the left corner of her eye, a bruise she must've desperately tried to hide due to the amount of foundation placed on top of it.
Sonic contemplated as to whether or not he should ask about it but shrugged it off instead, it's probably nothing.
"Dinner time!" Rouge exclaimed as she placed the lasagna on the table.
Both couples chose to sit next to each other, leaving Sonic and Amy to sit across from each other. Sonic sat next to Tails and Amy sat next to Rouge.
"So how is New York treating you so far?" Rouge asked, as Sonic, Tails, and Cream looked up.
"I miss Los Angeles a little bit," Cream admitted. "But I love New York so far so I'll get over it."
"It's colder here," Tails added. "It's kind of weird considering that we're so used to LA and its bipolar weather, but the public transportation here is top notch compared to what we got back in LA."
"What's it like?" Amy asked.
"Ugh," Tails groaned, causing the table to laugh. "The BART system in the Bay Area puts the Metro system that we have in LA to shame! It's unsanitary and they sometimes don't arrive on schedule."
"I know you aren't talking about the Red Line and the Purple Line, those always arrive on time," Sonic retorted as Tails shook his head.
"No, not the Metro subway, I'm talking about the buses. Ugh," Tails shook his head, causing Sonic to nod in agreement.
"What about you Sonic?" Knuckles asked. "What do you think of New York so far?"
"I signed a contract to choreograph for Eggman Studios today," Sonic announced with pride, causing Rouge and Knuckles' spoons to clink on their plates.
"You're kidding, right?" Knuckles asked.
"Please tell us you're kidding," Rouge added.
"Nope, it's true," Amy answered bitterly. "He was all boasting about it this afternoon."
Sonic frowned, "Why? What's so bad about what I did?"
Knuckles and Rouge eyed each other.
"Well, if we leave out the fact that you and Amy would be competing against each other, you basically sold yourself to the devil today."
"Knuckie!" Rouge exclaimed.
"What?"
"No Rouge, he's right," Amy answered. "Eggman is nothing but a phony life ruiner."
"Some guy I met at a record store across the street from Eggman Studios told me something along those lines too," Tails stated.
"Shadow," Rouge, Knuckles, and Amy said in unison.
"Shadow is a close friend of ours," Amy stated.
"Oh well now it all makes sense!" Sonic exclaimed as he let out a sigh of relief. "You all just hate Eggman because he's Keep It Crescendo's main rival studio, so of course you all have horrible things to say about him. But I'm not buying it, Eggman warned me about this."
"It's not that we hate him Sonic, even though we totally do," Knuckles started. "We've actually seen him ruin people's lives."
"Proof or it didn't happen," Sonic challenged.
"Sonic," Tails scolded.
"What? It's a legitimate request."
"We're not going to waste our time proving anything to you," Amy argued. "You'll figure it out eventually. And Chaos forbid that he ruins your life."
Sonic opened his mouth to retort but was stopped as Cream abruptly changed the subject, "So Amy, where is Times Square?"
Sonic and Amy apologetically eyed their audience and Amy smiled softly, "Close by, it's so beautiful! I was planning to go down there this weekend with Rouge if you want to come with?"
Rouge beamed, "Yes! You have to come, Cream!"
Tails smiled, "I agree with them, you've been cooped up in our place for a while and that's not good for you. Go out for a bit!"
Cream thankfully smiled at her husband and nodded, "I'd love to!"
"What a healthy relationship," Rouge said fondly, causing Amy to slightly cringe.
This did not escape Sonic's attention, causing him to raise an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Speaking of relationships—" Knuckles started, causing the entire room to turn towards him.
Rouge eyed him with curiosity, causing him to feel the sweat creeping onto his forehead.
Amy, noticing this, smiled at him, encouraging him to keep going.
Knuckles sent her a thankful smile and turned towards Rouge, eyeing her in the eyes.
"Rouge, I know how much your cousin Cream means to you, so I wanted to do this when she had arrived as well as have Amy watch this as well."
Rouge crinkled her eyebrows in confusion but widened her eyes when Knuckles got down in one knee.
Cream squealed, Tails fondly smiled at the pair, and Sonic eyed the couple in bewilderment while Amy began recording the ordeal.
Rouge stood quickly and put her hands over her mouth, tears slowing creeping up in the corners of her eyes.
"Rouge, you're the one. And I'm not really good at these kinds of speeches but... I know that you're the person I want to spend the rest of my life with, these past few years by your side have been nothing but perfect — so, w-would you marry me?"
"Yes! You Knucklehead yes! I've been waiting years for you to ask me that!" Rouge exclaimed as she leaned down and hugged Knuckles tightly.
The guests at the table cheered and Sonic hollered for them to kiss and they did so, causing the cheers at the table to roar even louder.
Cream wiped a tear rolling down her cheek, she knew how much her cousin had wanted this, and she was so glad her dream had finally come true.
Amy also resisted the urge to cry, she also couldn't deny the slight jealousy she felt for Rouge. Rouge and Cream had such healthy relationships, which was more than she could say for herself. She knew Scourge was bad, and one day, one day her studio was going to become so popular that she wasn't going to need Scourge to sponsor/manage it anymore, and she'd be free to throw him over the curb.
"Yo, earth to Amy!" Sonic exclaimed, causing Amy to turn towards him.
Sonic motioned for her to follow him towards the balcony, which she did reluctantly.
"Sorry, it was getting a little too cozy in there and I needed fresh air," Sonic stated as he closed the balcony door.
Amy crossed her arms, "What do you mean? What Knuckles did was sweet!"
"Yeah I guess, marriage just isn't for me, that's all."
Amy rolled her eyes, "Ugh, you're one of those."
Sonic blinked shook his head, "Oh, no. I'm no player. Last time I had a girlfriend was senior year of highschool, and those never end well. It's just, I only have one love in my life and it's dancing. I don't think I can love anyone more than I love dancing."
Amy's scowl faded, "Oh—"
Sonic sighed, "I know, it sounds weird and no one understands me when I tell them that. But it's true. Taking dancing away from me is like taking away a part of myself. I just can't imagine being in a relationship where my girlfriend asks me to choose between her and dancing. What a nightmare that would be... forget it, you wouldn't understand."
"No, I understand."
Sonic turned towards Amy in bewilderment as she eyed him with such sincerity it'd make even Chaos himself flinch.
"What do you mean?"
"Dancing is it's own personality trait. Without dancing I don't know where I'd be right now. I could be doing something totally different right now, I mean, I majored in Communications and Film at NYU and I got my bachelor's. But I don't see myself doing anything that's not dancing, it's in my blood."
Why am I telling him this!? Amy thought. He's literally the enemy!
Sonic fist pumped the air in satisfaction, "Thank you! Took the words out of my mouth! FINALLY! Someone who gets it!"
Amy turned and noticed Knuckles and Rouge's neighbor give Sonic a weird look and couldn't help but giggle.
"Stop! The neighbors are staring!"
Sonic continued to jump around the balcony and eyed the other apartment room with a sheepish smile.
This caused Amy to laugh even harder, "Forget cocky, you're such a dork!"
Sonic laughed and scratched the back of his quills, "I've been told."
Amy placed a quill behind her ear, causing Sonic to get an even better glimpse at her bruise.
"Hey, I've been meaning to ask. But what's that on your eye?" Sonic asked as he pointed towards his own eye for emphasis.
Amy blinked in surprise and placed her hand on her bruise, causing her to wince.
"Woah, don't hurt yourself. What happened?" Sonic asked in curiosity.
Amy widened her eyes in fear as she shook her head, she mentally slapped herself for not hiding the bruise better.
"I accidentally got hit in the eye with a baseball while I was walking through Central Park."
"Ouch," Sonic winced. "That must've hurt."
"Yeah... look we should go inside okay, the others must be wondering where we are," Amy stated quickly as she headed inside.
Sonic scratched his head in confusion and frowned, "Was it something I said?"
YESSSSSS! I FINISHED THIS CHAPTER! MAN, THIS TOOK ME YEARS TO RELEASE!
Again, sorry for the delay. I finally have the entire story planned and completed so now all I have to do is write and release so NO MORE WRITER'S BLOCKS! I'm anticipating that this story will be finished by the end of my summer (which is the end of September). Yay!
The next chapter should take about a week since I need to be at least three chapters ahead of what you guys are reading for me to be publishing stuff. It's a personal style that I've developed the last few years instead of panicking about being behind on my fanfictions. So once I finish Chapter 8, I will publish Chapter 6! I just figured I've kept you guys waiting long enough.
PLEASE REVIEWWW!