I Want To Be Alone On Valentine's Day

Part 2: The Faking Dating Begins

It was the afternoon of the next day that Knuckles walked into the café in Central City. Amy told him yesterday to meet her there to discuss their fake dating plans. He shrugged and agreed to meet her there. She had also told him that she's worried that she's making him abandon his guardian duties, but he told her that it's nothing to worry about and that he's fine with the decision that he had made. He looked around the area to see where she is sitting and soon noticed her waving at him at the back of the left row of booths. He then walked over to her and sat on the seat across from her. There was a window next to them that shows the streets and buildings of Central City.

As Amy was holding a menu while staring at Knuckles, she then calmly yet brightly muttered in amusement with a cheerful smile, "Go on and buy something, Knuckles. I'm paying. I got some money to spare".

Knuckles raised an eyebrow in surprise. He didn't expect Amy to be upfront about paying. He honestly had expected her to be coy and ask him if he got some money with him. He did get some spare rings just in case if that happens. Regardless, he nodded and grabbed his menu. He was quiet as he looked at the menu items. The café had a few customers, but it was fairly quiet which Knuckles was grateful of. He hates noisy places. He prefers quiet atmospheres and places. He was busy thinking about what to order until Amy had spoken up.

"So, did you think of something to eat or drink?" Amy asked calmly in curiosity with a bright smile as she stared inquisitively at Knuckles.

Knuckles looked up from his menu. He placed it down and answered calmly in a nonchalant way with his head down while having a solemn look on his face, "Just some coffee will be fine. I'm not interested in eating anything".

"Ah, okay! Anyways, let's start forming our fake dating plan!" Amy exclaimed back brightly in amusement with an excited grin as she put down her menu as well.

Knuckles frowned a little deeper and put his right hand on his cheek as he placed his elbow onto the table.

He pouted as Amy continued calmly yet brightly in amusement and in curiosity with a hopeful expression on her face, "We've got to come up with some ideas for our dates. I'll figure out where Sonic will show up at some point each day; then we'll go to that spot; and finally, we'll act so lovey-dovey that Sonic will get sick of us being together. He'll cut in and ask me to hang out with him! So, do you have any ideas?".

"I'm already sick just thinking about this terrible idea," Knuckles grumbled gloomy in exasperation with a pout on his annoyed face.

Amy frowned deeply and furrowed her eyebrows as she exclaimed back irritably in annoyance, "Oh, come on, Knuckles! At least try! Didn't you just agree yesterday that you wanted to help me out with this plan?!".

Yes, but that's because I want to get away from Rouge. I want her to stay away from me, and if I have to be in a fake relationship to get her to leave me alone, then that's how it's going to be! Still, I didn't think very much about this fake relationship. I hadn't planned to be very involved in this silly scheme anyway. Knuckles brooded solemnly in annoyance with a grimace and with furrowed eyebrows as he slightly glared at Amy.

He stared sternly into Amy's eyes and replied calmly yet tiredly in a monotone voice while looking annoyed, "Fine".

"So, tell me what we should we do. Where shall we go?" Amy asked calmly in curiosity with sparkling eyes and with her hands folded while looking intrigued as she stared back at Knuckles.

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe go to the beach at Neo Green Hill or go to the Entertainment Center (See A/N Below) at Night Carnival for some dates? Do you think that Sonic will go there or at least be nearby?" Knuckles suggested half-heartedly in exhaustion with a solemn frown and with a casual shrug as he stared back at Amy.

"Oh! Those are such romantic spots! I do know that Sonic loves beaches! Not because of the water, obviously, but he likes sunsets and the view of the ocean! Oooh, the Entertainment Center sounds like a fun place for a fake date too! Sonic loves that place for the movie center, the arcade center, the theme park center, the costume center, and oh, let's not forget the casino center downtown located in Casino Park! He could hang out near Night Carnival or Casino Park! Maybe we could follow him just to see where he could be tomorrow or maybe sometime the day after that to see if he would hang out there or the beach! Then we can plan our date on Friday or Saturday! Oh, wait! Maybe both!" Amy exclaimed excitedly in amusement with a huge smile while bouncing up and down.

Knuckles raised his eyebrow in suspicion as he doubts that this plan will work. He questioned calmly in confusion with a solemn frown and with a raised eyebrow, "Uh, you do realize that we would be stalking him if we do that, right? I don't think that we should do that. Sonic would suspect that we're following him if we do that, and then, he'll question me why I, of all people, had followed him with you tagging along with me".

"Oh, please. It'll be fine," Amy replied calmly in a casual way with a confident smile while waving her hand back at him before she continued brightly in amusement, "If he asks, we'll just tell him that we're going on a stroll to our secret place for our date! He'll get curious and follow us instead! He can't judge us for stalking if he does it too! It's genius!".

"It's stupid," Knuckles disagreed calmly in exasperation with a deep frown while crossing his arms and closing his eyes in annoyance.

Amy puffed out her cheeks and pouted deeply in irritation as she argued in annoyance while feeling a little frustrated. "Why are you being so pessimistic?! It will work! You need to look at the brighter side in this situation!".

"What brighter side? I'm going to be forced working with you in this ridiculous scheme for about a week and a half which will not work out in the end. I have every right to be pessimistic here," Knuckles argued back calmly yet dully in annoyance with a solemn frown and with closed eyes while feeling glum as he kept his arms crossed.

"Geez, are you going to be such a grump during the whole thing?!" Amy asked irritably in annoyance with gritted teeth and with furrowed eyebrows as she slightly glared at Knuckles.

"I certainly will be," Knuckles answered calmly yet teasingly in amusement while looking smug at her as he opened his eyes halfway. His smug smile had irritated Amy further.

"Grrrr! Why do you always have to be this difficult?!" Amy yelled back in frustration with a growl and with a deep frown while feeling angry now as she glared coldly at Knuckles.

Knuckles shrugged his shoulders at Amy while still having his arms crossed. He smirked mischievously as he replied calmly yet teasingly in amusement, "Sorry. I'm just born this way".

Amy growled even louder and groaned in frustration as she put her hands onto her face and as she leaned onto the table with her elbows. If Knuckles could allow himself to laugh freely, he would do it in this instance. Instead, he leaned back into his seat with a victory smirk on his face as he closes his eyes again. The waiter soon came to their table to break the atmosphere for a bit.

"What will you have, miss?" an old-looking, grey, dog male waiter asked calmly in curiosity with a relaxed look on his face.

Amy soon looked up and opened up her menu quickly. She then turned to the waiter and answered calmly in slight amusement as she smiled a little, "I'll have some tea and a turkey sandwich".

"Ah, good. And you, sir?" the old, dog waiter replied calmly in understanding with a content look on his face while writing the order and while turning to Knuckles.

"Some coffee will be fine," Knuckles answered calmly in a nonchalant way with a little frown while giving his menu to the waiter as he opened his eyes and looked at him.

"I see. Thank you. Your orders will come soon," the waiter replied calmly in understanding with a nod and with a little smile while taking his menu and Amy's before he walked away and went into the kitchen.

...

A bit of an awkward silence followed. Amy was busy looking outside of the window while Knuckles appeared to be looking down at the table. After a few silent, uncomfortable minutes, he then spoke up.

...

"Look, Amy. I'll be honest with you. I have no idea on what I should be doing. Listen, just because I had dated before, that doesn't mean I know how to construct romantic dates. You came up with the plan yourself, not me. I really can't help you here. You should be the one planning out these dates, not me. If you really believe that it'll work, then the heck if I know anything about romance. You and Sonic really deserve each other for how impatient, immature, stubborn, and reckless you two can be at times. If you know how Sonic will react, then by all means do it. I'm just here for the ride," Knuckles muttered calmly in a level-headed tone with a solemn expression on his face while looking and staring straight at her in the eye.

"...!" Amy gasped in shock with a surprised look on her face as she covered her mouth with her left hand. Her eyes had gotten wide and had sparkles in her irises.

Knuckles looked befuddled as he tilted his head to the side while he calmly asked in confusion, "Uh, Amy? Are you going to be okay?".

"'Okay'?! You just said that me and Sonic deserve each other! Even you believe that we are perfect for each other! Not only that but are you really allowing me to make my own dates?! Oh, my gosh! Thank you so much, Knuckles! I never get to go on my own dates with Sonic! The rare times that I do, he always takes me to some unromantic ones such as running through some dangerous zones or watching scary or actions movies together! He never gave me the chance to do what I wanted to do! You're the best, Knuckles! It's so hard to believe that you're still single! Girls would love to have a guy like you!" Amy exclaimed and squealed in excitement while beaming at Knuckles as she stared at him with sparkly eyes.

Knuckles blinked his eyes as he had a clueless look on his face. His head started to sweat as his muzzle was blushing bright red. He wasn't sure whether to take it as a compliment or an insult. However, by the tone of Amy's voice, he figured that it was a compliment. After realizing that it was, he then looked away shyly. He wasn't very good at handling compliments from a girl or from anyone in general.

"Umm...Er...Thanks. You're welcome," Knuckles muttered calmly yet quietly in shyness with a little frown and with a deep blush while coyly looking at the other tables on his right.

"Aww, look at you! You're blushing! That's so cute! Hehehe!" Amy exclaimed back brightly in amusement with a huge grin while giggling a little as she coyly pointed at Knuckles' flushed face for emphasis.

"Aw, shut up," Knuckles muttered calmly yet quietly in annoyance as he crossed his arms again and as he pouted while he blushed harder. Yep, definitely not used to compliments.

"Well, anyway, since you have no idea on how to help me, I'll be the one guiding you on how to be romantic. Just follow my lead, and you'll do fine. I'll also be the one to set up dates throughout the week. You don't have to do any planning. Just listen to my commands, and you're good," Amy replied calmly in amusement while smiling brightly as she stared at Knuckles.

"Okay, that's fine with me. But please don't take me on some girly trips like the mall or make me watch sappy romantic comedies. They're just so...Ugh. I'll go nuts if I went through all of that again," Knuckles replied calmly yet dully in exhaustion while looking bored as he stared back at Amy.

Amy frowned in disappointment after she heard that before she looked down and relented calmly in defeat, "Spoilsport. Fine. We won't do that. I promise".

Knuckles sighed in relief as he responded calmly yet dully in gratitude and in exhaustion with a solemn look on his face while nodding a bit, "(Sigh)...Thank you for respecting my wishes. I'll try to help if I can, but I can't make any promises there".

"No problem," Amy replied calmly in understanding while staring at Knuckles as she smiled gently at him. Knuckles smiled a little as well while he calmly stared back at Amy. The waiter came back carrying coffee, tea, and a turkey sandwich on a tray. He placed their orders on the table. He put the tea and the sandwich to Amy's side of the table and put the coffee to Knuckles' side of the table.

He then muttered, "Enjoy", and after that, he left their booth.

Amy and Knuckles then took their respective drinks and sipped them.

She then asked calmly in amusement and in curiosity with an intrigued look on her face, "Say, why don't we talk about something else? We are done discussing our plans this week. Is there anything on your mind?".

Knuckles put his mug down and looked at Amy with a confused expression on his face. Oh, great. Do I have to socialize more? Sigh. Oh, well. Knuckles brooded calmly in annoyance and in sheepishness while frowning a little with an awkward, bewildered look on his face as he stared at Amy.

He then replied calmly in awkwardness with a bewildered look on his face, "Yeah, I thought that we're only here to discuss our fake dating plans, not casually conversing as 'friends'".

"Oh, Knuckles. How could you say that? We are friends. Besides, I think that it is a good practice for us to talk normally about things before our fake dates start. Also, it's good that we get to bond a little by doing this. I do want to talk to you as a friend. I mean. I spend time talking with Tails the most out of the guy friends that I have, except for Sonic, of course. It will be great for me to get to know you better, Knuckles," Amy replied calmly in amusement while smiling a little at Knuckles as she stared at him.

"Hmm...Very well then. I guess it can't hurt to talk a little," Knuckles replied calmly in amusement while smiling a little and while looking relaxed as he stared back at Amy.

Amy took it as a good sign as she exclaimed brightly in amusement while beaming at Knuckles, "That's the spirit!".

Knuckles just grinned at her as he closed his eyes and took another sip from his coffee.

[Outside the Café]

Meanwhile, Sonic was running his casual run throughout the world. He was passing through the streets of Central City. He was running on a street that is across from the café. Conveniently, that same street that Sonic was running through had a chili dog stand across from the café that Amy and Knuckles were in. He stopped in front of the stand and ordered a chili dog. As he was eating, he turned around and saw Amy and Knuckles through the café window. His eyes grew wide, and he almost choked on his chili dog when he saw that. He saw Amy and Knuckles talking together while either eating or drinking their beverages. They were smiling as they were talking. Sonic never thought that he would see Knuckles here of all places and talking with Amy casually. Yesterday, he thought that Knuckles would never agree to Amy's random idea about dating her, but here he is having a date with her at a café. He's even smiling for crying out loud!

Is...Is Knuckles enjoying himself?! How?! And why is this happening?! ...Wait a minute! Why am I getting all worked up for? They're just hanging out as friends. Nothing to worry about. Huh. I guess Amy really did took my suggestion then. I suppose that she really did choose Knuckles to spend more time with as friends. Still, I wonder how Amy had convinced Knuckles to hang out together then. They couldn't possibly be going out as a...a... couple. It's...It's ridiculous! They're just friends! Nothing more! Sonic pondered in shock and in confusion with a flabbergasted look on his face while eating his chili dog quickly as he kept staring at Amy and Knuckles.

The sight that astounded Sonic even further was that Knuckles had said something that made Amy laughed so hard that it seemed like she almost did a spit-take with her drink. Sonic frowned a bit at that before he shook his head as he pondered again some more in annoyance before in relief while scratching his head. Argh! Get a grip, Sonic! It's just Knuckles! Amy would never move on from me and go after him just because I... had pushed her away. Hmm...Oh, come on, Sonic! I needed some space; and Amy needs to spend some time to herself or hang out with her friends. That's all I had ever wanted from her. I don't miss her now since she had decided to hang out with Knuckles. I feel great! Liberated even! I'll be fine. Just fine.

To prove his point, he smiled brightly in amusement before he turned around and ran away while he finished pondering with these confident, enthusiastic thoughts. I should focus on getting some "me" time already. There really is no need to be standing around feeling mopey. I should stay excited and feel happy! Even feel free! Yeah! This week is going to be great!

You sure about that, Sonic? Well, anyways, here is the second part. Again, this will be a short story, but a fun one. I don't think that I will get these out in time on the very same day that the story takes chronologically. It might even be finished after Valentine's Day is over. Well, at least I tried. Also, I don't think that the story will be about every single day before Valentine's Day in case you are wondering. At least 8 chapters seem plausible at this point. Hope you guys enjoy this one! Please R&R if you guys enjoy this!

A/N The Entertainment Center is just a name I came up for my head-cannon Sonic X Universe. I think that Night Carnival Zone and Casino Park Zone are very next to each other. They are also a tourist attraction on Westside Island. They host multiple entertainment places like movie centers, arcades, theme parks, and casinos. It's like Tokyo or Las Vegas were entertainment venues that are everywhere. Also, please don't correct me on what zones or landmasses are next to what because I don't think anyone knows what the official Sonic World looks like. There are so many zones and islands that not it can't be pinned down to one map design. So, there's your fun fact for the day!