"Wait. I'm scared." Amy stopped dead in her tracks when she spotted Twinkle park in the distance. It was a short walking distance near the Emerald Coast beach. Seeing the park at the moment made Amy realize what she was finally getting into. She was really gonna go through with this.

"Come on, Amy." Said Knuckles, amused with Amy's lack of confidence that was there this morning. "If Sonic does find out that we were lying, one day, we're all gonna look back and have a good laugh."

Amy looked down at her shoes. "He's not going to be laughing now..." She mumbled.

"So..." Knuckles said in thought. "I guess we just have to make it look as convincing as possible."

"How do we do that?"

"If we want Sonic to be laughing about this in the near future." Knuckles placed his warm fingers under her chin and lifted it. "Then we have to act like a real couple."

Amy stared up at him and smiled. "Thanks for doing this for me, Knux. Sorry for dragging you into this."

"Eh, I really had nothing better to do but guard the Master Emerald." He chuckled and patted her small back. "And besides, I wasn't gonna dress nicely and come down here and waste my time because you decided to be doubtful." He grinned.

He was right. And Amy did pick out his outfit today. This morning, she went through many different stores at the mall to find the perfect thing for her boyfriend to wear. Knuckles wore dark jeans, a dark dress shirt that fit his body perfectly with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, and a creamy colored vest with a matching bow.

Truthfully, Amy did feel a bit proud with his attire. "I mean..." thought Amy as she watched him run a hand through his long dreads as he stared off towards the park. "I gotta admit. He looks good.

"Amy." Again, Knuckles snapped his fingers in front of her face.

She blinked. "Huh?"

"You were doing it again, starring."

"Whoops." Amy felt heat rushing through her cheeks. "Sorry."

"Well," he sighed and held out his hand. "We should get going."

Amy looked at his hand.

"What?" He asked confused. "Don't couples hold hands?"

"Oh! Right!" Amy grabbed his hand and they began walking again. But as soon as she grabbed on, her heart began to thud. Knuckles' hand was warm and large compared to her's. Actually, it was so large that his hand literally enveloped her whole small one! But other than that, Amy never really held someone's hand before. Knuckles isn't her boyfriend obviously, but this is the closest she has ever gotten to a boy.

She kinda liked it.

"Oh wow..." She thought. "...I can't wait to be able to hold Sonic's hand!"

It wasn't long until Amy spotted Sonic and Sally near the entrance of the park. Twinkle park rested on a giant board walk just a bit over the ocean. As Amy and Knuckles made there way over, Amy couldn't help but notice Sonic and Sally talking to each other (all laughs and smiles) looking over the beach. Amy's heart ached. At this moment, Amy wished she was in Sally's shoes...

Knuckles and Amy haven't been holding hands for long, but Amy felt the heat increase in Knuckles's hand. His palms must of been sweaty. She looked up at him in panic.

"Oh no." She moaned. "Please don't tell me you're nervous too."

"I'll have you know, Amy, I don't how today is gonna go."

"But, what about all that talk about him laughing about this in the future?" She asked accusingly.

"Yeah..." he drawled, scratching his head. "That was the confident side of me talking before we arrived here."

"Oh Knuckles..." She said hopelessly, leaning her head against his waist in defeat. "This is going to be a disaster."

"Don't worry." He said patting her side. "We'll just roll with it, maybe this crazy plan of yours can work." That sounded more like a question.

"Knuckles!" She whined. "You're supposed to sound confident and make me feel better!"

"I'm sorry!"

"Sonic won't be laughing at this anytime soon."

Knuckles sighed. "Okay." He said stopping, before grabbing Amy by her shoulders. "We can do this." He said looking straight at her wide jade green eyes. "Here's the plan, whatever happens: Don't break character. If Sonic suspects anything we can't admit defeat; we'll keep going, and pretend like we're really a couple. Do you understand?"

No matter how ridiculous this may seem to Sonic, Knuckles is right, if they stay in character, acting like a real couple without breaking, then Sonic should eventually accept it.

...Right?

"Okay." Amy breathed out shakily. "Let's do this."

Knuckles smiled before taking her hand again and continued walking.

Knuckles and Amy reached Sonic and Sally, who didn't notice their arrival as they were still chatting away.

"Hi Sonic." Piped up Amy as cheerfully as she could muster at this heart pounding moment.

Sonic turned around and his smile slowly faded when his eyes landed on Knuckles, the latter grinned at the blue haired hero as if nothing was wrong. Knuckles was obviously amused.

"Sup, Sonic." Knuckles gloated casually. "Surprised to know that I'm the luckiest man alive to deserve someone as adorable as Amy?" He said, his hand gently squeezing Amy's.

Seeing as how Sonic didn't respond, Sally spoke up to shed some light. "So this is your boyfriend, Amy?" She asked smiling.

"Um..." Amy was caught off guard when Sally spoke while she was still trying wrap her head around the fact that Knuckles thought she was adorable. "Y-yeah. That's right." She finally stated proudly. "Knuckles is my boyfriend."

"Alright, Knux." Everyone turned their attention to Sonic as he finally spoke. Amy couldn't help but notice how his tone of voice sounded a bit off. Almost irritated. "This has to be a joke, right?"

"What are you talking about?" Asked Knuckles with a surprisingly hard edge in his voice that also caught Amy off guard. Either Knuckles was apparently showing off his hidden talent in acting, or he just wanted an excuse to irritate Sonic even further. Whatever the case may be, it was working.

Sonic crossed his arms, a move only an ebony haired teen they all knew would do. "I just can't believe this," he said gesturing to two. "There's no way."

"Why do you care?" Asked Knuckles sharply. "Just be thankful I was able to sweep Amy off her feet before you decided to run away from her again."

Sonic had his face set in that rare anger again but didn't say anything. Sally finally cut in between the two. "Heeey, so now that we're all here, let's go have a good time today." Said Sally trying to be as enthusiastic as possible to break the tension.

Amy was actually glad of Sally's presence at the moment. As they headed rowards the enterance, Amy couldn't help but notice Sally's attire. She wore a dark blue dress, the length reaching her knees, but she had on a black sweater over it. Despite her wardrobe being off, Sally still looked beautiful. It only ticked off Amy even more.

Knuckles lead her towards the ticket booth, that was miraculously empty at the moment, except for a family of four occupying the booth infront of them, they would go through quick.

"Oh my gosh. Are you two a couple?" Gushed the teenage worker looking at Knuckles and Amy from the enterance booth as they walked forward. The young girl was practically bouncing in her heels grinning.

"Um, yep, that's right!" Knuckles locked Amy in an embrace with his large arm. Amy yelped in surprise from the sudden movement. "She's my girlfriend."

"Oh my gosh, you two are so cute!" The worker squealed as she pressed a button in the booth to allow the turnstile gate to rotate. "Cute couples get in for free. Go ahead!"

Knuckles and Amy thanked the girl as they passed through. Sonic and Sally come in after. It irked Amy knowing the wirker let them in for also believing them to be a couple.

"So guys," Said Sally smiling at everyone. "Let's go have fun!"

o0o

The quartet were standing in line to board the Ferris wheel. They all agreed on it, considering it was the closest ride from the enterance. The line wasn't too long anyway, only two couples stood in front of them.

Amy stood still next to Knuckles and stared down at her shoes with her hands clasped together. If Amy turned around, she might of come face to face with Sonic's green eyes. She felt Sonic's hard gaze on her back. Really, this is the only time in her life that Amy didn't want to look at her dashing blue haired hero.

"Don't break charcter."

Amy blinked, suddenly remembering Knuckles' words from earlier. Was standing there looking nervous a part of breaking character? Realizing her mistake, Amy quickly searched for Knuckles' hand and held on to it tightly. Amy didn't look at him but he squeezed back.

That's when Sonic suddenly spoke.

"So Sal," he blurted feigning interest in his voice. "How's your old man?"

"Oh! My father is doing alright." Said Sally, her voice containing that smile again. Her alluring voice and smile were enough to make any boy swoon. Probably even Sonic.

Amy squeezed Knuckles' hand tighter.

"Next!"

Knuckles pulled Amy along as they were preparing to board their own basket. The old technician guy reached over to open the little door. It didn't open. He gazed questionably at the door and tugged again. It wouldn't budge. It was Knuckles' turn to watch skeptically.

"Is it stuck?"

The old man sighed. "I reckon so," he patted the basket and stared up at the Ferris wheel with crinkled dark eyes. "This old girl has been around a lot longer than I have."

"That's not a problem!" So suddenly, Amy was lifted off the ground from her waist, and like a child, Knuckles managed to easily haul her over the door and gently placed her in the basket. Cheeks flushed, Amy turned around to witness Knuckles hopping over the door with boyish grin from the mischievous stunt he just pulled. The basket gently bounced in his weight as he landed and turned to the old man.

"Welp!" Cried the old man scratching his head with a faint smile on his lips. "I'm guess'n that'll work too."

Amy stood on one side of the basket while Knuckles began to sit on the other. As soon as he sat down, the basket violently shifted to the right under his weight. Amy cried out as she stumbled backwards and squeezed her eyes shut as she braced for impact.

But instead, Amy landed on something large and soft. She didn't realize what it was until she heard the loud beating heart pressed against her ear. Amy opened her eyes.

"Aww, Amy." Said Knuckles, jokingly cooing as he quickly wrapped his large arms around her small body. "If you wanted a hug, you could've just said so!"

Amy somehow managed to miraculously land on his lap when she stumbled backwards. She blushed feeling Knuckles' warmth pressed against her body like a thick blanket. Amy couldn't move from his embrace, a perfect way of keeping her from looking back at Sonic's reaction. If she did so, it probably would of raised suspicion from the blue haired boy.

Knuckles loosened his grip but didn't let go as soon as the Ferris wheel began to ascend to the top. Amy was too stunned to move from his lap(or to sit up straight) as she continued to listen to the loud thump of his heart. She felt Knuckles' body shift as he moved to look over the railing.

Knuckles then full heartedly laughed. The sound and vibration rumbled off his chest for Amy to feel. Her own heart beagn to thump quickly as she unconsciously thought how soothing this felt. She tried to ignore it.

"Man!" He drawled out as soon as he calmed down. "You should of seen the look on his face!"

Amy finally moved away and looked at him with questionably.

"He looked about ready to punch something." He said with a gleam of amusement in his eyes. This information sent Amy's beating heart soaring.

"Is he jealous? Like actually jealous?" asked Amy in disbelief, and yet, smiling widely.

"It seemed so." He said letting out one more burst of laughter. Amy joined in. His laugh was contagious. Amy wondered if Sonic was able to hear their laughter, their fun, their joy. If the enjoyment reached his ears, it could probably irritate him even more. That is their main goal today.

Knuckles and Amy looked at each other as their laughter died down. The ghost of their humor still prominent on their face as jade green and deep purple boar into each other. Suddenly, Knuckles lost his smile and without warning, hastily picked up Amy from his lap and seated her properly next to him.

"I um..." He started as he scratched his head avoiding her gaze. "Sorry for, um...That-"

"Oh! No. It's fine." She assured him quickly. "You were fine! And it worked. Sonic was jealous."

Seemingly at ease, Knuckles Smiled.

"Then lets keep going."

Moments later, The Ferris wheel soon made its final rotation as Knuckles and Amy began to descend back towards solid ground. The ride stopped completely, Knuckles then jumped out again, and turned around to reach for Amy. Like a toddler, Knuckles picked her up and hauled her over again. They were greeted by the smiling old man.

"You two love birds have a safe travel now!"

They nodded.

They didn't move, as they stayed standing there waiting for Sonic and Sally to get off. Amy noticed a tuft of blue hair in the next basket that was descending. Almost immediately, Amy searched for Knuckles' hand. when she did, they held on as Amy also scooted closer until their bodies touched. Just in time for the basket to completely stop.

Amy watched as Sonic and Sally got off the ride.

Immediately, she grew irritated.

Sonic showed no signs of anger or jealousy, But all symptoms of joy and happiness as he walked over giggling at Sally over something (Amy thought) that wasn't entirely funny. Sally was smiling.

"Sonic is happy over her."

Without thinking, Amy quickly ducked underneath Knuckles' arm and wrapped her small arms around his torso. Knuckles must of sensed the reasoning for the new course of action when he enveloped his arm around Amy, cacooning her.

As Sonic and Sally's laughter died down, Amy grew just a bit delited when Sonic almost immediately lost his smile again as he finally took notice of Knuckles holding Amy. He was still silent.

"That was fun." Said Sally, brushing her soft brown hair out her face, clearly being oblivious to the silent tension. "You two should decide where we should go next."

"I Know!" Exclaimed Knuckles in sudden excitement. "We should get on the Spinning teacups!" They all turned over towards the direction he was pointing at.

It was indeed the ride he spoke of. The Spinning teacups stayed true to its name as they watched couples sitting on giant teacups laughing in enjoyment while they all twisted around and around in different speeds.

Like the inner child that she was, Amy suddenly grew excited to run over there and get on the twirling ride as soon as possible. In fact...

Amy turned her head around to face the bothersome couple and mischievously added, "Race ya!" She quickly grabbed a hold of Knuckles' hand, he yelped in surprise as Amy dragged him across the park in excitement. She heard Knuckles laugh behind her as he finally began to run at her speed.

When Knuckles got closer, he scooped up Amy in his large arms and ran the rest of the way. The two giggling and laughing in amusement. For a moment, Amy almost forgot about Sonic...

Upon remembering, she looked back over his shoulder, still smiling.

He wasn't running.

They were too far away for Amy to clearly see his facial expression, but he was only walking with arms crossed over his chest, with Sally talking to him.

"But Sonic always runs..." She thought Slowly.

Amy didn't know what to make of this exactly, but she hoped it had something to do with his jealousy.

The lines must of been really short today since the ride they wanted to get on had the maintenance man standing there with the little gate opened, waiting for more riders to come in.

Knuckles finally put down Amy and grabbed her hand again as they walked in through the gate. Sonic and Sally followed after.

Amy dragged Knuckles to an empty tea cup to ride on. It was pink with white polka dots, the cup handle was in the shape of a heart. It practically screamed Amy Rose, hence why she chose it. Amy then looked up at Knuckles teasingly. Knuckles didn't seem to be fazed at all to ride in a girly tea cup.

Sonic spoke up in a somewhat mocking tone.

"What's wrong, Knux?" He asked with that cocky grin of his. "To scared to be seen in this one?"

"No actually." Knuckles said simply. Then showed off his handsome smile. "It's really small and cute. Reminds me of Amy."

Again, all signs of humor fled from Sonic as he walked past a jubilant Knuckles and blushing Amy to get in the ride. Sally followed.

Her heart drumming in her ears, Amy looked back up at Knuckles, still smiling mischievously. He only shrugged as if to say "hey it worked." and offered no other explanation. Amy only shrugged and was about to get in the ride when Knuckles stopped her.

"Now hold on," Then, obviously exaggerated, He bent low his upper body and stuck out his hand to her, palm up. "After you, m'lady"

"Knuckles!" She giggled and grabbed his hand as he guided her inside the tea cup. "Thank you." Knuckles winked at her before climbing in himself and sat next to her.

As simple and as silly as it was, Amy was touched. No man that she knew ever did something that kind to her, not even Sonic. Knuckles may be hot tempered and goofy, but he really was polite. A gentleman one might say.

She liked it.

A mechanical clank was heard, followed by the soft jolt of the ride, then they were moving. In the middle of the tea cup was what looked like a tiny table. It was the wheel the spun the tea cup around.

It was almost like Sonic and Knuckles completely forgot about there silent rivalry today and looked at each other, grinning mischievously. And Just like the trouble making young boys that they were, They both simultaneously grabbed the wheel and began turning.

The tea cup they were in began spinning. The boys laughed in amusement and began to spin faster. Soon, the world around them began to blur.

Sally held on to the outer part of the ride and looked at the boys nervously.

"Um, guys? Maybe you should slow down!"

Amy agreed. The G-force of the spinning ride not only caused Amy to slide against Knuckles (Which the two haven't noticed) but it began making her feel queasy. Amy didn't have much of a strong stomach when it came to these things.

A minute later, the dizzyness got the best of Amy as she moaned, closing her eyes and leaned against Knuckles, his muscled biceps serving as an excellent cushion.

"Amy?"

That was Sonic. Amy didn't lift her head nor did she open her eyes as they remained shut so she wouldn't see the dizzying world around her and possibly throw up. Amy didn't want to move for the same matter as well. She was so caught up trying to remain not as sick that she didn't notice that the ride had already stopped.

"Ames?" This time, Sonic sounded concerned. His voice far away.

Amy felt a large hand rest against her cheek. Knuckles.

"I think I'm going to be sick." She moaned weakly.

"I guess we were spinning too fast." She heard Knuckles say, sounding sheepish. "For now, I've got you until you feel better enough to walk. Is that okay?"

Amy nodded, still not bothering to open her eyes in fear of seeing the dizzying world. She felt Knuckles' body shift, facing her, and felt a pair of arms slide behind her back and legs, before lifting her up completely.

Amy lulled her head against Knuckles' broad chest when she wasn't able to lift it up on her own anymore. She heard more voices around her, but didn't bother to listen as she focused more on relieving her nausea. Amy felt the jostling movement of Knuckles stepping out of the ride, which did not help her queasiness settle, but was relieved when she felt the steady rhythm of his footsteps hitting pavement. As well as his oddly comforting deep breathing pattern. And again today, she had her ear pressed against his loud heart beat. If Amy didn't feel as sick, she would've felt very embarrassed of herself and blush uncontrollably. But for now, she was just thankful of the comfort.

All of this was heavily lulling her to sleep.

Knuckles must of noticed this when she grew still. She then felt his body shift, his head coming closer as she felt his warm breath brush against her face when he spoke. It was low enough for her to hear.

"Rest, Amy." His voice rumbled smoothly, which made Amy's heart leap in her chest for some reason. But nonetheless, she obliged and slowly let her conciousness slip away.