Hello, again. It's Koko B, and thanks for all of the support so far!

I don't have much more to say, but if you do, make sure to hit me up with a review. I don't mean to sound desperate like a waiter begging for a tip, but your encouragement/critic only help with the product I bring to you. so with that being said, thanks to DIM666 - Insane Leader, Blue-Fire on Ice, and xXxJAMIE-JULIA-RAVENxXx for reviewing. But then again, maybe I should use reverse physiology.

Don't review.

Kidding, just do what you want. It's my pleasure to write for an audience.

Disclaimer: I do not own SEGA or any of their characters I'm about to use.

Enjoy.

Chapter 3: Be Calm

I'm going to go out tonight. I didn't have a clue as to where, but I knew that my previous idea – the one of dying underneath my rock an apartment like a hermit–was no longer plausible.

Through the item burning, I felt liberated to an extent, and I didn't want to stay here as if to recover from what happened today. I wanted to restore myself to the previous high of this morning. The rest of the world was living. And I intended to join them.

Stripping off in the bathroom, I decided to settle into a bath. The water was the perfect temperature of warm, and I wanted to soothe my mentality and my ankle before I adventured outside.

A few minutes in, I was surrounded by a thick layer of soapy bubbles. The scene was relaxing. Rejuvenating. Innocent-

Just then the chirp of my cellphone interrupted the still air. Reaching for it, I placed it to my ear before checking caller-id.

"Hello?" I rang in my normal upbeat tone.

"Oh, hello Amy," the voice returned from the other end. I felt myself relax at the tone. Blaze. "Are you still planning on coming out to eat with us?"

I let my nails tap against the edge of the claw foot tub as I tried to muster up a response. It's not that I didn't want to go. I mean, I was hungry and all, and Blaze was my best friend...

But even though I kept telling myself that I was fine with the whole 'incident', and I was – I didn't know how I would react in the presence of Blaze in public. Who would most likely be bringing Silver, her boyfriend which would probably bring me down a bit, and then the seats in whatever restaurant we are going to would be the same blue as Sonic, reminding me of him, or worse they would be talking about one of him on the news, and I would be reduced to a sobbing little girl, and Blaze and Silver would be concerned, all 'what's wrong?' and 'why are you causing a scene?' I would have to actually tell them what's wrong even though I'm not ready to, nor do I think I should, then the whole thing would become one huge pity Amy party, and then-

"Amy?" Blaze interrupted my unruly mental rambling, "You still there?"

I was going to go out. But not with her today.

"Yes, I'm here," I finally replied, letting my free hand draw invisible pictures on the surface of the water. "Um...I'm sorry Blaze. I'd love to go, but I really need some alone time. Can we reschedule?" I proposed, hating myself a little bit.

"That's fine Amy," Blaze reassured. "Are you alright?"

"Yup, I'm doing okay," I said. It was true, I wasn't doing fantastic or anything, but at the very least I was okay. Just on the lower end of the feel good spectrum.

I kind of wanted to inform her of my deeper feelings toward what I can only refer to as the incident. But was it really my news to share? And besides I was feeling fine, really. I wasn't feeling suicidal or possibly a worse case—homicidal or anything, and I actually felt that I was handling everything quite well. You know, since I wasn't on some devastated rampage. No sir, I was taking a bath.

But then gain, I didn't know how fragile I was. Kind of like a war veteran who ducks and covers after hearing a gun shot or fireworks. I know what I had gone through wasn't nearly as extreme as warfare, but I didn't know if I would start lashing out, or draw unnecessary attention to myself in public.

And I didn't want Blaze to deal with that. In fact, it would probably be better for me to not go out, since I didn't really want anyone else dealing with a random outburst from yours truly. But how was I suppose to sulk here, forced to think about...them? But returning to Blaze, it had been roughly four or so hours since the incident and I simply didn't want to overestimate myself and ruin her night. The unknown public? I'd deal with them.

But I'd leave Blaze in her ignorance.

"Have fun with Silver," I finally spoke, as I heard him speaking in the background of her phone. "There's a chick-flick coming out tomorrow, Vienna, My City of Love, let's see it!" I exclaimed, trying to leave off on a higher note.

Blaze scoffed."You know I don't care for chick flicks," she said in a lower tone. I shook my head.

"Exactly why we're seeing it!" I stated as I heard her laugh lightly. "Enjoy your night, and I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Agreed," Blazed concluded. "Bye," she said before disconnecting. I smiled as I put down the phone and sunk further into the tub.

Maybe I wouldn't go out. Maybe I'd just stay here in this relaxing tub...

Who cares if I turned into a walking prune? I mean, at the particular moment I didn't have any guy to impress. And I must admit, that idea, that in a sense I was free from Sonic's expectations, did release some pressure.

Maybe I could have an actual relationship. Like all of my other friends. Not just one, I'll admit, that was mostly in my head.

I didn't get a choice to stay in the tub any longer, because the water became cold too quickly. As I retreated to my room to changed, my eyes darted toward my green alarm clock. It was six already.

Stretching out my limbs, I ventured over to my closet. I was in no rush to go anywhere, but I might as well get dressed first. Pulling a causal black dress and a stylish jean jacket, I clothed myself with ease. To complete my attire, I accessorized with a few colored bangles, a pair of earrings that danced with the slightest movement of my head, and gladiator sandals to spare my ankle.

I touched up my face with some basic makeup, and styled my quills in a lazy ponytail. When complete, I twirled in front of the mirror. I felt that I looked good. And I was only impressing myself now. My dress hugged my body well, and showed a generous, but comfortable amount of cleavage. Giving my reflection a wink, I grabbed my purse and keys, then headed out of the apartment.

Merriment Plaza.

As the outdoor oasis began to come into view, I immediately began to question my motives for coming here. I let my feet drag me out of the car, as the various shops, and restaurants began to inclose me.

I felt like a window shopper. Only instead of shopping for a random, impulse buy, I was trying to decide what I was going to do. Window wanderer...

It was a weird feeling. I know I said earlier how no longer having Sonic would let up on my pressure (I could finally flirt back to other guys!) but it suddenly felt like I had nothing to do. Like I had no purpose.

I released a sigh, feeling pathetic that this was true. Even with everything that happened, maybe it was better this way. I had never thought of Sonic giving me the purpose to live. He allowed me to live, as he had saved my life a couple of times back in the day, but it didn't seem right for me to lose my identity in the pursuit of Sonic.

But still...

I shook my head to hinder anymore bashful thinking, as I let myself start walking throughout the space. Merriment Plaza was pretty much an outlet mall, with shops, restaurants, and a movie theater all randomly shuffled around the outdoor mix. In general, it was the public attraction of Knoxville. Venders sold various items along the side walk, and people came here to generally have a good time. Hence the name Merriment.

In a nutshell, if a person wanted to do something, they came here. But what was I suppose to do?

I wasn't in the mood to go shopping, which was a shocker to me. Like my supposed lover loved chilli dogs, I loved shopping. I was a shopaholic to the extent that I couldn't shop til I drop, because I was practically a professional. And I knew why I did it. With proper monetary management, usually shopping always made things better. But I knew this wasn't a problem that could be fixed by such superficial means. Or a hot outfit.

Movies were also ruled out. I was already going to the movies with Blaze tomorrow. And besides, I was not in the mood to see some gushy movie, or gushy couples watching said gushy movie. Not today. Going to the movies, alone, was sad, and I didn't want to subject myself to that humiliation. I already felt pitiful enough.

Fortunately for me, before my mind could take another emotional, ugly turn, it was a rumble in my stomach that finally answered my question. I clasped my hands together. Food.

My sandals shuffled against the pavement as I maneuvered through the crowds, eager to catch a bite.

The plaza was still pretty busy for a summer Thursday evening, and the fact that there were so many eager Mobians searching for means to entertain themselves affirmed my decision to come out here.

I was forgetting Sonic already! Well, I guess not really...

Shaking my head yet again, I tried to focus on where I wanted to go. I knew that I didn't want to go to a real restaurant because in a sense, it make me feel like I was betraying Blaze. And if I happened to see her in said restaurant...I'd never hear the end of it.

So I decided to settle for my favorite cafe, stressed.

I laughed a bit as I headed toward the direction of establishment. Desserts spelled backwards—kind of a stretch—but a very appropriate name for today.

Another groan from my stomach assured me that I was making the right decision. Within a few minutes, I walked into the cafe. It was a small space, and painted with subdued tones that acted to contribute to the small appearance. But ironic to it's title, the space had a soothing quality that naturally drew people in.

Being that it was evening, it was a little less crowded, which I could really appreciate. Only a guy sipping causally from his latte while on his laptop, and a woman reading a short novel and taking gentle bites from her bagel acted to seize the space. Smiling slightly, I approached the ordering station. A grey wolf with midnight blue eyes stood patiently to take my order.

"What can I get you, Miss?" he said with a smile in his voice. My eyes fell from the menu, as my gaze met his.

"Uh, I'll just have the vegetarian sub, and a strawberry-kiwi smoothie please," I finished, as I began to draw out money from my purse.

"That'll be $7.82," he stated. I gave him exact change with a tip, before he flashed a smile a me. In a moments notice, he gave me my receipt, followed by my order.

"Here's your order," he said before handing it over to, "have a great day, beautiful."

I could only smile at his comment. But with another costumer behind me, now wasn't the time to make small talk...

So, I simply grinned back, "Thanks, bye." I traveled to a comfortable seat, close to the window, and sat down. See? Other guys liked me! I took a rather un-lady like bite from my sandwich, as apart from my jaws, I remained still in thought. What was Sonic's problem?

Sipping from my smoothie beverage, I began to take in the utter bafflement that was today. It didn't seem real that one day, or even just a few hours, could completely alter the course I set for my life.

Maybe that was it. Maybe I was only dealing with the incident so well because it seemed so surreal. Even being here, right now, felt like a dream.

But even if today was a dream, I wasn't so sure that I should wake up. It was like having a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other trying to cue and coax me into what I should do now. I wanted to say that I was neutral, that I was feeling completely neutral, but I was torn.

The funny thing is that I'm pretty sure that both would agree that letting Sonic go would be for the best. Although it would probably be for some reasons better than others...

"I know that you love Sonic, but dear, it's time to let him go," Angel Amy suddenly cautioned to me, her wings flapping delicately as she shook her head. What the?

"It is not worth it, and I wish for your happiness," the angelic figure continued, as I craned my neck in her direction, staring in disbelief. "There are other more suitable matches that will treat you with the respect you are entitled," she persuaded, floating gracefully toward my head as if to prepare to whisper in my ear.

"And besides, he's far from being a virgin! What would the good Lord think? I refuse to let you be his rebound!" she exclaimed in an exasperated yell, crossing her arms and nodding. I merely sighed as I tried to take in her words.

"What goody two-wings is trying to say is that Sonic the hero..." the devil Amy's red eyes narrowed as her thumb and pointer finger formed an O, "...is a complete zero."

I gasp, turning my head in her direction.

"How can you say that?!" I said to her, as she simply shrugged, sitting cross-legged on my shoulder.

"You know it's true, Amy. Don't be an ignorant bitc-"

"Language! Watch your language, we're in public!" the Angel Amy cautioned, clapping her hands over her ears.

"Fuck off, Miss Perfect. Last I checked we're a figment of Amy's imagination and nobody else," the devil Amy retorted, firming her grip on her pitch fork. "Why don't you just let me handle this?"

"I forbid it! If anyone is going to help Amy, it will be me. I'm actually trying to give her useful advice. And besides, she's more like me anyways," she said as she met the glare of Devil Amy, "Good intentions always come first. That's why I'm here, Miss Bitter Resentment."

"Bite. My. Ass," The devil Amy only responded before holding up her middle finger. Angel Amy gasped. Losing a bit of her angelic quality she started to argue with her darker, other half.

"What's your problem?"

"Why are you such a priss?"

"Why can't we just get along?"

"Just bitch off, you stupid piece of shi-"

"ENOUGH!" I finally yelled out loud. I could see the guy on his computer turn around to my direction, as well as the wolf cashier from earlier. Whoopsie. So much for securing his interests...

I lowered my tone, "I'm not over Sonic yet. And I may never be. But I don't need either of your help. I'll deal with it myself. You both can leave."

"But-" Angel and Devil me said, as I narrowed my eyes at them.

"LEAVE," I said firmly. They sighed together with their arms crossed. Now they could get along?

"Fine," they said in unison, as they disappeared in a tuff of transparent smoke.

I started to sip on my smoothie, trying my best to seem unfazed. To seem unmental. But I think I am going crazy. Scratch that. I am crazy.

Ugh! I just don't know how to feel! I'm okay I guess, but my previous mental illusions are proof of otherwise... And if I'm like this when Sonic isn't even here, what's going to happen when I actually see him?

As if on cue, I could see the form of blue hedgehog from the window. Sonic. He was about thirty feet away, and looked to be headed in the direction of the cafe. And oh, hooked on to his arm was that squirrel girl. Sally.

I stood up as if by reflex. There was no way I would be confronted by them. Or worse, greeted by them.

Sonic would be all like, 'Hey Ames, what's up?' as if he had done absolutely nothing wrong. And he hadn't. Technically.

Then Sally would wave, and say, 'Oh hi Amy! I like your dress. Sonic and I are on a date.' and I couldn't be mad at her because I do have a phenomenal fashion sense. And also, from what I knew, Sally wasn't really a bad person and had never done anything terrible to me. Technically.

I looked around in a manner that probably made me look desperate and startled until I found the exit door, the opposite side of where they were coming from.

Throwing away the remains of my rushed meal, I bolted out of the door. Going off into the other direction, I turned my head to see that the two were indeed coming into stressed cafe. I took a sigh of relief. Escaped that one.

When I left the center of the plaza and subconsciously ventured into the outskirts of the center where most of the parked vehicles came into view, my mind was stricken with questions.

What do I do now? Do I just go home?

Are Sonic and Sally dating? Why didn't I just confront them?

How long was I going to keep distancing myself from him?

Until it stops hurting, was my only mental response. God, I was so confused. I thought I was dealing, but I guess I could only do so when I was away from the source of the problem. When I saw them, I was surprised I had the ability to even move. Let alone run out of there like that. With a swollen ankle.

Rubbing my eyes, it took looking at a reflective shop shop window to learn that I was crying. I sniffed them away, trying to hold my head up high. I wanted to feel no shame. To rise above this headache of a matter placed upon me. I didn't know if I was crazy. Or if I was simply hurt. But one thing was for sure.

I wasn't okay.

I walked aimlessly through the outskirts of the plaza as the sounds and sights of life from the Mobians around me did little to make me feel more alive. I should probably go home, but I felt so hopeless that I guess that it really didn't matter where I was. Even though I was near the cars, I had stupidly gone into the direction of the South Parking Lot. And guess which lot I was parked?

North.

I started going into the plaza as the sun had already began to set. Illuminating the sky, shop lights were my guide back home. I could notice the change in environment as my watch read 8:37pm. There were no more small children or teenagers really in the area. Most of the cafe's and other dainty little shops had closed down making more way for the bars, restaurants and 24 hour marts. I marched along as I took in the sights.

It was still a bit crowded, but aside from the city park, beach, and casino, Merriment Plaza carried all of the life at this hour.

But I felt numb. Even my ankle had stopped hurting, and I was starting to wonder whether or not that was a good thing. When the opening to North Lot came into view, I knew that I could just go home and pretend that my troubles were over. For now.

I came out here to have a life, but I was just reminded that everyone else had one. And I didn't. I released a sigh as my pace slowed. It's not like I was in a I did want to have something to make me forget everything for a while. Sleep. And I would only get that if I went home. So maybe I should hurry up.

However, the bright, orange neon lights of an establishment suddenly caught my eye. McAlister's Tavern. It was bar, and normally bars aren't my scene, but a large board written in chalk captured me.

Singles Night.

Second Drink Free.

No Amy. Getting drunk as a skunk does not help everything. Or maybe it will...

Until tomorrow.

~Koko B