Hello. Here's Chapter 8. I'm surprised how well this story is going along, but I'm also glad that it seems everyone is liking it so far.

With that, thanks for reading. And also, thanks to Guest, DIM666 - Insane Leader, Blue-Fire on Ice, and AN-DoubleRainbow-NA for reviewing the last chap.

Now on with the story.

So Amy and Scourge hooked up, but will that compare to the conversation?

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

Read and see!

Chapter 8: Feeling Sorry

Pause.

"Sonic?" I gasped as my eyes widened in shock.

"Yeah, Ames," he replied with slight suspicion on his breath. "You okay?"

Just dandy.

"Um, yeah, yes Sonic," I told him, my pitch rising as I was suddenly trying very hard to remember why I was ever mad at him in the first place. Damn his affect on me...

"Okay then," Sonic's voice relaxed, as I tried my best not to tense up. To think, this time yesterday I would have been ecstatic. Now hanging up the phone could only produce that type of joy.

"So, ah, w-what did y-you need?" I sputtered like the fool I was. I shook my head, clenching the phone harder in my hands. I just wanted this to be over.

"Well, Ames, some half-wit threw some chilli-dogs at my house," he explained, "And in favorite my running shoes..."

I delayed a flout, as I tried my best not to feel insulted. Half-wit? Of course he would call to unknowingly shame me. Coiling the phone line around my pointer finger, I tilted my head up to get a better reading of his words.

"That's terrible, Sonic," I spoke, trying my best to sound concerned. My momentary feelings of dread were over. Serves him right. Wait, no it doesn't. Sonic doesn't deserve that! Or does he...I thought before taping my fingers against the granite kitchen counter. Get a grip. "Do you have any leads?"

"No," Sonic said simply. "I can't believe I didn't notice it. I went out yesterday, but I left through the garage, and I didn't return until nightfall. Ha, my carelessness right?" I could feel him grinning that boyish grin that I loved. I sighed.

"But you're always buying chilli-dogs for me," Sonic continued, "and it looks like someone might 'ave been trying to frame you," he considered, before adding, "You'd never do such a thing."

I was suddenly very grateful that this conversation was occurring over the phone. I didn't know how I would carry on if this happened in passing. Being the fastest being alive, I was somewhat surprised that he didn't decide to confront me personally. Under any other circumstance, the sight of him in my apartment to talk to me, instead of just being here when the other guys also came for annual gatherings would have made my day. My frickin' year.

Now my day was just starting, and I wanted it to end. Starting with this call.

"Amy?" he called out as I halted my response. Caring but somewhat impatient. What else was one to expect from the radical blue blur?

"Of course not," I finally said in a sigh. Why would I hurt my hero? Even if he's been hurting me? I've just been too stupid to realize that his un-romantic behavior towards me was just that. Maybe the reason why our relationship never progressed from awkward friend-self proclaimed lover zone wasn't because of him.

It was me. I shook my head, quickly disagreeing with myself. All I did was love him. And he apparently didn't want to love me back. He just didn't like me. At least not the way I wanted him to. And I felt like an idiot that this was all coming together. If it wasn't for the incident, I'd still be lost in my unfortunate delusion...But now wasn't the time to think about this. With him on the line, I didn't want my very personal thoughts to escape from my mouth. If I felt mortified before, try spilling my guts about how I felt about him. Wait, never mind.

I did that on a daily basis.

"I have a hunch that it's Shadow," Sonic began to joke, possibly feeling the harsh tension coming from my side of the line. Or maybe lack of. I hadn't offered a marriage proposal, or discussed dating destinations. To him I probably seemed unnaturally quiet. And I was a talker. Especially about all topics blue.

"Um yeah," I tried to consider, opening my mostly silent mouth to say more. "Shadow was telling me something about how you two were going to have some duel or match or something. I guess he was trying to get your attention. Don't tell him I told you, kay?"

I frowned a bit. It wasn't fair to put this false accusation on Shadow's shoulders, but he was being a real douche to me. Sure he wasn't unprovoked...but this was just me returning the middle fingered favor.

"That figures," Sonic decided with a sigh. "And sure thing."

And that was that.

He was gone as fast as he came.

There was a whole day to kill.

And it wasn't even noon.

I had managed to get dressed, optioning for a cream, short sleeve peter pan collared tunic with a black buttoned-up contrast, navy skinny jeans, and a pair of chocolate brown boots.

Physically, I was more than presentable.

Mentally, I was a distraught little girl—woman—didn't know what to do with herself.

I paced around the apartment trying not to become bored with myself. I didn't have a job. Practically a lifetime of helping to save the world payed off quite nicely. And since most schools were on summer break, I still had months of free time until heading off to law school.

Ha, people said I was a persuasive person. But somehow I could only manipulate things to happen that I didn't want.

I was expecting to fill this time by hanging out with my friends, and genuinely having a good time. But movie night with Blaze wasn't until 7pm, and it seemed like everyone else had their own lives.

What to do?

Now that I think about it, I didn't even have my own car. It was still at Merriment Plaza. I sighed at my foolish actions. I'd have to go back.

The outlet mall was about a mile away, and I wasn't in the mood to walk over there in the May heat. But I didn't want to stay here either.

Grabbing my purse, I headed for the door hoping that only good things would come from leaving my apartment. But a girl could only hope.

And away I went.

It probably would have been a good thing to have actually checked the weather forecast today because it was blazing. My feet felt like they were melting, and the cool chiffon-like texture of my shirt was the only thing that ventilated me enough, preventing me from looking like a total fur ball of sweat.

Because it was me, I tried my best to ignore the heat as my feet skimmed the pavement instead of marching back inside the instant I felt uncomfortable. Now, halfway between my home and the plaza, I was at odds with myself.

Yesterday, there was a cool, optimistic breeze in the air. Now the staggering heat of reality was blaring on me, burning me senseless. There were other people on their bikes, walking the paved path alike, but they seemed unfazed by it. But unlike me they looked happy, as if happiness was some sort of natural coolant. I on the other hand, in all my bothered bliss, was roasting like nut. Wiping a bead of sweat from my head, it was clear. I, and I alone, was put on hell on Mobius.

Sweet, merciful-

"Amy?" I spun around quickly, as I was presented with a rather horrific sight.

"Sally?" I choked out, my mouth dried like this desert of a town. My eyes fell to the squirrel girl jogging in place. She took off the ear buds of her MP3 player before focusing on me. For whatever reason, she was glowing in her athletic wear—a sky blue sports bra and shorts—like a fitness goddess, completely undeterred by the incredible heat before us. Even though she was running, I was the sweaty mess.

Great. Now I know why he picked her...

She brushed her auburn hair from her eyes as she allowed her glimmering azure gaze to grace mine.

"Are you okay?" she asked, as she stopped bobbing in place, studying me further. God, I was so tired of being asked that. Especially by the two beings who were the very reason why I am not okay!

I gave a reluctant nod. "Well good!" she chirped, a graceful smile settling on her lips. Why were all the females in my life more put together than me... "I was asking because you look like your about to have a heat stroke," she observed.

"I'm fine, really," I objected, forcing myself to a perfect upright position, and trying my best to look decent. Not dying of heat. Sally laughed lightly. Of course she would...

"I don't think so," she said, taking her hand in mine. Great, I was holding hands with the pleasant girl who had defiled the boyfriend of my dreams. "Here, I'm just about done running, and my car is parked in Merriment, which is a few blocks over. I'll drive you were you need to go-"

"Actually," I interrupted, unsuccessful at trying to suck up some of the dry, humid air before a hot gust slapped my face, "my car is parked there too. So there's no need for that-"

"Well good then! We can go together," she practically exclaimed, pulling me along with her. Caring, responsible, perky...Yeah Sonic, I can see what makes her better than me...

"I rarely see you and it'll be fun," she added, a satisfied ring in her voice. I tried to force a smile.

Oh goody.

We reached Merriment a lot slower than I thought we would. But I have to admit, me being focused on the squirrel...chipmunk-sight before me- acted to distract from the heat.

"What side are you parked in?" she called before me.

"...Uh, North," I gracelessly remembered, as she nodded.

"Me too," she said, as we walked through the outlet mall, already filled quite nicely with eager buyers.

"So, why did you leave your car here?" Sally turned to ask me, as I blinked thoughtfully, a bit taken back.

"Well, I-I, um..." I stammered for a bit, as Sally's gaze remained, unflinching. Ugh, I was never good on the spot. Nor did I want to tell the truth. "I came here yesterday...and I lost my key. I walked home, and I got a spare," I finally said. Not a bad lie.

"Oh, too bad," Sally commented. "But I suppose the weather was a bit more pleasant than today," I merely gazed at her appearance. I was the one sweating to a pulp, while she was glistening. A few whistles from vendors, and other nosy guys acted to assure her regal, alluring presence.

She ignored them as we walked further to the other side of the mall. She was already taken for. "You wanna get a smoothie with me?" She said suddenly, as I blinked at her.

If I had any self-respect, I would have thanked her, declined, and went on my merry way. But I didn't.

"Sure," I agreed, suddenly hating myself. The last thing I needed was to continue to see how much better she was than me even without Sonic.

"Great!" she cheered lightly. "I know this great place, Smooth Junction, it's up ahead."

We walked further until the establishment came into view. It was the kind of trendy, but earthy place that I'm surprised I overlooked. I suppose I saw a lot more when my gaze wasn't permanently fixed on Sonic.

The space had city like feel to it but managed to appear like a tropical escape. A cool, tea green, a warm orange, and a refreshing ocean blue were the basic palate of the place, and they worked in unison to produce a relaxed, stylish environment. Of course, Sally had good taste.

We walked further into the establishment to place our orders. Out of the back, a rabbit, dawned in a Smooth Junction uniform, came to attend to us.

"Hey, Sally," Cream greeted politely before turning to me. "Oh, hello Amy, what brings you here?"

I motioned to the female standing next to me. "Sally," I stated. But what brought Cream here?

"Since when did you get a job?" I questioned. Maybe I was loosing focus on the friends in my life...

"Oh, just last week. Sally would know, she's a frequent customer," the squirrel nodded, running a hand through her slightly tasseled hair as she smiled.

"Yes, Cream can make a killer smoothie, " she commented, as the rabbit blushed slightly. I allowed myself to smile.

"Technically, I don't need a job," Cream noted, bringing out cups, "But mom said that it would 'build character'," she mocked, using air quotes, "and when she means 'build character' she means that she doesn't want me making out with Tails all summer. But he visits frequently, so I don't mind..."

With a worker's smile, Cream's russet orbs settled on us. "So, what'll it be?"

Sally brought a finger to her chin thoughtfully, "The blue blurry, please." Of course she'd want that.

Cream nodded, taking a mental order. "And you, Amy?"

I peered at the foreign menu. "I...um, the strawberry sizzler," I said, feeling a bit ridiculous at the name. God forbid just strawberry-kiwi, right?

"Nice one," Cream assured, whipping up various ingredients in a blender. In little to no time, the slushy concoctions were presented before us. Clicking some buttons on the register, she turned to us.

"Will this be separate?" she gazed up. Before I could respond, Sally placed a ten on the counter.

"I'm paying," she told the apricot rabbit. Cream nodded before cashing bill.

I didn't know if I should of rejected her offer right there. I mean, I had the money to pay, and I didn't want to be thanking Sally for anything.

But I did anyway.

"Thank you," I said, trying my best to avoid eye contact. Undetecting how tense I was, she merely smiled.

"No problem," she brushed off before we settled at a high-rise table. Sally sat there, like a queen on her pedestal, as I felt like her hand-out. She lead me here—a perfectly air conditioned, bubbly environment—when I was on the verge of having a heat stroke, and then paid for my smoothie.

With all of the things she has done for me, it felt like I was paying some price instead. Part of me wanted Sally to pay (not actually pay anymore, it was bad enough that she was richer than me) for taking Sonic away from me, but the again, at what cost? I had no right to Sonic, and me disliking her because of the guy in between didn't seem worth it.

We sipped our beverages in silence (less awkward than I would have anticipated, however) as I tried to remove these deep thoughts about Sally from my head. With her being right next to me, it seemed like I was wronging her some how. Like talking smack about a friend in their house. Only we weren't friends. At least in my mind. Like I was Sonic's self-proclaimed girlfriend, Sonic's real girlfriend may have self-proclaimed herself as my friend with all of her actions toward me so far. Which was really nice of her...

But I didn't want to get soaked up in her niceness...So instead I focused on the wooden oak floors, the grey, powerful fan above my head...

"Hey guys," Cream greeted again, scooting a chair in between the two of us with her own smoothie in hand. Sitting down on the chair in a soft plop, she took a quick sip from her straw before her innocent gaze met ours. "I'm on my break," she finally said, as we nodded.

"That was quick," I lightly humored as Cream's lips ascended into a grin.

"Well it's noon, and surprisingly no one else has stepped through the door," she smiled, before sucking down on her beverage.

"Very true," Sally noted. "So how are things with you and Tails?"

Cream continued to grin. Only now it was a wild, clearly love-struck one. "It really couldn't be better. I'm really grateful for what we have." I tried my best to look happy for her, but this was not the conversation I wanted to hear. The slight, superficial admiration I had for Sally was gone just for bringing that up. I scoffed. Curse relationships.

Cream gave me a questionable look as I waved my hand in defense. "Sorry," I said, beginning to slurp rapidly on my straw. "Brain freeze."

Sally opened her mouth as if to say something, but shook her head in an effort to push on, "Well, that's really nice to hear."

Adjusting her apron, Cream nodded in Sally's direction. "Thank you, Sally. How's Sonic?"

Wait.

Was I the only one who didn't realize that Sonic and Sally were in a relationship? You know, before the whole walk-in sexual trauma event? How?

"Amazing," Sally commented, practically swooning. In order to stop myself from crying out, I bit down on my straw, crushing the nonexistent life out of it.

"Have you found someone, Amy?" Sally said swiftly, her eyes gleaming with interest. I fought the urge to jump on her. So this is why she brought me here. To assert her superiority. Her claim on my beloved Sonic. I shook my head, my eyes boring past her. Should I even respond?

"No," I finally said with a slight wrinkle of my nose, back to placing my lips against my cool straw hoping this conversation would be over. I thought we were here to enjoy smoothies. Not enjoy my expense due to my screwed up love life.

I mean, I really, really wanted to despise her right now, but she wasn't particularly awful. Her question wasn't out of bounds. Especially since she probably considered me to be her friend. But what was the point of asking a question if you already knew the answer?

"Well, don't worry, you'll find someone," she assured as I shrugged.

"So how's the sex?" Cream said out of nowhere, earning a frenzied stare from me. Since when did Cream talk about sex? She was only eighteen. The little girl I knew couldn't have grown up that quickly, could she?

"Really good," Sally admitted, a blush settling on her face. I gave her an unsatisfied smile as Cream reached her hands out to the woman.

"That's great. I was a bit reluctant to do it with Tails for the first time, but Tails is really good," she announced, beaming. "I mean, really good," she boasted.

The two began to commence in rapid giggling and laughing as I threw a fake ha-ha their way. Chugging down the rest of the contents of the drink, and ignoring the freezing sensation at the back of my tongue, I threw the container away, studying the table before me.

They were on another level than me.

Even though I had technically lost my virginity, it wasn't in the same context as them. They had boyfriends, while I felt like a harlot. They had experienced love. I hadn't experienced anything that close. That precious.

They were all, 'Yay, we're in a committed relationship with guys who love us'. While I was all, 'Damn it, only a whore would have a drunken, mistake of a hook up'.

Seeing how they continued, drinking their smoothies, and being so invested in each others conversations...

I knew I had no place here.

Leaving the establishment, I refused to look back.

It's not like they cared.

Sorry, Amy. I put you in a pretty tough situation. But you still have the movie with Blaze. I'm sure things are going to look up.

Anyways, thanks for reading, and please review. I've had like 700 views on this story, and only 25 reviews? C'mon guys...

Yeah, I'm being pushy. If that's okay.

See you soon.

~Koko B