That was quick! :P Please don't get too excited; I'm still wondering how on earth I managed to get two chapters out in one weekend! But still, I know where I'm going with the story now, so hopefully updates won't take ages like last time. Thanks to BlueyO (I've gotta say, it touched me to know that you were thinking about my story! ^_^), Zebra, doctorcookiemonster, Lightning Eyes, tailsfan0101cream, Super-Shadow1248 and ChillyNight for your reviews! It's nice to know that people are excited to read this story! :)
Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.
Chapter 9 - Closer
Amy flipped through her phone contacts, wondering if she even had Rouge's number. It was unlikely, but- Oh, she'd found it! Amy smiled. She'd probably taken it down once before, just in case, and she was pleased that she had. Within seconds, she'd dialled the number, and thankfully, she could hear a steady ringing reaching her ear. It continued for a while, and Amy fiddled with the phone cord. Either Rouge wasn't in or she was taking ages to reach the phone.
.
Amy was considering hanging up when at last a low, sultry voice sounded on the other end of the line.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Rouge," Amy smiled.
"Hi there, Pinky," said Rouge smoothly. "Fancy having you callin' me. What can I do for you?"
"Well, I guess I just wanted to talk to someone," Amy admitted.
"And you called me?" The voice on the other end sounded almost pleased.
"Yeah. I mean, I can't really call anybody else, can I?"
"Not really," Rouge said. "I've gotta say, Pinky, I'm glad you called. It's been kind of boring around here since the jewellery store closed down."
.
"It closed because all of its stock was being stolen," Amy said accusingly.
A chuckle resounded from the earpiece. "I know. It's such a shame isn't it? But I'll bet whoever took all those gems must be pretty pleased with themselves."
Amy rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you are," she muttered. "But listen, Rouge, I wanted to talk to you for another reason. I've done something that might have been a bit… risky."
"Nothing new there," Rouge said, and Amy could hear the smirk in her voice. "Go on. Tell me."
.
Amy frowned, but continued. "So I was hanging out with Sonic – which was really great by the way; we walked together for ages and we were talking and it was just so easy to be with him, and…"
"Amy," said Rouge, but the hedgehog was still talking excitedly.
"… He got me to try a chilli dog which was really spicy but it made Sonic laugh and I guess it was kind of funny. And, oh, he has such a cute laugh! I mean, I was a bit annoyed because my tongue hurt but I can't stay mad at-"
"Amy." Rouge spoke louder, but she still went unheard.
"… I know we didn't spent that much time together, but it was still-"
"Amy!" Rouge shouted.
.
Amy let out a huff at being interrupted. "What?" she demanded.
"Get to the point."
Amy narrowed her eyes. "Hey, if you're supposed to be part of this, you have to listen to what I have to say," she said sharply. She could picture Rouge with a condescending smirk on her face.
"I think you're forgetting that I'm holding the cards, Pinky," Rouge stated. "I'm doing you the favour. If you want my help, cut to the chase. But it's nice that your happy," she added.
Amy lost her frown. "Thank you," she said. "Anyway, while we were walking I accidentally dropped my purse."
.
Rouge breathed in through her lips, making a wincing sound. "What did Big Blue have to say about that?"
"Urm… he was confused. He said that I was acting weird so I said that I was friends with… me."
There was a pause.
"Wait. So Sonic thinks that 'Andy' is friends with you?" Rouge said, analysing the situation.
"Yeah. I thought it was a good idea at the time," Amy explained. She waited for Rouge's response, anxious to hear what the bat would make of the situation.
.
"You know," said Rouge thoughtfully, "this could work for you. Whenever you need to mention yourself, you've got a good excuse. But was Sonic convinced?"
"He seemed to be."
"Hmm. Then I don't think you have anything to worry about, hon."
"Oh." Amy smiled involuntarily. "Thanks, Rouge."
"No problem."
.
That was all that Amy had wanted to talk about. There wasn't really a reason to stay on the phone anymore, but Amy decided to carry on the conversation. "So… How was your day?"
Rouge let out a short laugh. "As if you'd really wanna know."
"I do."
"Oh." Rouge sounded pleasantly surprised, and Amy smiled. She'd never thought of it before, but what if Rouge was lonely? It seemed silly to think it, but the bat never spent much time with anyone other than Knuckles, and all he ever did was fly into a temper (particularly with Rouge, Amy had noticed). It was possible that Rouge just wanted someone to hang out with, even if she acted like she couldn't care less. And as for Knuckles, he spent his life guarding the master emerald; he needed some more social interaction. And that was why Amy made yet another task at the top of her to-do list: 'Hook up Rouge and Knuckles'.
.***
The morning sunlight reached into Amy's bedroom, and the hedgehog moaned groggily. She didn't mind the light too much; she'd still be able to sleep if only somebody would stop knocking on her door. She buried her face in her pillow, trying to drift back into sleep but her ears perked up as there was yet another set of knocks. She growled. It wasn't as if she could answer it anyway.
.
She remained in her bed, but the noisy offender continued to knock, and had officially ruined any chance of sleep. Amy shoved off her duvet and ran to window. Standing at her doorstep, with a hand on her hip as usual, was Rouge. Amy heaved a sigh, and stormed down the stairs, tearing open the door and pulling Rouge inside the house.
.
"Well, aren't we cheerful today, Pinky?" Rouge said, observing the hedgehog.
"Do you have any idea what time it is?" Amy shrieked.
"About eleven o'clock," Rouge replied calmly. "You've slept in late."
Amy glanced at the clock, confirming this. She must have been tired.
.
Rouge eyed her again, taking in her pyjama t-shirt and shorts that were decorated with hearts. "You need to get changed," she said. "We're all having a little get together at the beach."
"Everyone?" Amy asked, and Rouge nodded. "Whose idea was that?"
"Yours truly," Rouge said, looking pleased with herself.
Amy tilted her head to the side. "You arranged it? But why?"
"It's an opportunity for you to spend some time with the others and earn their trust. I even convinced Knucklehead to leave his rock with my… persuasive techniques," she said with a secretive smile.
Amy grinned, sending Rouge a wink. "Gotcha," she giggled.
.
It took Amy a short while to get changed and grab some breakfast before the two girls left the house, heading for Emerald Coast. Rouge looked longingly into the sky, wanting to fly there, but decided to walk with Amy. The pink hedgehog wasn't that bad. She might've been a bit annoying sometimes but her bubbly personality made a change to Knuckles's constant bad mood.
.
The two of them didn't have to walk far before they reach the coast, where everyone else had already arrived. They were greeted by their friends and by the warm, salty smell of the sea. The waves were gently dancing along the shoreline, and Mobians were paddling contentedly, enjoying the weather. Amy smiled, welcoming the sea breeze as it balanced with the heat of the sun. She was glad that her friends seemed comfortable around her. Rouge had told her on the way there that a few of them were unsure if a day out was a good idea, with her being gone. She couldn't help smiling at that. It was nice to see that they cared, though she hated to lie to them like this.
.
Soon enough, everyone began to relax. Tails and Cosmo were playing in the sea with a beach ball, tossing it at each other and giggling. Cream was building a sand castle with Cheese's help, and Rouge was hanging around with Knuckles, probably either irritating him or showering him with flirtatious comments. Sonic was stretched out on the sand, staying as far back from the sea as possible, with a sleepy smile on his face. Amy felt a grin pull at her lips as she studied his slim yet muscular physique, his arms behind his head and supporting his cobalt blue quills.
.
She walked towards him as casually as she could and dropped onto the sand beside him. "Hi," she said.
"Hey," Sonic replied, his eyes closed.
Amy leaned back so that they were at the same level, and focused her gaze on the ocean. "It's hot out here," she commented.
"So I've noticed," chuckled Sonic.
Amy scanned the scene before them, noticing that Rouge had now managed to drag Knuckles into the sea with her. How did she hold so much power over him? It was something that Amy could never seem to do herself with Sonic.
.
She looked again, realising that everyone was in the sea now, as the heat had gotten stronger. It was just her and Sonic. She'd never get him to go in, but maybe it was worth a try. "Why don't you paddle, bro?" she said coolly.
Sonic shook his head. "I'm not a big water fan."
Amy took a second to mull over this. She knew that Sonic didn't like water, but she'd never known his reason for it. "Why?" she asked.
"Just don't like it," was her reply.
.
"Is it too cold for you?" she questioned him.
He shrugged. "Kind of."
'That means no,' she thought. "Too wet?"
He smiled in amusement. "I don't think it's gonna get any drier," he said.
Amy shifted in the sand so that she was completely facing him. "So what is then? There's got to be a reason why you don't like it," she insisted.
"Not necessarily," he said. "It's like me asking you: why do you wear clothes?"
.
Amy blushed furiously and hoped that he wouldn't notice. "B-because I want to!"
"You see," said Sonic, wagging his finger. "You like wearing clothes and I don't like the water."
"That's not the same thing!"
"Yeah, it is."
Amy raised an eyebrow. "There's got to be more to it than that," she said stubbornly. "I don't think you're being honest."
.
Sonic opened his eyes to look at her, and his bright green orbs connected with hers. "Don't ya?"
"No. And I know how you hate liars."
Sonic's eyes widened briefly, but then he understood. "Amy told you, huh?" he said, his mood almost darkening for a moment. He propped himself up with his arms. "Fair enough."
"So then tell me," she pushed him. "What is it you hate so much about water?"
"Alright. It holds you back," he said. "You can't walk properly let alone run in that stuff. I like having control of my feet, not having them dragged from under me." He gestured with his hands, using his fingers to imitate two legs slipping on his palm. He was speaking so animatedly, and Amy could see that he really meant what he was saying.
.
"It's freaky, ya know?" he added. "How it can just take you under like that, and if you get tossed around too much you can't even tell how to get back to the surface."
Amy nodded slowly, trying to catch hold of her thoughts. Did Sonic just open up to her? He'd explained to her why he hated water so much, and Amy couldn't help feeling touched. It counted as a confession, didn't it? They'd practically had a heart to heart! She was sure that he'd never reveal those inner worries to the real her, but even in disguise she was happy. This was just a building block of what could be a powerful relationship.
.
"Yo, Andy?" Sonic said. "Earth to Andy?"
Amy shook herself out of her thoughts. "Sorry, I got distracted," she explained. "But you know, Sonic, the current is really weak today. There are barely any waves at all, and it's so hot. Why don't you just go into the sea for a while? Just a few minutes?"
Sonic shook his head. "Dude, not even the heat could make me go in there," he said firmly.
"But it's so nice and cool, and you can stay in the shallow part."
Sonic frowned slightly, looking out at the vast body of water.
.
"Everybody else is there," Amy said. "You don't want to be a spoil sport, do ya?" She knew that, normally, she would have no chance of getting him to join them. But as Andy, it was possible, wasn't it?
Sonic sighed. He took off his sneakers and his socks, and got to his feet. "Well? What are you sittin' around for?" he grinned.
Amy didn't even try to fight the huge smile that spread across her muzzle. She jumped up beside him and he raced her to the water's edge.
.
The two hedgehogs paused at the shore, and Sonic gingerly put a foot in. "It's wet," he announced, and Amy chortled. She loved how adorable he looked as he was moving very slowly, probably for the first time ever, with his ears slightly flattened. She was about to run into the sea but she held herself back, realising a slight dilemma.
.
"Aren't you coming in?" Sonic asked, still edging slowly into the water.
"Urm… I don't know," she said nervously.
"Why?"
"My clothes will get all wet."
"So take 'em off."
Amy felt her face flaming once again and gritted her teeth. 'Remember, you're a boy. You're a boy. What he said was perfectly normal,' she told herself. "I… I can't," she whined.
"Why not?"
"Because... I don't want to!"
"Then come in anyway," Sonic said, almost ankle-deep in water.
.
Amy hesitated. She didn't want to spend the rest of the day soaking wet, but this was her chance to have some proper time with Sonic. Stay dry or have fun with Sonic? It was no contest. She ran full-pelt into the sea, yelping as the cold water splashed against her jeans, drenching them in the process. They felt heavier already, and she struggled to wade around in the water, holding out one arm for balance while holding onto her cap with the other. Sonic chuckled at her antics, losing his look of uneasiness. She smirked and batted water at him, laughing at his shocked expression.
"Hey!" he cried, spraying her back.
.
This quickly developed into a water fight, with the two hedgehogs chucking miniature tidal waves at each other, in fits of laughter. Amy's soggy jeans felt horrible against her legs and the salty water kept getting in her mouth but she was having so much fun that she didn't care. She'd never had this kind of interaction with Sonic before. She'd never been able to mess around or make jokes with him; he'd always seemed so discomforted with her. She didn't even know that it was possible to have so much fun with him, but she loved it.
.
It was a while before they calmed down, and they trundled back onto the sand, panting.
"Who knew water could be so much fun?" Sonic said, dropping to the ground and resuming his relaxing position, smiling widely.
Amy joined him, readjusting her sunglasses and wiping off the water droplets.
"I've gotta say, I'm glad you made me try it out," he admitted.
"I'm not sure that I can say the same for you making me try chilli dogs," she joked.
Sonic smiled at this, but the mention of his favourite food made him sit up. "Speaking of chilli dogs," he grinned.
.
Amy slapped her forehead teasingly and pointed towards the Clamshell Café that was further down the beach. Sonic quickly asked everyone in the group what they wanted for lunch and zipped across the sand while the rest of them prepared the picnic blanket and sat down together in a disorderly circle.
Rouge leaned towards Amy to whisper in her ear, "I've told the others about you being friends with… you. They believed it."
"Thanks," Amy whispered back.
.
Sonic returned in record time with everyone's orders and they all dug in, enjoying the sunshine. Everyone was in high spirits as they ate, and Amy was very pleased with the way things were turning out. She looked around the circle at her friends. Watching their smiling faces made her even happier, until she noticed that one person wasn't entirely cheerful. Cream had a slightly troubled frown on her face as she nibbled on her sandwich.
"What's up, Cream?" she asked.
.
The rest of the group looked up at the rabbit, noting her expression. She smiled sadly. "Oh, it's nothing, Mr. Andy," she said. "It's just that… I feel bad that we're having fun while Amy's not here."
The atmosphere took on a sour note and Amy winced. She wanted to hug Cream and tell her that she was fine, but of course, she couldn't. She turned to Sonic, wanting to catch his reaction, and saw his smile disappear. Something in his expression changed every time Amy was mentioned and she couldn't be sure why. He could have been missing her or just plain annoyed for all she knew.
.
"I'm sure Amy's fine," said Rouge.
"Yeah, she'll be back soon," Tails reminded her.
Knuckles and Cosmo chipped in with reassurances, but Sonic said nothing. He finished up his chilli dog, mumbled something about taking a run and dashed off, leaving a sense of discomfort to befall once again.
Sonic doesn't seem too happy. I wonder why... :D
I hope you enjoyed that, but the weekend is over so school dominates once again. Thanks for reading! Please review! :)