When Rouge finally returned from her shopping trip, I was drifting off on one of the lounge chairs in the main dancehall's lobby. The weight of the shopping bags was what really woke me up, though.

I got up to find that besides Rouge, Knuckles was placing a number of bags where I once was. I examined if the bags only had the Victoria Secret label plastered on them, but only a couple of them did, and they were pretty small. Great. I looked over to see Rouge talking, or more like flirting with Knuckles as he tried to brush her off with his macho demeanor.

"H-hey Rouge, sorry about this morning. Guess I overslept a bit."

"Oh, don't worry Rosy. It gave me some time to hang around the hubby."

Knuckles flinched after the word 'hubby' left Rouge's lips. He left us hoping to get away from the overly flirtatious Rouge.

For the whole afternoon, Rouge and I were sorting out my brand new clothes. And by time we were finished the couch was practically lost under the mounds of jeans, leggings, T-shirts, and dressy tops. No sight of ultra miniskirts and super low-cut T-shirts. I guess Rouge really did know my style after all.

"Rouge, all these clothes must've cost you a fortune?" I breathed out as Knuckles helped me carry the masses of clothes up to my room.

"Not at all Sweetie. Consider this my welcoming present, to you." She winked and went the opposite direction of my room, possibly going back to her room.

"Rouge, what times should I get downstairs to work?"

"Oh, it's Sunday, dear. The Club is closed."

I looked at Rouge, as she disappeared past the corner. I quickly threw the heaps of clothes on my suitcase and sofa, and waved goodbye to Knuckles as he scampered down the hall. But my mind was slowing going off someplace else: remembering my childhood in the country, my crazy mom running off with her boyfriend and leaving me to fend for myself, and this strange new feeling that's been bugging since I arrived in the city; a feeling that seems extremely relevant to . . . anxiety?

I slowly opened my eyes and looked around my now dark room in a daze. I must've dozed off at some point. My phone vibrated and I took it off my dresser. The blaring blue light shown 10:48 P.M. and I opened my phone to see four new texts, one of them from a number I didn't recognize, and the other three from a friend from the country I'd never thought I would ever hear from again:

The setting sun overhead was casting a platter of vibrant hues of purple, orange, red, and yellow across the late afternoon sky. We walked side by side down the main road heading back to our homes after a school day full of bustling activities and clubs.

"Hey, did you hear Mr. Harris lecture, today? For a young hot teacher she's pretty bo-ri-ng." Sonic the hedgehog bumped his elbow against mine as we started to laugh at practically nothing for most of our walk, together, something that we did as best friend's ever since the 2nd grade.

As the sky was getting darker, Sonic's static blue fur was actually starting to blend in with the slowly darkening scenery.

We neared our neighborhood, the closely knit houses, and lite up rooms created a sort of pattern. We lived across from each other as long as we could remember, but even so Sonic always walked me to my house and waited along the other side until I went in. But for some reason, today just felt different. As we did our normal routine and Sonic walked me along my doorsteps, he paused and looked at him. His face was drawn with a look of agitation and weak-heartedness, as if he were hiding some dark secret that could kill us both if told.

"What's up, Sonic?"

"N-nothing really just making sure you make it into your house safely," I placed me hands on my hips and gave him a stern look, "God, your so stubborn Ames."

"Tell me, what's up Sonic. I could probably help you?" I smiled at him, but it faded when Sonic's face look discontent.

"Amy . . . Do you think there's something wrong with me?" I stared at him trying to puzzle together his cryptic message. But all I could get were blank thoughts.

"Well if you count the fact that you're a beast on the Track team, then maybe." His eyes widened and narrowed in an unfamiliar expression that took me aback.

"Amy, have you ever felt the same way about me?"

"Well yeah, I have. You're my best friend after all." His face didn't change, it only contorted more.

"Amy, I don't see you as a friend anymore. I-I see you as – Amy I love you!" His words stumbled out of his mouth, and the silence that came right after nearly deafened me.

My body froze as he stared at me, a million questions flooding my mind like the music of the cascades in the summer. Sonic looked at me, probably feeling awkward from his sudden confession. But being the idiot I was, made me ever regret the last few words to exist my mouth.

"I-I don't see you in the same light, Sonic." And with that Sonic gave a halfhearted smile and speed walk over to his house. He didn't bother look back as I heard the door slam across the street.

And that was the last time I ever saw or heard Sonic from the months after senior year, until now. I opened his text messages and skimmed through it.

-Saturday, 2:15 p.m.-

hey Amy, I heard from my mom that you moved to the city, today. i'm sorry I couldnt say goodbye. i hope you enjoy yourself.

-Sunday, 1:58 p.m.-

hey just checking up on you. I don't want to be the bearer of bad news but be safe. theres been some kidnappings and murders in station square recently. They believe it's the work of a serial killer since all the victims were young women. I hope nothing bad happens to you. laterz.

-Sunday, 10:47 p.m.-

Ames! You won't believe it i got accepted at Yule University in station square. Classes start for in two weeks, maybe we can catch up on things. See you then ;)

My heart nearly imploded from my chest at the last message: Sonic's coming here to the city, in two weeks?

Remembering the other text from the mysterious number, I checked it and my mouth feel agape.

-Sunday, 10:48 p.m.-

Amy, its Shadow. It's required that all workers must have each others numbers for business reasons, but Rouge usually uses it for personal use as well.

I smirked and decided to save his number and text him back.

Amy wrote:

Alright, got it Shadow, thanks. But I thought you were going to help me make some drinks tonight?

I waited a few moments before my phone started to vibrate in my hands.

Shadow wrote:

I apologize. I forgot that tonight the Club was closed. So instead, if you're not busy, I can come over and personal help you with the mixing without the crowd.

Amy wrote:

Well I'm not doing anything, but I don't want to be a burden. If you're not busy then its fine

Shadow wrote:

I live in the condominium a couple of blocks away; I should be there in about ten minutes. Give or take heavy traffic, tonight.

But after another half-hour another text came from him . . .

Shadow wrote:

… I'm sorry something came up. It seems we must reschedule our lesson for tomorrow in the morning. If I don't teach you soon enough I'll be put under the mediocre bartender status and I wish for that not to happen due to the clumsiness of a new partner. Oh and one more thing, stay inside. See you tomorrow at 9 sharp.

My face smashed together in annoyance, with my perception of Shadow going back to wanting to bash his head in. Who is he to tell me what to do and on top of that insult me! Piss ant. I went over to my suitcase and started to sort out my new clothes and put them in the drawers that I didn't seem to notice until now.

As I changed my clothes, my thoughts went back to Sonic and then for some reason the sunset that day. I looked out my open window and went to close it. Through the window the street lights and skyscrapers with blinking lights proved to be imitating the invisible stars in the sky. And if I remember correctly, I hadn't even noticed the sky turn into much of anything, and the sun was practically invisible.

I just hope I won't become like the people down there who don't seem to care about anything but the traffic and parking tickets. It's sad when there's no sunset or stars to been seen in a place.

It seems that my updating will take place on Saturdays rather than Thursdays, until further notice. I got a few good reviews which I'm thankful for, but I'm hoping to get a few more by Chapter 5 or else this story might go on hiatus.

School is kicking my butt, right now, and the only thing driving me to continue writing this story is its admirers (and my love of writing, also.)

So please R&R, because it's like the written form of ecstasy.