New chapter guys. I hope you enjoy this one!

Chapter 7: Newfound Admiration

I think I may have lost my mind when it came to helping Amy train to maintain her speed. I don't know what came over me when I said I was going to train her, but I did, and today was the day of training. While Tails was busy working on his training lab for our usage, I was stretching my legs. I was getting ready to perform a practice run, until I heard a familiar voice.

"Hey, Sonic!"

I turned around to see Amy calling out to me, waving her hand. She runs toward me, smiling.

"Are you doing your usual run?"

"Yes I am, Amy."

"Can I join?"

I looked at her with a surprised expression on my face.

"Why this all of a sudden, Amy?"

"I thought it'd be nice if I can get early experience of what it's like to run really fast."

"You're really into this are you?"

"Why of course! Ever since you gave me some of your equipment, I feel like I've grown stronger. I really can't thank you enough for giving me them."

"It's no problem, Amy. I do look out for everyone, including my self-proclaimed girlfriend, who isn't actually my girlfriend."

She looked at me, and began to pout while crossing her arms at the same time.

"Hey! It might happen someday, Sonic!"

I laughed at her, and gave her a friendly smile while she looked away from me.

"Haha! You wish, Amy. Not the way you are now. Maybe if you were more calm and patient with it, I'd probably take you up on that offer."

"Oh really?"

"This doesn't mean you'll be trying that out on me."

She looked at me, shocked that I knew she was going to pull that in the future.

"Sonic, you jerk!"

I started to laugh harder while looking her, keeping a smile on my face.

"Amy, you've been around me for years now. I think I know your actions more than you know them yourself. That's proof enough we've spent a lot of time together."

"Yeah, but not the way I expected them to."

I got a little more serious with her, and started to speak my feelings about this.

"Amy, you can't just expect me to date you, just because you're my number 1 fan. That doesn't give you the right to claim the title of my girlfriend."

"But…"

"Amy, while I would try it with you, my mind isn't set on dating anyone. You've been making me uncomfortable for years, trying to get me to marry you, and have me become yours, all without realizing your own actions. Don't you think that's wrong for a number 1 fan to do?"

Amy just stood there, quiet, not saying a word, but listening to every word I was telling her.

"I don't mind being around you, Amy. However, you have to understand my feelings as well."

Amy looked down to ground, trying to think of what to say, before getting her words out.

"I'm sorry, Sonic. I never would've expected you to tell me all this."

"That's because I care about you, Amy."

Amy's looked up at me, blushing a light red color.

"You do?"

"Yes, Amy. I know you care about me, and I really appreciate it for what you're trying to do, but I think you should take it slow, instead of trying to rush things."

Amy took her time to process everything that I've said to her before giving her reply.

"Sonic, why are you telling me all of this? Didn't you say you didn't want to settle down with anyone?"

"My mind isn't set on dating anyone… Not yet at least, and I'm telling you all of this, because despite the fact that you've been making me uncomfortable for all of these years, I've had fun fighting alongside you, and just like any other friend would say, I'd really hate to see you looking really sad, because what I've said."

Amy smiles at me, and held my hand.

"Thanks, Sonic. I'm glad we were able to talk like this. I felt like I got to know you a lot more now."

"You're welcome, Amy. You know, you probably should've done this a liiiiittle earlier. I would've been dated you years back."

"What?"

Amy took a while to think about it before realizing it.

"I could have been doing this from the start!"

I started to chuckle a little.

"Hey! What's so funny?"

"I'm chuckling because you're really dense for someone who really wants to be with me."

"I can't help it! When I'm around you, these feelings of mine get out of control. I feel like my heart is about to burst from my chest, because the sight of you makes me heat up. I feel all tingly, and when you let me touch your hand or hug you, all of my dreams feel like it came true. I never did tell you before, Sonic, but I've always loved you."

I looked at her for a while, unsure of what to say about her confession. Truth is, I already knew she loved me, but actually hearing it for the first time did catch me off guard. I took a while to think about it, before actually giving my reply.

"I appreciate the confession, Amy. It means a lot to me, but I can't return those same feelings to you. I'm sorry."

"It's fine, Sonic. You've already explained it to me earlier. You have to get to know someone first, before you can confess. I'm surprised you didn't take off like you usually do when I do things like this."

"I've gotten used to it, Amy."

"I'm glad you have, Sonic. Otherwise we wouldn't have talked like this."

"You're right about that."

We both smiled at one another, and all of a sudden, Amy held my hand.

"So… About my offer…"

I nodded my head to her, smiling.

"Yeah, you can come with me."

She gave me a hug, giggling.

"Thank you, Sonic!"

"Heh heh! No problem, Amy. Go get the Blue Gem, and we'll take things slow."

"OK!"

She starts to run but stops in her tracks, and turns around.

"Oh! Sonic?"

"Yes?"

"I can't wait to see what it's like to be as fast as you. I've dreamt of it every night, but I never would've expected to have this dream come true."

"Well, consider this the first time your dream came true. You might have more dreams come true, now that we'll be training together from here on out."

"Mhm! I'll do my best to meet your expectations, Sonic! I'll be right back!"

Amy runs away, happy that I've accepted her offer to accompany me on my usual adventure runs. Amy will get to see what it's like to be in my shoes for the first time. However, something inside of me felt really excited. Maybe it might've been because she was a hedgehog, but now, I definitely know why I was excited.

What did you guys think of it? The next chapter will up either this week, or next week, so stay tuned as always, guys. Oh! Before I forget, I'm planning on writing stories for other franchises, along with this one, to span my ideas. I hope you guys read those too.