Chapter 16: Hawaiian Vacation part 2:

Engagement Party

Amy put on—as quickly as she could—her best summer dress from the wardrobe where she hung all her cloths at when they unpacked earlier. It was a maroon strapless dress, adorned with yellow Hawaiian flowers on its lower skirt, reaching about two inches above her knees. She also put on a multicolored bead necklace to match her outfit and light-brown sandals with thin straps that crisscrossed in tight angles across her skin.

"Hurry up, Amy, we're going to be late," Rouge called from outside the room as she knocked on the door. She and Cream were already done with themselves. Rouge chose to wear something black, its strap wrapped around her neck with its lower skirt designed with white hibiscus flowers in different sizes with the same length as Amy's; and matching black and white-striped sandals. Cream decided for something simple: a bright yellow dress with a three-layered skirt and orange sandals to go with it.

"I'm coming!" Amy called back fussing over the last touches of her attire. She looked at herself in the mirror, examining her lovely features before she finally decided that she was good to go. And then she joined her friends outside.

"It's about time," Rouge whined good-naturedly, propping her fists unto her hips while smirking.

Amy inhaled a vast amount of air. "Are you ready?"

Cream and Rouge nodded.

Outside the lobby, tables and chairs were set around a large area where Tiki torches were placed crisscross beside them, accommodating people of three to five. White sheets were draped over them to allow the sophistication the event required. Plates and silverware embellished the top of the tables with a simply-made centerpiece to complete it. There was no need for lights that evening for the moon provided that freely, along with the stunning view of the dark sea illuminated by slivery glow which made it sparkle as if the stars had fallen on it.

"I've never seen anything so beautiful in my life!" Amy proclaimed, placing her hands over her chest her fingers locked together as she gazed towards the sea.

"Me neither," Cream agreed having the same dreamy expression plastered on her face as her friend's.

Rouge only rolled her eyes, yet a smile was stretched across her muzzle. "Yup. It's really something, huh?"

The girls turned their heads towards the sound of someone clearing his throat and saw Mark in a green Hawaiian shirt and white shorts and brown leather sandals; his movements like the gentleman he is. "You ladies might want to take your seats now; the party will start very soon." He told them. Then he led them to an empty seat right at the middle of the surrounding tables where three empty chairs were waiting for them. Their classmates were already comfortable on their own seats as well as the guests that just arrived to join the celebration; all of them wearing tonight's dress code.

"Enjoy the night," said Mark when Cream, Amy and Rouge had seated themselves, and then turned to leave to address his other duties.

Amy swept her gaze around her, catching a few of the employees making last minute preparations and her classmates talking to each other. The she saw Sonic in his plain white shirt and grey six-pocket shorts talking to Tails and Knuckles. The former wearing a red shirt designed with an even darker red tropical flowers and black pants; the latter: a plain blue shirt and lower clothing. She made eye contact with the blue hedgehog for a split second, enough for him to shot her a smug expression in which she decided to ignore.

"Gosh this place is amazing!" said Amy as she faced her two companions.

"You got that right." Rouge said, straightening up her skirt while Cream nodded in agreement, the latter admitting, "This is actually my first time in a fancy hotel."

"Me too."

Amy suddenly looked troubled, hidden well by her bright smile. But her eyes gave it away.

"Is something wrong, Amy?" asked Cream who became worried.

Amy shook her head. "Nothing," she answered softly, "I just...remembered something."

Rouge and Cream looked at her in wonder mixed with concern. And just when they are about to ask her what it was that she just remembered, a powerful voice interrupted them.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen." He was a dog, wearing rather formal attire with the tucks and all, and he looked old. He continued, "It truly is a pleasure having you all here to join us with this momentous occasion: my son's engagement. I'm not going to talk too long, 'cause you'll probably just fall asleep."

Everyone laughed.

"But let me say that I truly am proud, especially when I saw my future daughter-in-law...WOW! I'd never thought he'd be able to catch her eye." He chuckled. "So without further ado, I introduce to you my son, Daniel Spencer and his bride-to-be, Vanessa."

Claps erupted as the couple emerged from the inside lobby. Hand-in-hand, Vanessa and Daniel strode across the path of the lobby, waving at the guests as if they were participants at a beauty pageant. Vanessa sported a pure white beach dress decorated with red and black peacock feathers with only one strap starting from the left armpit running across her upper chest and over her right shoulder and silver sandals. Daniel wore a plain blue polo shirt and white pants.

Daniel looked beautiful for a man. His gentle brown eyes told everyone that he was a man of good heart, and the way he walked and smiled demonstrated how much of a gentle fellow he is. Overall he was a perfect match for their teacher. But what surprised them most is to find out that Daniel is actually a dog! A dog—an Alaskan Klee Kai to be exact!

"And Ms Brown is a cat!" Amy shouted in her mind. "Oh man since when did cats and dogs get along so well?" she said out loud.

"Well, that's love for ya," was all Rouge could say.

Amy however was still hovering over the thought of how the two came to be so attracted with each other as if it was the most alien thing in the world, to hear the bat speak. No one can be more alien than that blue jerk.

The celebration carried on throughout the night. Food was served, gifts were handed to the couple but not as grand as they are going to be on the actual wedding day. There was also an intermission number from one of the staff members; surprisingly, it was Mark, who sang a song dedicated to the betrothed. He had a very nice voice. And as he sang the exquisite Hawaiian piece, Daniel brought Vanessa to the center and danced with her. One by one, guests stood from their chairs and followed the engaged pair's lead. Mark was then asked to do the honors of providing the evening with gentle melody instead of just a simple ice-breaker performance.

"He's more handsome than I imagined he would be!" Cream declared, watching the soon-to-be married pair as they moved to the music.

"His a real catch alright, "said Rouge approvingly, "I'm glad Vanessa caught his eye."

"Or he's lucky he caught her eye. She's gorgeous!" exclaimed Cream.

"Nevertheless, they're a perfect match." Amy said, ending the debate.

"So that's Daniel Spencer?" said Tails. "He's a rather good-looking guy."

"Well...he's got some of it alright," commented Knuckles.

"Some of it?"Sonic raise an eyebrow. He then gave a yawn, publicly making his boredom known. "What're we supposed to do now?"

"Um...we could go dancing." Tails suggested sheepishly, darting his blue eyes towards a certain cream colored rabbit.

"Dancing?" Knuckles echoed. His gaze involuntarily landed upon a particular beautiful white bat, just a few feet from their table. His muzzle suddenly turned a noticeable shade of pink as a thought crossed his mind. "Well...since there's nothing better to do I suppose we could." He stood up from his chair and headed towards the table of a pink hedgehog, a rabbit and the bat he had his eyes on.

Tails rose from his seat as well, rubbing the back of his head as he looked at Sonic apologetically and abashed. "Yeah...um...it's kind of boring just sitting here so I think I'll be...I mean...I - um..." he stuttered. "Yeah, I'm going." And he headed towards where Knuckles had gone, leaving Sonic all on his own.

"Hey girls, may I interrupt your chat?" Knuckles said rather gentlemen-like, particularly towards Rouge.

Amy and Cream looked bewildered, Rouge, however, scowled at him. "Since you already did, you might as well tell us why you're here for."

"Whoa, don't be so snippy, Rouge, I was just going to ask you for a dance," said Knuckles, raising his hands defensively.

Rouge's breath hitched, clearly taken aback. She turned red and could do nothing to hide it. Amy and Cream smiled to themselves, thinking what will be her response. "Well, um..."She seemed to be flustered. She cleared her throat then faced the red echidna seriously, the red on her cheeks still there. She rose and accepted Knuckles' hand as he offered it. "Since I got nothing to do, I suppose a dance won't hurt." Then the two walked towards the middle of the crowd and moved along with the music.

"She likes him," Amy said once Rouge was out of earshot.

"Hmm-mm," Cream nodded. "I wonder why she keeps acting as if she doesn't. It's pretty obvious."

"Knowing Rouge, she wants to keep it interesting, give her some satisfaction of seeing Knuckles follow her around like some puppy-dog." Amy chuckled.

"Ooohhh, I bet she'd like to see that actually happen," Cream crowed, and then they burst out laughing.

"Um, hi girls," a familiar voice called.

The two turned to their right and saw Tails. "Hey Tails, what's up?" Amy greeted.

"Yeah, well...just wanted to ask Cream if she would like to go...dancing...with me. Is that okay Cream?" he asked shyly.

"Oh...okay." Cream's white muzzle suddenly changed scarlet as she accepted Tails' invitation. Same as Rouge and Knuckles, the two marched at the center of the already filled dance floor and moved about with perfect rhythm with the music playing.

Amy sighed. She leaned her elbows against the table and propped her chin on her hands, staring at her two best friends currently occupied. "I guess Rouge isn't the only one who's struck by cupid's arrow," she said mostly to herself.

By this time, Mark had finished the song and moved on to the next. It wasn't a Hawaiian song, instead it was one of his choosing but it was still slow and soothing to the ears.

Amy was enjoying the music when she caught Sonic staring at her. She raised an eyebrow towards him giving a "why the heck are you looking at me" look. Sonic only smirked with an expression she couldn't quite read. Amy turned away for a moment, sinking in her anger. Then as she turned back to face the blue speedster again, he was already sitting on Creams chair by the left. She gasped inaudibly. "What are you doing here?" she demanded. "That seat is already taken so move aside if you please."

"Really? I see no one occupying it," Sonic replied smugly. "I guess now there is."

"Go back to where you came from, Sonic." Amy ordered hotly.

"Calm down, pinky, I'm not here to cause any trouble." Sonic chuckled.

Amy glared at him. "Whenever you're around, there's always trouble. And all of the blame mostly falls on me."

"That's supposed to be my fault?" said Sonic, leaning forward.

"Yes." Amy answered flatly. "So if you please, I want to enjoy this evening without you ruining anything." She waved her hands in a shooing manner.

But Sonic didn't leave. He leaned on his chair and looked at Amy cockily. "Aw, pinky, I'm not going to ruin anything for ya. I was only here 'cause I thought you're feeling lonely, and needs someone to talk to since your chums are busy on the dance floor."

"Gee, you're so sweet," Amy drawled. "I don't need you to accompany me. In fact, I'd be more than happy if you leave me alone."

Sonic leaned closer, smiling at her in a way that made her stomach do flips. She tried her best to appear as stern as she could muster all her strength with...but whatever force Sonic was using against her, it was quite powerful for at that very moment, his intense gaze just made her feel like melting. "Really?" Sonic purred.

Amy couldn't speak. She just stared...and stared.

She shut her eyes close, freeing herself from his hypnotic power. But to her fear, she could feel her face heat up. Ugh! What's wrong with you?

"Say...you want to dance?" Sonic asked all of a sudden.

Amy snapped her head towards the blue hedgehog, completely shocked. "Dance?" she repeated.

Sonic leaned back against the chair. "Yeah. Dance. Since we've got nothing better to do, might as well do something. What do you think?"

Looking at the table, she thought this over. Should she really accept his offer? He might be planning something that'll embarrass her in front of everyone! Or worse!

C'mon, what would a little dance would cause?A voice in her mind seemed to say.

Pfft. Sonic can find various situations where he can humiliate me.

Please, what humiliation can he cause you just by inviting you to dance with him?

Oh I don't know: Trip me over, step on my feet, or let me lose balance - need I continue?

Or maybe he's just asking you because he likes you.

No he doesn't!

And you like him.

No I do not! Not now, not ever!

Oh shut up. You like him and you know it. You're just not brave enough to admit it.

Urk. Yuck! As if there's anything likable about that jerk!

*ahem*

Amy snapped out of her current mental debate, now facing Sonic who was still waiting for her answer. "So..?"

She sighed, admitting defeat. "Fine. There's nothing to do any way."

Sonics' eyes twinkled as he stood up and offered his hand to her. Amy hesitated for a moment before placing her hand atop his and they strode to the crowd and join in the romantic moment. She placed both her hands on his shoulders and Sonic placed his on her waist. She flinched slightly, still unused to being held this close by a male.

Come to think of it, he is the only guy I often feel comfortable with.

See, I told you. You like him!

O shut up! Go do something you're good at.

This is it. And stop de -

Shut. Up.

Slowly, the two hedgehogs moved from side to side, allowing only their own instincts to predict their next move. She might not admit it, but Amy was actually enjoying herself; didn't even notice when she was now smiling to her own accord. Still, she avoided to make eye contact, afraid she might be captured by the same power that had once taken her over when she gazed to those green orbs...

But it was too late; she had done so without her consciousness. They were looking at each other straight in the eyes, lost in each other's thoughts. To her surprise, and she still couldn't quite believe it was so, Sonic was smiling! Really smiling! Not that smug curve of his lips, not a tease, not a fraud...but an actual genuine smile taken from ones heart. Warm and alluring and...

Familiar...

Those green eyes...she could have sworn she'd seen those before.

Though, back then, they were more youthful, brighter and a certain pleasured glint was evident in them.

And wait...they weren't his. They were someone else...

"Hey?"

"Huh?" she snapped out of her thoughts.

"I asked you if you were enjoying the night."

"Um..."she stammered, "yes, yes I am."

A/N: Okay very short and very boring. Sorry it took so long. And I promise, next chapter will be more exciting ;)

(R/R)