Sorry for the wait. To make up for it this chapter is a long one. Enjoy!

Chapter 19: Strange feelings

It was a beautiful Friday morning. Giant cottony clouds sailed in the sky like great air ships, sunlight filtering through trees where leaves began to turn yellow and orange. It wasn't too hot either; a cool breeze blew every now and then countering the heat. The start of the day was absolutely gorgeous...but for some reason, the pink hedgehog who had been looking through the window of the empty classroom couldn't appreciate it. She was the one and only person that day who felt dreadful despite the wonderful weather.

Amy sighed and propped up her head against her hands feeling bored. They had free period and the room she was staying was where their next class is. She declined the invitation of both Rouge and Cream earlier to go hang out somewhere while they wait. Of course her two best friends offered to go where she wanted to instead, but Amy just shook her head and told them go without her. Saying she needed time alone, to think. Thankfully, there were no further questions asked.

This room was the first to cross her mind for a place to be by herself. Fortunately there were no other people in the room yet. But even if there were she could easily ignore them, as long as they're not making any noise or anything to distract her. She just wanted some peace and quiet.

And she couldn't even have that. Loud squealing from outside the room reached her ears, and then there was giddy laughter and chattering and the sound of footsteps were getting louder.

Amy frowned. So much for peace and quiet. She didn't have to find out what the commotion was all about. She already knew.

Outside the room, girls were surrounding Sonic, Tails and Knuckles. Each girl pushing against the other to get closer to the blue hedgehog. Knuckles and Tails already looked annoyed, but Sonic looked like he appreciated the attention on him. "Aww, c'mon Sonic!" one girl pleaded, flashing a cute smile.

Sonic chuckled, returning the smile. "Sorry girls, I have class maybe some other time."

And the devil arrives. Amy mumbled sourly to herself. He was the last person she wanted to see.

Sonic had been allowed to go to school that day. Supposed to be it was Monday the next week but he was already well and insisted on attending his class. His doctor didn't forbid him but told him not to tire himself because he hasn't fully recovered yet.

The welcoming of his 'return' was a bit too excessive to Amy. At the sight of Sonic entering the school premises, almost the entire school froze, and then with exactly a three-second countdown, students ran towards the blue hedgehog giving him a boisterous greeting. And she refused to admit that she almost joined that crowd earlier that morning. She was just overwhelmed with emotion. It wasn't like she was truly overjoyed to see him.

Besides, she was still upset because of what happened last Monday. She was completely caught off-guard by his answer when she demanded he tell her why he jumped of the boat. All he said that late afternoon was it was a 'test'. Pfft, test my eye!

That was the whole reason why Amy wanted to be alone, the reason why she wanted to clear her head. She hadn't slept that night after her visit with the blue hedgehog. She was haunted by his words.

"…you lied. You said you wouldn't care." He had said.

It wasn't because she cared. She may hate him but she was not that heartless as to leaving him drown like that especially knowing that he couldn't swim. It didn't make sense at all! Sonic the hedgehog, you are messed up beyond belief.

But the weirdest thing is Amy had felt something after the encounter. It was really, really weird. When she was on her way home that late afternoon, her heart had started pounding against her chest as if it was going to burst out at any second. It was out of the blue. True, it had happened several occasions before with Sonic, but that moment, the feeling was very intense and she couldn't hold it back.

It was strange…

"Okay. Bye Sonikku!"

Urk. I think I'm going to be sick. Amy wrinkled her nose in disgust, feeling resentful at the interruption.

.

Waving good bye the girls left the three and went to their own businesses. Sonic finally expelled the breath he has been holding since those girls showed up and asked him and his two friends to spend time with them. "This is not good for my health," he muttered.

"Man, those girls sure are devoted. To think they followed you all the way here?" Knuckles said

"I like to refer it as, 'escorted' me all the way here." Sonic corrected him as they entered the room. "Using 'followed' makes it sound creepy."

"Hi Amy!" Tails greeted the pink hedgehog and as a response, Amy only slightly nodded her head without looking at them.

"Well, someone's in a bad mood," Knuckles whispered as he leaned towards the blue hedgehog.

Sonic didn't reply. His eye brows narrowed a little as his emerald green eyes focused on the pink hedgehog. The aura that surrounded her was somewhat gloomy. Sonic wondered why. Was it because of him? Wasn't she happy to see him all better? He was really hoping that she would at least be pleased to know that he won't miss class any more.

With him distracted, he hadn't noticed Tails and Knuckles sending silent messages to each other behind him. Tails gestured with his hands for the door, saying that should leave the two hedgehogs alone. Knuckles merely shrugged his shoulders, shaking his head. Tails frowned and sharply pointed at the door again. Knuckles scowled. He stared at the blue hedgehog and his expression softened at the intensity of his gaze towards the girl seated at the chair in the third row of the column next the window.

He sighed in defeat and patted Sonic on the shoulder. "Hey bud, um...I think I forgot my books in my locker. Just gonna go get it." He said before turning to leave.

"Crap! 'Forgot my pencil case too. Wait up Knux!" Tails ran after Knuckles, but Sonic wasn't stupid. Though they sounded genuine, he knew they just wanted to leave him alone with Amy. Sonic smiled. He owe them big time.

Sonic walked towards the only other person in the room, taking the seat next to her. He laid his head against his palm, casting her a half-lidded stare.

"Morning."

She only nodded.

"You feeling okay?"

She nodded again.

"Why are you all by yourself?"

"Because I want to." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Sonic blinked in surprise. Her tone had sounded so cold and so harsh he couldn't believe that it came from her mouth. He hated it whenever she was acting like this, but more so when she was ignoring him. Like what she's doing now. He breathed in and exhaled through his nose, closed his eyes and looked away, his enthusiasm suddenly vanishing.

She was ignoring her again…

It hurt when she does.

.

Oh crap...

Amy mentally kicked herself for the way she answered. She didn't mean to sound so mean, it was just...she was finding it very hard to contain the certain emotions stirring in her chest...making it somewhat difficult for the pink hedgehog to breath. And because of this, she had forced her voice out but it wasn't the sort of tone she would have intended to use. She wanted to reassure Sonic that it wasn't at all how it sounded. She wasn't displeased of being alone with him, in fact she was really happy. Elated even...

...that's when the pink hedgehog heard the screeching of wheels in her head.

WHAT?! It took every ounce of strength she has not to shout. A burning sensation exploded on her peach muzzle.

Happy? Elated? Were these even her thoughts? Since when did she felt that way being with that blue hedgehog?

And wait...since when did I care about how my words affected him?!

Amy turned her head slightly so she could glance at Sonic from the corner of her eyes. Lucky for her he wasn't looking in her direction, but his eyes were focused at something in front of him.

He seemed...distraught. A look that was somehow so alien to his face. A bit strange too, cause it didn't suit him. Maybe because wasn't used to him showing other forms of expression other than his usual smug visage.

Suddenly, a little object dangling on one of the zippers on Sonic's backpack caught her attention. She shifted on her chair so she's directly facing him but her gaze was focused on the keychain.

It was a small soccer ball about the size of a ping-pong ball, the white and black pentagons on its spherical form seemed faded, because of its age maybe.

Amy narrowed her eyes. It looked very familiar…

"Hey, pinky."

The sound of Sonic's voice tore through Amy's thoughts, bringing her back from the trance she just fell in. She raised her head and jade eyes met emerald ones for the first time that day.

"What are you looking at?" Sonic asked with a raised eyebrow.

"That keychain," she pointed at the tiny soccer ball, "is that yours?"

"Isn't it obvious?" the male hedgehog scowled.

"Just asking," Amy glared.

Sonic paused for a second and then said, "Why do you ask?"

Amy bit her bottom lip, her brows furrowed deeper in though as she searched her memory. "It's...I think I've seen it before...somewhere."

"Really?" All of a sudden, Sonic's face lit up like a fireworks display on New Year, a smile forming on his muzzle. "When?" he asked, his voice low but she could detect a strong sense of eagerness to know her answer.

Amy tried her best but couldn't truly recall. "I...I don't really remember. But it does look awfully familiar."

Sonic smiled wider and was about to say something, but students came pouring in from the door and seconds later, the bell rang indicating the end and start of a period of class. Sonic rose from his chair and headed to where he usually sat during that class. Immediately after, his classmates rushed to his side and chatted away with anything. Mostly of his well-being, offering him weird stuff like 'carry his books for him' for next class, 'treat him lunch', 'help him catch up to some of the lessons he missed', 'do homework for and with him' and lots of others. They were talking all at once so he couldn't keep track of what they were saying. Buth he did feel a bit touched.

The teacher soon entered the room and the group of Mobian teens cleared away from the blue hedgehog so they can start class.

As the instructor began his lecture, Sonic glanced at the corner of his eyes towards the pink hedgehog that was listening with rapt attention to the teacher and scribbled notes on her notebook.

A small smile graced his lips. Maybe I'll give her bag to her later...

That afternoon...

"Thank God it's Friday!" Rouge exclaimed as they exited the gates of the school premises and was heading home. "And best of all, no homework!"

Amy and Cream giggled.

"First time ever, too!" Cream said.

"I know!"

"So do you guys have plans this weekend?" Amy asked her friends.

"My mom and I are going to be shopping for fabric so she can make me winter clothes." Cream said.

"Meh, just gonna spend all day at the house. Watch some movies and maybe go to the mall" Rouge said. "How about you, girl?"

"I don't really know. I'm going to work an extra shift maybe. There's nothing I can really do at home." Amy replied.

"Okay," Rouge nodded, "Maybe I can drop by later tomorrow. It's been a while since I've been to EmberDawn's."

"I'd love that." Amy said and the three of them continued to walk.

***EmberDawn's, approximately 7:35 pm***

"Here you go, Sir." Amy placed the plate of pasta on the costumers table. "Is there anything else?"

"No. This is all," the man answered.

"Thank you very much. Enjoy your meal." She bowed before going ro the kitchen. On her way, she passed by Maea. The golden marmoset held her shoulder and then pointed at far corner of the room where a certain handsome blue hedgehog was sitting, waiting to be served.

Amy chocked. "When did he get here?!" she whispered to the other waitress in a hoarse voice.

"I don't know, maybe awhile. I noticed him just now myself," Maea answered. She gave Amy a little push, smirking knowingly. "Well what are you waiting for? Go get his order."

Amy turned to Maea with wide, panicky eyes. She could feel her heart drumming furiously against her ribs. "What?! Why me?"

Maea smiled too brightly for Amy's taste and she could clearly detect the little glint of evil in the other girl's eyes. "Cause there's a costumer there that I have to wait on. Bye!" Maea said quickly and then left.

The pink hedgehog groaned in frustration. Great. Just what I needed. No doubt she's going to make fun of her. Without further delay, she went to where Sonic was waiting. Amy showed a fake smile and because she had dealt with many ungrateful costumers before, she had learned to perform the gesture without making it obvious. She stood in front of him. "Good evening, sir! W-what will you be having tonight?"

Crap. She sounded a little bit too cheery. And did she just stutter? What the heck?! She's done this hundreds of times and never once did she stutter! Darn it Amy, what's wrong with you?! Stop shaking! Oh yes she was trembling as though a bucket of icy water had been poured on her head. There was nothing to be nervous about. So why is she?

"You can drop the act you know," Sonic stated the corner of his lips quirking.

Amy just now noticed that it actually looked sexy...

Stop it!

"Fine then," Amy said, dropping her expression and just went normal. "What do you want?"

Sonic paused for a moment tilting his head slightly to the side to show that he was considering things. His lips stretched into a smile as he answered,

"You."

Amy was sure that she just heard the clock stopped ticking and all other movements in her surroundings ceased in motion. She wondered whether she needed to have herself checked out by a specialist cause she's been hearing things.

WHAT?! No, no. You heard it wrong. Don't you dare blush!

"Um, could you repeat that? I didn't quite catch it." Amy said in a daze, forcing the heat rising to her cheek.

"I said I want you." He repeated without hesitation. "Y.O.U."

Eyes widening and twitching, jaw dropping, face furiously flushing, entire body shaking and heart racing faster than ever before. All check. Amy couldn't believe her ears. Had she heard him right? Did he just...?!

No! He's toying with you! That's it.

Amy dropped her head, grinding her teeth. She must look ridiculously red by now. "Can you please be serious?!" she growled.

Sonic laughed quietly. "You should have seen your face."

Amy glared murderously at him. "Har har. Now what is it you really want?"

He leaned back against his chair and placed his hands beneath his head, fingers locked; flashing the pink waitress a cocky smile. "Since you're not going to give me my first order I think I'll have some omelet."

"Is that all?"

"And a glass of water."

"Ok. This will take a few minutes to prepare."

"No prob."

"Thank you."

She was hurriedly getting out of that situation. It was the most dreading encounter she ever had with Sonic the Hedgehog. How could he say things so casually? It's not like talking about the weather and anything normal. But…did he really mean it?

Amy shook her head vigorously. She shouldn't think of such things. For sure Sonic was only making fun of her. He always does. He wanted to see how she'll react to his teasing and embarrass her then. That's just how he is. That's what he'd been doing for as long as she can remember.

Then…why does her heart feel like it's going 50 mph?

Sonic's order didn't take fifteen minutes. Amy had Felise serve him his food to avoid any more weird situations for her. But as she was addressing a different costumer, she snuck a glance at Sonic and saw the little hint of disappointment in his emerald eyes when the one who brought his meal wasn't the one who took it.

For some strange reason, she felt guilty.

She returned to the kitchen to have Ostres prepare the order she listed down. The pink hedgehog sat by a nearby stool feeling tired all of a sudden. She sighed very audible and in turn she caught the orange cat chef's attention.

"Are you okay Amy?" Ostres asked worriedly, eyebrows drawing together. "You're lookin' kinda red."

"What?" Amy was surprised hearing this. Red? She was looking red? She unconsciously brought her hand to touch her forehead to check if she had caught a fever. Warm. She felt warm but Amy knew that wasn't due to any sickness. The temperature inside the room isn't even hot.

Wait…

Had she been blushing?!

"Amy you're all red." Ostres said. That made the pink hedgehog blush all the more. Abandoning her work for a moment, the feline walked over to touch Amy's head and inspected whether she was ill. "Maybe you should go home. You don't look too good."

Amy swallowed hard. "Y-yeah. Maybe I should."

She went to the other room where their stuff was kept while they were at work and changed into her uniform. She packed all her things and said good bye to her staff members and their manager before leaving the restaurant.

It was still early in the evening. What will she do when she gets home? There were no home works. There's nothing good on TV. She can call Cream and Rouge over, but those two might be doing something else that Friday night and she didn't want to get in the way of that. She could go somewhere else but it would be no fun if she's all on her own.

Amy sighed. "Maybe I'll just go to sleep."

When she arrived at her house she saw a silhouette leaning against her door. Defenses raised, Amy walked closer, eyes narrowed in caution as she neared the gates. She was able to see his face a bit more clearly now and when she recognized him, she was having those strange feelings again. She forced back the blush threatening to appear on her face but couldn't quite do anything when her heartbeat started to increase in speed. She tried not to show her flustered state by acting annoyed (which she was a bit). Her shoulders slumped and she slapped her hand against her head in exasperation and groaned. "What are you doing here?" she demanded.

"What? Am I forbidden to come here?" Sonic said.

"As of today, yes!"

She pushed the gates opened and slumped them shut behind her. She stomped her way to her front door where Sonic was, her mouth pull back in a sneer. "Move it!" She commanded him.

He just smiled, raising an eyebrow. He didn't even move an inch.

"Sonic, I need to go inside!" Her voice rose in pitch a bit there. Amy wanted to get out of there as fast as possible. For some weird reason she was feeling disturbed by his presence. Not the way it used to before. Now it was like…she was actually feeling giddy. Like those other girls at school where they would giggle and laugh when they spot their crushes. But she didn't like this hedgehog. She hated him, hated him with a passion.

Hated? Past tense?

"Sonic…" she hissed.

"Whoa, don't be hostile," he chuckled. "I just came by give you your shoulder bag." He pulled out the said object from his back pack and handed it over to Amy and she accepted it. "Forgot to give it to you this morning."

Amy hugged her bag. She remember throwing this to him when she visited him last Monday. She totally forgot about this. Well, that was…nice of him. She thought gratefully, bitting her lip to keep from smiling. "Um…thanks, I guess."

"No prob."

Awkward silence. The two hedgehogs just stared at each other.

"Well?"

"What?" Sonic blinked.

"Aren't you going to move?" Amy raised an eyebrow.

"O-oh yeah ,yeah." He stammered, stepping aside.

Amy shook her head as she reached for the key in her pocket and fitted it in the keyhole. Before she could enter the house, she was interrupted by the blue hedgehog that apparently hasn't left yet.

"Hey."

She turned around. "Hmm?"

He paused, and then said, "Would you be mad?"

Amy's face was a mask of confusion because of that senseless question. "Mad about what?"

Sonic licked his lips. "If I did anything stupid."

Amy smirked. "Does it involve you getting humiliated?"

He shrugged. "I don't really know. Maybe."

She grinned wickedly, laughing a little. "Then no."

Sonic's eyes seemed to shine with mischief at her answer. "Good."

And then he stepped closer and without warning, pressed his lips against hers.

*snicker*

Reviews are much appreciated (^_^)