Chapter 24: On good terms

"Thanks a lot, you guys." Amy said as she gave her two best friends a hug, squeezing tightly to let them know how grateful she was for what they did for her; Rouge and Cream returned the gesture with as much affection.

"Meh, I'm just glad we're able to knock some sense into that thick head of yours," Rouge joked, pressing her forefinger into Amy's forehead and lightly pushing her when they pulled away. Cream failed to suppress a giggle, "Rouge!" she scolded.

The pink hedgehog couldn't resist another hug. Behind them, she heard her mom and her sister chuckle at their display. This was the best day in her life. Amy felt like crying again.

She caught the gaze of the blue hedgehog who had remained at a far, watching the entire exchange between her family and friends. Amy sent him a smile and familiar warmth bloomed in her chest when Sonic smiled back at her, not in a teasing or patronizing manner like she had been used to, but in a surprisingly gentle and earnest way.

She let go of her friends, excusing herself before jogging towards Sonic. He smirked good-naturedly towards her, opening his mouth to say something, but the pink girl had already thrown her arms around his neck tightly, preventing him from uttering a single syllable.

"Thank you." She whispered to his ear.

Amy buried her muzzle into his neck, laughing quietly when she noticed his breath got caught in his throat. He recovered quickly, and hugged her back. It felt so nice. "Anything for you, Amelia."

She wanted to tell him to simply call her 'Amy' since she was used to it but her mom had called for her, saying it was time to leave. She let go of Sonic, pausing for a moment as she looked into his eyes.

She hesitated; mentally debating with herself whether she should do it, especially while her mother, sister, and friends were watching them. But it wouldn't mean anything! It would simply be a show of gratitude, a way of saying 'thank you' for his efforts. Making her decision, Amy stood on the tip of her toes so they could be head to head, and gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek. She didn't wait to see his reaction; she felt a little embarrassed to have initiated an affectionate act. She turned back and got into the SUV, sliding next to her sister. Andrea grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze smiling joyfully towards her younger sibling.

Andrea laughed. "I'm so looking forward to dad's reaction once he sees you." She pulled out her iPhone from the pocket of her skirt and waved it in the air. "I'll make sure to record every second of it!"

Amy giggled at her sister's scheme. Basilica told them to fasten their seatbelts as she started the engine. She lowered the window to see the people who had helped her sort out the misunderstandings with her family and waved goodbye as the vehicle departed for the place where Amy's family had been staying.

Andrea smiled knowingly at Amy, eyes half-lidded and brows rose teasingly. "So...Amelia," she grinned and the youngest of the three hedgehogs in the car turned to her sister with a curious glance, "is that blue hedgehog your boyfriend?"

'Amelia' felt her face explode with heat.

Gosh...this is embarrassing, Amy thought as she bowed her head while her mom continued to fix her coat for about the tenth time that morning. Basilica wrapped a red scarf that she had knitted herself around her daughter's neck and adjusted it a couple of times.

"Are you sure you're warm enough?" Her mother asked with a deeply concerned tone of voice. She scanned Amy's outfit, seemingly unconvinced still. "Oh how I knew I should have made you wear the khaki one!" She exclaimed, continually fumbling with the piece of article around her neck.

Amy blushed deeply. "Mom! I'm fine, the coat's warm enough." She assured the older pink hedgehog. "I need to go now otherwise I'll be late for class."

"Alright, alright," Basilica expelled a breath.

"Remember; go straight home when class is over. I already told Rosie to cook a meal."

"Okay."

"If there's something you need to do that'll delay your arrival home, call us first and then Rosie. Specify the very reason that caused the delay."

"Understood."

"If on the way you encounter any unpleasant stranger use the Taser I placed in the pocket inside your bag. On your free time today, read the instructions on how to use it."

"Got it."

"And should any boy ask you on a date, remember—"

"Mother!"

Basilica laughed at the flushed face of her daughter. The mother hedgehog couldn't help it. She was concerned for her little girl, even though she very well knew that she was taking it too far and was treating her fifteen year old child like a ten year old. Since she, her husband and Andrea were leaving for Apotos in a few minutes, she wanted to spend every last minute with Amelia. She had insisted that she come with them but her daughter had reminded them that she had classes to attend. Of course, the thought of transferring her to a school closer to home came to mind, but Amelia had already brought up the request to continue studying in EMHS.

Basilica wanted to retort, but the pleading look on her youngest daughter's face prevented her from uttering a word. She granted Amelia's request to stay in Station Square, but she hired a household help to care for her daughter while they were far away. She wanted to stay, but her work wouldn't let her and certainly not her husband or Andrea, she had classes too. The only reason they were able to see her child was because she closed the shop for at least a few days, Richard, her husband asked for a leave and Andrea pleaded her professors to excuse her from class due to a very important matter, which was to confront Amelia.

...or Amy as she is now called.

At least when she finishes high school, she'll make her attend a college that was not too far from their home in Apotos.

"Okay, okay. I'll be leaving now. Stay safe, darling. I'll call you whenever I can." She gave Amy a one last hug and kiss on the forehead before going inside the SUV and drove away.

Amy shook her head as she watched the car in the distance, but a smile was stretched across her muzzle. She waited till the vehicle disappeared from sight before she turned around and headed towards her first class. On her way, she spotted her two best friends. She ran so she caught up with them and all three of them walked to first period together.

Everything had been sailing smoothly ever since that night she decided to face her family. At first she was very nervous, if Rouge and Cream weren't there, and if Sonic hadn't knocked some sense into her thick skull, Amy knew she would not have found the courage to speak to them. At first she was unsure of what to say; but there had been no need for words after all. Her mom had simply hugged her and sobbed, telling Amy she was sorry for what she had done between hiccups and chokes. Andrea, her older sister then joined in, weeping as hard as she and their mom.

And her father...Amy smiled widely when for the very first time, she saw her dad tear up. More than. He actually sobbed as she received the most precious hug from him as far as she can remember. Through that simple gesture, she could feel his loving affection towards her, and she could practically feel the amount of longing he has for her; the same with her mother and sister. Amy never felt so happy in her life.

After all the crying, they told her why they had given her away, and the young pink hedgehog felt incredibly guilty and ashamed for assuming that the reason for their perceived 'abandonment' was because they never loved her. She shuddered at the thought if her parents did not go with their plan to put her in the care of Mary Rose, and had instead complied with the conditions of their 'agreement' with that man.

She set these concerns aside because her parents told her that the man wouldn't bother them anymore for he had moved away to a different country. Her only thoughts were the upcoming days she was going to spent with her family, and she was most excited for Christmas. It was going to be the first Amy was going to celebrate with them after ten whole years.

The rest of the day went without any trouble. Amy's classmates only asked how she was and her status with her family issues. She told them that all was good, her replies accompanied with a genuine smile.

"So girls, how bout we go to do something tonight?" Amy suggested while they walked out of the school building towards the gates. She already had her phone ready to inform her parents of her plans.

"I can't," Rouge answered, "I need to be somewhere tonight..." she trailed off.

Amy raised an eyebrow, "which is..?" Cream's giggles caused the pink hedgehog's attention to turn to her.

"She has a date with Knuckles!" Cream revealed. Rouge looked away, vexed, but a blush was undeniably clear on her face.

Amy's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?" she teased, grinning like a wolf. "When? I thought you hated his guts?"

Rouge glared at her friends' smug faces. "Look, it's not a date! We're just hanging out, that's all!" she exclaimed getting defensive. "And you're one to talk, Cream." Rouge suddenly smirked, eyelids drawn lower than they usually were. "I heard from Knuckles that you were going with Tails to the museum this coming Saturday? Doesn't that count as a date?"

It was Cream's turn to blush, and hers was much prominent due to the snowy white color of her muzzle. "No, it doesn't," she retorted, "I'm simply accompanying him in his research for a project with his club."

"Yeah...sure."

Amy laughed heartily while her two companions continued on outwitting the other. It seems like they already had plans. Though, Cream's was not till Saturday, it wouldn't be enjoyable without Rouge. Oh well, they can always hang out some other time.

They parted ways eventually, Amy headed straight for her house, or rather Mary Rose's house. Her eyes stared up at the sky, adjusting her jacket as it was starting to get even colder as the night approaches. So many has changed since she'd been with them. As far as she could recall, they weren't so well off like they were now. Her mom actually used to work as house keeper at this 5-star hotel in the place where she was born. She remembered her dad to be acting as an assistant for the very same man who...was the real culprit as to why Amy was sent to Mary Rose. It was a strange feeling, to be actually, well, not 'rich', but financially secure. Her mother was a wedding planner, her father was a doctor and her sister was studying to be an accountant at Mobius University.

She necessarily needn't have to work anymore so she could provide her own needs, her parents could just send her the amount she needed, but that did not mean that she won't. Her labor in EmberDawn's could be just for leisure and to earn extra allowance. It was such a relief that they allowed her to finish her high school at EMHS, transferring to a different institution will be difficult on her part because she will have to start from the very beginning: to adjusting to a new environment, getting familiar with the places and people and earning friendships. It would be too much of a hassle.

Besides, I love my high school life here, Amy thought, and she would have continued with similar thoughts if she wasn't interrupted.

"Ah!" she exclaimed as suddenly she felt an object collide with the back of her head. The impact wasn't that painful, but it did hurt a little. She whirled to see Sonic trying hard not to laugh. In his hands was a soccer ball, the one he apparently threw at her skull.

"Yo." He greeted casually.

She scowled at him. "Why'd you do that?" He jogged towards her, throwing and spinning the ball in the air and catching it.

"I needed to get your attention," he simply answered.

"Couldn't you just shouted for me?"

"Nah," he shook his head, "that's no fun."

"You're such a jerk!" she shoved him playfully, and both of them laughed.

He accompanied her as she walked home. Amy hadn't really noticed that they were talking casually as if the two of them had been friends for a very long time. She did most of the talking, she mostly spoke of the stuff she did with her family in their 'reunion', and the other activities she was looking forward to doing with them. He listened to every word she said, sometimes throwing in a comment which a few remarks earned him slap on the shoulder, albeit playfully. It was a little strange to Amy because she never imagined them to be acting this way towards each other. On a normal basis, Sonic would be teasing her endlessly, getting on her nerves and she would go after him, make him pay for what he put her through with his practical jokes and pranks.

This was much better though, despite how foreign it felt. Sonic actually wasn't so bad. He was pretty nice, in fact. Like this moment for example, where he was walking her home when he could have been hanging with his buddies. True, that he had accompanied her on her journey back to her residence before, but that was mostly to tease her, and if it was just a strategy he came up with to mask his true desire of wanting to make sure she made it back safe, his skills was worthy of an actor award.

In no time, they reached their destination. Rosie could be seen outside sweeping the porch. When the elderly squirrel's gentle blue eyes settled on their direction, she raised one hand to wave at them. Amy and Sonic waved back.

"Well, thanks for walking me home," Amy said as she turned towards her blue companion.

"Any time, Amelia," Sonic replied.

She blushed from hearing her real name slip out of his mouth, how it sounded so fondly spoken. Amy cleared her throat, willing the heat that exploded on her cheeks to cool down so it won't be recognized. "I'll see you, tomorrow then." She pushed the gates open.

Before she could take one step further, Sonic called out her name, using her real one once again, which urged her to turn her attention back to the blue hedgehog.

"Yes?"

"Are free on Saturday?"

The question surprised her. Why would he be asking? Was he going to..? Amy forced herself to come down and stop assuming stuff that likely wouldn't be what going to happen. She took a short, cleansing breath before relaying her answer. "Well, I'm supposed to report to EmberDawn's but Boss said that it was my choice, so... none, really. Why do you ask?" Amy mentally patted herself on the back for managing an almost nonchalant tone.

"Well," Sonic started, looking away as he scratched the back of his quills while his other hand still held onto the soccer ball. "I'm having this soccer match with a bunch of other kids from other schools—or charity—and wondering if you would want to watch?"

"..."

Jade green eyes blinked.

She needed a moment to process this. Did he, Sonic the hedgehog, her childhood enemy and recently acquired friend, just asked her to watch his soccer match that was almost similar to asking her out on a date?! Amy couldn't believe her ears. Of course, it shouldn't surprise her because she and Sonic are starting to get closer to each other but...it was a 'tiny' bit too soon to be taking this stage. Were they going too fast?

Stop acting like you two are really dating! She mentally scolded herself. And he only asked you to watch his game not, go on a fancy restaurant to have dinner with him! Get a grip, Amelia Rosevelt.

Amy straightened her posture, keeping her expression as casual as possible despite the chaos going on inside her head, and tried not to pay heed to Sonic's hopeful, almost pleading emerald green eyes which were doing a really good job at bending her will.

"I'll see if mom will let me then...Sure! Of course!"

Sonic grinned childishly. She almost laughed. "Great! Our game starts at 7 am, so I'll come pick you up at 6. Would that be alright?" There was no denying he was happy about her response.

"Okay, but only if my mother will grant me permission," she said.

"She will, I just know it." Sonic swiftly placed a kiss on Amy's cheek before dashing away shouting 'Bye!' as he disappeared from her line of view when he turned a path.

Amy glared at the place where Sonic had disappeared to. She needed to remind him that there are certain behaviors that were not permitted for him despite their new established friendship. But a loud, traitorous voice in her head pointed out that she didn't mind him doing these stuff to her. In fact, it told her that she like it, especially if it caused her to shudder in pleasure at having been in contact with him.

Darn hormones.

She let out a long, tired sigh before continuing her way to where Rosie was still standing, the wizened woman smiling rather knowingly at Amy, hand on her hips.

Great.

Wee! SonAmy date coming soon!

No I'm not kidding. I literally have finished typing the next chapter and as soon as I finish chapter 26 I'll post chap 25. I'll be adapting this strategy from now on (at least, I'll try to) to make sure that it won't take me months to update. I really want to finish this story!