I am so sorry guys! Things got away from me a little bit.

Thank you so much to those of you who wished me to have a good time in France! It meant a lot to me! France was amazing :D My favourite part had to be playing Frisbee on the beach! :D I totally recommend it! (We stayed by the coast, not in Paris) And when I got back, I planned to update but there have been complications with some projects I have to complete and some more science exams. And my writers block didn't help.

However, I am back now! And I have a few ideas for the upcoming chapters! :D

Oh, just quickly, I now have a facebook page for 'Thunder Croft'. This will allow me to post comments saying when I'll update and other things about Sonic the hedgehog! Please check it out and leave a comment! :D

pages/Thunder-Croft/477728328984577?skip_nax_wizar d=true#

Not sure if the link will work. If it doesn't, the link is on my profile page! :D

Thank you very much to the people who have not got tired of my disappearing antics! ;D: Savvy0417, TheMidnightShadow, Zgirl101, Dovewing01, The High School Hero, Doomsday2028, SAOMNYIC, Steve993, Eli Swafford, ToxicWolf1132, waveandcipher, Guest, SunLove, Maya, 4everallways, Guest! Thank you so much guys! Your reviews were lovely to read! I always look forward to seeing your comments and opinions!

Replies: (If you want to skip this, scroll down!)

Savvy0417 – Mysterious? Really? :D Thank you very much! You were right – it was amazing! :D

TheMidnightShadow – Don't worry about it! :D I should apologize too! And I hope your laptop is okay! :D I know how annoying computers can be. My laptop and I have...a love/hate relationship ;D

Zgirl101 – The wait is over! ;D And thank you! I enjoyed France very much!

Dovewing01 – Thank you! :D And yep – very competitive! ;D

The High School Hero – Hmmm...I shall not say anything for I fear I may reveal something! ;D And yeah...I think Sally deserved to be liked again :D You'll see what is going to happen to her during the story... :D And congratulations! That's awesome! :D Good luck with your second paper! (Although, you've probably already had it judging by how long how long I've been away) And that's okay. I get obsessed with new story ideas! :D Yep, I've set up the fb page and will post the link on here. It's also on my profile. Stay cool, FFN BF! And that's probably a good piece of advice! :D Alas, I didn't go to the Eiffel tower (but I would love to!) cause I stayed in St Malo :D P.S. The Hobbit part 2 looks EPIC! :D I CAN'T WAIT!

Doomsday2028 – Thank you for your review! Yep...things should start to get tense soon... :D

SAOMNYIC – Thank you! :D And your sister sent you the story? That's cool? :D That makes me really happy that your sister enjoys it as well as you. Tell her I appreciate it, please :D And yeah, I have read that story, not long after I started this sequel. It is very well written and good – it's a shame she stopped her sequel. People have compared these two stories but I still stick to my grounds and say that they are very different. She is a very good author, none the less. She should be very proud of her talent.

Steve993 – Thank you very much! :D You're a really dedicated reviewer and I always like reading your comments! :D Once again, you're right! But I shan't say anything else or I will reveal something by mistake ;D

Eli Swafford – Thank you very much! France was amazing and I hope you enjoy this chapter! :D

ToxicWolf1132 – Hmmm...an interesting development of Sonamy and Sonally for you then! :D You should watch Mean Girls 1 & 2! They are really good! But no, my story line is completely unique and nothing like the Mean Girls plot. The only thing that is similar is that there is a mean girl and in the first one, they like the same guy. That's it. :D

Waveandcipher – Thank you very much. And the mystery with Sally will develop over time...;D France was awesome! And ouch, doesn't sound good :/ I can't sleep on coaches either! I guess that makes two of us! :D

Guest – Thank you very much! :D

SunLove – Thank you so much. I really appreciate your support. Yes, I know which forum you are talking about. No one is liked by everyone. Flames used to affect me a lot when I first started writing on Fanfiction but now I just try and take their comments into consideration – but if I totally disagree, I just ignore it. But good comments mean more to me than bad comments; so thank you very much :D Your words mean a lot to me.

Maya – The wait is over! ;D I hope you like this chapter!

4everallways – I also read your review on Mobian Mean Girls...THANK YOU SO MUCH! :'D Your first Sonic the hedgehog fanfiction? I hope I made a good impression! :D Yep...you'll have to find out if things get better with Silvaze and Tailsmo ;D Thank you very much! The number of reviews I got for the first one was incredible. I will be over the moon if this one is just as popular! :D

Guest – I'm back! :D Sorry for the long wait! I'm glad you like this story! ;D Thank you!

Phew! Replies done! Everyone who reviewed on the last chapter has a comment from me! ;D

Now, I'm going to stop rambling on and let you read! Enjoy! Xx T.C xX

Chapter 17 – Seven-teen for a secret never to be told

(...Amy's P.O.V...)

I was still mulling it over, in my head, three days later.

"An ex..." My lettuce was persistently sticking in my throat, "He never told me...an ex?!"

"Get over it, Amy!" Rouge frowned, licking the cream from her spoon in such a sexual way, that it was making boys ogle at her, "So, he didn't tell you? Big whoop. I'm sure everyone in this very room has a secret,"

I shook my head, angrily, "You don't get it. He lied, Rouge. And it's not the first time. Remember the whole Sally sitch? Yeah. He didn't tell me about any of that. What else is he hiding about this 'Fiona'? How do I know they haven't spent a year in Paris together or something?! I need to know what I'm up against,"

"Paris? What? Calm it. You're not up against anything," Rouge backed off, sensing that I was reaching my anger point, "He's chosen you. And besides, she didn't seem like she wanted him back,"

"I guess. But, what happened between them? And why didn't he tell me?"

"Who knows? I guess that's something that you'll have to ask him,"

Silver nodded, slowly, in agreement, "I think that's a good idea,"

I blushed, brightly, "I'm not asking him! What do I do? March up to him and yell, 'hey, what happened between you and your ex, Fiona? I met her a couple of days ago and I don't trust that you're not going to choose her over me,' Yeah, cause that will turn out well,"

"There's no point of being in a relationship if you're not going to tell the truth," Silver mumbled, clenching his fists around his sandwich carton.

Things had been quiet lately. Yet, at the same time, things had also been slowly falling apart. Take today, for example. Silver, Rouge and I were sitting by ourselves on the large table in the middle of the university's dining hall. Cosmo and Blaze were right on the other side of the room – quietly reading. Tails and Cream had gone off to the supermarket to grab things that the girls and boys needed. Sonic, obviously was still in the infirmary. Knuckles and Shadow had gone to visit him. They asked me if I wanted to come, but I kindly declined. I couldn't face him until I found out more about this Fiona girl.

However, I knew that Knuckles and Shadow would discuss the situation with Sonic. No doubt about it.

"Hun, I think you should take your own advice," Rouge's tone became quiet as she placed her hand on Silver's in a friendly way.

The psychic hedgehog shrugged her off, seemingly annoyed, "Whatever,"

"How are things with you and Blaze?" I gingerly asked, knowing I was treading in dangerous waters as I ate another mouthful of salad.

He sighed, dejectedly, "How do things look? She's not speaking to me. Every time I try and engage with her...she just ignores me. Or, at best, gives me a one word answer,"

"That's because she's hurting," I persuaded, determined to make things right between the two, "She's trying to back away and find out how she feels. But she likes you. She'll come back. I know she will,"

"Really?" It was obvious that Silver was trying to fight back tears.

"Really," I gave him a reassuring grin, "I'll talk to her in the evening,"

"Thanks. I'm lucky to have you two as friends," Silver blushed, lightly, as Rouge and I smiled at him.

The bat smirked, "It's okay, hun. That's what friends are for. To bore with all your romance problems!"

"What about your romance problems?" I snorted, searching her face for any sign of a blush.

Her expression stayed the same, "I have none! I'm a single lady!"

"Poor old Knuckles..." Silver chuckled, "...dumped at the drop of a hat,"

"Not gonna work guys! Not gonna work..." Rouge turned back to eating her strawberries and cream – putting on a show for the guys sitting on the table opposite to us. Urgh. Guys are disgusting. She's just eating!

Silver shook his head in disbelief, whilst smiling, "Come on, Amy. Our next lectures are near each other. I think we should leave Rouge to entertain the poor guys over there,"

A smirk found its way onto my mouth, "Right. See ya, Rouge. Try to keep it PG rated, okay?"

"Say what?" She looked up, licking off the cream with a quick lick. The boys gasped, still staring. I was starting to feel uncomfortable. I wish she wasn't so...blunt.

Silver gave her a wave before dragging me away by my wrist. He broke out in laughter as soon as we left the dining hall, "Oh man. She's such a wind up! Those guys are going to be so overwhelmed if they talk to her! Rouge is...oh my. She's hilarious. But I couldn't stand there and watch. The way they were looking over here made me a little sick. And besides, we already have romance. All of us,"

I gave a brisk nod, "Right. We can't have people thinking you're gay. It might get round to Blaze!"

"She'd probably punch anyone who called me..." Silver drifted off, shuffling his shoes together. Maybe she wouldn't stick up for him anymore. That was what he was thinking.

"She would," I reassured, "I'm positive. Now come on. We've got a lecture to listen to!"

"Oh joys..." He replied, as I pulled him away, with my head held high and determined to create a plan to get 'Silvaze' back together.

(...Sonic's P.O.V...)

"You really need to start being more serious, Sonic,"

I opened my eyelid just a fraction, ignoring the urge to sigh at the slightly annoyed echidna, "Listen Knuckles, no offence, but I didn't ask for your advice,"

He whirled round, facing me, with his mouth open. He sighed after a couple of seconds – as if he was so angry that he couldn't even say anything to me.

"Faker," Shadow glared at me from across the room, sitting in the chair with a thunderous expression, "I just don't understand you,"

"What?!" I pouted, reviewing the situation in my head. Things were slowly starting to get ugly. Fiona had appeared – which was bad, full stop. Now, she'd introduced herself to Amy. I needed to work out what she was trying to do. Befriend Amy and use her to get at me? Or the complete opposite – she wanted to hurt Amy?

Not only did I have to work out what Fiona's moves were; I also had to do it in secret. I couldn't rely on the gang this time. I don't want to submit them to this battle.

"So, who is this Fiona?" Knuckles finally asked, whilst running a hand up and down his arm, soothingly.

I didn't reply for a moment.

"We know she's your ex girlfriend," Shadow added, making the room feel a whole lot colder. I bit my lip, scanning and analyzing my possible response.

"She's..." I needed Tails. He was there when it happened. Only two people know what happened and he's one of them. The other...well, let's just say things are awkward.

But I didn't have Tails so I needed to tell Knuckles and Shadow who Fiona was.

So I did something I'm not proud of.

I lied.

"...an old friend who became my girlfriend for a bit. But we let things go because they didn't work out. It was just a small fling. Nothing major," As soon as I closed my mouth, a taste in my mouth was metallic and bitter. I'd never been good at lying. Especially not like this.

However, luckily for me, Knuckles seemed to believe me, "That's it? Oh. I thought it was something worse than that! Why'd you make such a big deal out of it? That's not awful or embarrassing!"

That's because I'm lying, I though, guiltily, "I dunno. I panicked. I guess I just felt bad about not telling anyone,"

"Fair enough. I hope you don't mind me saying this...but she's kinda a bitch,"

I bit my tongue to stop myself from laughing, "Um...uh...okay? What makes you say that?"

He shrugged, "Oh, she just seemed like it. She was a bitch to Tails. I think we'd all be wise to avoid her,"

Good luck with that, I thought, she's going to go out of her way to find us.

"You're probably right," I mumbled, loud enough for both of them to hear.

The red echidna nodded, with a small sympathetic smile, "Well, let's go, Shadow. We didn't need to play detective after all. But you need to explain this to Amy, Sonic. I think she's fretting,"

"Thanks, dude. I'll remember that," I gave him a small thumbs up, watching as Knuckles left the room.

Shadow didn't move.

"You okay, Shads?" I asked, feeling uncomfortable under his dark gaze.

He didn't react; simply stared, "Why did you lie just now?"

"W-what?"

"You lied. Why?"

"I d-don't..."

"Tails knows something, doesn't he?"

"How did you...?"

He folded his arms with a small grunt, "He saw Fiona and ran off, crying. Unless he has that reaction to every female fox, I don't think he is happy with her,"

My shoulders slumped when I heard that Tails had been crying. I knew he wasn't coping. All the stuff with Cosmo and now this. I needed to speak with him. But with this stupid injury...I still had a couple more days before I could walk. That was a couple of days too long.

"I don't want to talk about it; Shadow," I replied, quietly but confidently, "But I will sort it. I promise. I don't know how – but I will. I'll find Fiona and talk to her,"

Shadow lifted his head up; his eyes widened. There was a heavy silence before Shadow gave a brisk nod and marched out of the room to catch up with Knuckles.

Now it was all down to me.

(...Amy's P.O.V...)

With a quick intake of breath, I splashed cold water onto my face and stared into the mirror. The pink hedgehog stared back at me with red tinted cheeks.

That lecture room had been far too hot.

My breath deepened and I let out a contented sigh. I was letting all this drama get to my head. I needed to forget Fiona, forget Sally and focus on more important things.

Like Silver and Blaze.

And Tails and Cosmo.

And Sonic.

Despite the cloudy morning, the sun was beaming through the toilet window, sending sunlight cascading into the room. I stepped out of the light, wanting to be covered by shade and a cool breeze for a moment. I needed to think clearly. I couldn't afford to do anything rash.

I was so caught up in my worries about work and friends that I didn't notice the door opening and closing.

I turned my head in curiosity, before my eyes settled on the nervous-looking mongoose in front of me, "Hello,"

"H-h...hello," She stuttered, clutching her heart necklace and looking panic stricken. Did I look furious? Or was I so hot that I stank of sweat? I don't remember getting odd glances from other people.

I expected her to dash into the toilets so that I could make a hasty retreat (or, at least, that is what I hoped she would do) but she continued to stare at me like a deer in the headlights. Or a mongoose in the headlights.

"A-are you okay?" I asked, feeling uneasy and little bit light headed.

Her reply came in the form of a whisper, "Yes,"

I nodded, slowly, "Okay..." I headed towards the bathroom door, feeling the silence cling at my heart strings. Something about Mina the mongoose made me feel defenceless. Like she knew something that I didn't. Her green eyes had been filled with anger and loathing, when I had first met her – but now, they had lost that feisty shine and were replaced with a timid gleam.

"Wait," She called out, gripping onto my wrist and stopping me from leaving. I let out an inaudible gasp and faced her. She wouldn't meet my gaze; stared at the floor with guilt.

"Yes?" I replied, ducking my head slightly to try and see her eyes. My lips parted, ever so slightly, when I realised that she was fighting back tears.

"Why..." She stammered, "...do you h-have to be so nice?"

I didn't know what to say, "I...umm...I'm sorry?"

Her hand slumped back to her side, allowing me to escape and leave. But I chose not to, "You don't deserve this,"

She fled from the room, covering her eyes and speeding through the door. I rubbed my wrist, which had been grabbed by her, less than a few seconds ago. Her heat was still lingering on my skin.

I stared into the mirror again, watching my confused feelings form on my face.

I didn't know whether to be flattered or terrified.