The Bet

Chapter 3

Amy's Apartment

1:20 a.m.

Amy lied in her bed staring at the white, boring ceiling of her room. The room was dark other than the faint glow of her TV in the front of the room. She didn't know what to do and it bothered the heck of her. She's tried sleeping pills and medicine, but nothing seems to work.

Maybe it was tub of ice-cream I had before bed?

Amy sat up and looked around. There was an empty tub that had ice-cream in it and a metal spoon laid next to it. She took the spoon and inspected it. There was little to no evidence she even ate it, I guess that counts for something. She put it back and sniffed herself.

I smell fine. I took a shower after getting out the pool, but…

Amy then looked to the bathroom of her room to the right. The white door stared back at her as she stared at it, hoping it would say something. Anything...anything at all.

I see no, hear no evil, Black writing's on the wall

Unleashed a million faces and one-by-one they fall

Black-hearted evil, brave-hearted hero?

I am all, I am all, I am

The phone's screen lit on she quickly grabbed it to shut it off. She had received a text message. Shadow's name appeared on it and she blushed a little. She had to change that crazy ringtone.

Can't sleep

No

I have an hour before I have to go to work

And…?

Let me rephrase that, I'm outside and you need to open the door

Stalker!

Open the door, child

Amy threw the covers off her and ran out the room. She quickly made her way to the front door and when she opened it, Shadow was indeed standing there. With arms crossed, they stared at each other. The silence soon got to Amy and she decided to break it.

"You know, most people ask to come over... instead of waking people up in the middle of the night."

"I not like most people. Why aren't you dressed?"

Amy looked at herself. She had on a light green tank top and black short-shorts to sleep in. What in the world was he talking about? More importantly, what was going through the mind of this hedgehog in front of her?

"Does bed count?" Amy asked. Shadow rolled his eyes.

"Go." Amy slightly closed the door and went back to her room. Going through her dresser drawer, she found a white T-shirt with 'Diva' written in pink and glittery diamonds on it and denim shorts. She changed into it and grabbed her pink sneakers.

"How's this?" Amy said, with a little attitude.

"Fine, come on." She reached for her keys, but left her phone behind. Locking the door, she followed Shadow to his motorcycle…but there was only one helmet.

"Um…"

Shadow looked back at her as he straddled the seat. "You coming or what?"

Amy stood there for a good second, before actually deciding to put it on. She figured Shadow's driven this things long enough to not let her get hurt, right? How bad could it possibly be? She put the helmet on her head and sat in front, which made Shadow a little curious. He started it up and put his feet up and then they were off. Amy was thinking about where they were going and if she could hold on long enough to get there safely.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

"Open your eyes." Amy loosened her tight eyelids and peeked with one eye. In front of her was a small building, and it had Serenity's Café on the front in neon blue letters. From the outside, she could a few other people in there along a couple of waitresses and waiters.

"What is this?" She asked looking at him.

"You really do ask too many questions." Shadow said. Amy glared at him as she took the helmet off her head. She shook her hair a bit before getting off, Shadow right behind her. They walked up the doors and Shadow held it open for her. Now that they were inside, Amy could see a small stage to the left of the entrance and chairs surrounding it. Soft music played as a female cheetah in a tight, skinny red dress sung. It was small inside and outside, but it actually felt nice and Amy should know. She's very claustrophobic. Shadow pulled her over to table that seated two and soon a male gray wolf was over to their table.

"Hey Shadow!"

"Hey Jackson."

Amy just looked at him a little before picking the menu to hide her face. He looked about a year or two older than Shadow and he breath smelt like he was just smoking. She didn't like this…more like she didn't like the waiter.

"Oh, and who is this? You didn't tell me you had a girlfriend." Jackson looked at Amy for a bit, before something clicked in his head.

"Oh ho! You are the infamous Amelia Rose, aren't you? Works with Sonic and everything, am I right?" Amy nodded slightly.

"No one calls me Amelia…"

"My bad! Shadow, what are you doing bringing her here so late?'

"Said she couldn't sleep." Shadow looked at her as Amy was mouthing to him to shut up. Of course, she was ignored.

"I hear ya! My daughter's like that too. Stays up just 'til the sun rises and sleeps until two in the afternoon. Anyway, what can I get you?"

"I just want coffee and get her… a strawberry parfait." Shadow said. Amy felt like she could just faint, right then and there.

"Alright, I'll be right back." Jackson took the menu Amy hid behind and she instantly put her head down.

"I so can't stand you." sh said.

"I know. I do it just to annoy you." Shadow said with a smirk. Amy sat up a little and gave me a glare.

"Why did he think I was your girlfriend?" Shadow shrugged.

"Asking the wrong person." She glared at him. He knew something, and she just knew it. Why am I trippin'? It's just some guy that knows Shadow and knows who I am…no big deal…

"Your coffee. And your parfait will be out in five minutes." Jackson turned to leave when Amy called him back.

"Do you have any…cookies?"

"Yeah…"

"I want one." Jackson sucked his teeth with a smile. "Alright, I'll be back."

Amy saw Shadow's stare and looked around to avoid it. Well, she would have if she could ignore the feeling of Shadow's foot brushing up against her leg. She kicked his foot away, but he did it again. She didn't know why, but it felt…nice…and she hated the fact that it did.

"Stop." Amy ordered. Shadow ignored her and he did it again. She kicked his foot again. Amy was really starting to regret coming here with this guy. Shadow, however, was having some fun with the short-tempered girl. As said before, her anger is amusing. They continued playing what could be considered 'footsie' until Amy stared at him.

"What?!" she whispered harshly.

"Nothing." Amy gave a blank stare. She was pissed one, but it was obvious why he did it. To get her riled up, like he seems to be very good at. She sat back in her chair and crossed her arms, blowing her bangs out her face in frustration. Jackson came back and gave her the dessert and cookie.

"Do you want to pay now or later?"

"Later." Jackson nodded before leaving the two alone again. Amy brushed her hair back a bit before getting the cookie. She bit into it looking at the cheetah on stage. She was singing terribly off-key, but to everyone else it was fine. Why do I let him get to me so easily?! I should just ignore him like I do Sonic and Silver, but…I just can't. Why?

"Why bring it home?"

"I don't know, damn it!"

Shadow had asked that question like a million times, but it was really only three. He was getting her riled up again. It got on her nerve how she realized that this was the guy she's in a fake relationship with and he could do this anytime he wanted, just about. They stood in her house right in front of the door to her apartment, arguing over this. Just another twenty minutes and he'll leave. I can make it.

"I expected you eat it before it, why wait?" Shadow started again.

"Shadow, I don't fucking know. Quit asking a dumbass question that I will continue to refuse to answer, and leave me alone!" Amy shouted.

"Give a good reason to." Shadow teased.

"I'll kick your ass."

"Since when do you look at my ass, I thought this was fake. Really, you should be ashamed of yourself."

"Fuck you."

"Now you want to fuck me? I not sure we have enough time, maybe tomorrow…" Shadow purposely trailed off.

"Ugh!" Amy had a look, and it was directed at Shadow, along with a noticeable blush with that last comment. All she could think about was how he pissed her off and was cocky about it!

"Your anger is very amusing to me, Rose. I would even admit that it provides some sort of entertainment."

"I've been told." Amy moved to her couch and sat down, Shadow followed her.

"Why do you let me get to you so easily?"

"I asked myself the same question, hedgehog." she said, rudely.

"That's why I loved to annoy you. That little temper of yours is actually fun to mess with."

"Don't you have to be at work? Do I need to report you?" Amy argued.

"You couldn't."

"What if I call them and tell them you raped an innocent little child named Amy Rose and left her for dead? Will it get you fired?" Amy said sarcastically.

"They wouldn't believe you."

"Why won't you leave me alone?" Amy whined.

"You're easy to mess with." Shadow answered bluntly. Amy playfully punched his arm, but afterwards it started to sting.

"Ow…"

"Told you." Amy frowned. Then she got an idea to get him back. Taking off her shoes, she pulled her feet on the couch and sat on her knees faced Shadow. He didn't turn, but watched her out the corner of his eye. Amy's right hand made its way to Shadow's left ear, but he folded it against his head. She scratched behind it anyway, and waited. Soon enough, Shadow closed his eyes in bliss and his purrs filled the otherwise quiet living room. Amy giggled at this. It was, by all means, adorable! He only allowed this when they were by themselves and sometimes he did it to her. Which proves he has a soft spot for the rose-pink girl, even if he wouldn't admit it.

"Stop…" he said breathlessly. She stopped and a few seconds later, he pulled her hand back to his head. Two minutes later, he stood up and shook his head. Amy tilted her head and blinked.

"I've got to keep you from doing that."

"...But you like it." He gave her a small glare before the watch on his wrist flashed white.

"I have to go anyway."

"I believe I deserve some kid of reward for that. I mean, my ear itches sometimes." Amy said moving her ear around to prove her point. Shadow didn't know what to say to the girl. He sighed and quickly kissed her cheek before disappearing. Amy looked dumbfounded and blinked continuously. That was certainly unexpected… Maybe that soft spot of his is bigger than I thought…

Diamond Field Park

2:10 p.m.

"I don't get it… I don't get him."

"What is there to understand?"

"Why would he kiss me and leave?"

"I don't know. I could be right."

Amy eventually went to sleep and woke up asking Cream to meet her in the park. She was still trying to figure out why Shadow had kissed her, even if it was her cheek.

"But I want to know why?" Amy stated.

"Ask him if you're so concerned about it. I'm not Shadow, he's mysterious sometime, you know?"

"But why?" Cream turned around and faced Amy. She looked a little irritated by the look on her face.

"Amy, if I knew I would be the first to tell you, but I don't. I told you Shadow could like you already, but because of his past with Maria, he's having a hard time accepting his feelings." Cream explained.

"Well…he's told me I remind him of Maria before, but their relationship was strictly brother and sister, this is more like a love interest." Amy said.

"Then go off that! Spend more time with him, ask to go more places, make him get used to you." Cream exclaimed.

"But-"

"Any further questions and we're talking to my mom. I'm warning you."

"…Fine… Think you can come over and help me babysit?" Cream shook her head with a smile.

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"You kissed her?!" Silver exclaimed.

"…Only on the cheek…"

"But it still counts, dude! You're suppose to get her to fall in love with you. Not the other way around."

"I never said I was in love with her." Shadow said, glaring at him.

"You sure are acting like it. At least you're making progress...I think."

"I don't want to make progress. I don't want to do this at all! I don't need money to tell me when I need a girl in my life, and I definitely don't need it just to fuck some girl."

"This isn't some girl, it's Amy. Maybe when need to have a talk with her..." Silver said in thought. Shadow didn't like the look on his face. That meant he had an idea that would more than likely end up back-firing.

"No. Whatever it is, no. Just no!"

"I wasn't asking. I called her earlier telling her I was coming over and you're coming with me."

"Oh, hello Mr. Silver, Mr. Shadow."

"I told you to stop calling me that Cream." Silver scolded.

"I'm sorry. Old habits die-hard." Cream giggled.

"Cream look out!"

A small pink female echidna came running around the corner dressed in nothing but a diaper and assorted hairpins rested in her dreadlocks. Amy came running around the corner as well, a cute yellow sundress in her hands and small silver sandals. She appeared to be soaked with water, from what was the question.

"Woah there, missy. And where are you going?" Silver said. He caught the little girl and held her up.

"I don't know you."

"Talk about straightforward."

Amy came and took away and the girl tried to run, but Amy tackled her to the floor. Cream giggled at the two while the guys just stared. Amy wrestled to get the dress on and finally let her go. She sat up and blew her bangs out of her face.

"Who the hell was that?" Silver asked.

"Diane, Knuckles' niece he never knew he had." Amy explained.

"Wow, she looks quite the hand full..."

"She is, I couldn't even get her dress on before she ran out the bathroom. You'd have to man-handle the child to get her to sit still of listen."

"Which is why Amy helps me." Cream finished.

"Why not have Shadow straighten her out?" Silver asked, mostly directed to Amy.

"Nah, you'd probably scare her then."

Diane came back and hit Amy on the head before rushing off. "Why that little..." Amy got off the floor and hit her back. They went back and forth until Amy grabbed Diane's ear and pulled it. She held it there until she said 'uncle'. Letting her go, she ran off again.

"She's so energetic, like Amy. It uncanny how alike the two are when they aren't related." Cream said.

"Yeah, well, you need to find someone else to do this job. I've changed twice since I've been here and now I have to change again." Amy whined.

"You whine too much." Shadow added in.

"You criticise too much." Amy retorted.

"You-"

"Make out already, damn!" Silver exclaimed. Both Amy and Shadow stared at him. He shrugged his shoulders. He really didn't care, they're like an old married couple.

"I'm gonna go change."

"Amy! I need help with my shoes." Diane called.

"Cream!"

"I'm on it."

Silver looked to Shadow who just stared at Amy's retreating form. "Seriously, ever considered making her the female you?" Shadow rolled his eyes.

Hey guys! I hope this chapter doesn't seem a little too rushed. I think I have writer's block... But anyway, school's almost here and I just wanted to get it one (maybe it might become two) last chapter before then. I'm working on this and The Elements Within for a while and take a break from the others. Just so I can focus on school and fewer plots. They will be updated sometime soon, but for now, just two. Look out for the next chapter and see you soon! ;D