The two entered the park where the sun still shone next to a few clouds. A few drop rolled down a maple leaf.

Amy watched the ground as Shadow walked next to her. Her hand touched her heart. It still felt as though it never calmed down.

Shadow's red eyes darted at the uneasy girl beside him. He cleared his throat and asked, "Did something upset you?"

"Huh?" Amy turned to him and said, "Not really."

Shadow didn't respond and looked at the trail in front of them.

"You're lying," he said after a few moments.

"There's nothing wrong. I just wanted to hang out with someone."

"So you were lonely?"

The pink hedgehog frowned and replied, "Well...maybe a little, but it's not something that I would really call wrong..."

"Does being lonely bring you joy? Or happiness?"

"Of course not!"

"And yet you claim that being lonely isn't wrong?"

Amy became silent. She stopped and sighed. Shadow turned to face her and noticed how she rubbed her arm. Her emerald green eyes closed.

"Okay...so maybe there is something the matter. Shadow...? Am I...annoying?"

Shadow's mouth opened as he stared at her. There was no mistaking the inquisitive stare in his ruby-red eyes. Amy peeked at him, but turned away just as quickly.

"Sorry for bothering you," she commented, "You probably want to hurry back to what you were doing. I'll-I'll see...you later."

His big gloved hand snatched her wrist. The pink Hedgehog turned with wide eyes that appeared to be red and moist.

"I knew something wasn't right. Which is why I came."

"Wait...you knew?"

"You never ask Rouge to shop with you. Normally it'd be Cream or Blaze. No doubt you were desperate to have someone with you."

"I like hanging out with Rouge too."

"Near a store? She always says that if you want to stage a robbery, just invite her."

"She actually says that? I guess she would. But is me asking her all what told you something was off?"

"No. The moment I saw you I sensed that you were uneasy about something. And as for this whole 'are you annoying' bit. No. You're not annoying. Sonic is annoying. He brags about everything, shows off with that stupid smile, and he is obnoxious."

"Heh. I don't think it's a mystery that you aren't the best of friends."

"We're enemies."

She paused and remarked, "That is debatable. Sonic calls you his friend."

"Don't go changing the subject. Why are you acting so..."

Shadow seemed to be a lost for what to say next until he added, "Depressed?"

Amy's green eyes didn't dodge his curious red-wine eyes that stared into her heart. Her emerald eyes became extra moist and blinked more rapidly.

She stomped her foot and said, waving a hand, "I don't want to talk about it."

Before he could grab her, she bolted into the woods. She slid behind a tree and sat once he ran past, calling her name. When the coast was clear she saw a couple strolling through the park side-by-side.

The depressed gaze never left her and seemed to have deepened. Her eyes softened as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Will I ever be in love?