Chapter 3

The apartment Amy was moving into was even smaller compared to the previous one. When Sonic stepped in, he noticed that it was more like a studio apartment which, despite being small, had a homey ambiance. The floor was polished mosaic and there was a large french window right in front of him as he entered through the wooden door. There was a common bathroom attached on the left while the kitchen was on the right. Sonic moved to quickly inspect the bathroom - it was small and decent looking with polished off-white ceramic tiles. There was an opaque window right beside the bathtub and the washbasin which was on his left was clean, wide, and spacious. He stepped out when he heard the movers behind him. The kitchen, Sonic noted as he stepped in, was comfortable with light brown cabinets and white porcelain countertops. There was a tiny storage space at the back where a wall had been built in an L shape near the small window of the kitchen. Overall, the apartment could be considered large enough to host a party of at least 10 persons, and it was so…comfy in a special way.

'Decided that small would work better, Ames?' Sonic joked as he walked back into the main room and glanced at Amy. He had let the tension between them earlier subside, at least for the moment.

'It's more affordable, actually.' She smiled and didn't say anything more as she placed her yellow handbag on the floor next to the window. Sonic, who had placed her (rather heavy) suitcase next to the main door, picked it up and placed it down next to her bag. The movers were beginning to move all the furniture into the apartment after having laid out the white woolen carpet. There was a large, light pink three-seater fluffy couch, a small wooden dining table for two, a large bed, a bookshelf, a cupboard with two doors, and a TV stand along with the 32-inch display. Amy went over to direct the movers in placing the furniture while the blue hero looked out the window. He opened it to let some fresh air in.

Sonic relaxed as a cool breeze blew through his quills. It was getting dark and so tiny lights were appearing on the various buildings around him and on the street lights down below. He quickly scanned the area and noted how this street was more spacious compared to the previous one. Since it was still the active hours of the evening, the street was thriving with Mobians going about with their last rounds of activity while pulsing with life as if the day was just beginning. There was a convenience store nearby that was within walking distance much to his satisfaction. There were several bakeries and a salon as well. A small park was located on the other side of the street on a tiny plot of land located between two buildings, and Sonic noticed some young fox kits and puggles playing soccer together. The sound of their laughter and shouts could be heard even from where he stood on the fourth floor. He smiled. It seemed to be a nice street to live on.

This area is sweet!

Behind him, the blue hero could hear Amy direct the movers (two beavers and a mongoose) as to where she wanted the couch to be kept. She was being patient and kind as ever. He listened to her voice for a moment and then frowned slightly. There seemed to be something missing in it. The usual charm in her voice that he has always known was gone. He smiled softly since he had always loved her voice. It was fresh and pure - often very joyful to listen to. It was a voice that gave the feeling of that gentle ring of a bell above the door that rang in stores every time a customer walked in; a voice that flowed like a river, lapping across soft pebbles; a voice that he always found wanting to hear although he knew what it meant if she was around him. But now, it was not the same. It was as though she had deflated somehow. He assumed it to be because of the hectic day, but she had been in battles that lasted more hours where her voice had still retained the usual vibrancy. So then why now…?

Nah, it's probably nothing. He assured himself as he heard her again from behind.

The blue speedster turned around and watched as she told a beaver where she wanted the TV stand to be kept. The beaver began adjusting the stand while stopping each time to look at her as if silently asking if the way he moved it was right. Amy responded with either a slight nod or a shake of the head. Sonic then saw the mongoose pushing the cupboard near the bed, visibly struggling. The hero went over to help and, after a brief struggle at carrying each end, they managed to place it at the right location. The tall, yellow mongoose gave a curt nod of gratitude and then left to carry in the cardboard boxes that he seemed to be able to handle by himself. Sonic helped around for a few more minutes before he decided to stop for a break. He turned to look at Amy. She was quiet, very quiet. He was never used to seeing her that way. Was it because of what he did to her, or was it because she was exhausted?

She counted on you to be there for her at a time when no one else could; and yet, you still let her down. You failed her. A menacing voice in his head said slowly.

No…

He didn't…did he? Was he the reason why she was behaving like this? Sonic frowned as he looked out the window again. It was finally dark now. The children who had been playing earlier had left with their parents. A few Mobians still walked around the street, carrying shopping bags to their home, ready to prepare dinner and spend the rest of the evening with their loved ones before finally bidding the night goodbye. All his life, he had always wanted to help. He lived to save folks and ensure they lived in peace. And right then, he knew the reason why everyone was so happy and calm around the city was because of him.

But he failed at helping one friend...one special friend.

The pink rose behind him was heard having a word with the movers. She still sounded tired. He assumed it to be because of the hurdle of moving in. Sonic recalled how quiet she had been when he met her at the entrance to her new apartment with the suitcase earlier. The blue hero had rushed ahead, carrying the heavy suitcase with both arms as he whizzed along the busy street while being careful not to bump into any pedestrians. Amy had given him the address which helped make things easier. When he had finally arrived, he had put down the suitcase and waited for twelve minutes until she arrived in her car with the movers close behind. Sonic had smiled at her with the same smile that always happened to catch everyone's attention, especially hers. The pink hedgehog had smiled back, her eyes sparkling with happiness for a brief moment before she turned serious again. Sonic had then slumped his shoulders and groaned inwardly, but chose not to say anything until they entered her new apartment.

A quick thank you was heard and then the sound of the door closing. The movers had left. Sonic finally turned his attention away from the window and laid his eyes on his pink teammate. She stood in front of the door, facing him, looking haggard. Her quills looked slightly disheveled and her eyes seemed to lack the glow they contained a moment ago. It was as though the day was finally wearing in on her - consuming her in its void. When she looked up at him, it was like she was asking for help, to be rescued, hugged, cared for, and loved. At that moment, there was nothing more she yearned for than kind attention to how she felt. They were silently pleading; but then, as if knowing how the silence was getting awkward, she quickly averted her eyes.

Sonic had stood there staring at her with wide eyes. He had never seen her this tired since those days spent on rebuilding.

'Amy, I think you need to rest for a bit, you know?' he suggested gently and carefully, not taking his eyes off her.

She looked up at him again with surprise and released the breath she didn't know she was holding.

'No, I need to unpack. I'll rest once I'm done with it.' Her mind protested against her decision, telling her to rest instead, but she chose to ignore it, and even the pain from earlier was slowly making its comeback. Amy went to open the box marked 'bedroom' and started sorting everything out.

'I'll help you, Ames.' Sonic said and made his way over to her. He didn't wait for a response as he quickly took out a bunch of bed sheets and a pillow. Amy took out the bedside lamp and smiled at him gratefully – it was a genuine smile this time; one that touched somewhere delicate in his heart, and for the second time that day, he caught himself staring at her before quickly blinking and making his way over to the cupboard to place the bed sheets in it. Amy, quite unperturbed by that slightly awkward moment, quietly made her way over to the bedside table and began setting up her lamp in silence.

The two teenage hedgehogs went about unpacking all the boxes. They did so in silence with Amy arranging her clothes in the cupboard while Sonic swiftly arranged all the cooking utensils and ingredients (rather haphazardly) in the kitchen. Sonic asked Amy occasionally where she wanted something to be kept and she responded with short replies. Nearly an hour went by and the blue hero was getting tired of the silence in the apartment despite having his trusted female companion with him. It was unlike Amy to be so quiet. She was always bubbly and enthusiastic, constantly chasing him around, asking him to go on dates, crying whenever he was away for long, or even before he entered a battle alone. Even during the Death Egg war, Amy had been concerned about his safety and well-being – much to his annoyance and delight. Despite all that, the blue hero liked having her around and over the years, she was starting to change from her crazy fangirling attitude. He was beginning to notice how independent and mature she was starting to become. Nevertheless, he missed the old fun-loving Amy Rose he had always known.

Sonic knew then that he couldn't let this drag on for longer. He had to bring things back on track with her, even if it meant he had to apologize for his actions from the past month. So, the blue hero began cracking jokes and recounted his many crazy adventures as he walked about, placing her various belongings around in their proper locations. He could have run which would have sped up the process, but owing to the lack of space, he was compelled to walk. Sonic told her of his recent activities, how he hung out often at Tails' workshop, helping his little brother-like figure fix things while he made a futile attempt at learning. He told her about Knuckles and Rouge - about how their relationship was starting to blossom and get to new heights. Every few minutes, he shot glances at her, hoping to see a hint of a smile, but much to his disappointment, he saw none. She had chuckled when he mentioned Tails and Knuckles, but other than that, she was still quiet.

Sonic let out an exasperated sigh. Was he doing something wrong?

This can't seriously be happening!

He stopped arranging a few books on the shelf and turned to face his former companion and best friend who was arranging a bed sheet on her bed. He zoomed over and stood in front of her, emerald green eyes dead serious, searching the jade ones that met his with surprise.

The pink hedgehog stopped what she was doing and looked into the eyes of her hero, and her heart skipped a beat. They were so lovely despite looking so serious, and Amy could find a hint of pain in those eyes. And she knew instantly what he was about to ask her.

'I've had it with this, Amy!' Sonic exclaimed, never leaving her gaze. 'It's unlike you to be this quiet.'

Amy stared for a moment, but then quickly looked away. 'I-I'm fine, Sonic.'

Sonic sighed. 'You're not.' he then looked desperate as he said, 'Look, I...I'm sorry, Amy. I'm sorry I was never around to help you with this. I know I was wrong, but I just never seemed to realize it. But, don't do this to me. It makes me feel so wrong and I know I am wrong!'

Her heart began to beat a tad faster in response to her hero's apology. Somewhere within her though, the pain started spreading.

'I know Tails kept telling me of your whereabouts, but I thought you had it under control, you know?' He turned away from her now, as if afraid to meet her eyes. 'I...I wish it didn't have to come to this...when I saw all those toys...' he closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh. 'I-I finally realized everything and I know no amount of apologies from me is going to fix what you've been going through, Ames...'

The pink rose tried to reach out to hold his hand to comfort him but a sudden stab of pain that seemed to spread with terrible intensity stopped her from doing so. She quickly suppressed a cry as she bit her lip, tears of agony slowly began forming in her eyes as she clutched her stomach.

What's happening to me...?

Sonic, who had been looking away from her the whole time, was oblivious to what was going on. 'If there's one thing I want most, it is to have another chance, Amy - another chance to do what is right. You've always been there for me, but I...' he sounded more guilty and desperate than ever now. '...I wasn't there for you...'

Amy opened her mouth as if to say something, but nothing came out. The tears were flowing down her muzzle now, her face contorted in pain as she began to lose her footing and then suddenly fell on the soft carpet. She clutched her stomach - the pain was searing and unbearable - as if trying to suck the life out of her. She looked at him and tried to reach out to get his attention.

Why now...? She thought painfully as she looked at Sonic who had his back turned to her while slowly shaking his head in disapproval of what he had done.

'You're one of my best friends, Amy, and I-'

And just then, with the last ounce of strength she had in her before collapsing completely, she cried out, 'Sonic!' It was a voice clouded in pain, and a short gasp was let out immediately after that.

The blue hero quickly turned to look at her, and that was when he saw her delicate form collapse on the floor - her breathing ragged and heavy, her body almost lifeless.

It was a sight he would never be able to erase from his mind for a long time to come.

'AMY!'

I'm so sorry for this huge delay in posting this chapter, guys! I had been busy with other matters and occasionally when I did find time to write, I could only manage to write a few paragraphs.

Also, I'm sorry if my chapters are too short. I'll make them longer and more engaging gradually. Anyway, if you've read this chapter, kindly review! You may PM me if you have any questions lol

So until next time, see ya!