Out Of Touch (Sonic the Hedgehog and Amy Rose)

Chapter 1

   "So, you're really moving out huh?" Sonic said with a sigh as he placed the last of Amy's bags into her van. Since Sonic saved her from the clutches of Dr. Robotnik on little planet (Sonic CD), Amy's been living in a small shack by herself near Sonic in their home town just off Station Square.
   "Yep!" She replied enthusiastically. "Finally headed to the famous Central City. One more night here and I'm off to my new apartment, my new job..."

   "New life?" Sonic replied hesitantly.

   "I guess you can see it that way, yea!" Amy innocently smiled at Sonic.

   Sonic smirked. He didn't want to say it, but there was no doubt he was proud of Amy. Since Robotnik's takeover (Sonic Forces), Amy's been working hard online to get her qualifications to climb up the ranks of Central City's police force. She's always been a great leader, giving the perfect balance of emotional support and intellectual input to her teammates.

   "I really didn't think you could do it you know." Sonic chuckled.

   "I know." Amy rolled her eyes as she closed the trunk. She turned to Sonic with an assertive look.

   "What I mean to say is, I'm proud of you." Sonic corrected himself. He looked up at Amy, smiling awkwardly.

  "Thanks." Her words were flat, although she tried her best to smile back at Sonic. Even still, her eyes gave away her annoyed reaction to the comment. Sonic scratched his quills, trying to hide how nervous he was. He never thought he'd say goodbye to Amy like this. Sure, they'd visit each other, but it would never be the same. In the heat of the moment, Sonic jumped on the first idea that came to his mind.

   "Want to go for a walk real quick? Just catch up, hang out?" He asked, almost immediately regretting his inquiry.

  "Sure. I've got about an hour or two before the movers arrive at the new place." Said Amy as she checked the time on her phone.

  The two walked down the gravel paved path, surrounded by sand, tropical trees, and a beautiful ocean view. Sonic pointed to a land mass just barely visible past the bright glistening water.

  "Remember when the gang used to hang out at Emerald Coast? Tails was so young and excited about his new body board, and Knuckles was blasting his rap songs without a care in the world." He looked over to Amy, who was staring at the floor. She continued to smile, but tried her best not to look at Sonic in the eyes.

"Yeah." She said. Her voice was a little more frail than usual.

"They're all gonna miss you, ya know? The team won't be the same without you."

Amy shook her head. "This isn't like you, Sonic. Where's that cocky 'too slow' attitude?"

Sonic was set aback. He didn't expect such a sarcastic response from Amy. Most of her life she'd been passionate about being with the team, helping others, and being the emotional glue keeping everyone on the same page.

"I just wanted to let you know that you're appreciated."

Any paused and gripped her arm. Standing in place she felt her muscles tense. Sonic looked at her with concern and motioned to wrap his arm around her for comfort. Amy pushed his wrist away with hesitant rejection.

"Just what am I to you, Sonic? I've known you so long and I can never seem to read you. One second you're on top of the world, running off with your friends doing your own thing, and the next you check up on me like I'm some damsel for you to protect."

Sonic's voice slowed. "I just want to make sure you're doing okay, Amy..."

Amy turned swiftly, finally looking at Sonic firmly in the eye. "I wasn't done." She raised her voice a little. "You say you want to protect me, yet every time I try to talk to you about things that are important to me, you avoid it and block yourself off! It just so frustrating and it feels like all this time you've been hiding something from me. You give off that smile and I just can't read you."

"Woah, woah, woah!" Sonic put his hands up defensively. "Amy, I'm trying to take care of everyone on the team. I value you the same as all our friends! Knuckles, Tails, Espio..."

"What about that night we went to Twinkle Park? Just a few days after the Gaia incident? That wasn't about the team, was it?" (Sonic Unleashed).

"Hm?" Sonic raised an eyebrow.

"I confessed everything to you that night. Cream told me the best way to get through to you was to be truly vulnerable. I told you I loved you, Sonic. I told you how I've wanted to be more than friends for so long, and do you remember what you told me?"

Sonic froze.

"You told me, 'we'll see.' And ran off. Like you always do! I wish you had the decency to at least say what you think to my face! Seems you do that to everyone else but me."

Sonic slumped down. He didn't know how to react. It's true, he ran away, but only because he himself couldn't express his feelings. He was never taught how. He spent his upbringing alone, only to find his parents had been robotized when he was a baby. He took a deep breath as he tried to collect his words.

"I know you had feelings for me Amy, but I was young; I didn't know what love was."

"And you haven't grown up a bit since then, have you?" Amy's words cut like a knife.

"Well now I'm doing my own thing." She continued. "Somewhere I can be the best possible version of myself, without waiting on you!" She walked ahead of Sonic, making sure he saw her speed up.

Sonic's voice quickly went monotone. "Alright Amy, I'll take a hint." Amy heard leaves rustle and fly up behind her. She turned around to see a blue silhouette shooting off into the distance. She continued her walk down the nostalgic trail, alone. The pavement felt longer than it did before, every step feeling pointless to helping her reach her destination.

"Running off again." She sighed.