Out of all the punishments Amy had given me in the time that we'd known each other, this was the worst. I wish she would just yell at me, beat me with her hammer till I was a smudge on the floor, anything but this.

We had all come back from the disastrous camping trip after one night, as planned. Everyone had a great time, oblivious to what had happened. She didn't tell a single person, at least that's what I assumed; I hadn't received any disgusted glares, or been the subject of humiliation from Knuckles or Shadow. Everything was as it should have been; they roasted marshmallows, exchanged 'scary' stories, all that cliché campy stuff. Yes, very normal...

...Except for the dragging, torturous silence from Amy.

When I realised what I had done that day, I shot out of there like a bat out of hell, not looking back. I had never been so embarrassed in my entire life. The wait for her back at the camp had been pure agony. I sat huddled against a tree holding my knees to me chest, thinking of all the ways I could make it up to her, to say how truly sorry I was, and also all the ways she could punish me. I would welcome the punishment, I deserved it. I had received quite a few questioning looks in that period of time, which I ignored. My face must have looked as distressed as I felt. She finally walked through the bushes into the campsite after a few ridiculously long minutes, and I was ready to face the consequences. I looked up at her apologetically, but she looked away quickly as soon as she met my eyes, and went to her tent, her face blank. The rest of the night passed, slowly, without one word to each other. We sat on opposite sides of the camp fire with the rest of the group, avoiding each other's gazes. I was surprised nobody confronted one of us; we were both completely silent the whole night. I was suffering, and I'm sure she was too. I wanted desperately to talk to her, to know what she was thinking and how she felt, and if she completely hated me now. I didn't sleep well that night.

I yawned loudly, again. I was now sitting on the couch in the Thorndykes' living room, staring drowsily into space. The TV was on, but I wasn't watching it, too engrossed in my thoughts. The room was empty, and it occurred to me suddenly that they had all gone to have lunch out. The last time I had been paying attention there had been a few of them around, walking about busily. I had only snapped out of my thoughts those brief few seconds when Amy walked past the couch, exiting the room quickly without so much as a glance. I could stand any other punishment she could dish out, but the silent treatment was more than I could bear. I sighed heavily in frustration these recollections were bringing me and switched the TV off, tossing the remote onto the coffee table. I decided I wouldn't think about it anymore, or try not to; I would deal with it later. I lied across the couch and placed my arms behind my head as a head rest. Fatigue washed over me almost instantly and my eyelids drooped shut on their own, and I let sleep wash over me and pull me deeper into unconsciousness. Despite my body's efforts to relieve my exhaustion however, I could not stop the thoughts that buzzed through my mind. Something was changing, I couldn't quite tell what it was exactly, and why it kept me so on edge, but it was definitely happening. I could feel it with every fibre of my being. I had spent nights trying to pinpoint it, decode the intuition I had and the possible evidence to this theory, but I was struggling to find answers. I had once thought that it was the change in Amy I had been witnessing, the sudden maturity she had gained, but it couldn't have been. What I had been feeling was much bigger than that, it felt life changing, and it was coming on fast. My mind suddenly recalled what had happened between Amy and me the other day on the camping trip, when that urge had almost taken control of me. I remembered with perfect clarity the way her eyes widened, those beautiful jade eyes, which frequently rendered me either speechless or babbling like an idiot. The way her breath sped up, and the way it felt hot on my face, and the oddly sweet scent that made my mouth water. I especially remembered the thousands of emotions that rushed through me at the moment, most of them too foreign and new that they confused me even now. The urge I had that day was the strongest I had ever felt, but it wasn't a first. Things like this had been occurring for a long time, but it was more frequent now. I would often glance at Amy, and find myself unable to look away. My chest would be filled with a fluttering sort of feeling and my face would become hot, and my mind drifted to daydreams of myself being with her, and being happy, instead of uncomfortable. Although, lately those daydreams were becoming more and more... Explicit. I would have to run out of the room before I acted on those thoughts. My dreams were even worse (and so much better at the same time), because I couldn't control the direction of my thoughts like I could when I'd be conscious. I was baffled by this; I didn't know what to make of it. I'd never felt this way before or experienced anything like it! I was confused, and frustrated, and needed to know what was happening to me. I needed to see Amy, I needed to talk with her, badly. My body could take no more of the stress this was bringing me, tired as I was, and the flow of my thoughts began to slow. I sighed in relief as I drifted into a dream, where my regular visitor waited with a smile on her face, as always.

-----

"Wow Amy, you sure do look tired!" Cream squeaked beside me, her high pitched voice bringing me out of my daydream. I shifted my gaze to her amused face from the window I was staring out of, counting the trees we were passing.

"Are you alright, dear?" Mrs Thorndyke said with an unnecessarily concerned tone.

"I haven't been sleeping very well." I couldn't help yawning mid-sentence, and I wondered if I had been intelligible.

"I don't think that's what she meant." Tails said, and everyone in the limousine turned to watch me

"You've been unusually quiet, dear, that's not like you." Ella explained. I raised my eyebrows in surprise, had I been that obvious? I shifted in my seat uncomfortably as everyone continued to appraise me.

"Honestly, it's nothing. I just have a lot on my mind right now." I assured them, shifting my eyes from their stares and looking at my hands resting on my lap. I heard a few unconvinced murmurs, and just as suddenly as their conversation had broken off, it continued again, as if Cream hadn't said anything. Satisfied that the attention had shifted from me, I leaned my head back on my seat and let my gaze drift out the window next to me again.

We had just gone out to lunch to celebrate Mr and Mrs Thorndykes' wedding anniversary, and were on our way home. Almost everyone had come, even Knuckles and Rouge (he was originally not coming, but changed his mind the second he knew Rouge was coming). The only exceptions were Shadow, who said he had better things to do (he still didn't feel comfortable in public gatherings like this), and... Sonic.

Normally I would have tried to convince him to come with us, but we were still too awkward around each other to speak. I despised the silence, I wanted so much to say something to him, anything, but I didn't know what to say, and I was way too gutless to say it first. It had been like this since a few days ago, the camping trip. I had been feeling awful that day, it was already humid, but I had a fever to go with it. I was practically panting with the heat, and sweating like crazy. Rouge suggested that I cool off in the nearby stream, and I was mentally kicking myself for not packing my swimsuit. She must have taken advantage of my weak state of mind, but she somehow convinced me to go in without my clothes. I glanced over at Rouge as I thought of her, who gave me a wink and went back to socialising with the others. I was sure she knew.

The cool, clear water of the stream was like heaven on my overheated body; my fever broke only after a few minutes. I was shielded from the hot sunlight and humidity by the shades of the surrounding trees towering over me, I felt almost chilled. It was peaceful in that secluded spot, I could only hear the small splashes I made as I swam around. After a few minutes I thought I could hear the sound of footsteps in the grass, but I dismissed it quickly, simply not caring, as relaxed as I was. A huge splash disrupted my serenity then, and I turned around, half surprised, and half irritated. Next thing I knew, Sonic was holding onto me, trying to keep himself afloat. The look on his face as he looked up and met my gaze was one of utter shock, and then panic. Then as quickly as he came, he vanished, leaving behind a towel that landed on the grass beside the stream. I stood still in the water for a few minutes, staring at where he ran off.

After the shock wore off, a thousand different emotions rushed through me, I didn't know what to feel. First, embarrassment; I was absolutely mortified that I'd been naked not only in his presence, but we were so close too! Then anger; had he known I was naked when he grabbed me? And what on god's green earth was he doing there? Then curiosity; what WAS he doing there? Only Rouge knew where I was going. And he had brought a towel with him as well; as if he knew I would need it. Then back to anger; Rouge told him. Did that mean he knew I'd be naked? The pervert! The next emotion caught me completely by surprise; and I didn't know of a word how to explain it. Why would I be happy about him knowing? That he'd come, knowing I'd be the way I was, with the towel I'd forgotten to bring? I quickly understood then, that he'd done it for me. I'd have to go back to the campsite for the towel if he hadn't brought it to me. I knew he wasn't a pervert, he was probably just as mortified as I was, that explained why he bolted so fast. I finally decided to settle on understanding, and I smiled to myself. As I walked back to the campsite, dry and fully dressed, I was nervous, but intent on what I would say. Sooner than I expected, the trees parted and I stepped into the campsite, meeting his eyes from across the site. My stomach dropped and fear ripped through me, I suddenly forgot what I was going to say to him, and I chickened out, dropping my eyes to the ground and moving swiftly to my tent.

Since then, I had been trying to talk to him, each time letting my nerves get the best of me. I didn't understand why I was so afraid to talk to him, it was as if everything had changed in that one moment. I suppose being naked in front of a boy, let alone the one you've had a crush on since before I could remember, does that to you. I felt the car come to a sudden stop, and as I snapped my head up and watched everyone climb out, I realised that we were home. The familiar butterflies began to flutter in my stomach, as I realised what came next. No. I can't back out of this again. I have to talk to him. I exited the car and headed straight for the house, I was going to take advantage of this sudden confidence now before I talked myself out of it.

---

He was so adorable I forgot what it was I was going to do. I stood in front of the couch with a hand over my mouth, muffling the giggles. There was Sonic, lying across the couch with one arm resting behind his head, snoring quietly. His expression was one I only saw when he was asleep like this, not his usual cocky smirk, but a sincere and deeply serene smile. I shook my head and smiled at him, he always had a way of changing my mood so dramatically.

"Well, this is cute and all, but I have to pack." Rouge said and walked out of the living room. I suddenly remembered that I wasn't alone with him.

"Maybe we should let him sleep, he's been looking pretty run down lately." Tails said, I jumped as I realised he was standing right next to me. By this time, everyone who had come to see Sonic were leaving to go and pack for the upcoming trip. I watched each of them walk out of the room, and turned back to Sonic, still snoring away.

"Aren't you coming Amy?" Cream asked me as she went to leave.

I turned to her and smiled "In a minute, Cream."

"Kay!" She squeaked and hopped out the door, Cheese fluttering by her side.

I turned once more to Sonic, and sighed. I wasn't going to be able to talk to him today, and I didn't know when I would. Disappointed, I turned to leave as well.

"...Amy..."

I froze. Did he just wake up? Oh my god, what was I going to say to him? I felt my heart start to pound in my chest. I slowly spun back around to face him; his eyes were still closed, but he was now frowning with his eyebrows furrowed.

"...Amy..." He mumbled again. I sighed in relief, and then started to giggle. He was just sleep talking, the silly thing. It then occurred to me, was he dreaming about me? I stared down at him in wonder, watching his eyelids move as he dreamt. "...Amy." He looked increasingly distressed; I didn't like it when he was unhappy like this.

"It's alright Sonic, I'm right here." I soothed him. His face relaxed and his smile returned.

"Stay with me..." He mumbled, his free hand lifting slightly, reaching for me. My smile widened, this was so unlike him. I sat on the edge of the couch with him and gently took his hand. Suddenly his hand tightened around mine and I yelped as he pulled me down next to him. His body shifted and curved around mine and he threw his other arm around me, hugging me close to him. My eyes were wide as I took what just happened, and where I was. I was spooning with Sonic the Hedgehog. I could feel his breath on my neck, and feel his heart beat on my back. We had never been this close before, not even this close on the camping trip. I tried moving, but even a slight movement would make his arms hold me tighter to him. It didn't look like I was going anywhere, so I just relaxed. Besides, it felt incredibly comfortable in his arms, so warm. I felt my eyelids start to droop, and I let them. A short nap wouldn't hurt, surely. A sighed in contentment and let myself fall into slumber in his arms.

---

I groaned sleepily as I woke, my eyes still closed. I was annoyed that my dream was interrupted; I had Amy on the couch and was just about to take her lips. I grumbled and tried to shift over, only to find an obstacle in the way. I found my arms wrapped around something, and felt around to figure out what it was.

"Mmm..." The obstacle mumbled, and my eyes shot open. There was Amy, in my arms, sleeping soundlessly. I blinked twice, was I still dreaming? I rubbed my eyes with one hand, the other trapped under Amy. ... Amy. AMY?! What's she doing here?! I stared at the back of her head with wide eyes with my jaw hanging loose. She stirred as I shifted my arm away from under her, and she rolled over to face me, her sleepy, half open eyes meeting my wide, shocked ones. Our faces were extremely close, our noses pressed together gently, I only had to move an inch to press our lips together too. This was all too familiar. Her face showed the sudden realisation of the situation, and her eyes widened. She jerked back, nearly falling off the couch, and sat up. I followed her and sat up as well, not knowing what to do. We stared at each other for a few seconds, waiting to see who would speak up first. Or maybe she was expecting me to run. Running looked very appealing at this point.

"Um..." She started to talk very fast "I-I was going to talk to you, but you were asleep, and you said you wanted me to stay, so I did but-" she rambled "then you pulled me down and I couldn't get back up, so I fell asleep, and... And..." She broke off at the end, looking down at her hands. I didn't understand what she was talking about, but I only had to hear the first half.

"Wait, you were going to talk to me?" I asked her, my eyebrows raised

"Well, yes, I was." She mumbled, and her eyes rose to meet mine with her head still lowered in a timid fashion. Oh, she was so god damn cute. "I wanted to talk to you about... Thing that happened the other day." I was expecting this, didn't make it any easier though.

"Oh." I mumbled "Please, let me explain-"

"I wanted to thank you for what you did." She interrupted, I stared at her, dumbfounded

"...Thank... me?"

"Yes, for bringing me the towel." She explained, she went on when my face didn't change "I know it didn't go exactly how you planned it, but accidents happen." My eyebrows lifted even more in shock "If I had gone back to that place to get the towel, it would have been a thousand times worse. I guess I'm saying, I'm glad it was you who found me and not one of the others. So thank you." She finished, and smiled at me. I was silent for a moment, trying to make sense of it. I was sure that she would yell at me; accuse me of being a pervert, something along those lines, but not this.

"Oh. Well... Your welcome." I laughed at the end of the sentence, in relief. She laughed with me, the sound of it making my chest flutter.

"Well, I have to go and pack. I'll see you later!" She said, and she jumped up and walked out the door, pausing at the frame once to look back and smile. I stared after her for a few minutes; it felt like what happened was just a dream.

I ran out the back door, and I kept running. Running always seemed to clear my mind. Something about the wind rushing past my face, the exhilaration of seeing everything rush past me in a thick blur, just seemed to make everything more clear. It wasn't working today. I pushed myself further, stepping up the speed. I didn't know where I was going, but I had an idea. Every time I had to be alone to think, usually after my encounters with Amy, there was a place my body would take me. My feet skidded to a halt on their own, sending some dirt flying. Here I was, in my thinking spot. It was a secluded field full of flowers, with a few trees scattered here and there. I walked to the tallest one, and sat by the base under the shade. As soon as I did, I was hit by the barrage of thoughts and emotions that I was trying to hold back.

I couldn't believe she was actually okay with what happened! Wasn't that the type of thing that any normal girl would get pissed about? Especially someone like Amy! Did that mean she forgave me for what happened? This girl is totally unpredictable! She's difficult, and hot-headed, and... Beautiful, and adorable and...

...I just can't understand this. All of this. The dreams I'd been having, the way I feel around her, this absolutely devastating effect she has on me, and I can't even explain it. Am I attracted to her? Well... Maybe, I mean, she's gorgeous. Her body has become so defined since I've known her. She's become curvy in all the right places, it makes me want to feel just how soft she is, with my fingers lightly trailing up her form...

Yeah. I think I'm attracted to her. I guess that would explain the dreams. But is that all this is? Or is it something deeper?

No. It couldn't be. I couldn't be in love with her. Love means marriage, and babies, and mushy romantic crap like that.

Well, I don't EXACTLY know what love is. I mean, nobody was there to teach me, and I couldn't learn what it looked like or how it felt with my own parents, because I didn't know them. But it couldn't be love. If I loved Amy I would want to marry her, and I don't.

... Do I?

---

I sluggishly walked through the front door of the Thorndyke mansion; I was no closer to figuring out what was wrong with me. Maybe I would have to swallow my pride and ask one of my friends.

"There you are, Sonic! Have you even started packing for the trip?" I looked up to see Chuck with a overstuffed suitcase in his arms. I furrowed my brow in confusion, and suddenly remembered that Amy had said something about packing, but for what?

"What are we packing for?"

"Haven't you been paying attention at all? We've been talking about it for days!" Chris added as he helped his grandfather with the bags, which were being bundled on the floor by the staircase.

"Mr and Mrs Thorndyke have invited us on their cruise ship for a week to celebrate their anniversary. That's why we all went out to lunch today." Tails explained as he came down the stairs with a suitcase of his own. Packed onto a cramp (to me anyway) ship with nowhere to run, Oh what fun we're going to have.

... Amy's coming, right?

I'm very sorry for such a long delay on this chapter, I've been working on it on and off, as well as several other art projects and school assignments. Hopefully I wont take this long with the rest of the chapters, but I cant guarantee that.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! ^___^ PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE review! Greatly appreciated!