One Step at a Time

"Hurry up . . . and wait . . ."

Chapter One: Catch Up

It was a lovely summer morning indeed. Ripe with life, the season was beginning splendidly. All traces of winter had now evaporated in the summer's stunning entrance. All across the city, everyone who was awake was enjoying the first spectacular morning they've had since last year.

In a small yet homely neighbourhood, a little pink and white house was visible among the many houses in the vicinity. The grass was already green and the flowers tall with growth. At an open window, summer was already spreading the news of its arrival.

The sun was shining through the curtains and the dust bathed in yellow and orange rays. Asleep, and peacefully at that, was non other than Amy Rose, snuggled deeply in her petite cosy bed. A few birds chirped at her open window and she stirred a bit in her sleep, turning slightly in the tangled duvet of her bed.

"Chirp."

"Mmm..."

"Chirp, chirp."

"Mmm-Mmm..."

"Chirp, chirp, chirp."

"Ugh . . . five more minutes."

"CHIRP!"

"AAAAGH!"

With a sudden sense that told her the world was coming to an end, Amy rolled over her mattress, until she finally met the end and fell to the floor with a thud and a strangled cry. Over at the window, the bewildered girl heard a chirp-like snigger and her half-closed eyes fell on the bird. The bird flew away instantly, wings flapping with a slight cockish air.

Amy pushed herself up slowly, still shaken from the fall and still feeling morning laziness. She walked over to the window and inhaled the warm new season's air. Ruffling her tangled hair with her hands, Amy couldn't help but smile at the sun.

The beginning of a new season felt like a new page in the book of her life. Her pencil felt sharpened and her hand was ready. Almost feeling like standing by her window and witness the rest of summer right there, Amy turned around and skipped merrily to the bathroom across her room.

"Shower time." Entering the small bathroom, Amy walked over to her mirror and examined her appearance. Her hair was the same length it had always been, although still wild fro a night's peaceful sleep. Her eyes dropped to her face and she couldn't help but spot a difference. Amy felt older, maybe even a bit taller. Her body was steadily growing in her teenage years, and nicely at that.

Her thoughts drifted after leaving the mirror and mundanely undressing, carelessly scattering her T-shirt and boxers across the tiled floor.

After entering the shower, the hedgehog's mind drifted towards her friends and whether she'd be seeing them today. Her day's usual schedule mostly consisted of hanging out with her best friend, Cream. But as the new season begins, there's no telling what had changed . . . or could change for that matter. Amy silently smiled under the running warm and steaming water. There was thing on her mind that specifically gave her the hope that something was going to change.

With the thought, a blue hero couldn't help but get stuck I her memory. With a striking pose and the same familiar arrogant yet charming smile on his face, the picture made Amy smile only wider.

Slowly getting dressed after a refreshing wash of her body, the sun started to spread more and more through the tiny yet comfortable house, and the corners heated up more and more. She dressed in her normal attire, the same pink dress and shoes.

After sliding back her clean and shimmering quills, Amy slid in her usual headband, still smiling broadly. Today just felt like it was going to be a great day.

With her mind full of cheerful thoughts, Amy fixed herself a big breakfast. Toast, eggs, bacon and a nice strong cup of coffee hit the spot really nicely, and after a rewarding breakfast, Amy skipped out of her house and into the summer morning.

Almost in a hurry to enjoy the fresh season, she practically danced down the path leading to her garden gate. Her mood couldn't be better and for a fleeting effect to it all, Amy began to sing softly to herself.

The song was one she had heard only recently, and she favoured it out as the perfect song to complement the summer. The harp that played in the background now invaded her memory and the tune started to get really catchy.

Continuing down the street, Amy felt happier than ever.

Before she even could get to the chorus, something blue and blurry shot past her. It was so high-speed in fact, the wind he blew back in his incredible speed threw Amy back with a surprising force, and she landed on the hard pavement with an 'oomf!'

She sat up slowly, rubbing her back of a lot of stray stones that had stick into it. In front of her, stood no other than the stealer of her heart. The person she had promised she was going to spend the rest of her life with. The hedgehog she constantly tried to win over.

"Amy, I'm so sorry! Are you okay?"

It was Sonic. Her hero. Her love. Her future boyfriend!

Amy assessed the current situation for a moment. He had knocked her down, not intentionally, but she still did fall because of him. She could either stay mad at him . . . or use this as an opportunity. She mentally grinned and quickly started to think of an idea to spin a date out of him.

But after a moment of thinking, Amy couldn't help but feel a motion of dread stray over her heart. Almost as if something had cut it open, causing blood to flow up into her head. And almost as if the 'blood' had caused it, Amy couldn't help but think a thought she'd never dreamed she'd say in her own mind.

'What was the point?'

With a suffocating heart, Amy's eyes grew wider and her head pulsed slightly. Her cheery mood had dropped lower than she expected, and she almost felt like crying.

'Why did I do this?'

Indeed, why did she yearn for this young hero's love so much? And why did he keep turning her down? Was it time to stop? Was it time to turn away and give up?

Was it time ti give up on Sonic the Hedgehog?

Still sitting on the ground after the fall, Amy slowly became aware of her surroundings. She had been silent for a while now, and Sonic was already holding out a hand for her to take. He glanced at her worriedly when she didn't react to the motion.

"I'm fine, don't bother," she muttered, ignoring his outstretched hand. It fell to his side with a curious and puzzled expression.

She didn't have the emotional strength to use this to her advantage. The past few weeks had been tiring enough, and Amy simply didn't feel like talking to him right now. She had to get away from him; otherwise she feared she might break down in front of him.

After months of chasing, Amy couldn't believe that on the day and also at the moment she least expected it, she got over someone she had practically dedicated her soul to. Always on his tail, but never seeming to catch up, it was clear where this 'relationship' was going.

He always seemed to run away from her . . . always seemed to be faster. She could never catch up. He was Sonic; faster than the speed of sound. Of course she could never catch up.

She stood up slowly and dusted herself off; still feeling Sonic's concerned eyes on her. Amy looked up at him and put up a fake and painful smile.

"I'm fine Sonic. Don't worry," she assured him and he gave a small grin. Usually, this grin would make her almost swoon at his feet, but right now, it wanted to force tears on her.

"That's good. Again, I'm really sorry," he apologised once more.

Amy merely shrugged, too scared to talk due to the lump forming in her throat.

"Where are you headed?" he asked and they fell into step next to each other. Amy wanted to turn around and leave, but her feet couldn't follow the order her brain was giving.

"Cream's, I guess," she said, shrugging a bit again. She had no idea where she got her voice from, but her only concern was getting away from Sonic as fast as possible.

"Oh, I was going to get a chilly dog. You wanna come with me?"

'Oh, sure. Ask me to do something with you the moment I get over you.'

"It's on me!"

'You mean, "Sorry I screwed up your summer, Amy."'

"It's a great day, isn't it?"

'Why don't you just break out in song and do a dance number?'

"Hey, uh, Amy? Are you sure you're alright? Why are you so quiet?"

'Oh, it's nothing. You just broke my heart without knowing it.'

Amy never dreamed she would get over Sonic today. She had also never thought so sourly about him, and she almost resisted the urge to cry again. He merely stared from beside her, still waiting for any response. She stopped in her tracks and halted with her.

"I have to go," said Amy, turning around slowly, a glum look creeping on her face once her back was turned to Sonic. "I'll see you later, okay?"

"Okay."

Starting at a slow pace, Amy felt an unfamiliar pain stroke her heart with each step, her eyes finally closing with misery. The tears came at once, without any sound or motion. Only fast falling and streaming tears, staining her cheeks and also, with an unethical manner, her broken heart as well.

'Well, I did not see this coming.'

The pieces of her heart told her otherwise.

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Sonic stared down the street after the pink hedgehog, eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. Either he was really daft, or there was something seriously wrong. He'd always known her to never turn him down, even if he only asked for a tissue, she would go to the ends of the universe to find the best one suitable for his nose.

She was acting so strange, with the silent air he'd never thought she possessed. Plus, he'd always been the one to ditch her. Sonic shook his head. Maybe he was being silly. Maybe she was just in a hurry to get to Cream.

Or maybe she hit her head when he accidentally knocked her down.

He didn't know what, but the moment she stood up, something changed in her. He saw it. Like something colourless had slithered up into her face, and blanked her emotions.

He was worried fro her, even if he saw her as a pest, she was still his friend and they had been through a few things together. The fact that he had pushed her over by the force of his speed, made him worry a bit. What if she was angry? After all, he was only in a rush to tell Tails the news about-

Jerking up suddenly, he remembered why he was in such a hurry in the first place.

He disappeared in a blue blur down the street.

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Amy's head hung low as she turned into the path that led to Cream's house. Her cheeks were still roughly stained with tears and she had finally begun to shake at the shoulders. The shock had finally caught up with her brain.

After remote walking, Amy finally looked up and found herself in Cream's resident street. She spotted the attractive white house at once, and after a small painful sigh, stalked forward in a determined and forcing manner.

Ultimately reaching the door, she lifted her hand hesitantly, her knuckles shaking very faintly.

She didn't know if Cream had the maturity to understand her emotions or her dilemma. Sure, she was her best friend, but maybe an adult was the best type of person to go to. It would probably be best if she went to someone she knew who was more established than she herself.

35 minutes and two buses later . . .

Amy knocked on the apartment door and waited patiently at the door mat. The door opened a few moments later, to reveal Rouge the Bat standing in the doorway. She smiled merrily when she saw Amy.

"Well, if it isn't Amy Rose. What brings you to these parts of town?" She greeted her with an unexpected welcoming air. Amy, clutching the sides of her arms in a defensive manner, grinning a strained grin, looked up with wide swollen eyes. Rouge instantly sensed that something was not right.

"Hi Rouge," said Amy in a strained and high-pitched voice. "Can I come in?"

"Of course," said Rouge, opening the door wider to let Amy in. The sad girl shuffled in slowly, and Rouge closed the door once she was inside.

"Come into the living room," said Rouge. "We can talk there."

Amy merely nodded, happy with her decision in coming to Rouge. They have never been close, but friends all the same. And being older and more experienced, Rouge would be a better comfort.

"I tried the club, but they said it was being fumigated," said Amy, now following Rouge into the living room.

It was a well-furnished apartment, decorated neatly and spaciously; not really a surprise for someone who was a jewel thief.

"Yeah, got a bad case of cockroaches," Rouge explained. "Of course, it's going to cost me a fortune to get the place clean, but once I open up again, I'll get back on track."

"Sit," Rouge offered with a smile and disappeared into the kitchen. Amy took Rouge's offer and made her comfortable on Rouge's black leather couch. Amy glanced around the room when she heard someone come down the stairs. She wasn't really that surprised when she saw who it was

"Who's at the door? Oh – Amy! Hi! I was just at Rouge's to borrow some . . . water . . . for . . . my plants! Yes, that's it! Just here for some water . . ."

He climbed down the stairs noisily, seeming half embarrassed. Amy resisted the urge to giggle and merely grinned at her echidna friend.

"Hi Knuckles. How have you been?"

"Better than you, by the looks of it," he commented on her appearance, setting on the chair opposite her once he finished climbing the stairs. "Everything okay?"

Amy slightly nodded. "Yeah, I just came to talk to Rouge about something."

"Oh, well, so did I."

Amy almost laughed again at another one of Knuckles's pathetic excuses for coming to visit Rouge. She and a lot of others as well, knew he wasn't here talk at all.

"You want me to leave you talk with Rouge? I have a few things to do anyway . . .

Amy shook her head. "No, please stay."

He nodded and settled back into the black armchair. Amy enjoyed having Knuckles around. The way he always gets so funny without even intending to, amused her to no end. It made her feel better. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, Rouge finally re-entered the room with a tray of steaming mugs.

She set the drinks on the table and picked up her own cup. Amy thanked her for the tea and helped herself to her own drink. After taking her mug, she settled unto the thick armrest of Knuckles chair and charmingly crossed her legs.

"So," Rouge said, stirring her tea with her spoon. "What brings Amy Rose to my doorstep?"

Amy smiled and sighed a bit. It had been a good decision to come to Rouge. She would help.

"Well, something kind of happened with Sonic today," Amy explained, avoiding eye contact.

"Oh! You came for boy-advice! Well-"

"No, no, no! It's not like that!" Amy interrupted politely and Rouge looked at her expectantly. "It's sort of . . . well, I kind of . . . got over him today."

"You got over Sonic? How? Did he say something to you?" Knuckles asked, surprisingly tactful. Amy had also never been that close to Knuckles, but noticed how mature he had gotten over the years, even after they had all teamed up to save the world when they were kids.

"No, not really." She wasn't really sure how to put it in words. It wasn't like she could take out her heart and show them the damage.

"How did this happen?" Rouge asked sweetly, keeping her voice soft. It was quite out of her character, but maybe Knuckles had changed her a bit. Sure enough, Rouge had grown too, now more beautiful than she was ever capable of being.

"I don't . . . KNOW!" And before the audience could do anything, the girl burst out in tears and cried into her hands. Knuckles gave his mate a confused look and the bat rolled her eyes at his superciliousness. She didn't move from the spot on the armrest, but patiently waited for Amy to regain herself.

"It's just . . . the only goal in my life was to get Sonic to like me, and now that I'm over him . . . I don't have a reason to live anymore!"

"Honey, that's not true."

"But, then, what should I do now?"

"Well," Rouge began, looking thoughtful, stirring her drink once more "Now you can do what you want. Maybe you can get a hobby?"

"Or go for someone else?" Knuckles suggested and Rouge gave him a sweet smile which he returned. Amy looked at the couple longingly, a distant memory of once picturing herself with Sonic popping into her brain.

She looked at the table next to where Knuckles sat and something caught her eye. A magazine lay on another pile and a large bolding blue headline caught Amy's attention. Wiping away a few tears, she sat up more straight.

"Knuckles, can you hand me that magazine for a moment?"

"Mmmm? Oh, sure." He gave her the magazine and she scanned the cover intently.

Mobius' first ever Olympics: Held here in Station Square.

"What's this?" Amy asked Rouge. She looked at the hedgehog in surprise.

"You haven't heard yet? It's all people talk about these days! They say that, it's been the hottest subject for the past few months."

Amy shook her head and read the paper through. Rouge and Knuckles exchanged looks and only waited in the silence.

She hadn't heard of the event. The winter had been so speeded; news had barely reached her in that time. The page explained that the athletics were also going to be held under a few more sports. A possibility passed her mind.

And for the first time, Amy wanted to run.

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A/N: Oh, wow. I totally rewrote this chapter. It's much better now!

Right, please feel free to review. I welcome flames, so bring it on. I ain't afraid of criticism. Give me your opinions and tell me if you think something's not right.

I also do not own Sonic the Hedgehog or the characters.

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