Chapter 87

"I love you," Sonja said.

As soon as Sonja said it, Sonic looked dumbfounded. Oh no. Had she said the wrong thing? She started shaking and blushing until her face was more blush than facial features. Sonic grew a smile on his face, as he blushed a little through the patch of fur on his muzzle. Sonja looked confused, but happy. She knew it was false optimism, but was it possible that he felt the same way?

"So..." Sonic said, looking up at Sonja. "Is that a no?" He chuckled. Sonja adored that chuckle. She reached out her hand and held his.

"Wait!"

Instantly, with that one word, Sonja's heart shattered. No. This couldn't be happening. She turned away. "Ah!" Sonic gasped. "I mean--- hey, you're nice and all... but..."

Sonja gave Sonic a devastated side glance. Oh no. Everyone else was looking. They were whispering now. Now it was Sonic's turn for heartbreak. He hated seeing Sonja like this. It wasn't just playful nervousness like in the library anymore. These were real feelings he just hurt, however inadvertently he did. "Sonja... I..." Sonic put a hand on Sonja's shoulder. She turned around fully to meet his gaze.

Sonic held up his thumb with his other hand, half-smiling. "Sonja, you're really cool. And I would be lying if I said I didn't really, REALLY like you. But..." Sonic looked slightly to the side. "We just met a few days ago... I think if we have more time to really get to know each other, we'll make it work. I... ironically don't like rushing into things like this."

Sonja smiled. "That sounds... very nice..." She whined. She gave Sonic a thumbs-up. She winked, not only to tell Sonic she was okay, but to blink away the tears. Because she was not okay. Sonic nodded, and walked off to the elevator. Sonja stroked Pico's ears. Then, floated into the elevator.

Ding.

You're close. The end is near.

Continue to Chapter 88