*Sonic's POV*
"Hello?" I opened the door to my house to see Amy once again at my doorstep. Except this time, she hadn't knocked, and she wasn't standing, waiting for me. She was sitting down on the porch, looking away with her ears lowered. "I thought I heard something. Ames, are you okay?"

"I need to talk to you." Amy immediately said with her tone softened. She seemed hesitant, like whatever she was going to tell me was bad news.

So I nodded slowly and sat beside her. "What is going on?" I asked, resting a hand on her shoulder, but she didn't even bother to look at me.

"Sonic. I like you." My ears perked up. This was the first time she ever actually said the words to me. Until now, it was all implied but never said straight to my face. I let go of her and distanced myself a bit, scooting over just a little. Something felt wrong, like she wasn't done talking. "I know you've known this, I know that's why you run away from me, I will never understand why."

"I -" I cut myself off. I had no response. None at all that wouldn't hurt her feelings.

"Maybe you don't even like me the same way, or maybe I am just not enough for you." She whispered and looked down at her hands. I wasn't sure what to do or say in this situation. "But I like you more than you could imagine that I let my feelings for you cloud my judgment and did something I shouldn't have."

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

"I was at Creams house last week helping her make a cake when she brought up this store that sells something magical." Amy started with a quiet sigh. "She said it as a running joke, and I didn't believe in it much, but I went to check it out anyway. Telling myself it was the best thing for us."

My mind kept turning, trying to figure out whatever it could be. Something magical? It was the best thing for us? What could she possibly mean?

"When I saw it and the lady called my name saying she knew I would go in someday. I couldn't resist. I made my mind right there and then to purchase the item. I told myself I could just not use it. That was always a possibility." She twiddled her thumbs, getting nervous the more she told her story. I tried not to interrupt, trying to pay attention and figure out what she could have possibly purchased that got her to act this way.

"I brought it with me when we went out to eat together, left it in my coat while I went with Rouge to buy drinks." My ear flickered. "But when I came back, you had given it to Shadow." I froze.

"Amy?" I looked at her. "What was in that bottle?"

"A love potion." My eyes widened, and I stood up suddenly, everything making sense. The way Shadow had been staring at me after he drank it, why he didn't actually get mad at me for making him eat the chili dog. Why he held my hand, why he confessed he was worried about me.

"Amy!" I shouted as I paced around. "Chaos! How could you do that! I gave Shadow a love potion?" I tapped my foot on the ground a couple of times trying to think. "Wait. You were going to give ME a love potion? Make me fall for you?"

"I'm sorry!" She dropped her ears and stood up as well. "I just wanted you to notice me, to realize how good we are together." I looked at her and remained quiet, then sighed and shook my head. 

"Ames." I started, feeling nervous for what I was about to say.

"There's no need, Sonic. I already know." I looked at her both shocked and confused. "I think I've known for a long time now just didn't want to admit it to myself. That you didn't feel the same way for me. Don't worry, I didn't come here to get mad at you or cry about it. I want to make things right." She gave me a forced smile, but I didn't bother her about it. She was trying, that's what matters.

"I'm sorry, Amy." I whispered. "I wish I could love you the same way you love me. But I can't. I only see you as my friend, one of my closest friends. I'm not losing you, am I?"

A single tear left her eyes. "I'll always be your friend, Sonic." She walked to me and hugged me. This time, I didn't push her away. I hugged back. She pulled away after a bit and cleaned her tears, then took in a deep breath to calm herself down. "Okay. Shadow's in love with you."

"Chaos." I let out a laugh. "I never thought that would be possible." I pinched the bridge of my nose. "I am officially dead after the potion finishes its effect."

"The only thing I know about it is it forces you to love the one you see first. Shadow saw you, so he's in love with you, stuck to act that way when you are around him. So maybe just stay away from him while he's this way."

"How long does it last?" I asked, and she stayed quiet. "Did you even ask anything? You're usually very thorough." I was mentally panicking.

"I didn't. I bought it and left. I didn't want anyone to see me in that store." She lowered her ears again. "I'm sorry! But I can go talk to the lady. It's far from here, though, so it might take a while."

"No. I will go. I was the one who gave the potion to Shadow after all. You stay here, Eggman's been attacking a lot lately. Make up an excuse why I am not there if a fight breaks out. Don't tell anything to Rouge. Not yet. I can handle everything." I rested my hand on her shoulder. "Thank you for being honest about all this."

She nodded at me, then gave me the address, and I dashed off.