It Started on Lazy Day

Part 10

PoV: Sonic

"Set table, check. Food is ready, check. Drinks of all kinds..." I took one extra look in the fridge, "Check. Extra ingredients for each dish, check. Alright," I looked at the time and smiled, I had finished right on time, "Let's do this."

"Yeah! Party!" Tails was super excited. I had trouble keeping him from stealing snacks while I wasn't looking.

"Tails put the dumpling down," I caught him stealing another bite.

"But it smells so good~" he whined.

"Here, until everyone shows up, you can nibble on this," I had set some of the extras aside for his own snack plate.

"Yeah, snacks!" He stuck the dumpling in his mouth and took the plate from me, "Thanks Sonic!"

"Don't eat too fast!" I shouted as he ran off with the plate, "What am I gonna do with him."

--- Earlier this week ---

"This lunch is great!" Ray smiled as he dug into the lunch Amy gave us, "I can't tell which one I like more."

"Aww~ it's like no one can pick a winner between us no matter what we cook," Amy sighed.

"Do we really need a winner? Can't we just both be good cooks?" I started to take a few more bites of my serving.

"Yeah, I guess... I can still make the best pies," she beamed.

"You got me there. Pies are not my strong suit," I laughed, "Oh yeah. I wanted to invite you guys over on Saturday around noon. Can you make it?"

"Yeah!" Ray smiled, "I can bring back Chillidogs on my way home. Those were great."

"I'll always come over. You know that," Amy smiled.

"Sunday is my lazy day," I quickly commented.

"You always have a lazy day," Amy sighed.

"A lazy day?" Ray looked at me.

"Yeah, it's my day to sleep in late and do nothing, other than feed Tails and make sure he gets his bath. I even prepare breakfast the night before in case he wakes up before me," I took another bite of the rice ball I had.

"Sounds great, maybe I'll give myself a lazy day too," we wound up talking through the rest of lunch.

Then I texted the others the time of the party and the plan.

--- Present Day ---

Ding dong! The doorbell rang just I set down a small stack of napkins. Tails was happily eating as he watched cartoons.

"Hey guys, glad you could all make it," I opened the door and welcomed everyone.

"Of course-" Amy was pushed aside as Knuckles grabbed me.

"Did you make the dumplings?" He asked.

"I did but Tails is beating you to them," I was gently moved aside as Knuckles made a running start to the living room.

"Those are my dumplings Tails!"

"I got them first!" The two had already begun arguing over food.

"So he likes your cooking," Ray came in laughing.

"Oh yeah, Knuckles always cleans his plate," I finished welcoming everyone and introduced Ray.

It was great, Ray got along with everyone. Soon it would be time to tell him. As that time came closer, I felt more uneasy. I could hardly focus on any of the conversations. I quietly got up and left for the bathroom. I washed my face with cold water to try and calm down.