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I'm Not Ready to Say Good-Bye


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It had been three days since Anna had learned the truth of Emily’s identity. Her sister was alive and well, so why wasn’t she happy Anna wondered as she cleared away customers empty plates off the table. She shook her head trying to clear her thoughts and re-tied her hazel colored hair into a ponytail. She watched Izzy-or Emily- for a moment taking guests orders before heading with her tub of dishes to the restaurant's kitchen. Rachel hadn’t been kidding about Emily’s mom, well other mom, putting them to work; as soon as Anna could walk pain free she was handed a broom and told to make herself useful. She quickly got the feeling from Delia that she wasn’t welcome, but Rachel told her not to worry; she’d warm up to her eventually. At least Emily was in the same boat sort of. Anna much rather would have been waiting tables than doing dishes, but Delia probably figured she was rich and didn’t need the tips. Or she hated her; either one a possibility.

 

“You can’t avoid me forever.” Anna heard over the running faucet as she scrubbed away remnants of ranch dressing off a plate.

 

“I’m not avoiding you.” Anna said after turning around to find Emily with her arms crossed leaning against the entrance of the kitchen.

 

“You’ve been acting strange ever since we got here!” Emily said pinning up the new orders on the line and retrieving the next dishes to be brought out to the waiting customers.

 

“I just... have a lot on my mind right now.” Anna mumbled as she went back to work before Delia found her “slacking off” and found her something worse to do like cleaning the bathrooms or something.

 

“Then why won’t you talk to me about it?” Emily argued before leaving the kitchen and re-appearing a few minutes later with another ticket of orders. “If this is about my mom making you work consider it paybacks for your aunt making me clean toilets all day.” Emily joked as she shoveled ice into cups before filling them with various soft drinks.

 

“It’s nothing like that.” Anna said with a sigh before fanning herself and pulling her shirt out a few times to cool herself down in the hot and humid kitchen. She debated pushing Emily out of the way and sticking her mouth under the soda tap, but shook the thought away lest she find herself up on the roof cleaning out the storm gutters if word ever got back to the she devil-Emily’s mom. Second mom? Third mom? This was so confusing! Emily didn’t even realize she was adopted; let alone twice along with three different name changes.

 

“Then what?” Emily demanded turning to face her with a scowl. “You won’t even cuddle with me.”

 

“Friends don’t cuddle.” Anna pointed out.

 

“No one was even up last night and why have you been sleeping on the couch?” Emily asked as she picked up a large circular tray and began loading drinks onto it.

 

“Your bed’s too small for both of us.” Anna said turning her attention back to the many dishes that were beginning to pile up.

 

“Our beds are the exact same size! Tell me what’s wrong! What were you and Rachel talking about the other day?” Emily said clearly getting agitated. Anna just continued washing dishes and pretended she hadn’t heard her even though half the restaurant probably had. “Fine!” Emily yelled before grabbing her tray of drinks and heading out the doorway. Anna just sighed using her forearm to wipe the sweat out of her eyes.

 

Delia had made it abundantly clear the night Rachel had revealed everything that if she even breathed a word about this to Emily, or anyone, she’d put in her in a diaper lined with poison oak. Anna shifted uncomfortably at the thought for two reasons: the first of having poison oak down there...again and second: Delia had been in contact with her aunt and knew of her punishment methods.

 

Anna moaned in frustration as she wiped her face with her soapy water logged hands. Just what was she supposed to do? It was obvious she didn’t see Emily the same way anymore. How could she? She was her sister! True they weren’t blood related, but it was still way too weird. Whenever Emily tried to snuggle or kiss her all Anna saw was the Izzy of five years ago. It was clear she’d have to break up with her, but if she couldn’t tell her the real reason why, Anna doubted they could keep even their friendship. Anna’s eyes stung with tears. She didn’t want to lose Emily, and if she lost Emily, she’d lose Izzy all over again. She knew Rachel told her Izzy was gone, but how could that be? Izzy was right there in front of her!

 

Anna began to feel a knot forming in the pit of her stomach. She needed to get out of here! Anna untied her apron and tossed it a bin before making her way into the restaurant while ignoring Emily’s questions. Anna walked out the door and pulled out her cell phone and checked the time. It was still two hours before she was allowed to leave, but Anna didn’t care anymore. She’d have to face whatever punishment her aunt threw her way for leaving early; all Anna knew was that she couldn’t stay here anymore.

 

“You’re back early.” Rachel said looking up from her spot on the couch. “Delia let you out?”

 

“No.” Anna said making her way straight into Emily’s room to get her stuff packed. She grabbed her backpack out of the corner and started shoving all her laundry and personal items inside.

 

“You okay?” Rachel asked getting a look at Anna’s tear streaked face. “What’s wrong?”

 

“I can’t stay here.” Anna said continuing to pack up her stuff.

 

“You guys get in a fight or something?”

 

“I can’t see her as Emily!” Anna said collapsing onto the bed as her voice cracked with emotion. “I tried and I just...can’t. All I see is Izzy now!”

 

“Izzy is gone.” Rachel said slowly. “We’ve been over this.”

 

“So was Emily, but that didn’t stop you!” Anna shot back as she rolled over onto her stomach and began sobbing loudly into a pillow. “y-y-you h-have t-to t-tell her or i’ll lose her f-forever!”

 

“Anna, why did you take off like that? My mom’s pissed!” Emily said before stopping to see her girlfriend collapsed in a ball on her bed crying loudly. “Anna, why won’t you tell me what’s wrong?”

 

“Emily,” Rachel said with a sigh “Now’s not a good time.”

 

“IT’S NEVER A GOO-” Emily started to yell becoming irate at being pushed to the side again.

 

“WE CAN’T DATE ANYMORE CAUSE YOU’RE MY DEAD SISTER!” Anna suddenly shouted making Emily freeze.

 

“WHAT? Anna...it’s me...i’m not your sister…” Emily said confused looking from Anna to Rachel.

 

“I thought you were dead this whole time and i’ve been so alone until I met you and then I fell in love with you but it turns out you died so they switched the bodies with your twin and your really my sister Izzy!” Anna babbled into the pillow while Emily stood confused.

 

“Anna...you’re talking crazy! You’re scaring me…” Emily said backing away while looking to Rachel for help. “What’s wrong with her?”

 

“You’re not the first Emily.” She suddenly heard coming from the ground. Emily looked down to see Namine entering the room to see what all the commotion was.

 

“What do you mean I’m not the first Emily? Of course I am...there’s only one of me. Stop it you guys, you’re scaring me. Rachel, tell me she’s talking crazy.”

 

“Show her the picture.” Anna said lifting her head off the pillow. “What’s she going to do, run away? She’s already moved out” Rachel bit her lip anxiously as she met the look of utter confusion on Emily’s face before sighing and digging through one of the drawers before emerging with an old picture.

 

“Please don’t be mad, Emmy…” Rachel said handing her the picture. Emily took it and stared for a full minute without uttering a single word. “Emmy…”
“I already knew I was your daughter; I’m not stupid. I pretty much figured that out when I was 13 and wasn’t getting my moms boobs.” Emily finally said looking up from the picture. “ We look almost identical; but who’s the other baby?”

 


“Well, I guess I should have figured you already knew. As for the other baby.” Rachel said before sighing. “That was your sister, Emily.”

 

“What do you mean? I’m Emily?” she said while Rachel shook her head.

 

“Emily died five years ago from Raticate poisoning.”

 

“But...I got bit...I got poisoned. I..I remember being sick and...and bottle fed!” Emily said wide eyed while Rachel went into the drawer and pulled out Emily’s death certificate. “I...I don’t understand! How am I alive if it says I died five years ago!?” She said looking at Rachel after examining the document. “This isn’t funny!”

 

“Emmy...You’re not actually...Emmy.” Rachel finally said looking at the startled girl sympathetically as she patted the side of the bed next to her motioning for her to join them.. “17 years ago I gave birth to two twin girls; Emily went to Delia and Amy, who was then re-named Isabella, went to the Silphs. Emily was poisoned badly and died during surgery five years ago. That same night there was a car accident along route one where you were pulled out of the wreckage.”

 

“No! This can’t be right! I’m Emily!” The distraught black haired girl yelled backing away. “This isn’t funny!”

 

“There was so much blood everywhere and the car was completely totaled. We thought you were the only survivor; so we took you home and used a Hypno’s Amnesia to forget everything. We switched the bodies and raised you from that point on as Emily. Don’t give me that look, please. We thought we were doing what was best.” Rachel said anxiously watching the girls reaction.

 

“That’s why we have to break up.” Anna mumbled.

 

“What! No, Anna...This can’t be real! I-I’m not your sister!” Emily said desperately. “W-we’re not even related! I was adopted!”

 

“She’s right you know.” Rachel said patting Anna’s shoulder, but Anna just shook her head.

 

“I’m sorry, Em, but everytime I look at you all I see is Izzy.” Anna said getting up from the bed and grabbing her backpack.

 

“But you’re not my sister!” Emily said desperately as her eyes filled with tears. “Please...no. I have no memories of you from before. You’re my girlfriend...please…I don’t care that they switched me and lied...as long as I have you-”

 

“Anna, please think about what I told you. Izzy is gone; she may be Izzy physically, but her personality, memories everything that would make Izzy Izzy is gone. You have to let her go.” Rachel said. “Just think about it. You’re going to have to choose between the memory of your little sister and your girlfriend.”

 

“I’ll think about it.” Anna said slinging her backpack over her shoulder. “I’m headed back to the pokemon center; I...need time to think this over.” She said before walking out the door.

 

“No, Anna, don’t go!” Emily shouted trying to chase after her, but Rachel held her arm. By the time Emily broke free Anna was gone. “ANNA! ….Don’t leave me.” She cried letting herself fall to the ground.

 

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

 

In ten minutes Emily was packed and ready to go; It would take about a day and a half on foot to get back to the pokemon center if she didn’t get lost. Ignoring Delia’s and Rachel’s attempts at getting her to stay the night; she grabbed Namine and took off on foot. She’d talk some sense into her then. How was this all even possible she wondered as she ran through the forest ignoring the bug catchers that wanted to battle. She wasn’t Emily? She was Izzy? Why did she remember being Emily? Why did she remember things from when she was little? Namine...Namine knew she thought as she dug through her pocket and released her pokemon.

 

“You! Start explaining.” Emily said as she kept up a brisk walk with Namine jogging by her side.

 

“I don’t really know. It was a long time ago, one day you were a different person by the same name. Except you were…”

 

“Except I was what?” Emily said as she pushed through the trail beating branches away and even passed a few Rattata without a second glance.

 

“A baby.” Namine said growling at the purple mouse just daring it to make a step closer. “You were a really big baby.”

 

“Thanks.” Emily said sarcastically rolling her eyes.

 

“No, I mean you were literally a baby in a girls body. You’d run into things, cry, throw tantrums, be bottle fed, changed, bathed, everything. Don’t you remember when Misty used to babysit you?”

 

“I do, but, all of that...wasn’t because I was sick?” Emily asked stopping to set up camp once it was too dark to see.

 

“No.” Namine said watching Emily try and fail to start a fire. “That’s just what they told everyone.” Once Emily finally got the fire started the two of them sat talking before she pulled out her sleeping bag and the two of them snuggled in for the night. As soon as the sun began to rise, Emily slowly crawled out from underneath the covers waking Namine in the process.

 

“Namine, come with me.” Emily said stretching. “I need you to be the look out.”

 

“Look out for what?” Namine said annoyed at being woken up so early.

 

“I need to go; I’ve been holding it since last night.” Emily said pressing her knees together.

 

“What do you need me for? Just go.” Namine said curling back in a ball on the ground.

 

“But-but the bushes might have Rattata.” Emily moaned crossing her legs for emphasis.

 

“Then don’t go in the bushes.” Namine said. “There’s no Rattata here.”

 

“I can’t just...ugh fine.” Emily mumbled as she looked around in all directions to make sure no one was coming before pulling her pajama bottoms down to her knees and squatting. “This is actually kind of fun.” Emily admitted listening to the loud pattering of liquid landing onto the dead leaves below her as she watched it flow down in a stream changing paths with every obstacle it came in contact with.

 

“You are way too easily amused.” Namine said with a yawn while watching her master completely transfixed watching herself pee before finally getting up and walking over to relieve her own bladder.

 

“I’m ready when you are.” Emily said after changing back from her pajamas into her jeans and slipping her shoes on. They continued on with their hike for several more hours stopping every now and then to rest or to collect some kind of foliage she thought might make a useful ingredient for her plant experiments. “Ugh, I’m so tired!” Emily moaned dragging her feet inside the pokemon center when they finally made it back. “I’m going to kill Anna for leaving me back there without a ride.” She said as she made her way the elevator. Emily bit her lip anxiously as she rode to the third floor in silence as she waited to see if Anna had come to a decision yet. She peeked her head down the hallway to find the door to Anna’s room ajar. “I’ll grill her later.” Emily said to herself as she headed toward the room. “For now I just want to sleep!”

 

When Emily pushed the door open all the way and turned on the light her mouth dropped open. She stared wide eyed at the now empty room. Quickly Emily darted to the closet to find all of Anna’s clothes and possessions gone. “What…” Emily said in confusion as she walked to the now bare bed and picked up a note left behind along with a certain black card.

 


Emily,

 

I’ve gone back home to Saffron City to take over Silph Co in my father's place. Please don’t come looking for me. In exchange I won’t tell anyone what your family did. I know you’ll make a great nurse someday.

 

-Anna

 

 

“No no NO!” Emily screamed ripping the note to shreds and collapsing on the ground in a crying heap. “Anna...why? Why couldn’t we talk about this! Why didn’t you wait for me!” Emily said curling into a ball on the floor.

 

“You weren’t supposed to be back so soon.” Nurse Joy said with a sigh standing in the open doorway as she watched the distraught girl awkwardly.

 

“Why!?” Emily yelled without turning around. “Why didn’t you stop her?” Emily slightly flinched when she felt a hand on her back a minute later as a figure lowered itself onto the floor next to her.

 

“They found her father’s body this morning. Officer Jenny said it was a suicide.” Nurse Joy explained.

 

“Why?” Emily asked looking up.

 

“I guess Silph Co’s been in a financial crisis for years.” Nurse Joy said. “He probably knew he was in trouble and decided to take the easy way out. That man always had an issue with pride. Couldn’t handle that he was shooting blanks, couldn’t handle his family was leaving and couldn’t handle his company going bankrupt.”

 

“Shooting blanks?”

 

“No sperm.”

 

“I know what it means.” Emily mumbled. “I meant how was he Anna’s father?”

 

“Anna was also adopted.” Nurse Joy explained. “Just like you were, Izzy.”

 

“So she told you.” Emily mumbled turning back around. “Don’t tell me Rachel’s her mom too.”

 

“Rachel called me after you left and explained, and no, Rachel’s not her biological mom; I am.” Nurse Joy admitted. “ I was pregnant at 16 and gave the baby up to my older sister and her husband, who couldn’t conceive. Four years later I convinced my roommate to do the same with you after she admitted she had tried to make herself miscarriage.”

 

“I feel so wanted.” Emily said sarcastically.

 

“You should, from what it sounds like you had three different moms fighting over you. Now c’mon; get off the floor.” She said physically picking up the 100 lb girl up by the armpits and half walking and half dragging her over to the bed.

 

“Why didn’t she say good bye?” Emily said as tears fell down her face. “Why couldn’t she even break up with me properly?!”

 

“Losing you was very hard on Anna. You two were very close as kids so for her to find out you’ve been alive all this time and not remember her. I think it’s probably too hard on her to have you so close but not be able to have what each of you want.” Nurse Joy said
tucking her new niece in.

 

“What do I do?” Emily asked numbly.
“You move on. You do the internship as planned with or without her.” Nurse Joy said. “I’ll give you the weekend, but come Monday morning you start the program.”

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