I smiled and continued to walk. We were so close to the door. So, so close. But something was blocking it, and it was not one of the guards. It was…

Oh, crap.

It was my family.

"Katrina Charlotte Coretta Scott King Cooper!" My mother, Kira, shouted, "what do you think you are doing?"

"Um, escaping the Other Side?"

"Yeah, we see that." Said my idiot brother, Ernie.

"And we told you not to come! How could you disobey us like that? A mission like this is too dangerous for you, honey!"

"Okay, okay. What are you guys talking about? It's a rescue and protect mission, Mom. It's not like I'm going out to eliminate some enemy agent in Cuba. Again." I said.

"But that was different!" My father, Craig, bellowed.

"How is that different?" I asked angrily.

"Uh…Rocky? I'm seeing some not-so-nice people over your shoulder." CeCe said into my ear.

"Right." I said, "we have to move!" I ordered.

We all ran towards the exit, our feet moving as fast as possible. We were all winded when we made it into the parking lot. I set CeCe down next to me and tried to catch my breath.

"Alright everybody, into the van." My father ordered, opening the door for us, "we're going home."

"Back to Virginia?" I inquired.

"Yes."

"What about CeCe?" I grabbed her hand.

"We leave her here." My mother said.

"We can't just leave her here alone. What if she gets kidnapped again?"

"There's nothing we can do about that. Come on K.C., into the van."

"No."

"What?" My parents said in unison.

"I said no. I'm not going with you, I need to continue with my mission to protect CeCe Jones."

"K.C. Cooper you better get in this van right now or I'll tell the Organization what you've done."

"And what exactly have I done wrong? I have been following your orders, Mother since I was born."

"But K.C.-"

"No, I need you to listen. I love you and Dad so much, believe me."

"But K.C. you're not-"

"Capable of completing a Chicago mission? Please. Look, I need some answers. Why would you forbid me from coming here?"

"Because, K.C. you're not our child!" She shouted.

"Wha-what are you talking about?" I asked.

"Your real name is Raquel Oprah Blue. And you've only been living with us for three years."

"I told you, Rocky." CeCe whispered.

"You've got to be kidding me." I said to my parents, "how could that be possible? I remember everything since I was little!"

"Fake memories." Mom said, "planted in your head after we got you."

"Then…then Marisa was in on this? She never really cared about me, did she? She wasn't really my friend?"

"Oh, no, baby. That was very, very real. She loved you so much. Y'know, we chose the right best friend for you."

"What?" I was tearing up now, "Marisa too?" I shook my head to clear the tears, "I cannot believe you guys. My whole life has just been one huge fake memory."

"No, no, baby. Its much more than a memory."

"You're right." I said, "It's a lie."

I grabbed CeCe's hand and we ran away together. And for once, she didn't say a word. When we reached her apartment, we were both sweaty and out of breath.

I could see her trying to hide a smile. She was overjoyed that I believed her now, but also knew that I was upset.

"Rocky?" She asked quietly.

"Hm?" I looked at her through my puffy red eyes and saw she was crying also.

CeCe patted the seat next to her on the couch, and I gladly took it.

"Why are you crying?" I asked.

"Because you believe me." She answered.

"But what good does that do? I still don't have my memories back."

"Don't worry." She reassured, grabbing my hand, "we'll get them back." Her eyes drooped closed and her hand slipped out of my grasp. She collapsed onto my lap, and I smiled. I picked her up and carried her into her room. I was about to leave her apartment but thought better of it and slept on the couch. My mission was complete, I had protected CeCe Jones.

But there was no way I was going back home.

I woke up the next morning to the sound of drills and hammers. I rubbed my eyes and pulled myself up into a sitting position. For a mere second, I forgot where I was.

"Hey." A redhead said from the kitchen.

I smiled at her, "Hey."

I walked over to the kitchen table and sat across from her.

"Didn't expect you to stay." She said, "but I'm glad you did."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I missed you, Rocks." She got up and poured some cereal into a bowl and handed it to me.

"Thanks."

After I finished eating, CeCe forced me out of the window and told me to go up the fire escape. I did so, and found my real parents waiting for me.

"Rocky!" They helped me inside, even though I didn't need it, and pointed me in the direction of my own room.

I opened my closet and was disappointed at the lack of flannel. Instead there was sparkly skirts, knee-high sneakers, colorful shirts and leggings.

I pulled together an outfit very quickly, and I was surprised at what I had chosen. A black top with ruffled sleeves, a flower-power skirt, and leggings. I had put on a pair of light pink sneakers, and some matching stud earrings.

I grabbed my book bag and left, saying goodbye to my family. Ty walked with me and even offered me a ride to school, which I declined. I walked instead, running up To CeCe when I saw her throwing away her textbooks. Well, except for History.

"What are you doing?" I asked, watching her.

"Throwing away my textbooks."

"Why?"

"Well, its not like I use them anyway, so what's the point?" She shrugged, "plus they're really heavy."

I nodded and didn't even bother to argue with her.

"Hey, um…CeCe?"

"What?" She said, putting her History book back into her locker.

"How am I supposed to get my memories back?"

"I don't know. Why are you asking me?"

"Because you're my best friend and I love you?"

"Well," CeCe said, "we could always talk to your family."

"Oh, please. Like my Dad is going to know how to take these fake memories out of my head, he's a doctor CeCe."

"No, I'm talking about your fake family, genius." She rolled her eyes, "They are the ones who kidnapped you and took your memories away, remember?"

I nodded, "Never going to happen."

"Seriously? Your going to let a little thing like memory loss stop you from seeing the fake family you've been living with the past three years? That's petty of you, really. I mean, who abandons family?"

"They are not my family. And there is no way I am ever going back there."

"Then I'll come with you!"

"No." I said firmly, "there is no way I am taking you with me."

"Oh, so you are going?"

"No."

"But Rocky-"

"No."

"If you want to get your memories back, all you have to do is-"

"No!"

CeCe crossed her arms, "fine, don't go. See if I care."

"But you do care." I pointed out.

"Do not!"

"Do too!"

"Do not, do not, do not!" She shouted.

I gave her a look and she shook her head, "Fine, maybe I care a little."

"Okay, CeCe. If I say I'll go, do you still want to come with me?"

CeCe nodded, and I smiled.

"Plus, I want to meet this Marisa girl." She growled.

I laughed at her jealous tone and we walked to class together. I was a little nervous, yes. But at this point, I would do anything to get my real memories back.

And then I could live with my family in Chicago, where I belonged.