Welcome back to the world of totally predictable plots! Sorry guys. This story is kind of a slow burn (starts out slow and takes a while to get to the best part), but I thought I'd try a longer story with more details. And even though Emily isn't my most original or interesting or non-Mary-Jane-ish OC, I think she helps develop other characters as well as herself. It feels like this story at this point is meant to be more about what the other characters do/say/think than what the actual OC/narrator does. I don't know.
When I went down to the lab, no one would meet my eyes. I knew they were all feeling guilty for ratting me out. Good.
Once again, the desire to express my anger and betrayal rose up, but I pushed it down. They already felt bad. That was good enough for me. I wasn't one to rub it in their faces. That didn't mean I couldn't have a little fun first though.
I sat down on a spare chair and started working on something I was designing. The silence in the room felt almost physical. I didn't talk to anyone, didn't even acknowledge their existence. The only sounds were the clinks and clanks of the pieces I was using.
Finally, it seemed like the silence had become unbearable, and it was broken by Bree. "So, what did he say to you?"
I once again wanted to reply with anger or sarcasm or silence, but I thought they had learned their lesson. Dodging her direct question, I told them without turning around, "I'm leaving in the morning."
There were a few seconds of shocked silence. Then, like before, everything seemed to explode. Everyone was shouting protests and begging for me to stay. I waited patiently before I put two fingers in my mouth and whistled loudly. They got quiet, waiting for me to speak.
"I know you guys don't want me to go, but I have to. I'm a security risk and a complication. I can't stay."
"Yes, you can," Chase said.
"No, I can't."
"Why not?" Leo challenged.
"I just told you. I'd hurt more than I'd help. Besides, you'll get used to it; I've only been here two days after all."
"No, we wouldn't," Bree argued. "You're our sister, and even if we only found out about you a few days ago, we will never forget you or stop missing you."
"See? I'm already hurting you guys. I never should have come." I turned to leave, but someone grabbed my arm.
"Did Mr. Davenport put you up to this?" Adam's eyes were narrowed. Sometimes, I forgot how smart he could be at times.
I shook out of his grip. "No, this is my choice. One of my jobs as a sister is protecting you, and I can only do that away from you."
"What if we're in danger, and you're all the way across the country?" Chase countered. "You couldn't protect us then."
"No, but that's a risk I'll have to take. I'm only putting you in danger by being here. Please don't make this harder." I started to leave again, and no one stopped me this time.
"I'm sorry about leaving you to take all the blame," Leo called just as I was getting to the elevator.
"We all are," Chase agreed. The other two nodded.
I turned back to smile sadly. "Apology accepted."
Dinner wasn't really festive, not that I expected it to be. Everyone talked and ate and stuff, but I could tell they all felt as secluded and sad as I did. Even Eddy didn't show up to annoy us.
When it was over, I was almost glad. The mood had been so serious and grim, it seemed impossible with a room full of hormone-crazed teenagers. We said goodbye and hugged because somehow we all knew that when they woke up in the morning, I would already be gone.
And I was happy with that. I didn't want anyone to watch me as I took to the sky. I didn't want anybody to see the tears that I knew would come.
When I woke up in the rafter beams of the lab, everyone was still asleep. I dropped down, silent as a cat. But when I got upstairs, Donald was waiting for me. He was lying on the couch, looking half-asleep. I could tell he had slept there. When I walked in though, he snapped up, wide awake.
He half-rose to greet me. "Emily…" he started.
"It's okay. I was just going." I pointed to the balcony door.
"Wait, I wanted to give you a goodbye hug."
"Okay…" This was strange since he had already given me one last night. We embraced and pulled apart. I stared into his eyes, trying to see what he was thinking. But like my father, his eyes revealed nothing.
He walked me outside to the roof from which I had seen them watching me so long ago. "Well, I guess this is goodbye, Mr. Davenport." I tensed, about to take off, when I felt an arm on my shoulder, both comforting me and holding me back. "What?" I looked at him, and to my surprise, he was smiling.
"Congratulations, Emily." What was he talking about? Why was he smiling?
I stared at him, confused. He was still grinning like I had just performed something amazing. "This whole thing, the part about you leaving, was a test. I wanted to see your true self. And all I see now is a selfless, brave, honest, smart, protective, loving girl."
I blinked, shocked. "So…I don't have to leave?"
He laughed. "No, you can stay. Now, come on, let's go scare the others." He practically skipped back inside, and I followed him, surprise and confusion written across every feature of my face.
Leo was coming down from his room just as we stepped in. He looked like he was still trying to wake himself up. Donald and I shared a glance. Suddenly, I rushed toward Leo, tackling him in a hug. "Please, Leo, I don't want to go! Tell him to let me stay! I want to stay here, with you and the others. Please…"
He jumped slightly in my arms, startled by the crushing weight around him. "Alright, what are you talking about?"
I released him and stepped back. He saw Mr. Davenport and me, and the realization clicked in his mind. "Oh, right." He turned to Donald pleadingly. "Can't she stay? I promise I'll take care of her. I'll take full responsibility. I'll feed her and clean up after her and…"
"Hey, I'm not a dog," I interrupted indignantly.
"Hm…maybe." Mr. Davenport tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"Please," we begged in unison.
"I'll think about it. Now, let's go wake the others." We made our way to the elevator, me trying my hardest not to grin.
Chase, of course, was already up even though it was a Saturday. Bree and Adam were sleepily making their way out of their capsules. When they saw me still here though, they immediately perked up. "You're staying?" Chase asked in disbelief.
"I haven't decided yet," Donald said seriously.
We all started pleading with him instantly. Finally, he gave in, laughing at our little puppy dog faces. We all grinned and high-fived and thanked Mr. Davenport for being the best dad ever. The happy mood was so intense that I felt like I was choking on it and just wanted to hug everybody.
I realized that the threat of my staying was still there, but suddenly it didn't feel so important anymore. Being with this family, my family, just wiped away any doubt or reservation or worry or any other negative emotions. Being with my father and brother had done that once, but I didn't let that thought kill the mood.
We all went upstairs and told Tasha once she woke up. She really did hug me and started crying softly. I guess I really was one of the Davenports now.
daphrose: Thanks. I don't know how I came up with that. I had a weird mind back then. But I guess it's funny. I thought it'd be cool to find a non-violent way of fighting against Krane. And I do think I made these scenes kind of OOC and cliché, but I guess I just figured that this was how they were going to get over the whole "trust barrier" or whatever. Not the best test of trust and character and motive, but it works.