A/N Sorry this took so long! Thank you for everyone who kept up with this story, following, favoriting, and reviewing! Special thanks to everyone who reviewed since the last chapter was posted: chinaluv, dramione lover 4eva, jess6899, and Jessie101! Your reviews made my day when I read them :) Now onto the story!

Recap: It was about fifteen minutes until closing, the place nearly empty, when the beads jangled, signaling the entrance of someone; that's when I saw him. The boy from my memory, dream, whatever. He was older now, but it was definitely him, I am sure of it. I could see it in his eyes. It was my brother.

Chapter 8: Brother

Emma's P.O.V.

As Rikki and Cleo turned around to greet Lewis I grabbed our empty glasses and rushed back into the kitchen, out of sight. I had some alone thinking to do, and it was times like this I was glad Ash trusted me to stay back and lock up the Juicenet when his mom needed him home early.

What the hell! Pardon my language, but how, of all people, could Lewis be my twin brother?! It's crazy! No, it's insane! How could he have kept something as big as this from me; from Cleo! We've known him forever, been best friends since we were tots! He has a lot of explaining to do!

Then there is Cleo … this will crush her. He has been lying to her, all this time, even as they have been dating. And let's face it, everyone knows they would be together forever. It would take something really big to break up those two, but what if this weird situation is just big enough? What was he thinking! Why didn't he tell us? Or at least her? Or me? I'm not sure … I am technically his sister after all, what does he have to hide? I have to talk to him, but I can't do it now. It will just make a scene and probably end up with Cleo just getting hurt. I will have to approach him later.

I dumped the glasses into the sink, took a deep breath, and walked right back out with a smile plastered on my face.

"So Lewis, what kept you so long?" I asked, then noticed an older boy was with him, "and who is your friend?"

"Well my mum called a family meeting, apparently there has been a murder in a house not too far from ours. So now she won't let us go out alone, we have to use the 'buddy system.' So I would like to introduce you all to my brother, Larry," Lewis said clapping his older brother on the shoulder. Larry did not seem very happy, he had a stern scowl on his face and shifty eyes, searching the room as if a threat were lurking just out of sight. Weird. And where does Lewis get all these older brothers? I thought I would've met them all by now, or at least heard of them.

"Hello Larry, how nice of Lewis to finally introduce us to yet another one of his apparently numerous older brothers," Rikki said sarcastically, thinking the same as me.

"You must be Rikki," He said, hardly smiling though his voice sounded kind, then he looked over to me, "And you're Emma. I've already met Cleo."

"Alrighty then," Lewis said noting the awkwardness in the air, "Larry, why don't you just take a seat at that booth over there. I promise I will be fine, I can handle myself."

"But Lewis, are you sure? At a time like this," He said, his voice a bit gruff.

"Yes, I am positive," He said leaning closer to Larry before saying, really whispering, though I still picked up on it, "that is an order."

I have no doubts now. Lewis is definitely my brother, and he knows he is a prince. Now, where Larry falls in, I am not quite sure of yet.

"Fine Lewis, I hope you know what you are doing," Larry replied before complying with Lewis' request and sitting in the booth Lewis suggested, on the other side of the Juicenet, so he wouldn't be able to hear what we talked about.

"Lewis," Cleo addressed him once Larry was gone, "I was just wondering, what happened when we were out earlier? That man came in and you just left all of a sudden, what was that all about? Is there something I should be worried about?"

"Oh no, sorry to worry you Cleo, I was just sure I had seen that man somewhere before," Lewis replied smoothly, "I just thought he was someone I knew before, but it was just a false alarm, there is nothing to worry about really. I'm sorry I was so rude, could you ever forgive me?"

He gave her his own irresistible, to Cleo at least, puppy dog eyes.

"Okay I guess so," Cleo said giggling as they shared a small kiss.

"Oh get a room you two!" Rikki joked.

"So how are you guys? It's been so long since we last talked," Lewis addressed Rikki and I excitedly, taking a seat at the counter next to Cleo.

"Been fine since you left, it hasn't been that long," I replied quickly, "Want anything to drink?"

"No thanks Em, you don't have to do that, I know it's near closing," Lewis said, looking a bit confused at my curt reply, "Cleo told me you had something going on, do you want to talk about it?"

"She did now," I sighed looking over at Cleo, I should've known she would say something to Lewis.

"She didn't give me any details, it was only in passing manner," Lewis said, quickly coming to her defense, "You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to."

"Good, I don't want to talk about it right now," I stated, I knew once I told my story he would recognize me instantly, and I don't know how he would react.

"Come on Em, it is Lewis, we can trust him," Cleo spoke up, I could tell she felt bad for mentioning it and really hoped I didn't mind it. Before I wouldn't, I've been friends with Lewis just as long as she has, but this particular bit of information is something I do not wish to discuss with Lewis, at least not in front of Cleo.

"Yeah, he won't tell anyone, he doesn't have anyone else to tell," Rikki joked, it was no secret that Lewis hardly talked to anyone besides us, like we hardly talk to anyone outside the group, but it was a bit of fun to joke about him considering he hangs out with a bunch of girls.

"I know, I just don't feel like talking about it right now," I declared.

"Oh come on please, now I'm curious, what is it? I've known you pretty much forever, what could it possibly be that you don't want me to know?" Lewis said playfully.

"It's nothing really, nothing to talk about, just drop it," I replied trying to change the subject, "How about that full moon this weekend, what's the plan?"

"Movie night at my place, don't you remember? We talked about this last week," Cleo said.

"Oh yeah sorry, a lot on my mind recently," I apologized, "So what movies are we going to watch? Romance or thriller?"

"Thriller! Are you crazy? There is no way I am going to sit and romance chick flicks with you guys all night," Rikki scoffed.

"Oh come on! We never do romance," Cleo pouted, "Just one movie? It's really good I promise, I've seen it before."

"No, I absolutely hate those movies! They're all the same, I can tell you right now the whole plot: girl meets boy, love at first sight, somebody gets between them, they overcome all odds and get their fairytale ending. At least thrillers always have different, and interesting plots!" Rikki argued.

"This one is different I promise, it's like a romance thriller," Cleo pleaded, "You would like it Rikki, I promise!"

"Fine, one romance, but that is it, otherwise I will leave your house in the middle of the night, full moon or not," Rikki stated.

"Rikki is going to watch a romance film? Now I have got to see that," Lewis said.

"Sorry Lewis, dad's rules, no boys are allowed to sleep over," Cleo replied.

"Yeah, so you can come, but you have to leave your bodyguard behind," Rikki joked, nodding over to where Larry sat. Lewis seemed to grow quite tense for a second.

"Ha ha, very funny Rikki," Lewis replied.

"What is with that scarf anyway? Do you know how hot it is outside, it's the middle of summer!" Rikki jeered, and I just noticed the black scarf Lewis was wearing. It didn't stand out too much, went with what it was wearing, so I really hadn't noticed it before. But now that I think about it, what boy wears a scarf in the middle of summer? The fact that it was Lewis was also suspicious, he was never one to wear a scarf before.

"It's a man's scarf mind you, and it was cold where I went on holiday," Lewis defended himself.

"Well it is hotter than hades in this Australian summer, so it is time to take off the scarf," Rikki said playfully pulling off the scarf. Lewis turned just a bit, his back to me, as he went to grab his scarf back, and I just caught of glimpse of what he must have been trying to cover up. On the back of his neck was a shining birthmark in the shape of a crown. It glittered in the light of the setting sun coming through the window. In fact, once the light hit it just right, the glare from it shone bright straight into my eyes!

I covered my face with my hands and staggered backwards.

"Sir - Lewis!" I heard Larry shout, but I couldn't see him.

"I'm on it Larry," I overheard Lewis his in reply, "Give me back my scarf Rikki! Emma are you all right? I'll take you back to get you some ice."

"Are you okay?" Cleo asked concerned.

"What happened?" Rikki asked, clearly confused at the sudden turn of the situation.

"No, it's fine, I think I'll be fine," I protested, though I could hardly see, for some reason everything was blurry, but it was getting better as I blinked.

"I insist," Lewis said, re-tying the scarf around his neck, and then grabbing my arms and leading me back to the freezer.

"Lewis, what is ice going to do? What are you so panicked about?" I asked him, quite alarmed at how serious he was making this situation out to be.

"Ice won't do anything, but this should," Lewis said mysteriously as he blew something blue into my face. It was like magic, my vision cleared up instantly.

"What is that?" I asked curiously.

"What did you see?" Lewis interrogated, completely ignoring my question.

"I saw your birthmark, the royal crown," I replied a bit cautiously, "I know who you are Lewis."

"And that is a problem," Lewis said taking something else out of his pocket, it looked like a purple powder, "I'm sorry Emma."

Then he blew this powder into my face, it tickled my nose and I sneezed.

"What was that for?" I asked.

"What?" He asked, sounding both confused and alarmed.

"You blew that powder in my face and I want to know why," I stated angrily.

"You remember?" He asked seeming bewildered.

"Of course I do! It was five seconds ago!" I said exasperated, "What's going on?"

"Sorry, you know something dangerous and the powder was supposed to make you forget it, but I don't understand …" Lewis said confused, pacing back and forth in the freezer, "Wait, did you say you know who I am? Who do you think I am Emma?"

"You are Prince Lewis Vanderville of the Island of Sirenthia," I stated with more confidence than I felt.

"How do you know that?" He turned on me, literally cornering me in the freezer, "Who told you this? Who are you?"

"Because," I began, but words failed me. I felt suffocated under his sudden cold and angry gaze. So I pulled my hair to the front and side, exposing the back of my neck and turned around to show him my own like birthmark. He backed off instantly.

"But … I don't understand," Lewis stammered, stroking the mark.

"I know because … I'm your sister," I gasped, "My real name is Lydia."

He grabbed my shoulders and spun me around to face him. He seemed to tower over me as he looked deep into my eyes. I could see tears forming in his eyes as a smile played on his lips. I'm sure there were tears in my own eyes as well. Then he actually began to laugh.

"Lydia! Mi Sorrella! Dapo tutto tempi,"* He whisper-shouted, and I understood, crystal clear.

"Yes, sono mi,"** I replied.

"This is a miracle! All this time I've been looking for you and you have always been right here, right under my nose!" Lewis said excitedly, "What happened?"

"Well, I had amnesia, but from all the flashbacks I've been having recently I think I have it down. I met Garry in the hall after I left the party, he stalled me as some man came up behind me and used something like chloroform to knock me unconscious. That same man took me onto a sort of plane, but it crashed into the ocean. It hit a sharp rock, and the man was killed instantly, but I was able to escape. I swam to the nearest shore, the shore of Mako Island. I stumbled through the forest, and one point tripping and hitting my head on a rock, which gave me the amnesia. Eventually I suppose I made it to the other side of the island, facing the mainland, and that is where Neil and Lisa found me," I sobbed, sort of in the heat of the moment, "They said they sent out fliers everywhere and no one responded, no one claimed me. No one wanted me. But you've been here all along, you've known me as Emma since we were kids, how could you have not recognized me? And how come you never told any of us, why did you keep it secret from your closest friends, from Cleo! I just don't understand, you are not who I thought you were."

"It is just really dangerous right now, I can explain all this later; there is so much you need to know! So much I want to tell you!" Lewis replied excitedly, "I am just so glad I finally found you!"

He picked me up and spun me around.

"I don't remember you being that strong," I laughed in reply, wiping the tears from my eyes as he did the same.

"Trust me, there is good reason. If you can wait here a bit longer, once we are done here I will walk Cleo home and come back, then we can talk more," Lewis suggested, "Right now though I need you to play along with me. This purple powder, it is called Dimenticum, once I blow it in their faces, they will forget the most recent events, specifically the whole deal with you seeing my birthmark and almost going blind. That is a simple protection spell by the way, I could easily teach it to you later."

"So, you want me to lie to them?" I asked.

"Yes," Lewis replied unsurely, "Again, you must trust me, there is a good reason."

"Okay," I said, unsure of myself, but no matter how long I examined his features I could find no fault, no hint that he was lying or trying to trick me.

"Okay," he echoed. Then after composing ourselves, he opened the door of the freezer, then said a bit louder for the others to hear, "Are you feeling all right now Emma?"

"Yes, I think so," I said following him back to the counter.

"Wait here," he whispered to me, and I stood behind the counter, about where I was standing just before the incident. He walked around the counter to sit by Cleo. He unwrapped his scarf.

"What are you up to?" Rikki asked suspiciously, and I was just able to stop myself from replying, I hated lying.

"Sorry guys, but it has to be done," Lewis whispered to himself, though loud enough for us all to hear. I watched as he took out the purple powder and blew it into each of the faces at once. They both sneezed at the same time, but nothing else seemed to happen.

"For your information Rikki, I actually like wearing this scarf, and I think it looks good," Lewis said as he began to wrap the scarf around his neck again.

"Well it doesn't, what do you think Cleo?" Rikki asked, acting as if the whole incident before never happened. I was amazed, they truly had forgotten, that little powder had worked just like that?

"I think it looks very handsome," Cleo replied giving Lewis a small peck on the cheek.

"See?" Lewis said.

"That's no fair, you guys are dating, of course she would take your side," Rikki said, then turned to me, "What do you think Em?"

I could see Lewis watching me, hoping I would go along with thing like I said I would, hoping, I guess, that I wouldn't be too freaked out to react properly.

"I think it makes it a bit obvious you have something to hide," I eventually answered, as honestly as I could, giving Lewis a pointed look.

"Look at the time guys, I think it is time we better get going," Lewis said looking at the clock on the wall, and to my surprise it was already well passed closing time.

"Wow, really?" Rikki said confused, "I looked at that clock like a minute ago and there was still at least ten minutes left."

"Well what is it they always say? Time flies when you're having fun?" Lewis said casually, "Come on Cleo, I'll walk you home."

They all got up to leave, including Larry, who I noticed really had never taken his eyes off of us.

"Aren't you coming Emma?" Cleo asked.

"Nah, I've still got some cleaning up to do around here," I lied, "I'll see you guys tomorrow."

"Okay, whatever you say," Rikki replied, "I'd hate to stay here alone though, do you want me to stay with you until you finish? There can't be that much left to do."

"No it's alright Rikki, I'll be fine alone; I know this place like the back of my hand," I assured her, smiling as I saw them all make their way out. The sun was just beginning to set. It would only be about fifteen minutes until Lewis would be able to get back here, enough time for me to change back into my casual clothes. After I did that I occupied my time by rearranging some of the supplies. I was so nervous about the talk to come that by the time Lewis returned I think I had rearranged pretty much everything behind the counter. I don't think Ash will be too happy when he returns tomorrow morning …

* "Lydia, my sister, after all this time,"

** "Yes, it is me,"

A/N I am so sorry this took so long to update, Senior year has been pretty crazy and always keeping me busy. I think this chapter came out pretty good, and the story is moving forward :) I will try to update more often, but no promises there. What I do promise is this story will be finished eventually, so if you faithful readers could just stick this out with me that would be great :)

Also, please review! Tell me what you think! What do you like, what don't you like? What do you think will happen or what do you want to happen? I want to know, and it will help me when I write future chapters :)