Estimated Reading Time: 20 Minutes
.
The Clone
Nate was blushing when he and Electra were texting each other. She's such a flirt. Wait, no! Argh! He didn't mean to flirt back.
He needs to tell her that they are nothing more than friends. Not even friends with benefits. He doesn't want to whore himself out like he did when he was living in the smash mansion. Things only got worse for him when he did.
He has to tell her that they can't flirt. They are strictly just friends. Yeah, just friends. Besides, he already has someone he likes. Someone who most definitely doesn't… Love him…
Oh Lucas. He wondered how the blonde was doing. He missed being with him. He missed Lucas so much. However, once the truth came out that he wasn't the real Ness plus the fact that he was dating Leaf broke the blonde's heart. He still remembered the hurt on Lucas's face. There's no way that he would forgive him. Absolutely no way…
Faking about his identity and cheating on Lucas wasn't even the worst thing he's done. He also tricked Lucas into going inside the bunker to get brainwashed by Mario, so that the blonde would never think to find and rescue the real Ness. He didn't even tell Lucas. He just left to Onett because he was too scared to face him. God, he's the worst. Lucas deserves better.
Knock!
Knock!
Nate: "C-come in." *Sniffs*
He quickly wiped his tears with his shirt before Tracy opened the door.
Tracy: "Hey!"
Nate forced a smile.
Nate: "Hi."
Tracy: "Guess what?"
Nate: "What?"
Tracy: "Mom talked to the coach and she decided that she's paying for my admission fee!"
Nate: "That's awesome!"
Tracy: "I know right! Hopefully my crush will notice me."
Nate: "I'm sure he will."
Tracy: "Eeee! I can't wait to talk to him."
Nate: "Wait, didn't you want him to approach you?"
Tracy: "I thought about what you said and I think I'm going to initiate the conversation because like what if he never talks to me?"
Nate: "Exactly. Gotta be aggressive about it."
Tracy: "But first I gotta impress him with my cheerleading skills."
Nate: "Sounds like a plan."
Tracy gave him a quick squeeze.
Tracy: "Aaaah! I love you so much! You give such good advice."
Nate: "Gah! I l-love you too."
Tracy: "Anyway, I know you need to go to work soon. I just wanted to tell you."
Nate: "Thanks for the update."
Tracy: "Bye."
She went up to his door and left the room. That was his que to leave too. He put on his work outfit and left the place.
Once he clocked on, Kimberly immediately went over to him.
Kimberly: "Hello, Nate~"
Nate: "Hey, how's it goin'?"
Kimberly: "Business has been slow."
Nate: "Aww yeah?"
Kimberly: "It's been boring."
Nate: "Damn."
Kimberly: "But now that you're here, it won't be~"
Nate: "Haha! Thanks. I'm flattered."
The two went up to the register. They chatted while waiting for customers to show up.
Kimberly: "You know, Nate, have you ever thought of being a model?"
Nate: (What's a model?) "N-no?"
Kimberly: "You should be. You got the looks for the job."
Nate: "Thanks!"
Kimberly: "So how's life?"
Nate: "Life has been meh. Rent keeps going up and what not. You know how it is."
Kimberly: "Oh believe me I know. I live in a studio apartment and rent is unbelievable."
Nate: "That sucks."
Kimberly: "Where do you live?"
Nate: "In a house with my… Mom."
Kimberly: "Still living with your mom? I don't blame you. No one can afford to live alone anymore."
Nate: "If only this pizza place would pay us more, huh?"
Kimberly: "You know, I could give-
Ding-dong!
The two pulled their attention to the customers that walked up to the front. It was a man and a woman.
Nate: "Hi, what can I get for ya two?"
Man: "Honey, whatchu want?"
Woman: "I just want ugh, I don't know. You pick for me."
Man: "Every time I pick you get upset."
Woman: "I do not."
Man: "Every FUCKING time! I'm tired of hearing you bitchin'."
Woman: "Excuse me? Don't fucking talk to me like that!"
Man: "I can talk to you however I want. Without me, you'd be on the streets."
Woman: "It doesn't have to be you. I can get any man."
Man: "Oh yeah?"
Woman: "Yeah! I'm a woman and you men are desperate."
Man: "Young man, would you date this bitch?"
Nate: "Uh…"
Woman: "Yeah! Would you date me?"
Nate glanced at Kimberly. She looked unphased. She stared at the scene testing Nate to see how he'll handle the situation.
Nate: "Sorry, but I am not allowed to flirt with the customers."
Woman: "It's not flirting. It's a question."
Nate: "The question you asked me is inappropriate. I cannot answer that. I apologize."
Man: "Fuckin' robot company slave lookin' ass."
Nate: "I'm sorry."
Woman: "Whatever, I guess I'll order a classic pepperoni."
Man: "Are you fucking serious?"
Woman: "What?!"
Man: "You hate pepperoni!"
Woman: "No, I don't."
Man: "Last time you threw it all up."
Woman: "That one was nasty."
Man: "You think it's all nasty!"
Woman: "Just let me fucking order!"
Man: "For fuck's sake. Fine!"
Nate: "Um, what size did you want it?"
Woman: "Small."
Man: "Small? Really?"
Woman: "Can you shut the fuck up!"
Man: "Give her a large. This fat whale is gonna complain that she's still hungry if you get her the small."
Nate: "Ok, one large pepperoni pizza. Anything-
Woman: "FAT WHALE?!"
Man: "You heard me."
The woman slapped him and left.
Nate: "I-is everything ok?"
Man: "Yeah, she's just a fucking cunt is all. Now as for me, I want a large mushroom pizza with ham on it."
Nate: "Ok. Any drinks?"
Man: "Nah just them pizzas."
Nate: "Ok, that'll be $42.80."
The man punched the counter. It caused Nate to flinch.
Man: "Fuckin' expensive ass pizza! This bitch better be sucking my dick later because this shit's crazy. It's my fuckin' money! The things I do for her and all she does is BITCH!"
Nate: "I'm sorry."
Man: "Fuckin' hell."
The man paid for the food. Trey was on it. He cooked the pizza and when he was finished he rang the bell. Nate called out their order and watched the man leave.
Kimberly: "Well done."
Nate: "That was intense."
Kimberly: "It's always like this once nighttime hits."
Nate: "I've noticed."
Kimberly: "That's when all the crazies are active."
Nate: "Geez."
Kimberly: "Anyway, I'm going to be in my office. I'll come back later."
With that, Kimberly left. Nate stood there waiting for more customers, but after twenty minutes he decided to give Trey a visit. He went to the kitchen and saw Trey and Ben singing a song together.
Nate: "Guys!"
The two looked at Nate and smiled.
Trey: "Aye, bro."
Ben: "Wassup, homie!"
They dapped each other up.
Ben: "How's service?"
Nate: "Awful."
Ben: "How so?"
Nate: "Had to deal with two tweakers. It was crazy."
Trey: "Yup. That's how it goes when it gets dark."
Nate: "Anyway, whatcha guys up to?"
Trey: "Singing and shit."
Nate: "You guys are having all the fun without me."
Ben: "It's cuz you're never here anymore."
Nate: "I know. I want to come back so bad."
Trey: "Kimberly ain't never gon let you leave service."
Nate: "I don't know why. I'm terrible at it."
Trey: "It's cuz she got a crush on ya."
Nate: "What? No way."
Ben: "Why can't she crush on me instead?"
Trey: "Cuz you're an annoying little shit."
Ben: "Fuck you."
Ben flipped him off.
Nate: "Just ask her out."
Ben: "Can't do that. She's my boss! I don't wanna lose this job."
Trey: "Besides she would say no anyway."
Ben: "Oh fuck off!"
Trey: "Sorry, bro, you had a chance but you blew it."
Nate: "Wait, what?"
Trey: "Ben tried to impress her once but ended up tripping her by accident. Flour and pizza sauce got all over her."
Nate: "How do you mess up that bad?"
Trey: "It's Ben. He's good at being a fuck up."
Ben: "It was one time."
Trey: "She started screaming and this dumbass started laughing."
Nate: "Dude!"
Ben: "What? It was funny!"
Trey: "It was funny not gon lie, but bro didn't have to laugh at her face. Doesn't make sense cuz he tryin' to smash."
Ben: "I couldn't help it. Shit's funny as fuck."
Nate: "I can see why she doesn't like you."
Ben: "She doesn't like me?"
Trey: "No, bro! She yelled at you yesterday for no reason."
Ben: "I thought she was just in a bad mood."
Trey: "No she fucking hates ya."
Ben: "I know… But a guy can dream."
Trey: "Nah, dude. You laughed at her face. You're a dick."
Ben: "Pssh! Whatever, bro. I'mma just fuck some other bitch."
Trey: "Good luck."
Ben: "Nah, I'mma get me a bad bitch."
Trey: "Ha! You're funny."
Ben: "I'm on the football team. All them cheerleader chicks dig the jocks."
Trey: "Sure, whateva. Anyway, Nate, I gotta warn ya."
Nate: "About what?"
Trey: "About Kimberly. That bitch is bad news."
Nate: "Why do you say that?"
Trey: "She gots a god complex. She looks down on us and abuses her fuckin' manager powers."
Nate: "She seems nice to me."
Trey: "Are you kiddin' me? She yells at us all the time. If we don't listen to her or defend ourselves, she cuts our hours."
Nate: "She does?"
Trey: "Hell yeah, dude. The only reason why my hours aren't gettin' cut is because I'm like their only cooking closer."
Ben: "I'm a closer too, but she cuts mine!"
Trey: "You still go to high school."
Ben: "Yeah, but I got less hours than last week."
Trey: "I'm tellin' ya it's because she don't like you, bro."
Ben: "I'm curious, Nate. How much hours you gettin'?"
Nate: "Like fourty."
Trey: "Are you fucking serious!"
Nate: "Yeah."
Trey: "That's bullshit. I've been here for two years and I can barely get thirty. New guy comes up and casually gets fourty."
Nate: "Damn, I'm sorry."
Trey: "Bro, watch out. You're her new target."
Nate: "Target?"
Trey: "She's a predator. There was this other guy she gave hours to, and he ended up quittin'."
Nate: "Why?"
Trey: "I don't gots all the details, but I heard it's cuz she tried to get in his pants."
Ben: "Oh shit, wasn't that Aiden?"
Trey: "Yeah. He was a twink. This bitch got a type for sure. She was actin' real friendly towards him."
Nate: "I'm not a twink."
Trey: "Sorry, bro, but look at ya."
Ben: "Yeah, you're a twink."
Nate: "Aww, damn really?"
Trey: "Yeah."
Ben: "Nothin' wrong with that. You're a pretty boy."
Nate: "I am pretty." *Winks*
Ben: "Oooh cocky too. I like that."
Trey: "Back off my mans."
Ben: "Nah, he mine."
The boys shared a laugh.
Ben: "Bro, I miss Aiden."
Trey: "I know. Bro always brought tamales."
Nate: "What's tamales?"
Trey: "Mexican food."
Ben: "Bro made killer Mexican food."
Nate: "Sounds delicious. But I'm curious, what made him quit?"
Trey: "Kimberly. She started acting all creepy towards him."
Nate: "Creepy how?"
Trey: "Ya know, actin' all flirty and touchin' his shoulders. She also forced him to work customer service. Whenever he talked about his girlfriend, Kimberly would be jealous and yell at him for little mistakes."
Nate: "Oh…"
Trey: "What's worse is that Aiden went to high school. She's like in her thirties."
Nate: "Yikes."
Trey: "She likes em young. Fuckin' pedophile lookin' ass."
Ben: "I mean, I don't mind."
Trey: "Shut the fuck up. Yes you do."
Ben: "She's bad. I don't give a fuck if she wants to prey on me."
Trey: "Bro, shut up."
Nate: "Well I'm nineteen so she probably wouldn't go after me then."
Trey: "Nah, it don't matter. You look fifteen. It's not the age. It's the fact that she likes boys who look young in general. Meaning if you were fifteen, she wouldn't give a fuck."
Nate: "I think you're reading too much into it. I don't think she has a crush on me."
Trey: "Bro, you're dumb. It's so obvious."
Ben: "Yeah, even I can tell."
Nate: "What? No. There's no way."
Trey: "Careful bro. She's hot and all, but she's dangerous."
Nate was going to say something to back Kimberly up, but he heard the doorbell.
Nate: "Sorry, I gotta get that."
Trey: "All good, bro. Hey, we hittin' the court later?"
Nate: "For sure."
Trey: "A'ight."
Nate walked back up to the front and saw a familiar blonde girl. She gave him a flirty look and he reciprocated.
Nate: "Have we met before?"
Electra: "We have~"
Nate: "Oh?"
Electra: "I can't forget a cute face like yours."
Nate: "Damn, girl."
Electra: "So, when's your break?"
Nate checked the time. It was 8:57.
Nate: "Right now."
Electra: "Order a pizza for us."
Nate: "Mkay, but it's gonna be pineapple."
Electra: "Can't wait to prove to you how much I hate it."
Nate: "All for a coupon?"
Electra: "You know it."
Nate ordered himself a pineapple pizza. Once it was ready he and Electra went outside and occupied a table. She took a bite and widened her eyes a bit.
Nate: "It's good, isn't it?"
Electra: "Only because it's free."
Nate: "HA! I told ya!"
Electra: "Probably because you're here. You make it taste better."
Nate: "Oh yeah?"
Electra: "And because it's free."
Nate: "Wasn't free for me."
Electra: "But it was for me~"
Nate: "Call yourself lucky. I'm not gonna keep doing this for ya. This was only to prove my point that pineapple is delicious."
Electra: "You like to win, don't you?"
Nate: "Absolutely."
Electra: "Well, call yourself a double winner."
Nate: "Did I win your heart or somethin'?" *Smirks*
Electra: "Bingo~"
Nate blushed. Dammit, he's flirting. He has to tell her that they can't do this.
Nate: "Hey, listen. I'm flattered you like me and all, but we shouldn't flirt."
Electra: "Hm? And why's that?"
Nate: "Because I could get in trouble. My boss already gave me a verbal warning."
Electra: "If it's your boss you're worried about, then come over where it's more private~"
She put her hand on his cheek and gave him a seductive look. Damn, this girl is hot. It's hard to resist her. But he doesn't want to be a dog. He has to say no.
Nate: "Tempting offer, but I don't think I should."
Electra: "I like that you're hard to get."
Nate: "Am I turning you on more?"
Electra: "Oh yeah."
Nate: "Damn… You're bad. I can't…"
Electra: "I see that you're fighting the urges. May I ask why?"
Nate: "I don't… Want to be ya know…"
Electra: "A slut?"
Nate: "A guy that sleeps around, yes."
Electra: "I don't mind~"
Nate: "N-no."
Electra: "Nothin' wrong with giving into pleasure. It's completely natural."
Nate: "It is?"
Electra: "Absolutely. Let yourself have fun. Whenever someone tries to deny themselves things they want, usually it'll bottle up and they'll explode. They'll do something they might regret."
Nate: (That's what Kimberly said too.) "I-I see."
Electra: "Besides, sleeping around isn't bad. As long as you communicate your intentions."
Nate: "Communicate it?"
Electra: "Mhm. For example, I'm not looking for a relationship."
Nate: "Really?"
Electra: "Nope. Just friends with benefits."
Nate: "Damn, you said it so casually. Do you do this often?"
Electra: "Not as often as you think. I would like to get to know the guy first."
Nate: "Really? So if I wanted to fuck you later tonight you wouldn't let me?"
Electra: "I mean yeah most likely. You're really hot. But also I'm digging the fact that you're hard to get. So maybe just for you, I might take things slower."
Nate: "Is that why you're interested in me?"
Electra: "What can I say? I wanna get to know this pizza boy more. Maybe we might have some things in common and hit it off. Who knows~"
Nate: "I honestly thought you just wanted to fuck."
Electra: "I do, but I'm starting to think there's more to it than that."
Nate: "So direct."
Electra: "I chose you out of many of the guys I've seen here. I dunno, you just seem different."
Nate: "How so?"
Electra: "It's your vibe. Can't really explain it. You got me curious."
Nate: "I am pretty unique~"
Electra: "We'll see where the road takes us. If we fuck then we fuck. If not, that's fine too."
Nate: (Holy shit! What is this girl?)
She got up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He put his hand on the spot she kissed and looked at her flustered.
Electra: "Thanks for the free food, pizza boy~" *Winks*
With that, she left. He tried to resist her, but somehow she got him to want more. Give in to his urges, huh? Both her and Kimberly said it's normal. However, when he did that, that's what got him in trouble. Then again, when he was living in the mansion, everything was built on a lie.
Here in Onett he has a fresh start. He's not Ness. He's Nate. He's allowed to live how he wants. He doesn't have to fear for his life anymore.
Maybe he should give Electra a chance. He still loves Lucas, but what's the point in holding on if he knows the blonde doesn't love him back? He should forget about him.
Nate hung his head low. He bit his lip and started crying. The thought of giving up on Lucas hurt. It hurt so much. The good memories he shared were plaguing his mind. He knows he has to move on and he will… It's just right now, all he could feel was regret and a broken heart.
