Estimated Reading Time: 18 Minutes

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The Clone

Kimberly stared daggers into Nate's soul. It sent shivers down his spine.

Kimberly: "I'm sorry, what was that? I didn't quite hear you."

Nate: "We can't sleep together anymore."

Kimberly: "Why?"

Nate: "B-because I'm using sex as an excuse to not improve."

Kimberly: "What're you talking about?"

Nate: "I'm not being honest with myself. I-I'm still in love with my ex and I've been using you to distract myself from him."

Kimberly: "Him?"

Nate: "Yeah, him. My ex is a guy."

Kimberly: "What the fuck?"

Nate: "I'm bi."

Kimberly: "Are you kidding me?"

Nate: "No."

Kimberly: "So you've been using me to get over a guy?!"

Nate: "Yeah…"

Nate looked down on the floor and frowned. The tears started to build up, but he fought them.

Kimberly: "Look at me."

Nate: "..."

He continued to stare at the floor.

*Grab*

Nate: "!"

She made him look at her. She had rage in her eyes and it scared the shit out of him.

Kimberly: "I see trauma through those eyes."

Nate: "..."

Kimberly: "Obviously you're confused."

Nate: "What?"

Kimberly: "You're not into men. You're confused."

Nate: "I'm not confused!"

Kimberly: "You're still young and clearly your parents didn't raise you traditionally."

Nate: "Traditionally?"

Kimberly: "But don't worry, this is why I'm here. I can fix you."

Nate pulled her hand away.

Nate: "This is something I have to fix alone. Kimberly, I want you to find someone who's in love with you. You deserve better."

Kimberly stood up and slammed her fist on the table causing Nate to flinch.

BAM!

Nate: "!"

Kimberly: "NO!"

Nate: "N-no?"

Kimberly: "I refuse to let you go!"

Nate: "You have no choice. I'm cutting it off."

Tears started streaming down her face.

Kimberly: "Can't you see? *Sniffs* I'm in love with you!"

Nate: "W-what! I-I thought this whole thing was just for sex."

Kimberly: "No, I… I fell for you. I don't want this to be friends with benefits. I saw how much you care about me. You're the only one that stayed and cooked me breakfast. *Sobs* You're the only one that listened to my problems and gave me good advice. You're the only one that can fulfill my sexual fantasies. I need you, Nate!"

Nate: "I… Don't feel the same. I'm sorry."

Kimberly: "Y-you-

Nate: "I didn't mean for this to get too far! I-I'm sorry. But also you have to understand that I genuinely have a problem. I told you that I can't turn someone down for sex. You knew and you tempted me anyway! You knew I cheated on my ex who I still have feelings for. I-I told you this! What did you expect? I'm a bad person. I'm not faithful. I'm too immature. This is why I'm breaking it up now, so nothing goes too far."

Kimberly: "It already went too far. I have feelings for you now!"

Nate: "That's… Not my fault. I told you the type of person I was before we had sex."

Kimberly: "I can change you!"

Nate: "Only I can change me."

Kimberly: *Sobs* "W-we had g-good chemistry."

Nate: "Did we? I barely know you."

Kimberly: "We were getting to know each other. We had a good thing going on!"

Nate: "Not really. What we have is shallow."

Kimberly: "That's not true."

Nate: "What's my favorite videogame?"

Kimberly: *Sobs* "What?"

Nate: "What's my favorite videogame?"

Kimberly: "What does that have to do with us?"

Nate: "Because if you don't know what my favorites and hobbies are, then our relationship is shallow."

Kimberly: "That's not fair. You never told me about yourself."

Nate: "Exactly. We're strangers who fuck. That's it. Also you're my boss. We shouldn't be doing this anyway."

Kimberly: "You're right... I'm. Your. Boss."

Kimberly's eyes widened as she stared at the ground. She wiped her tears and smiled a devilish smile.

Nate: "Why're you smiling like that?"

Kimberly: "You have two choices, Nate."

Nate: "I don't like your tone."

Kimberly sat on her seat. She went from a mess to a calm boss in an instant. Even though she's not standing anymore, she presented herself as tall and powerful. He sat there with his hands between his legs feeling small and terrified.

Kimberly: "If you end this, then I'm ending your schedule."

Nate: "W-WHAT!"

She licked her lips and smirked at him.

Nate: "T-this is wrong!"

Kimberly: "I don't care. I haven't felt this happy and wanted in a while and I'm not letting it go without a fight."

Nate: "Look, Kimberly, you're emotional right now. You're not thinkin' clearly. Let's just take a quick break and think this over."

Kimberly: "I've made my decision. Either stay with me and I'll promote you with a higher wage, OR I'll terminate you."

Nate: "You can't do this!"

Kimberly: "I'm the gm. I can and I will~"

Nate: "But…"

Kimberly: "Higher wage. I'll pay you thirty five dollars an hour plus you get to have fun with me, or you can throw it all away and never find an opportunity like this again."

Nate: "T-thirty five dollars an hour?!"

Kimberly: "You'll be making so much, sweetheart~"

Thirty five dollars is such a steal. He could definitely get Ness's mom out of debt. In fact, he could buy a lot of things. Things he's always wanted. He and his new family wouldn't have to worry about anything like food and rent. In fact, he could buy Rachel a car! He could buy each of them a car with that amount of money. He could help Trey out too! Everyone would love him.

Kimberly: "I'll give you as many hours as you want. Plus you can have all the free pizza."

It would be stupid of him to turn such an opportunity down. If he does this, then no one would have to suffer with money. His family and friends would be set up. Especially since he's guaranteed whatever hours he wants. Everyone would be… Happy… Everyone except him.

.

Flashback

Nana: "If you don't fuck me, then I'll leak the video to Leaf."

Nate: "You can't do this!"

Nana: "I can and I will."

Nate: "..."

Nana: "So, what'll it be?"

Nate: "Ok…"

Nana: "Good boy, now take off my clothes."

End Of Flashback

.

He can't do that again. It was traumatizing. What Kimberly is doing is basically rape, right? She's making it seem like he has a choice, but in reality, she's threatening him just like Nana did. NO! HE CAN'T GO DOWN THAT PATH AGAIN!

Kimberly: "You're awfully quiet."

Nate: ["No…"]

Kimberly: "What did you say?"

Nate: "I said no."

Kimberly: "I'll give you a second chance to re-think this because if you don't stay with me, I'll fire you."

Nate: "Then I guess I'm getting fired…"

Her eyes widened. She was no longer confident. She sat back on her chair and covered her mouth with her hands. Tears started streaming down her face again.

Nate: "I'm sorry, but I can't do this."

Kimberly: "Am I that ugly?" *Sobs*

Nate: "No! Haven't you been listening?! I'm in love with someone else."

Kimberly buried her face in her arms and continued to ugly cry. He wanted to pat her back and comfort her, but he was also too emotional. He couldn't even comfort himself.

Kimberly: "I *Sobs* HATE YOU!"

Nate: "..."

She lifted her head up and pointed at him.

Kimberly: "DON'T COME BACK EVER! I'M TAKING YOU *sniffs* OFF THE SCHEDULE!"

Nate: "Fine…"

Kimberly: "YOU'LL NEVER FIND A JOB THIS GOOD! You're done. I'm going to make sure you can never land a job here in Onett."

Nate: "..."

Kimberly: "I'll tell all the stores what a horrible employee you were! *Giggles* You'll be homeless and on the streets and when it happens, I'll be there to laugh and spit on you."

Nate got up and started walking away.

Kimberly: "FUCK YOU, NATE! I HOPE YOU DIE!"

He had a miserable walk back home. When he opened the door, Rachel and Tracy weren't there. They must be sleeping already. He opened the fridge and saw there were leftovers. He saw a cute sticky note on a plate.

The Sticky note:

Nate this steak is for you~

Love, Mom

He smiled a little when he read the note. Love Mom, huh? Is it really ok to start calling her mom? He still wasn't comfortable with the idea, but he noticed that his relationship with Ness's family is getting better each day. Maybe one day he could call her mom to her face. Although that doesn't seem plausible anymore.

Now that he doesn't have a job, he's mooching again. He can't even keep a job for more than four months. There's no way he could consider himself as part of the family after tonight.

He's such a failure compared to Ness. He shouldn't be here. Ness should. He's nothing but a mistake. A clone designed to take over Ness's life and that's what he's doing right now. He's living with Ness's family and taking on the role as the older brother. His meaning of life is to fill in for Ness wherever he goes. There's no escaping this role… He's just Ness's clone and that's all he'll ever be.

He heated up the steak and started eating by himself. He almost choked because he was crying so hard.

Nate: "Eech! Ach!"

Rachel was going to go to the bathroom, but as she was quietly walking her way over, she heard irregular breathing. She walked downstairs and turned on the living room light. She saw Nate sitting at the dinner table alone crying.

Rachel: "Sweetheart?"

When he saw her, he immediately grabbed a napkin and wiped his face. He forced a smile and waved.

Nate: "Oh, hey. Sorry, I couldn't be here for dinner. I had something goin' on."

Rachel: "Are you ok?"

Nate: "Yeah, I'm fine for the most part."

Rachel: "What happened? Your eyes are puffy and red."

Nate: "Oh… Uh, just me and a friend got into an argument is all. No biggie."

Rachel sat at the dinner table with him. She started giving him back rubs which seemed to calm down his breathing.

Rachel: "You can tell me anything. I promise I won't judge."

Nate: "I-I…"

Rachel: "I promise. I want you to trust me."

Nate: "I'm ok."

Rachel: "No you're not, Nate."

Nate: "!" (She said my name…)

Rachel: "I love you and I want you to know that I'm proud of you for helping the family out. I'm glad Ness introduced me to you. I'm so happy to have a second son who cares for me and my daughter."

Nate: "I'm your son?"

Rachel: "Yes."

Nate: "And not because I look like Ness?"

Rachel: "No. You and Ness are different but I love you both the same."

Nate: "The same?"

Rachel: "Yes. I love all my kids the same."

Nate smiled. It was a weak smile, but it was genuine.

Rachel: "You can trust me. I'll always love you no matter what."

Nate: "I-I… *Sniffs* My boss fired me."

Rachel: "What?"

Nate: "She… I…"

Rachel: "Why?"

Nate: "She was going to offer me a pay raise. Thirty five dollars an hour and I turned it down."

Rachel: "Why?"

Nate: "B-because… Then I'd have to date her…"

Rachel: "Oh my god!"

Nate: "I didn't want to. *Sniffs* I have a serious problem and… I love someone else."

Rachel: "Who?"

Nate: "Ness's…"

Rachel: "Ness?"

Nate: "No, uh, I'm in love with Ness's best friend."

Rachel: "Lucas?"

Nate: "Yeah."

Rachel: "Oh."

Nate: "I'm sorry. I know I'm being selfish, but I couldn't do it."

Rachel: "You're not being selfish."

Nate: "But if I did it, then we wouldn't be struggling with debt and I could buy you a car."

Rachel: "Oh Nate, I don't care about that. I don't want you to sacrifice yourself for my benefit. I would never forgive myself."

Nate: "R-really?"

Rachel gave Nate a hug.

Rachel: "I don't ever want you to go through that. Your boss is a sick person."

Nate: "She's just lonely."

Rachel: "No excuse. She tried to coerce you. That right there is attempted rape."

Nate: "..."

Rachel: "You were going to be taken advantage of."

Nate: "I know…"

Rachel: "I don't want my son to be a rape victim."

Nate: "..."

Rachel: "In fact, I'm going to call the police right now."

Nate: "Are you sure that's gonna do anything?"

Rachel: "Yes."

Rachel called the police. When the officers got there, the two explained the situation to them.

Officer 1: "What seems to be the problem?"

Rachel: "My son was almost a rape victim."

The officer stared at Nate who looked soulless.

Officer 2: "By who?"

Nate: "My boss. Her name is Kimberly Jones."

Officer 2: "A woman?"

Nate: "Yeah."

Officer 1: "How old is she and where does she work?"

Nate: "I think she's in her early thirties. I'm not sure. She works at Mach Pizza. She's the general manager there."

Officer 2: "And how old are you?"

Nate: "19."

Officer 1: "So what exactly happened between you two?"

Nate: "Her and I have been… Uh… Seeing each other. However, I wanted to stop seeing her like that and she threatened that if I stop, then she'll fire me and that's exactly what she did."

Officer 2: "Uh-huh. Well, without any proof, we can't really do anything. We'll talk to her tomorrow at Mach Pizza, but I'd say in order to fight this, you'll have to sue her."

Rachel: "What! You guys can't do anything about this?! Can't you arrest her?"

Officer 1: "Without any proof, no."

Rachel: "So we have to take care of it ourselves?"

Officer 1: "Yeah pretty much."

Officer 2: "Sue her."

Rachel: "I don't have money to sue her."

Officer 1: "Sorry, we can't do anything, but we'll talk to her about it to see if she can at least admit it. If she does, then maybe there will be some legal action."

Rachel: "Maybe?!"

Officer 1: "Yeah, it's Onett. What did you expect?"

With that, the officers left.

Rachel: "I can't believe them!"

Nate: *Sighs* (Why does this always happen to me?)

Rachel: "I'm so sorry, Nate. I-I'll try to see what I can do. I'll see if I can work more hours so that we can hire a lawyer."

Nate: "It's fine."

Rachel: "What?"

Nate: "Kimberly is wealthy. We can't compare to that. We're poor. She's gonna hire a better lawyer and win."

Rachel: "B-but…"

Nate: "It's the reality sadly."

Rachel: "I'm so sorry…"

Nate: "It's… Fine. I just *sighs* Part of it is my fault too. I deserve this."

Rachel: "No you don't! You didn't do anything wrong."

Nate: "I shouldn't have slept with her in the first place."

Rachel: "She shouldn't have been inappropriate with you. You're still young and she's old enough to understand to not sleep with her employees."

Nate: "Yeah, well, at the end of the day, I still shouldn't have."

Rachel: "Nate…"

Nate: "It's fine. I'm just sorry that I lost my job and I can't help right now."

Rachel: "Oh sweetie, you've done enough."

Nate: "No, I haven't, but I promise I'll find another job and start helping again."

Rachel: "You don't have to."

Nate: "It's the least I can do. I don't wanna mooch."

Rachel: "I don't view it as mooching."

Nate: "I'm going to help you with money regardless. I don't wanna be a failure."

Rachel: "I'll never think of you as a failure."

Nate started to cry. Rachel went up and hugged him again.

Nate: "Thank you for being so kind and understanding. I… I love you, m-mom."

Rachel: *Gasps* "You called me mom for the first time."

Nate: "S-sorry."

Rachel: "No, no, please don't be sorry. I'm happy that you're finally getting comfortable with me. I'm sorry that this is all happening, but I promise things will get better."

Nate hugged her tighter. "Thank you."