Forget-Me-Not

12

"It's going to be alright," I keep on mumbling to myself. I'm been saying that mantra for the past ten minutes while waiting for someone. I stare at the soft waves of the ocean, and watch the sun slowly kiss the land. I glance at my watch to see it's already six in the evening. I sneak out of Timothy's house without anyone knowing. I told myself I would be home before they even realize that I'm gone.

I sit at one of the chairs in a restaurant near the shore. I sip on my lemonade while glancing around looking for a familiar brown hair to pop up. I hope he doesn't ditch me. My hands on instinct went to my pocket and then I realize that I left my phone in my room. I feel guilty all of the sudden for not telling Timothy anything but then I remember his behavior this morning then the thought suddenly went out of the window.

"Olly?"

I turn to see him standing in front of me with bewildered eyes. He has his hair trimmed shorter that he usually does, the same brown eyes in which we inherited from our mother and tan complexion from all the sporting activities he did under the sun.

"Addy," I stand up and wrap my arms around him.

My brother was stiff at first but after a little while I felt him wrap his arms around me in comfort. I let out a sigh of relief. I suddenly felt homesick. Confusion suddenly engulf me when Adrian push me at arm's length, his eyes assessing me.

"How can I know that you are Olivia and not some imposter?" He said with a glint of anger in his eyes

I sigh. "Adrian, it's me, Olivia."

"I can see."

I let out a frustrated sigh. "Okay. Ask me."

"Ask you what?" he glare at me.

"Ask me - about stuff...uh...just anything that Olivia should know." I cross my hands on my chest.

He stare at me for a while as if thinking about something. "Okay... When is my birthday?"

I just stare at him when my mind suddenly went black. The answer is resting just at the tip of my tongue but I can't say the words. I can see him sending a look of desperation towards me. I keep on thinking but I still can't remember. I let out a frustrated sigh.

"You are worse than the others," he said, turning his back to me.

"I was six when Dad left us," I blurted out. I see him stop in his tracks. "You were there. I mean, we were there. You...me...Mom, we were all in the kitchen and I was asking Mom where Dad was...and..." I sniff, when the first tear roll down. "And, Mom told me that he was just going to be late for dinner. You," I let out a laugh. "You were there with me. You were yelling at mom to tell me the truth. Mom was crying. I was crying but you weren't."

I felt my chest tighten when he didn't turn around. Instead, "I can't believe you would stoop that low to pretend that you're Olivia."

Tears falls down continuously as I stare at his retreating back. I lean on the wall to support me. No. This wasn't supposed to happen. Addy, he...he did not believe me. I cry. Minutes had passed and my tears just won't stop. The sun had set already but I didn't make a single move to leave my place. I sit on the ground and hug my knees. I suddenly sat up straight when I felt an absence of a bulge on my back pocket. I mentally curse myself for leaving my phone in my room.

I let out a ragged sigh and slowly climb on my knees. I enter the nearest restaurant I can find. It is having a slow business day. I approach the woman wiping the counter. She has blonde hair that is pulled up by a pen. She is so busy wiping the tables that she didn't hear me coming.