There Was A Girl Named Annie (Ethan)

[Deleted]

Dom was much more quiet than usual today. The mood was somber and serious, which wasn't that surprising considering what was going on, but it made her less chatty than she'd ever been before, except for the days after Ethan's death when she refused to talk to almost everyone. The difference was that now Ethan was back, as a ghost. He was back and the two of them were going to his parents' house. He wanted to visit Annie and his parents, which made complete sense, but Dom had a lump in the pit of her stomach. She wasn't sure how his family would react to seeing him as a ghost, or to her presence. Still, she was glad that Ethan invited her to join him. She looked over at the ghost beside her, forcing a small smile. "Are you ready for this?" Dom asked. They were still a short distance away from the house and she wanted to talk, but Dom didn't know what to say. For once, she was practically speechless.

@ghostethan

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This didn't feel real.

He was going to see Annie. As soon as he realized he could travel anywhere he had been in life, he knew that he could find his sister and he knew that once he found his sister... he would really have nothing keeping him here. He hoped that Dominique understood that, because it was too hard for him to explain to her out loud. Seeing Annie, talking to her, finally getting to say goodbye... that was all he really needed now. He saw Dom. He knew about Tam and Liam. What else did he have to do here? Nothing, just his parents and Annie Mostly Annie.

He loved his parents, but Annie was his best friend from the moment she came into this world. They were inseparable, until he went to Hogwarts. She was never jealous or harsh, but loved him fiercely, more than any brother deserved. And now was his chance to say goodbye. Or rather, I'll see you later.

His thoughts were interrupted by Doms question, asking if he was ready for this. He nodded, looking over at her. "Yeah, yeah, I'm ready. Let's go over it again... you'll knock, go in and explain the situation and once they look comfortable enough I'll make myself visible and... well," he shrugged.

@dominique

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Every step closer to the house made Dom's anxiety grow more and she suddenly realized that she knew what was going on. He was going to leave. Once he got to talk to his family he'd be gone. That realization was like a punch to the gut. He'd be leaving again. Dom wondered if Ethan himself knew that would happen or if he just wanted to see his family. Not that she had any intention of trying to make him not leave or anything. She still loved him and wanted him to be happy. He wouldn't be happy stuck here. 

At her question he started going through their plan, seeming a little more nervous than he wanted to be, but it made sense. He hadn't seen his family in ages and neither of them was quite sure how they would react. "Yeah, that's it," she answered once he finished. Then a thought occurred to her. "I can leave once I've done my part if you want," Dom offered, hating herself for doing it. She didn't want to leave, of course. She wanted to be there for his family, especially Annie. She wasn't sure how any of them would respond to seeing Ethan again, or seeing him leave. After a bit of a pause, she muttered, "I wish I could hug you goodbye." There. He'd know, right? How much she wished things were different, that he wasn't dead and didn't have to go. At least here she was kind of getting some closure. But she couldn't stop there, "I'll miss seeing you and hearing your voice." Dom always said too much around him.

@ghostethan

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She confirmed the plan and he felt his stomach start to churn. Then she said she could leave if he wanted and his eyes widened, but before he could answer she said she wished she could hug him, but that she'd missing seeing him and hearing his voice. He sighed and stopped moving for a moment, lifting his invisible hand toward her face, "yeah... yeah, I'll miss you, too. I just think it'd be easier to be... not here," he hadn't told anyone about Elaine coming to the school this summer to taunt him, and he wasn't sure anyone actually needed to know. "I don't want you to leave, though. I mean, if you wanted to stay while I talk to them. I'm sure they'd love to have you there," he said, his voice dropping even more in volume. He wasn't sure he could go on with this.

@dominique

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Dom was talking too much. She knew that, but at the same time she couldn't get herself to stop. At least, not until she realized that Ethan wasn't moving anymore. He was reaching toward her face and she closed her eyes for a moment, once more wishing ... it didn't matter. Her wishes weren't coming true. None of them, which was why she was working with Vic now. She hadn't told Ethan about that, but didn't know if he'd want to know. He was about to leave, wasn't he? Why would he want to know her problems. Dom nodded, "Yeah, I can imagine. Being stuck at school as a ghost would be hard." She thought it would, at least. Obviously she didn't know for herself. That would be weird. A small smile crept onto her face when he said he didn't want her to leave. "All right, I'll stay," she promised. She knew that if he disappeared after talking to his family ... moved on or whatever, she'd break again, but she'd stay there for him. She owed him that much, after everything he'd done for her over the years. "I just didn't want to be in the way or anything," Dom continued, once again talking even though she knew she should stop. "Not that I don't feel comfortable with your family," she broke off, covering her face. "Sorry, I don't know what's going on." Dom knew she was nervous, but she was acting like a complete basket case. It was ridiculous. She needed to be strong right now. Dom took a deep breath and then opened her eyes. "I'm good now," she told Ethan in a soft voice. She had to be. For him.

@ghostethan

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Yeah, it was hard. But he could learn and grow and... but he had seen enough. Dom said she would stay and Ethan grinned, grateful for her. She said she didn't want to be in the way and he shook his head, "don't say that," he muttered. She continued talking and was clearly nervous. After a deep breath, though, she seemed ready to go on. "Okay. Here we go..."

They approached the house and has planned, Dom went in first and Ethan followed invisible. After a moment of speaking to his parents, Ethan appeared to reveal himself as Dom had prepared them. Annie burst into tears at the sight of him, rushing forward as if to hug him, but it didn't work. No touching would. His parents said goodbyes as well, but they were clearly trying to stay put together for Annie. Then Annie took in a deep breath, "we'll fight to change things, Ethan. Dominique and I. We'll stop them," she said, standing up tall.

"I wouldn't expect any less," Ethan said, a smile growing on his face. With one last look to Dom, he nodded, "I love you. All of you," he looked at them all one by one, before looking at Dom one more time. "Give Elaine hell for me." Then he vanished. Gone forever, but this time he wouldn't be back.

@dominique
(the end)