to hear, undoing the peaceful silence of the morning, cutting through Ramona's sleep like a

up, I'll pour water on you," Antonia threa

"It's Monday already?" she grumbled, voice muffled against the pi

ty. Now move!" Antonia said, walking bac

waking up early. But more than anything, she hated the job she had to drag herself

reshly made pancakes, eggs, and bacon filled the air, teasing her senses. No matter how terrible her mornings were, there was one thin

e murdered you for waking me up like this," she

"You love me, a

She walked to their bathroom, pulled off her clothes, and got into the shower. The droplets of cold water hit her skin, making

blouse and slacks, Antonia was already setting the table. The s

partment feel like a home. Somethi

in front of her, arching a bro

at a piece of bacon. "Since I star

aking her head. "I k

he only sound being the clinking of utensils against

he said suddenly, her voice fil

ming. It had been that way for six years no

sked, even though she

he said, taking the jug filled with orange j

mona...". She dragged. This topic had to have an expiry

g the warning tone in her best friend's voice. "I have

Ramona? You just waltz in there and... what? Take him

for the monster he is.". She added, her breathing stiff. She hated the fact that t

nding frustrated. She was tired, tired of watching Ramona, get close to figuring out the truth, only to be chasing a dead end. And she

he fork tightened. "You kno

" Antonia

s voice rose, her eyes burning with an i

erself, but the rage inside her was like

king toward," she continued. "I am this close to

pain, the will for revenge, and it made her heart ache for her. "Do you even know

haking her head. "Not yet. But my lead

cern. "Ramona, this is dangerous. You can't keep livi

llion times before, but no one understood. No one had felt the pain of losing a father the way s

r chair and stood,

her voice softer now.

ing there was no cha

id, forcing a small smile.

h. Love yo

out the door, leaving Anton

let out a slow breath, staring at

neede

f the past. Or one day