The next day, Jo and I ate breakfast in an eerie silence. I wondered why she wasn't talking to me.

"So, Rose," she began in a strangely casual tone. "Which boy was in your room last night?"

I choked on my cereal and slowly glanced up at her.

With a nervous chuckle, I tucked my curly hair behind my ear. "Uh, what?"

"Don't play dumb," she gave me a deadpan look. "I heard you talking to a boy."

I reluctantly gave in with a sigh. "I'm sorry. I thought you were asleep."

Jo gave me a disappointed look. "Why would you sneak a boy into the house?"

I couldn't exactly tell her I was treating to Antonio's fight wounds. She'd think he was some sort of hoodlum.

"Who was it?" Jo persisted.

I avoided eye contact and she began to ramble.

"I knew it. I knew it."

I gave her a strange look. "What are you on about?"

"I mean, I'm fine with you hanging out, going to parties. But you've been coming home late, sneaking boys into the house–I'll bet it was that kid with the motorcycle! It was, wasn't it?" She said.

I looked around and slowly chewed my food.

"I knew it!" Jo exclaimed for the millionth time, shaking her head. "This town is no good."

I frowned and dropped my spoon. "What do you mean? I thought you liked it here."

Again, Jo shook her head. "We should move."

The statement slightly angered me. "What? No. We're not doing this again."

Jo was bewildered at my tone. "I–"

"We've been living here for less than a month. You get ready to leave the second things start looking up. Why?" I demanded.

Jo gave me a look. "I'm not appreciating your tone, missy."

"Sorry, but it's true," I crossed my arms. "Admit it, you have commitment issues. You can't commit to one place!"

"Rose!" she indignantly refused. "I do not."

I suppose I'd been waiting for this to happen. I knew Jo was going to make me leave this town soon enough. It was part of the reason I still hadn't unpacked my boxes, like Antonio had pointed out last night.

I gave Jo a look of dismay and she rebutted.

"I'm only trying to do what's best for you. Like your father would've wanted!"

A cold feeling resided over me and I stood up. "How would you know what he wanted?"

"He's my brother, I think I'd know," she scoffed.

"Well he's my father, I'd know too," I snapped back.

"How could you possibly know what he wanted? You've never even met him."

There was a heavy silence. That was a low blow, and even Jo knew it.

"How could you even say that..." I trailed off, feeling a little betrayed by her harsh words.

"Rose–"

I glanced down at my soggy cereal before turning around and stalking out of the kitchen.

"Where are you going?" Jo helplessly asked.

I slipped on my converse and snatched my puffy jacket off the coat rack.

"Romano's house," I shortly quipped.

"Why?"

"We made plans. At least he knows how to commit to something," I said passive aggressively.

Jo cocked her hip to the side, unsure of what to say. "Okay... you're walking there?"

"Biking," I replied.

I walked out of the front door and glanced back at Jo for a moment. Usually, this was when we'd say goodbye. Throw in an I love you. Though, all I did was turn around and walk away. I could hear Jo sigh before closing the door.

The gray clouds above me rumbled. As I began the bike ride to Romano's house, I felt tears drip down my face. Jo's words were harsh, but also true. I'd never met my father. Even so, thinking about him still made me sad.

• • •

When I reached Romano's grand house, I parked my miniscule bicycle on the stone driveway and grabbed out my phone to text him.

His reply was almost instant.

By we, I knew he meant Lily and him. After the horrible morning I'd just had, the thought of being with my two closest friends instantly comforted me. With that, I clicked off my phone and trekked up the wide front steps. True to Romano's words, the door was unlocked. Allowing myself inside, I tossed my black jacket onto the coat rack and approached the grand staircase.

The house was completely silent. Trailing my hand over the smooth railing, I slowly made my way upstairs. It dawned on me that I had no idea where Romano's bedroom was. Before I could dwell on this, a faint beat enveloped my ears. The sound of music. I followed the loud noise, walking past many closed doors until I reached my destination.

The tall door was open just a sliver. When I peaked in, I softly gasped. It wasn't Romano's room at all–it was Antonio's.

His back faced me. Bruises lined his tan skin, presumably from the fight he had with Finn last night. If it weren't for the white towel wrapped around his waist, he would be completely naked. Water droplets dripped down his skin. With his dark wet hair, it was clear that he was fresh out of the shower.

Shivers erupted throughout my body as I roamed my eyes over his back muscles. Goodness, I felt like a stalker. I shook my head at myself and took a step back, but the floorboard loudly creaked. I widened my eyes and contemplated making a run for it, but it was no use. Antonio slowly but surely turned around. Surprise briefly flickered across his face, but he smoothly suppressed it.

"You need something, Flower?" he asked with an arrogant smirk.

I swallowed nervously, internally scolding myself for getting caught. His dark eyes met mine peeking at him through the crack. There was no hiding now. Reluctantly, I pushed open the door and hovered by the doorway.

"Spying on me, were you?" Amusement painted his features as he walked up to me. My breath hitched.

"No," I denied after a moment.

"Really? Then what are you doing here?" He clearly didn't believe me.

"Romano invited me over, but I can't find his room," I admitted, maintaining eye contact. It took every ounce of strength within me to resist roaming my eyes over his wet, chiseled figure.

After a moment staring down at me, Antonio shrugged. "Alright, I believe you. It's two doors to the right."

I nodded, though didn't leave just yet.

"Hey, Antonio, about last night..."

"Don't," he waved it off.

"Okay," I warily stared at him. "You're not mad?"

He shortly laughed, but it was cold and distant. "No, I guess it just dawned on me that you're leaving."

I frowned. The idea of leaving this town left a horrible feeling in my stomach. However, Antonio didn't seem to care.

"Not that it matters," he dismissed.

My heart twinged. "I suppose..."

My hazel eyes subconsciously flickered down to his abdomen.

"Eyes up here, Flower," he coyly grinned.

I blushed and turned around, shaking my head. "Whatever. I'll see you later."

He chuckled at my clear embarrassment, and I forcefully removed the image of a shirtless Antonio out of my mind while I hurried off in the direction of Romano's room. Relief filled me once I heard Lily and Romano's familiar voices drift through my ears.

"I'm here," I sung, pushing the door open.

Their conversation halted and their eyes lit up.

"Rose!" Lily exclaimed.

I grinned and skipped over to criss-cross beside them on the floor.

"Why are we sitting on the floor when we're right next to a bed?" I asked.

"Romano's a clean freak and doesn't want anyone on his bed," Lily breezily informed me.

"Makes sense. He's so weird," I crinkled my freckled nose.

"I'm right here!" He huffed indignantly.

We laughed at him, and I began to curiously look around.

"So this is your room," I hummed thoughtfully.

The tidy bedroom was oddly fitting of Romano. Random paintings and portraits were hung up on the walls. It was unique, just as he was.

"Yup," Romano grinned.

My hazel eyes curiously wandered over to his desk. "Hey, is that your family?" I asked.

"Oh, yeah!" Romano perked up and walked over to grab the framed photo, bringing it back to show us.

"This right here is my mom–" he pointed to a short and plump Italian woman. A sweet and motherly aura emanated off her. "And that's my dad." He pointed to the tall man whose arm was wrapped around his wife's shoulder.

"He looks just like you," Lily murmured in awe.

"Aww, look at Romano," I cooed. "So cute and chubby. How old were you?"

"12, I think," he winced. "Not my finest age. I blame my mom. She fed me pasta ten times a day. I swear, you can never say no to that woman..."

Romano went off in a long, though fond rant about his mother. Lily and I listened attentively, though my thoughts drifted to my own family.

What would my life be like if I had a family like Romano's? A loving mom like that–parents who were still here...

"...but, yeah, that's my mom. I love her, really," Romano concluded with a chuckle.

"I haven't even met her and I already love her too," Lily said, shifting to lay down on her stomach. "Do you miss her?"

"Hell yeah," he frantically nodded. "I haven't seen her since summer."

I miss mine too.

"What do you mean? Isn't she at home?" Romano asked.

I froze in spot, realizing I'd accidentally spoken out loud.

"Uh, no," I carefully replied after a moment. "My mom doesn't live here."

"Oh, really?" Romano's interest was captured. "You don't live with her?"

I didn't know what to say. Lily could see I was struggling to speak and pitched in for me.

"Rose lives with her aunt Jo," Lily quickly said. "Hey, have you guys seen that new movie? I think I saw that guy in it. What's his name, uh–"

She searched for something to say. I immensely appreciated her attempt at saving me, but I had it covered.

"I wanna tell you guys something," I began, playing with my fingers.

The two of them shared a concerned look, clearly able to see the internal battle I was facing.

"I've never told anyone this before," I began. "But I really trust you guys."

"Of course, Rose, you can tell us anything," Romano reached out a hand to rub my shoulder.

"Okay," I said after a long moment. "I'm gonna tell you about my parents."

• • •

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