"Dad… Dad? Please wake up! Why aren't you saying anything? Can you hear me? Please, for God's sake—wake up! I won't be a bad girl again, I promise! I'm sorry for whatever I've done. Please, Dad!"
I jolted awake, drenched in sweat, my heart pounding like a warning bell. It was cold outside, but my skin burned like I'd just escaped a nightmare.
Well… I had.
That same dream again. That same voice in my head. That same day that never leaves me alone.
I sat up, rubbing my eyes, and walked over to the window.
Rain.
Of course it's raining.
I don't hate the rain. I just hate how it makes me feel — like a lazy sloth dragging myself through the day.
I needed to get up and get fresh.
As soon as I opened my bedroom door, something slammed into me.
Correction — someone.
I crashed onto the floor, groaning, only to be greeted with a wet nose and a wagging tail.
"Jerry!" I groaned. "You're going to break my bones one day!"
My dog barked happily, licking my face like I hadn't just almost died from a surprise tackle. I pulled myself up and ruffled his floppy ears.
My pretty boy.
After Dad died… I found Jerry on the street. Just a tiny, soaked pup sitting under a broken signboard in the middle of a thunderstorm. I brought him home, even though Mom was completely against it. But now? She feeds him before she feeds me.
It's just been us — me, my mom, and Jerry.
"Hey, good morning," I whispered, pressing my forehead to his. He licked my nose in return.
I headed out of my room, Jerry trotting behind me like my tiny, overly aggressive bodyguard.
Something smelled… really good.
"Coffee and… omelets?" I sniffed the air like a bloodhound. "Wow."
"Good morning, Mom," I called as I walked into the kitchen.
"Good morning, Nova," she replied with a smile, her hair tied up in a messy bun, apron already covered in flour and egg.
"What's the special occasion?" I asked, sitting down.
"It's something I saw on TikTok," she said brightly. "Thought I'd try it out."
Ugh. TikTok recipes again.
Don't get me wrong — I love my mom, but ever since she discovered "five-minute gourmet hacks" she's been on a mission to make every breakfast weirdly complicated. Some are surprisingly good. Others… taste like confusion.
But hey — that's how my mornings always start.