Rehearsing an apology, I felt like I needed to say, in front of the medicine cabinet of the dingy apartment left a sour taste in my mouth. My less-than-nice attitude for the last few weeks seemed to be taking a toll on Vera and the cafe. Even the customers had begun to pick up on my mood.

   "Aust, are you going to be there for long? I need to use it!" Aria shouted from the other side of the bathroom door.

   A loud thump and scratching started to grate my ears.

   "In a moment, Aria."

   "Hurry! I gotta go!"

   I could hear the desperation in her voice. I took one last look in the mirror and clicked the door unlock.

   Aria pushed past me and drew her pants down.

   "At least wait for me to get-"

   My sister grinned as she let loose. "That's what happens when you take forever, Aust."

   With my eyes shut tight, ignoring the smell slowly wafting, I left her to her devices.

   "Oh, done with the bathroom? My turn!" Al shouted as soon as he spotted me.

   "Too late, Aria's in there."

   "What! But I need to shower now. Don't we leave in like 20 minutes?"

   "This is why I said to wake up earlier."

   He groaned at me.

   Today was different from all our other days so far. This was the first time I would be taking them out to eat. I felt guilty for being jealous, and taking them out lessened the jealousy.

   Vera is too kind whereas all I could think of was how lucky she's been.

   It's not her fault, I had to tell myself.

   Our apartment was relatively clean. The fridge was full enough to feed the three of us. Tuitions were no problem to the point that I still manage to stay in college. I get around six hours of sleep now. There's no shortage of anything since I came to work at Uri Story. Yet, I dared to condemn my benefactor.

   "There's no point in being jealous, Aust," I grumbled to myself during the drive to the shop with my siblings in tow.