Beautiful Apparation (Tony Perry FF)

ten

I wake up to Daryl barking. He usually does this if I sleep in for too long. Slowly, I open my eyes and glance at the digital clock. Twelve-thirty. Yup, I definitely slept in today.

I get up from bed and go directly to the kitchen. I pull out a frozen breakfast croissant from the freezer and place it in the microwave. It's rare when I cook, I know how to, but my laziness gets the best of me.

Tony emerges, and puts on that smile of his. "So what are your plans for Christmas?"

"Stay home, chill with a cup of hot chocolate," I shrug leaning against the countertop. He actually reminded me that it is only three days away. Holidays this past year have been like any regular day. Sad, but true.

"You don't have any family?"

"I really don't want to get into that topic," I say as the microwave goes off. I place the croissant on a plate and sit at the table.

Tony sits across from me, "I told you nearly everything about me, and you can't tell me about your family?"

I sigh, "Fine. Don't expect to ever see my dad because he left when I started high school. He had a mistress named Viola, weird how I met her actually. It was supposed to be a 'father-daughter' night. We went to the local fair. She came out of nowhere surprising us both. My father called her a co-worker but anyone could tell that he was lying."

"Sounds like an asshole," he casually says. I don't mind though, it's true.

Cheater or not, he was a horrible husband and dad. He didn't try hard enough for us, and at times he would get violent with Mom. Not once did he ever try to put hands on me, he knew better than that.

"Yea he was. Anyways, you know what happened with Kyle and my mom is at home, mourning. I talk to her maybe once a month. I'll probably call her on Christmas day. She won't have an interest seeing me though. But it's okay, I have Daryl."

"And me," he winks.

"Yes, and you."

>>>

Later in the day I decide to do some inventory. Tony watched as I paced all around the house, checking things off. I have everything where I want it to be. I guess I can officially say I'm settled in.

"You're very organized, aren't you?" He observes as I go through my closet.

"I try. Hey can I ask you something?"

"You just did," he smirks.

"Okay smart ass. But seriously, do you ever get bored? Like before I came here or ever had someone to talk to."

"It's not boredom, just loneliness. When people leave me, I mourn. At first I thought it was a ghost thing, but realized that's just me. I've seen happy ghosts, believe it or not."

"Don't be too down on yourself. I can get that way too, especially with all of my past relationships. It's hard to walk away from something that you thought was going so well," I sigh taking a seat next to him on the bed.

"Oh come on Audrey. You seem like quite the heart breaker," he chuckles.

"I'm really not. Not once have I ever broken up with someone. It's always vice versa, but I get it. I'm not the best at relationships."

"Any guy would be lucky to have you," he smiles grabbing my hand. It's warm, and a kind gesture.

"Thanks Tone, that means a lot to me."

"What's up with Jaime anyways?"

I shrug, "We haven't had much contact since the date, but that's alright."