Second Chances

Animosity

Animosity. A strong feeling of dislike or hatred, ill will or resentment tending toward active hostility, or an antagonistic attitude. Also known as the attitude my mother has now... Hana thought, as she pushed herself off the wall.

Tina was quietly chopping vegetables; as Nico walks past her to grab the orange juice carton from the fridge, shaking it before pouring some in her glass. Robert walks down the stairs and saw Hana. Robert grabs Hana's arm, "That's it come with me!" Hana was dragged into the kitchen, Robert cleared his throat, making Tina look up. "I can handle with you not talking to me, but Hana. C'mon Tina, we both know Hana moving out isn't the end of the world."

Nico grabs the knife, "Let's just put this away."

"You wanna get mad? Yell at me? Go ahead," Hana challenged, "I dare you to hurt me anymore than you already have..."

"What?!" Tina's eyes widened in shock.

Nico and Robert looked at Hana. Robert sighs, "Hana..."

"No, dad, she wants to ignore me," Hana looks at Tina, "I am here to tell you that if one of us has any right to be angry, it's me. Not you. I was 17, mom, not to mention you almost sacrificed my best friend! My 16 year old best friend, who felt bad for not being able to go through with it. I didn't tell her, every time I see her it kills me; but you know what hurts more is seeing you happy." Hana grabs her bag and walks out the door.

Tina went up to her office and locked the door. Nico looked at her dad, "I get Hana, you get mom? Or do you wanna deal with a hot tempered Hana and I get mom?"

"No matter how scary your mom is," Robert admits, "Hana's scarier. So go talk to your mother, I'll get Hana back."

Nico glares at him, "Do you even know where Hana went cause she took her car?"

Robert nodded, "I have an idea." Robert grabs his keys and walks out the door.

Nico sighs and grabs the railings, as she proceeds to climb the stairs. "Mom?" Nico knocked on the door. No answer. "Mom?" Nico tried again, still no response. Nico breathed, "Mom?!" she banged on the door.

"What?!" Tina opened the door annoyed.

"Before you say anything," Nico looks at her mom, Boy, why do they argue so much? When they are practically the same person. "Hana has been on her own since she was 17 and I get that you wanna turn back time. For nine years, maybe even more but we mustn't... let her live her life... let her have her freedom and regain independence, if she falls just be there to catch her. Don't stop her."

Tina nodded, "I'm not mad at your sister or your father... it just hurts that they lied..." Tina, then, looked at Nico realizing, "Got a taste of my own medicine and it doesn't taste good."

Nico laughs.

As Robert parked his car by the beach, he sees Hana sitting on the beach. Robert frowns, Hana might look like Tina, but she was all Robert. Robert came up to Hana, "Hey. Concentrating on the waves?" Hana didn't say anything she didn't even looked up, as her father sat down. "Calms you down, doesn't it?" No response, Robert chuckles, "Did your mother ever tell you how I proposed?" This got Hana's attention, she looked at her dad. "I took her here." Robert looks over at Hana, "God, I was so nervous; the whole drive here. Facing your mother- let alone confronting her- is nerve racking. You and your sisters are very brave standing up to her, but you know who's the bravest?"

"Nico?" Hana guessed.

"No, you." Robert smiles, "You left to protect them, came back even knowing that you could've died for Nico. Stayed behind to protect them. None of this is your fault, you were just a kid, who was forced to grow up quickly. Your mother just wants catch up..."

"But you can't... its too late." Hana admits, "Mom has to realize that."

"She does," Robert nods, "which is why she freaked out. Let's just go home... I'll find a way to make things better..."

Hana looks at her father and nods.