One day, I'd be free, too.

Someone coughed behind me. I turned to see Kina wiping the sleep snot from her eyes. I jumped slightly. How long had she been there without me noticing? Maybe it was a mistake letting my guard down. She could attack me at any moment if she wanted to. She was perfecting her silent ninja skills for a reason.

"Morning, Lo." Her voice sounded raspy.

My fake smile wobbled.

She walked over to the table. Her hair was ruffled. She stared at me with doe-like eyes and the biggest smile.

Breaking eye contact, I peered down at my bowl full of milk and crumbs of Fruit Loops. I lifted the spoon to my mouth and almost gagged on the warm milk. I desperately needed more cereal and to pour cold milk into my bowl. Instead of going to the fridge, I could just walk out of the kitchen.

I knew what Kina wanted from me, but I couldn't give it to her today.

"Do you know what today is?" she asked.

The spoonful of pink, warm milk was hard to swallow. I nodded anyway, ignoring my discomfort.

Excited, she jumped up and down. "What day is it?"

"It's your birthday."

"Yes!"

I yawned, hoping she would get the hint to leave me alone. Since she continued to stand there and stare at me, she didn't get the hint.

I picked up my bowl and made my way to the kitchen sink, wanting to get as far away from Kina as possible, but she followed me. She was quickly earning the "little brat" title back. I washed my dishes and kept my back to her.

"What's wrong, Lo?"

"Nothing."

"Then why won't you say 'Happy Birthday' to me?"

In the past, I wouldn't have hesitated to make Kina happy. That's what older sisters did.

But things were different now.

Avoiding her question, I stared at the hot water falling from the faucet.

"Lo?" she whispered.

Why couldn't she drop it? Leave me alone, I wanted to yell at the top of my lungs. Get a clue, learn to read a room, get out of my face with your stinky morning breath! But I didn't want to wake Mom, Dad, and Angela.

I jerked the faucet off, dropped the bowl and spoon on the counter to let them dry, and turned around. I glared at Kina. If looks could kill...

She shrank into herself, putting her hands behind her back.

I said, "Franco's dead. I'll never be happy again."

"But he wants you to be happy."

"I can't. You understand, don't you?"

She stared at me blankly, unwilling to answer.

"I can't wish you a happy birthday if I'm not feeling it. All I can do is..."

"What?"

"All I can do is...wish you a sad birthday. Sad Birthday, Kina."

A tear slid down her cheek. Her small hand wiped the tear away. "Am I a bad person for being happy about my birthday? I miss Franco, too. I promise."

"It didn't seem to me that you missed him when you walked in here. I can be happy for everyone else's birthdays, but not yours."

"Why?" she pleaded.

"You're the reason Franco's dead. I no longer think you killed him, but it doesn't change the fact I'll never see him again because of you and your damn thirst for soda."

Kina's gaze lowered to the floor. "I'm sorry," she said as she sulked away.

"Wait."

She stopped in her tracks. "Yeah?"

"Say it."

"Say what?"

"Sad Birthday, Kina."

"You want me to say that?"

"Yes, say it like you mean it, and you better not tell Mom and Dad. They're more depressed about Franco than me. Can't you see it in their eyes? Say 'Sad Birthday, Kina' then maybe one day I can forgive you for taking my best friend from me."

Kina cried softly. "It's my sad birthday. Sad Birthday to me."