Tonia's POV
I stood outside Luna Estelle's quarters, pacing the marble hallway as anxiety gnawed at my insides. Every second that ticked by felt like an eternity. When Gia finally emerged, her expression was darker than storm clouds.
"Tell me what happened in there," I demanded, falling into step beside her retreating form.
"Drop it, Tonia."
Her dismissive tone only fueled my desperation. "Are you serious right now? I've been going out of my mind with worry. Whatever you know about Kermit, I need to hear it."
She kept walking, her jaw set in that stubborn line I'd come to recognize. The silence stretched between us like a taut wire ready to snap.
"Gia!" I lunged forward and caught her wrist. "We're supposed to be friends. Stop shutting me out."
She jerked away from my grip, her fingers trembling as she wiped at her face. "You don't understand, Tonia. Some things are better left buried. Trust me on this."
