Take My Seat--Haria
Aria Montgomery hated trains. Ever since being locked in a coffin on that Halloween train, she had hated them. Actually, hate wasn’t even the right word. They terrified her. Over the years, her phobia had extended to subways and metros, anything that reminded her of a train. And she’d successfully avoided her fears. Until now. Now she was waiting to catch the train with her girlfriend of three months. Despite everything they’d been through together, Aria had never told Hanna about her fear of trains. She knew Hanna wouldn’t think it was silly, but she couldn’t help herself. She didn’t want her pity. So when the blonde had told her they needed to take the train somewhere, she had pretended the idea didn’t make her want to piss her pants.
“Are you okay?” Hanna asked, noticing her girlfriend’s unusually pale face. The brunette nodded and smiled too widely, trying to cover up her racing heart.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” she asked. Hanna could think of a million different reasons one of them might be upset on any given day, but she refrained from mentioning any of them. The train finally arrived and the two girls got on. There was only one empty seat, but Aria didn’t mind standing.
Everything was okay for a few minutes. Hanna was yapping away about something, and Aria focused on listening to her. Then suddenly the train stopped and the lights went out. Aria felt her chest tighten and she couldn’t breathe.
“Take my seat,” Hanna whispered in Aria’s ear, immediately noticing her distress. The small woman went into autopilot, allowing her girlfriend to trade spots. Hanna knelt down in front of her, putting her hands on Aria’s knees.
“It’s just a little power problem. It happens sometimes. Everything’s okay. In a minute we’ll be moving again,” Hanna soothed. Aria tried to focus on her girlfriend’s words, but was distracted by the sound of someone crying loudly. She was relieved that she wasn’t the only person scared by the power outage.
True to Hanna’s words, the lights flickered back on a couple of minutes later. And to her surprise and horror, Aria realized that she had been the one crying. Everyone on the train was staring at her.
“Mind your own damn business,” Hanna snapped, glaring at the people until they turned away, blushing in embarrassment at being called out.
“Are you okay?” she asked softly, turning her attention back to Aria. The brunette was still shaking.
“I’m sorry,” Aria muttered. Hanna shook her head, wiping away her girlfriend’s tears.
“You don’t have to apologize. It’s okay. What happened?” she asked.
“I… I really don’t like trains. Not since the Halloween train,” she admitted. Hanna’s eyebrows creased together in concern.
“Why did you let me drag you here?” she asked. Aria shrugged.
“I didn’t want you to laugh at me or think I’m a baby,” Aria whispered. Hanna raised an eyebrow.
“Honey, you’re talking to the girl who still has a nightlight. I would never laugh at your or think you’re a baby,” Hanna reminded her. Aria blushed. She’d become so accustomed to the nightlight in Hanna’s room that she didn’t even notice it anymore.
“I should have told you,” she said. Hanna nodded.
“You should have. But it’s okay. We’re getting off in a minute,” she said. Aria threaded their fingers together.
“Thank you for giving me your seat,” she whispered. Hanna gave her a dazzling smile.
“Any time.”