Thoughts That Count
Episode 3 Part 3
Ezra
I lazed around in my apartment Saturday night, grading papers on the couch with cartons of Thai take out spread messily around me. I'd just settled into the couch again when I heard a soft knock on the door. I hopped up and opened it with a creek.
I stopped in surprise for a moment. In front of me stood Aria with a tear streaked face. "Hay," I said lightly. How did she find my apartment… Small towns… "I thought you were helping out at the gallerie?"
"I was," she replied, rushed. She took a deep, tight breath, shifting her weight, "Can I come in?"
"I'm not sure if that's a good idea," I told her quickly. If she came in, I was protecting her, it was real…
She looked down, "I… I'm sorry. This was a mistake. I shouldn't have come here. I just didn't know where else to go…" She looked me in the eyes, hers glossed over with tears. Aria… "I'll see you on Monday."
I felt guilty. I could feel a lump rising in my throat. I couldn't just let her go like this, "No, wait," my voice was shakier than I'd anticipated as I stepped into the hall after her. "Are-are you okay? Do you need me to drive you home?"
Are scoffed, rolling her eyes and shaking her head, "That's the last place I wanna be."
"Why? What happened?" I asked, naturally gravitating towards her.
"Can… Can we just be here for a minute?" She looked on the edge of sobbing. The lump in my throat grew so I couldn't speak.
I just stepped forward taking her in my arms, burrying my nose in her full soft hair. I rested my chin on her head, swaying with her as she nestled her face in my chest. I just held her for a moment, then kissed her head softly.
There was no way I could let her go. Not with her here in my arms, now. I couldn't leave her.