Little Montgomery: A Station 19 Story

Chapter Twelve: I love her

Travis' POV:

When Emmett and I get home around 10 we find Hartley and Nick asleep on the couch, her head on his chest and his arms around her.

Emmett: Should we wake them up?

Travis: Yeah, we should talk to them about today.

I reach forward and gently shake Nick's shoulder until he wakes up.

Nick: Huh? Oh, hey Travis. Hey Emmett. Hartley, get up.

She stirs for a moment and sits up, almost knocking into Nick.

Hartley: I'm up. Yeah, what happened?

Travis: So, can we all talk about today?

Nick: I should go. This seems like a family thing.

Emmett: Nope, you stay.

Nick: Yes sir.

Travis: So, what happened? Did something cause you to have a panic attack?

Hartley: Um, I was really stressed about the history thing, and I couldn't focus last night, and then today I just couldn't breathe, and I- yeah. It was stupid, and really embarrassing.

Nick: It's not stupid. I'm so sorry I didn't see how stressed you were, love. I should have told you, Travis. She wasn't acting like herself, and I should have realized it.

Hartley: Nick...

Nick: It's my job to protect you, and I didn't do that. I promise I'll do better.

Travis: Neither of you guys are at fault. Okay?

Hartley & Nick: Okay.

Nick grabs Hartley's hand and I pat his shoulder, trying to comfort him.

Nick: It's getting late, I should go home before my dad gets worried.

Travis: I'll drive you.

Nick: Thanks. (to Hartley): You gonna be alright?

Hartley: Yeah, I'll be fine. Thanks.

(In the car)

Travis' POV:

We sit in silence for a few minutes before Nick speaks up.

Nick: Travis, I'm so sorry. I-I should've noticed, I should've told you, I should've made her stay home today.

Travis: There's no way you could have known she was going to have a panic attack. I don't blame you. Hartley doesn't blame you.

I stop for a moment and notice the blank look in his eyes, and the way his hands are shaking.

Travis: Hey, are you okay?

Nick(breaking down): She looked so scared. I've never seen her look like that before, it's like something inside of her broke. And I couldn't do anything about it, I couldn't help her. I just want to keep her safe, and I couldn't even do that.

Travis: Aw, buddy. I know exactly how you feel, but you need to know it's not your fault, okay?

We pull up to his house and he takes a second to pull himself together.

Travis: Nick, listen to me. This was not your fault. Hartley has anxiety, she's been through a lot, and we can't get rid of that, but we can help her. And you help her so much, I know it means so much to her, and to Emmett and I, that someone like you takes care of her and loves her so much.

When I mention him loving her he freezes.

Nick(stuttering): How-what-um, how do you know that?

Travis: That you love her? It's pretty obvious by the way you look at her. You should tell her you do. She feels the same way.

Nick: I-I-gotta go. You know, school tomorrow I should go to bed, yeah, okay, bye.