Enduring Aella

Episode Three | Worth The Fee

"You don't have to actually sit in her seat." Adam nodded at Brenda, prompting her to move. She hesitated, hovering above the chair. Curious floaters glanced our way. "Turn your back to me," Adam instructed, twirling his finger in a small circle. "Now, slide your feet through the armrests."

Brenda stood, and I stretched my legs across her seat. She arched her back with a soft moan before placing my bag over my knees, as if that might prevent someone from sitting on me. Looking satisfied, Brenda grabbed her own bag and headed to the bathroom.

I was thankful for my short legs. At just over five feet, I could extend them fully, leaving only half an inch between my shoes and the person beside me.

"Here, lean against me." Adam's voice was gentle, kind, almost too intimate, even in its innocence.

I sat up straighter. "No, that's okay. I'm fine. Thanks, though."

"No, really." He patted his shoulder. "I don't mind. The bathroom line is ridiculous. She'll be gone a while, maybe an hour or more, if she decided to wait for the shower. Sitting like that is going to wreck your back."

I let myself relax until I felt the warmth of his arm against my back. It was strange, but not unpleasant, being this close to another person—a stranger. How long had it been? When was the last time I willingly touched another human? The funeral, maybe?

Adam's voice broke me out of the spiral. "Better, right?"

I could hear his grin, and it made me want to smile—an odd feeling for lips so used to frowns and eyes accustomed to tears. I ducked my head, hiding a face he couldn't see. "I thought you said Brenda saved your seat."

"She did."

"From way over here? There was a guy between you. Did she lie across him?"

Adam chuckled. "No, but I wouldn't put it past her. I was in your seat originally but traded a bag of chips for this one. The corner seat gave me more leg room."

I felt him shift behind me, his legs extending to fill the aisle. Adam was tall, with a solid, athletic build—strong, but without an ounce of intimidation. There was a natural ease in the way he moved, a warmth in his presence that somehow made even the cramped waiting room feel comfortable and safe.

Floaters drifted by, eyeing Brenda's seat. Adam glanced at them, his curt "Keep moving" enough to send them scurrying back to the front of the waiting room. He checked his NetBand. "It's nearly six. They'll close the lobby soon, and anyone without a seat will be asked to come back tomorrow."

I pushed back against his arm slightly. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For helping me. I'd be leaving right along with them if you hadn't."

"Nah, someone else would have snagged you. Everyone picks their seat-mates when they can, and you seem like someone who'd make the wait easier."

My cheeks burned, and I stared down at my knees. "Still, thank you. For picking me."

The lights began to dim as Brenda returned, swatting my feet away to plop in her seat. Her hair was damp against her forehead, and she smelled faintly of lavender.

"Got lucky. A girl passed out in the bathroom, and everyone rushed to help. I slipped right in when no one was looking. Had to pee in the shower, but that's nothing new. Did I miss dinner?"

On cue, a Synth with dark hair and a tight blue pantsuit walked in, pushing a cart. She passed out cups of noodles, pouring steaming hot water into each one after its lid was removed. It reminded me of the stories my mother used to tell about flight attendants walking down airplane aisles—back before America's borders closed and planes became too costly to maintain.