They walked through town, Hanna’s arm firmly place around Emily’s, not once did she dislodge from the brunette. It wasn’t busy in the centre today, which was good Emily didn’t have to steer Hanna around too many people. The Brew wasn’t too far from the train station, about a five minute walk at a good speed.
The girls arrived to find that the place was deserted, a couple sat in the back corner drinking coffee, and a younger guy sat at the front of the place with his school books and laptop sprawled across the table he occupied.
“What would you like?” Emily said as she got behind the counter, saying a quick “hi,” to Stevie who was working her shift.
“Uhm, what do you suggest?” The blonde said as she dropped a duffel bag and her guitar case so she could root around in her pockets for money.
Emily reached out and stilled her hand, “It’s my treat, and I would recommend white chocolate latte. It’s amazing.”
Hanna gave a quick nod, she picked up her bags again and waited for Emily to order for them. The brunette then wrapped an arm about hers and led her to the couches just across from the front door.
“This is my favourite place to just chill, I even come here to do homework sometimes.” Emily made small talk which Hanna seemed to listen quite intently to. The brunette had so many questions for the girl, like why she didn’t go to school, why she suddenly had duffel bags, where was her cane? Although Emily didn’t want to scare the poor girl off, she instead went and collected the lattes that Stevie had just called out to be picked up.
“So,” It was Hanna this time trying to make the conversation, which amazed Emily, she was such a quiet girl that the brunette thought she would be the only one starting the conversations. “You mentioned missing your train, where were you going to?”
“Swim practice, I catch the train every weekend and sometimes after school on weekdays. I’m training so I can get a scholarship into Danby.” Emily sipped her latte and talked with pride about her swimming, it was the one thing in her life which she knew she was good at and she didn’t mind telling everyone else how good she was.
“Oh, wow, that’s so cool. So I’m guessing you’ve heard me down there a lot?” Hanna hadn’t touched her drink too much, Emily wondered if it was because it’s too hot or maybe she didn’t like it.
“Yeah, you’ve gathered yourself quite a crowd.”
“I didn’t know, I only sing there because I love the acoustics, and I guess it’s nice singing to people and not posters on your wall.” The blonde slumped and seemed to become even more distant from the conversation.
“Hey, you okay?”
“Yea- Yeah I’m fine.”
“No you’re not,” Emily sat her drink down and shifted over to sit next to Hanna, she cautiously wrapped her arm around the shorter girl and pulled her close.
“Do you mind me asking, what happened?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve seen you in that subway station for a couple of days now, then you disappeared for a week only to show up today with duffel bags, I just assumed something happened,” Hanna let out a short huff of air before she wiped at her eyes and sniffed.
“I got kicked out of home.” It was so silent that Emily almost missed it, she would have if she wasn’t sitting so close. What kind of parents would kick this flawless girl out onto the street, Emily couldn’t wrap her mind around it.
“Why would they do that?”
“He, I live- lived with my dad. He came home one day and found me and my girlfriend making out on the couch, after a lot of swearing and throwing things he told me to get out. I grabbed my guitar case and the essentials then high tailed it out of there.” Emily had been in that position before, although her mum never kicked her out, she had not been the best about accepting her sexuality though.
“Oh Hanna, I’m so sorry,” Emily hugged the girl closer to her, resting her head on top of the blondes.
“Now I don’t know where to go, I had a friend in Rosewood who offered for me to stay with her, but her mum wouldn’t allow it.”
“Who is the friend? I know basically everyone here and no one’s parents would have said no to a girl kicked out to the streets.” Emily sat back, a little confused. The parents in Rosewood were always open to helping people, just a month ago Spencer’s parents had allowed the brunette to stay there while her mum was away for a couple of days.
“Aria Montgomery, her mum didn’t want a bum in her house.”
“Just because you busk in the subway doesn’t mean you are a bum, I can’t believe she wouldn’t let you stay in her home,” Emily got over the initial shock of the situation and continued on, “I know Aria, she’s actually one of my best friends. Look, why don’t you stay with me for however long you need?”
“No, I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not asking, I’m offering. Now come on, I can get you home and then make it back in time for my shift.”
Emily picked up both duffel bags again and waited for Hanna to slip her arm into hers, she then took out her phone and rang her mum. There wasn’t any need to ask her as her mum loved to help people, but she thought she should give her just a bit of a heads up.