When I returned, Eleanor had taken my seat. She and Alexander were sharing my headphones, chatting and laughing.
When Eleanor saw me, she put on a soft, demure expression and said:
"Honey, I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable. Would it be alright if I switched to the window seat? "
I stared at the headphones, feeling a wave of frustration wash over me.
"Move, " I snapped, "If you're feeling uncomfortable, then don't wear such tight clothes. "
"And also, don't call me that so familiarly. We're not that close."
Alexander scolded me softly, "Seraphina, can you be polite? "
Damn.
She was sitting there, asking if it was okay to move, and she's the one being polite?
I especially hated it when people touched my things without my permission.
With barely controlled anger, I snapped, "Give them to me. "
The fierceness of my expression seemed to unsettle Eleanor. She stood up, embarrassed. "If you don't want to switch, that's fine. "
"I was talking about the headphones, " I clarified coldly.
Alexander frowned, "Seraphina, stop making a scene. I gave them to her. "
I smiled bitterly, my anger reaching a boiling point. "What right do you have to give her my headphones? "
Our exchange drew several curious glances from nearby passengers.
Alexander had always been sensitive about his image, and with a scowl, he shoved the headphones into the case and tossed them to me. "Will it kill you to use them? Stop being so dramatic. "
Just then, the trash lady came by collecting rubbish.
I promptly threw the headphones into the trash bag.
"It won't kill me. They're just dirty. "
Eleanor gasped, a flash of disappointment in her eyes, before they welled up with tears.
"If you think they're dirty, I can help disinfect them. No need to throw them away, " she said, her voice trembling.
Alexander's frown deepened. "Seraphina, apologize to her. "
Whispers floated through the air, and I overheard a few remarks: "She's got quite a temper. " "Such a tightwad. "
A chill wrapped around me, and my heart ached with sharp, constant pain.
It was back again—the method he always used.
Although I had grown used to it, it still hurt so much.
I had had enough. I hated him.
I raised my voice, "You took my seat without asking, and used my headphones without permission. And now you want me to apologize?"
He replied with an unbothered tone, "I only wanted to sit for a while, we'll switch back at the next stop, won't we?"
We were at an impasse.
Eleanor, realizing she was in the wrong, quickly apologized, "Sorry, sorry! I shouldn't have sat here, and I definitely shouldn't have used Seraphina's headphones. I'll go back to my seat now. Please don't argue because of me."
But Alexander, ever the protector, pulled Eleanor back into her seat. "You don't need to leave. I want to see if Seraphina really needs to sit next to me."
