Chapter Text
Thunder clashed violently outside of the Miller residence as Brittany hid underneath her covers, attempting to block out the noise as best as she could.
Thunder meant the possibility of losing electricity and losing electricity meant her worst phobia.
No, not failure or a broken nail. Though they would be in her top three.
Her worst phobia ever since she was a baby: the dark. Though she wouldn’t admit it to anyone outside her sisters.
“Brittany dear what are you doing underneath there? It’s bedtime.”
Miss Miller’s sweet, soft voice came to her ears as the little girl jumped at the sound of another thunder clasp.
Oh how she wanted to cry, to plead for her mother to stay but what came out was a low whimper.
Miss Miller must’ve had on her hearing aids or at least that’s what Brittany assumed as she gently took the covers off her daughter.
“You poor thing! You’re shaking like a leaf! What’s the matter?” Miss Miller asked softly, giving her a sympathetic smile. “Are you unwell? Do I need to call the doctor?”
Brittany shook her head. “I’m fine. It’s a little embarrassing for me to say it.”
“Child, I’ve seen and been told more embarrassing things longer than you’ve been here on this earth. Whatever it is can’t be that bad.”
“Okay but if I tell you, you won’t tell anyone else!”
“Not a soul dear.”
Brittany sighed, her eyes glistening with tears of humiliation. What if Miss Miller laughed or called her a baby?
“I… I’m afraid of the dark,” She admitted, tears rolling down her cheeks. “T-Thunderstorms only make it worse.”
She waited, expecting the woman to laugh or lecture her to be a proper young lady. Instead Miss Miller took her in her arms and sat on the bed, stroking her hair.
“That’s nothing to be ashamed of Brittany. Plenty of children are at one time or another. I know I was,” Miss Miller assured her, wiping her face with her nightgown sleeve.
“You? But you’re the bravest person I know!” Brittany gasped, shuffling a giggle.
“Bravery takes time dear. We aren’t born with it nor do we have it with us all the time but you’ll be okay.”
Brittany glanced at her sisters empty beds. Of all days for Jeanette to be at some nerdy place and for Eleanor to be at a friend’s house when they should’ve been with her!
She squeezed Miss Miller’s hand, her eyes puffy yet filled with a glimpse of hope.
It was getting to be way past her bedtime by now.
“Is it okay for me to sleep in your room tonight?” Brittany questioned, praying that she wouldn’t be declined. “I don’t hog the covers like Jeanette or take up room like Eleanor.”
Miss Miller chuckled as she laid on her shoulder. “Alright dear but just for tonight.”
She walked out of the girls’ room with her eldest in her arms as Brittany heard the thunder clash once more.
Except this time, she didn’t fear it.
Not when she had Miss Miller to protect her, yawning as she went to sleep on her mother’s shoulder.