This is How Much I Need You

This is How Much I Need You

Setting: Cadence's Igloo (her bedroom)
Date: March 4th, 2012
Time: 9:01 PM
(Point of View: Cadence)

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I rolled over in bed again, and LOLZ sat on my head. I was tired but couldn't sleep.

I sat up, turned on my lamp, and looked around. It was dark out. I wanted to go to sleep, but I couldn't.

I sighed, sitting back against the back of my bed. What to do...what to do to help me sleep...?

I laid down and turned off my lamp. I tried counting puffles. Didn't work. I tried counting slowly from 1 to 100. Didn't work. I tried humming a slow song. Didn't work. I tried every trick there is, but I was still awake.

After about 20 minutes of uncomfortable sleeplessness, something Franky had once said came to mind. We had been falling asleep together on my couch, and we were both tired as heck. He had said,

'If you ever need me, call me. Day or night, sweltering heat or pouring rain, if there's a time when you need me, I promise I'll be there for you.'

Do I need Franky?

I imagined what it would be like to have him with me right now. He was so sweet and quiet and just the perfect guy. We had gotten used to sleeping with each other over the years.

I think I need him right now.

I reached for my phone and texted him:

'I think I need u'

In a minute, he got back to me.

'what do u mean?'
(Me) 'I can't sleep'
(Him) 'should I come over?'
(Me) 'can u'
(Him) 'yeah sure, give me about 10 minutes'
(Me) 'oh thank u Franky'
(Him) 'anything for u '
(Me) 'see u soon'
(Him) 'ok'

I put down my phone, smiling. He's actually coming. I half thought he'd turn me down, but he's actually coming. It's a good thing he lives a couple blocks away.

I looked at my ugly purple PJ top, then hopped up and put it back in my drawer, putting on a purple tank-top instead. I looked myself over. Do I look okay?

I had bedhead as usual. But I guess I looked alright for 9:30 at night.

I laid down on my side. LOLZ had fallen asleep on my pillow about 10 minutes ago, and she's not a light sleeper at all, so she was still sleeping.

I'm a really light sleeper. The slightest movement, noise, or touch can wake me up. It's kind of annoying, but I'd rather that than be able to sleep through anything. If I was a heavy sleeper, I'd sleep in constantly and never get anything done.

I rested my head on my flipper, facing the door.

In about 10-ish minutes, Franky arrived. He was wearing a pair of gray sweatpants, his white t-shirt with the little orange penguin on it, and his green jacket. He smiled down at me when he came in. He looked tired, and I felt bad that I'd made him come all the way here, but I suppose if he really didn't want to come he could've told me no.

Franky leaned down, touched my hip, and softly kissed my cheek. "Hi, Cadence," he whispered.
"Hi, Franky," I replied, smiling.
"Couldn't sleep, huh?" he asked, pulling off his sweatshirt and sitting down on the bed.
I nodded. "I don't know why, but lately I've had a sleeping problem. I can never get to sleep."
"It happens," he said.

I rolled over onto my back and held my flippers out to him, smiling sleepily. "Come cuddle with me, Franky," I said.
He laughed and fell into the hug I was offering him, then, still in the hug, faced me and smiled. I pulled the covers up.

I rubbed my beak on his, smiling. He smiled, too, and I tucked my head under his beak onto his chest. We laid there for a moment.

"Franky, I..." I began. "I knew that I loved you and I knew that I needed you, but I think I realize now just how much I need you."
"What do you mean by that?" he asked.
"Well, I just... lately, I find myself wanting you more and more."
He pulled me closer. "I've always wanted you. Did you know that?"
"Yeah. But, like...I just... lately, I really, really need you."

We laid there silently for a minute, then he guided his flipper to my hip, which happens to be my ticklish spot. He lightly squeezed it, and I giggled. "That tickled."
He smiled. "Did it?"
"Oh, no. Uhh, no, no, not at all."

He laughed, rolled over, and started ticking me. I giggled uncontrollably.

"Ahh! Franky!!! Stop!" I cried in between giggles.
"Never!!" he cried, continuing.

I struggled to get out, still laughing, but he had me pinned down. After a minute, he stopped, keeping his flippers on my hips and leaning down close to me.

"Ah," he whispered, kissing me.

It took me by surprise, but I was ready, and wrapped my flippers around him tightly.

"Franky," I whispered, as he kissed my face, "I love you."
"I love you, too," he whispered.

I rolled over again, and we hugged while laying down.

"Ready for bed?" he asked.
"I guess," I whispered.

"Franky, thank you," I whispered softly, resting my head on his chest.
"For what?" he asked, kissing my forehead.
"For coming over," I said.
"You're welcome," he whispered.

"Night, Franky," I whispered.
"G'night, Cadence," he said.

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