The Life Of A Franz Ferdinand Reference

21

GLASIE:

It was much later now. 4 AM.

//ARABELLE//: hey hey!!!

//GLASIE//: yo why are you up this late?

//ARABELLE//: Dreamflight's over.

//GLASIE//: cool cool... wait you know them?

//ARABELLE//: yeah, I know everyone in this city. most people come to me for emotional support and cuddling. I'm always up for helping people with problems, whether physical or emotional. Dreamflight is just one of my friends. I've known them for a while and they come over all the time.

//GLASIE//: nice nice!!

//ARABELLE//: can I ask something?

//GLASIE//: yeah what?

//ARABELLE//: is Nick doing better?

//GLASIE//: I can't really tell. he's been ignoring me all night and all I want to do is make sure he's okay.

//ARABELLE//: :-(

//GLASIE//: it doesn't matter, he'll probably feel better in the morning.

//ARABELLE//: I gtg. talk tomorrow?

//GLASIE//: sure.

After that round of frantic texting, Nick actually wanted to cuddle. I wanted to cuddle, I really did, but I had to make sure he was fine because his answers all night were so vague.

"I'll only cuddle if you're sure you're feeling okay."

"Glasie... I'm fine. I keep telling you this..."

"Your irregular breathing pattern says otherwise."

"Shut up."

"I want to make sure you're okay..."

"Glasie. You've been asking me the same thing all night. It's 4 AM. I'm fine."

"Whatever." I climbed onto the mega couch. Nick had to be relocated because of Strawberry. Back to the uncomfortable corner.

"Don't fall asleep." Nick told me quietly.

"Don't black out."

"Honestly, Glas! What's up tonight?"

"You haven't blacked out since yesterday and I was afraid you might black out tonight."

"Glasie... I'm fine. And if I do black out, Rowan knows what to do."

"Sure." I suddenly felt like cuddling and slid in closer.

There wasn't much to say now. Everyone except Cassiopeia and Rowan was awake, but no one felt like talking much. In this silence, all I could hear was Nick's shaky and uneven breathing. Sometimes I thought he would black out when I couldn't hear it, or even feel it, but he would just pull me in closer and I would know he was alright. And then suddenly, I couldn't feel or hear anything from him. He was all hooked up to everything, I was sure he'd be fine. I waited the usual 30 seconds. Still nothing.

"Alex! Get over here!" I hissed.

"Hmm?" Alex was half asleep.

"You're the mature one and Rowan is sleeping. Nick isn't breathing."

Alex bolted over the edge of the mega couch and landed dramatically next to me.

"Heartbeat. He's alright. Another 30 seconds." Alex nodded.

Alex and I waited for the extra 30 seconds, waiting for any breathing at all. We both weren't sure how long our "30 seconds" exactly was, but near the end, I felt a shaky breath intake.