Strawberry-swirrled Distance

The irritating beeps woke me from my slumber. I harshly rubbed my eyes leaning over to grab my iPhone from the bedside table. The beeps had told me I'd recieved a text. I opened the lock screen and read the message,a small smile engulfing my face. ''Just about to sleep,have a good day sweetie!:)xxx''. I next checked the time on my phone. 7am. I tried to figure out the time difference. It'd be about 11pm for her. I rubbed my head tiredly and shuffled across the room, grabbing a towel off the radiator and headed to the bathroom. Just as I was about to have my daily morning shower,she was probably drinking her daily cup of tea before bed. 2 and a bit sugars. I turned on the shower and stripped before stepping under the rushing water. I closed my eyes and though back to earlier this week.She'd left for Sydney on Sunday. And oh how I missed her. I tilted my head back, letting the hot water enfulf me.I'd have to wait another 3 weeks to have her back in my arms. To smell her strawberry-swirled curls and count the faded freckles that made her  look ever-so childish. As the shower came to a stop and I opened my eyes again,I felt a pain in my chest.It seems so cliche. But her actually not being with me felt like a hole had been shot through my chest.That a part of me was missing and she'd taken it back with her to Australia.To the otherside of the world. I got dressed and made myself some toast.As I was getting the butter from the fridge I noticed the half empty jar of honey, her favourite.I chuckled to myself remebering us at the store,her begging me to buy her that honey.I closed the fridge door and continued on making my break-fast.I looked across the table,where she had sat with her tea and honey toast. While doing anything in my normal routine I would think of her and I'd make myself sad. Because she wasn't here to share my mornings with and they were so lonely.I craved her presence. I craved her soft skin and fluttering lashes and I craved more than anything to see her smile.The smile that made the whole world light up.The smile she only gave to me. I checked the large,blue clock on the kitchen wall and saw half 8 staring back at me and decided it was probably time to leave the house now. I popped on my shoes,grabbed the keys and my phone.Just when I picked it up it beeped with another message. ''I can't sleep:( I miss you loootttss!!<3x''. I bit my lip before writing a quick reply,telling her to get some sleep and I'd call her later. The car ride was long and boring.No other way to describe it. The radio didn't have any good songs on so there was no point in it so I'd just have to travel in silence. The drive seemed to be 2x as long without her to fill the car with laughter and play car games with me.She acted like such a child honestly. I passed cars with double-didgets and I'd go to hit her,but she wasn't there.And she wasn't going to be there for almost another month. I just had to get through this last day at work. Thank god it was Friday. I pulled into a random parking spot and and got out the car. Locking it,I headed into the large apartment-like builing where I worked.The last thoughts I had were of her lying her head against her cushion,cuddling into the plush bear I'd got her,sleeping. A smile spread across my face.I hope this month passed by quick.

I sighed deeply,closing the front door behind me. It was about half 5,add the hours, so that meant it was past 9 for her. I checked my phone for for any new texts.None. I changed into more comfortable clothes then checked again. I got excited as I seen the green icon,but it was just the phone provider. I began to pace around the living room,sorting books and coasters and the couch pillows as I went. Then the phone began to ring on the coffee table and the lock screen turned pink from her photo and a rushed across the room,leaping over the couch to get to the phone. ''Hello,'' I answered,breathing heavily from my stunt. She giggled on the other end and a shiver ran up my spine and I was smiling like crazy without even knowing it. 

''Sorry I didn't phone earlier,I had to take little Trey to preschool,''she sounded guilty and I quickly told her it was okay and not to worry and that I understood. ''So how was work?'' she asked like she did everyday. 

''Same as usual,'' I laughed, '' I miss you..'' I could feel her smiling across the phone as she whispered 

''I miss you too..'' causing the butterflies in my stomach to go beserk.

''You're so far away and like, it's so far and stuff.''

''I know baby,but it'll be worth it when we see each other again.'' I could hear her sniffle.I just wanted to have her in my arms right now to consol her and tell her it was okay, that i was there.

We talked for about two hours,about the weather,her cat,what kind of honey I was to buy her next time she was over. She had to go and get some grocceries, but she promised to Skype me when she got back. So I made myself a quick dinner of pasta and sauce and turned my laptop on, ready for her call. Just as I was washing the plate the familiar tone from my laptop went off and I hurridly clicked to start the video call. I sorted my hair before she could see me and then her beautiful face filled my laptop screen.Her hands went instantly to her mouth, as she covered it in awe at seeing my face.She always did that. I could see small tears forming in her eyes as I breathed a quiet ''Hello''. She looked perfect as always. Her dazzling big cyan eyes shone brightly as they were glazed with tears.Her small lips formed a sad smile. But the thing that always strikes me when I see her is her hair. Long,curly cotton candy hair.Her hair was naturally pink. That's what amazed me about her at first glance, and I'm sure it amazes everyone she meets. She tucked a stand of it behind her ear and smiled a toothy grin to the camera. She was magical.

''I bought some toothpaste, '' she blubbered out,trying to contain her tears.

''Now are you crying over me,or the toothopaste?'' I teased as she laughed.

''You, ''she giggled before mumbling cutely ''you dummy.''

''I have a debate with myself nearly everyday,to get on a plane and just come to Sydney. Then never leave. '' she laughed and blew a kiss to the screen. 

''I wish you would!'' she joked.

''Okay I'll just go pack my bag and get on the first plane out there!'' we both laughed together before we went into complete silence. That's when we remebered we couldn't just do that and how long it would actually be before we seen each other again. She wiped at her eyes.

''I miss you so damn much, Oliver LLoyd.''

''I miss you more Princess Georgia Jones.'' she suddenly broke down crying and my heart sank. ''Shhh,Essie baby,don't cry,please.'' she sniffled loudly and ran her arm along her eyes,getting rid of any tears.

''I-I'm sorry,'' she hiccuped, ''This distance thing,it-it's driving me cr-crazy.'' I continued to shuush her and try and calm her down.

''it's moments like this I need you in my arms,'' her smile broke through the sadness. That smile. 

''I've been busy all the time,trying to keep you out of my mind.''

''You never leave mine.'' I smiled and she smiled and I felt fluffy inside. We talked for another hour or so and after more fits of tears and laugher ,she was away out for lunch with her family and she blew me one last kiss. She'd be away for about 2 hours, so I guess I'd stay up and talk to her when she got back. I popped a DVD in the player,one I'd seen many times before and started to watch it.I could feel myself dozing off and the light from the TV got duller and more fuzzy as I drifted away to dreamland where Essie and I lived with each other and we never had to leave each other ever. Never ever ever.