(I Just) Died In Your Arms ~ Stanley Uris

024

Stan's POV

I turned over in my warm pleasant bed, irritated that it was nearing four in the morning, and I hadn't caught even one hour of sleep. School was tomorrow, and I was dreading to walk in after pulling an all nighter. I was kept up all night with thoughts of the flute lady, afraid to shut my eyes so she wouldn't get me. Even though it's been weeks, she still haunts me; in my dreams and Julia's. I didn't want to leave her in that house, but she had convinced me she would be fine. Still, the thought of losing her tormented my mind, so I couldn't sleep.

The walkie was lying beside my head, and I lifted myself up to pick it up and turn it on. I didn't expect a response, but my intentions were to make it seem like I wasn't an incompetent boyfriend. Julia was the most frequent on her walkie, and the satisfaction of reaching out was soothing enough for me. The others had theirs off, so I didn't have to worry that I was bothering anyone. I hated bothering Julia, since she has comforted me through thick and thin, especially through all my panic attacks, such as the one in Bill's house.

"I hope you're sleeping well. I hope you're safe, Julia." I said aloud, half expecting a response. I was wearing thick pajama pants and a sky blue hoodie, sitting up in my pitch black room. I leaned back against my headboard. Maybe I should give up and get an hour or two of sleep.

"I can't sleep, but I'm safe." Julia's voice sounded staticky from the other side, muffled by her thick down comforter rubbing against the mic. There was a burst of energy inside me, and I excitedly lifted the walkie up to my ear. "I keep having nightmares."

"Me too." I responded, kicking off the sheets from my legs and getting up, sitting on the edge of the bed. My feet were planted on the floor as I stared out of the window, gazing at the night sky. "But hey, I'll sleep better knowing I got to talk the most beautiful girl in the world."

She giggled, her voice more clear than before. I pictured her curled up in her bed, her knees tucked up to her chest with the walkie beside her, just how I was a few moments before. Her hair would be an absolute mess, but the loose waves of hair would make her look so pretty even awry. Just thinking of her face made me blush, the scarlet color erupting on my face.

"And I can sleep easy knowing the sweetest boy in the world is one call away." She complimented. "Why are you up?"

"I was just worried about you. That's all." I explained, swinging my legs off the side of my bed. I lifted my hand and touched my heart, feeling it race under my palm. "I'm glad you responded though."

Even though I was fighting sleep, I would fight it any day for another opportunity to talk to her. Ever since Halloween we had acted as usual, but still cautious for the face devouring flute lady. Therefore, we would leave our houses less frequently, coming after school to each other's houses. But it wasn't the same as before. We were both riddled with anxiety after that incident.

"Yeah, I'm so happy to hear your voice." I chuckled, getting overjoyed by her presence so late at night. Julia's voice was enchanting, entrancing me. "I love you, Jules."

"I love you too, lover boy." Julia returned, and I knew she was smiling, so I couldn't help but do the same. "You should get some sleep, though."

"Why would I go to sleep when I can stay up and think about you?" I said, resting my head in my right plam, my eyes glued to the glass of the window. "You know I always do."

"I don't want to go to school tomorrow because I can't study thinking about you, but I still make it work." She quipped, her voice lowered to a whisper. "Seriously, you need some sleep."

"I don't want to. I'd prefer to picture you in my head all night." I replied swiftly, defiantly refusing to go to sleep. I wanted to talk to her all the way until I saw her at school again. I never wanted to stop.