Stay still and maintain your dignity.

Somehow, you miraculously manage to keep from feeling your female friend up all through the movie. When the closing credits roll, you give yourself a metaphorical congratulatory pat-on-the-back. Pathetic as it may be, you feel like you really held back and deserve some self-praise.

"I forgot how funny that movie was." Melody says with a smile, her head still nuzzled under your arm. "I feel better now."

"Really?" You ask.

"Well, I mean, I still feel kinda lousy and my heart is still in the dumps, but I'm not completely depressed now." She cocks her head to the side. "How is it you have the power to cheer me up, Jack?"

"I've got magic." You say. She laughs and throws you an odd glance.

"You are such a dork." She giggles, then lets out a long yawn. Her eyes move to the clock to see the red 1:00 staring back at her. "Wow. Is it that late already? I should get some sleep. I'm feeling really drained and exhausted."

"Yeah, you should." You agree, although your heart isn't in it. You would have given anything to stay with her like that for a just a little while longer, but you certainly weren't about to let her know that. You let her get up, blanket still wrapped around her, and walk over to her bed. She crawled in under her covers and laid the blanket on top of her. You peel your extranious clothes off, leaving you in your boxers, and hop into your own bed. Finally, you turn off the lights.

"G'night, Melody." You say into the dark.

"Night, Jack." She replies back. And then you start to let the darkness drift over you. Just as sleep starts to lay it's hands upon you, you hear a thunderous boom fill the air. Melody lets out a loud shreik and sits right up in bed. You do as well.

It's no secret that Melody is terrified of thunderstorms. For good reason too; when she was only six, lightning had struck a tree next to her house. The tree fell over and crashed right through the roof, breaking straight into Melody's room. The tree managed to miss her bed, but only barely. Since then, she's been absolutly petrified whenever she sees lightning or hears thunder.

"Melody?" You ask. "Are you all right?"

"Holy shit!" She pants, trying to catch her breath. "That one was loud! Oh, I hate thunderstorms!"

Lightning flashes again and illuminates her scared face as she clutches to her blankets. A second later, another loud boom cracks through the air and she cries out in fear again, fighting the urge to hide uner the covers.