BOOOOOM!

The apartment's power flicked off. The blonde-haired girl quickly fell down to the floor and held the wall as if her life depended on it. Rain pelted the windows, filling the apartment with a constant tapping sound.

"Elicchi! Where are you?!" A girl called out from the bedroom on the opposite side of the apartment. She hurried out of the room and maneuvered herself as fast as she could in the dark to the end of the hallway.

"N-Nozomi..."

A quick flash of lightning lit the apartment up enough for the Nozomi to find her trembling friend, who she knew had a terrible fear of the dark. As the light disappeared, loud rumbling filled the night skies.

Nozomi ran over to Eli and embraced her in a hug.

"It's alright, Elicchi. I'm here now." Nozomi said, rubbing Eli's back soothingly.

Eli clung onto Nozomi, eyes shut tight, too afraid to open them.

Lightning struck again.

"Here, let's go back to the room." Nozomi said softly, helping her up.

Eli's grip didn't loosen at all.

Nozomi slowly walked back to the room, eyes already adjusted to the dark.

Nozomi headed to Eli's bed and sat her down on it.

"Since the power's out, and it's late, let's just sleep." Nozomi said.

"Yea..." Eli responded quietly. She let go of Nozomi's arm and began to place herself underneath her blankets.

Nozomi sat on the side of her bed waiting for Eli to finish. Seeing that Eli was comfortably placed in her bed, she stood up, getting ready to get into her futon set next to the bed.

A hand grabbed her wrist, stopping her from moving.

"Don't leave." Eli's voice called out quietly from behind her.

Nozomi turned around, smiling.

"My, my, Elicchi. You're acting quite spoiled today." Nozomi said teasingly.

She could tell Eli was blushing even though she couldn't see it.

Nozomi giggled and crawled into the bed next to Eli, snuggling close to her. Eli snuggled back.

A few minutes past, Nozomi still awake.

"Elicchi..?" Nozomi whispered quietly.

No response.

Nozomi listened closely. She could hear Eli's peaceful, rhythmic sighs.

Nozomi wrapped her arms around Eli and placed her lips gently on top of her head.

"Good night, Elicchi..."