The Tickle Monster

                                    

                                          

"So," Matthew said as I showed him to his room. "What's your favorite animal?"
                          
I thought for a brief moment. "The horse would have to be mine. They're so graceful. What's yours?"
                          
"The lion."
                          
I couldn't keep back my laugh. "T-The lion?"
                          
He smirked. "Yes. The L-I-O-N. May I ask why you're giggling?"
                          
"Oh, nothing," I said, covering my mouth partially so giggles wouldn't escape through. "You just don't seem like the lion type."
                          
He chuckled. "Excuse me," he said in a teasing tone, then shook his head laughing. "Oh, forget it. What's your favorite color?"
                          
"Too many to choose just one. Turquoise is one though."
                          
"Favorite book?"
"Too many to pick one."
"Movie?"
"The Giver."
"Show?"
"Heartland."
                          
"Hmm, interesting choices." He remarked.
                          
"Interesting.....in a good way?" I asked.
                          
He smiled. "Yes, Annabelle, a very good way."
                          
I smiled, feeling heat rise to my cheeks, flicking across my nose. I poked him in the belly, then laid down on my bed while stretching my arms over my head. Stretching after a while was awesome.
                          
"Comfortable?" He smirked, looking down at my.....now unfortunately exposed tummy.
                          
"Yes, so don't ruin it with tickles," i said, trying to pull down my shirt, which only rode up again.
                          
He smiled devilishly, hovering his wiggling fingers over my belly. I covered my face with my hands and took a breath, nervous yet exciting anticipation coursing through me.
                          
His touches were super gentle. He spidered his fingers way too lightly over my tummy, making me break out in a fit of giggles. This dude knew how to tickle.
                          
"Is little Annabelle ticklish?" He teased, spidering his fingers over my tummy and sides, changing between the two with the most delicate, ticklish touches.
                          
"Nohohoho! Pleahahase, no-EEKhahaha!" I giggled even louder when he blew a raspberry over my bellybutton. My bellybutton wasn't at all ticklish, but when those raspberries come....all hell breaks loose.
                          
"AHAHAHA! NOHOHO! PLEASE!" My cheeks were red from laughter, and I tried rolling on my side to prevent some tickles, but then he raised my armpit and tickled there. Another one of my super ticklish spots.
                          
"AHAHA!" I squealed, jerking away from him with all my might.
                          
He snickered. "You okay?"
                          
I panted, breathing hard, still bubbly with before-mentioned laughter. "N-No,"
                          
I stood up, and he hugged me around the waist, nuzzling my neck in the process, sending both warmth and ticklish sensations.
                          
"Eep!" I giggled, pushing away from him. "Stay back, tickle monster."
                          
He held up his hands in defeat, his teasing, yet genuine smile never  wavering. "So, how are you today?"
                          
"I'm alright." I said.
                          
"Just alright?" He asked mischievously, reaching out to tickle my socked foot.
                          
"Hehehe, I mean I'm grehaht!" I shielded myself from his torture.
                          
He stopped, smiling. "Hmm, alrighty."
                          
"And you, Captain? How are ya, mate?"
                          
"I'm good. I got to tickle you." He smiled. I blushed.
                          
"Why do you like tickling me so much?" I inquired.
                          
"It's fun, and it makes you smile and laugh. When you're tickled, you look like the happiest girl in the world. You have such a cute giggle."
                          
I blushed. I admit, I liked being tickled. More than him than others though, for some reason. Whoa....was I crushing on Matthew?
                          
"Fine....I do like being tickled. Only when it's not too torturous."
                          
"Same here. But um....we should probably go check on your parents or something, see if dinner's ready."
                          
I yawned quietly. "Okay."
                          
And then as we walked out of his room, I looked back and admired the sunset for a few seconds.
                          
Once Upon A Time, there was nothing. But when you find someone who you might actually love, that nothing changes to something.
                          
---
                          
To be continued...