Chapter 3 – Mutual Feelings
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Timon and Zina laughed together at the joke that Timon told her.
"I love elephant jokes." Zina said.
"Well, I've got one more. How do you stop an elephant from charging?"
"Oh, that one again!" said Pumbaa.
"I don't know. How?"
"Take away his credit card!"
Timon and Zina laughed again.
"Please stop! You're killing me!" Zina cried.
Zina and Timon were riding Pumbaa back to the oasis after a long scorpion hunt. They had managed to catch a number of scorpions; which they had placed on a large leaf and covered with another one. Pumbaa was carrying their catches on his snout. Timon was already starting to like Zina. Not only was she good at catching scorpions, but she also had a good sense of humor. They approached Swifty, Stumpy, Flinchy, and Max; who were finishing up a bug volleyball game. Nina was acting as the referee. A few other meerkats were watching the game.
Stumpy tried to spike the bug over the net, but Max jumped up and blocked it. Luckily for Stumpy though, Swifty quickly ran towards the bug and hit it back into the air. Stumpy then jumped up and hit it again. Shocked by the speed in which the bug was heading towards him, Flinchy flinched and the bug hit the ground right in front of him.
"And that's the match point." said Nina, "Final score: Swifty and Stumpy with fifteen, and Max and Flinchy with thirteen."
As the spectators applauded and Stumpy and Swifty slapped high-fours, Flinchy snapped his fingers and said, "Dang it!"
Max turned to Flinchy, shook his head, and said, "You flinched when…"
"Yeah, yeah, I know. I should've scurried."
Everyone then noticed Pumbaa, Timon, and Zina approaching. Timon and Zina jumped off Pumbaa; who lowered his head, setting the cargo on the ground.
"Whatcha got there, Timon?" Nina asked.
"Oh, just a rare delicacy that's not often found here." Timon replied.
He pulled off the top leaf, revealing a small pile of scorpions with their stingers severed.
"Anyone care for some disarmed scorpion?" Zina asked.
The other meerkats gasped with excitement.
"Did she say 'scorpion?'" Swifty asked excitedly.
"Wow!" Nina said, "Look at the size of those things! How'd you get them?"
"Well, much of the credit goes to Zina." said Pumbaa, "She found and disarmed them for us. Then we brought them here."
Timon nodded and said, "Have at it, everyone."
As everyone else began to feast on the scorpions, Max simply walked away and said, "None for me, thanks."
"I thought scorpion was your favorite, Uncle Max."
"I'm just not very hungry right now."
The others looked at each other and shrugged.
"Suit yourself." said Stumpy, "More for us."
Zina was the only one who noticed Max pick up the bug that was used to play the volleyball game, and take a bite out of it. She looked down and sighed.
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"…and exhale." said Max.
The meerkats slowly exhaled and lowered their arms to their sides.
"You do this stuff often?" Timon asked Zina.
"Mm-hmm." she replied, "Since I was a pup."
Timon and Zina were participating in Max's yoga class. Max had been trying his best to ignore Zina's presence, but couldn't help noticing how well she seemed to be doing. And if there was one thing he appreciated about her so far, it was that she was able to help Timon; who was having a bit of trouble in the class.
"Alright, now crane position." Max went on, "Arms up."
'Finally a position I remember how to do.' Timon thought.
Max and the other meerkats raised their arms straight out to the sides. Max then raised his arms up to the sky with his palms down and the others followed.
"The crane spreads its wings." he said, lowering his arms to the sides and lifting his right foot.
Then he turned to the left and lifted his arms to the sky, while saying, "Turns with dainty hands."
The other meerkats did as he did. Timon was doing fine now, but another meerkat wasn't quite doing it right. He had his palms up and was standing on the wrong foot.
"I got it. I got it." he said softly to himself.
He tried to turn, but moved too quickly fell over in the process.
"I don't got it."
Max sighed.
"Tony, Tony, Tony!" he mumbled to himself, "When is that kid gonna get it right? Even Timon can do it better, and he's about as good at this as he was at digging."
"I heard that!" Timon shouted back.
Tony got up and dusted himself off.
"Here, like this." Zina said, showing him, "Keep your palms down and lift your right foot."
Tony tried again, doing it the way she said.
"Now turn slowly."
This time, Tony was able to turn without falling.
"Oh! I get it now!" he said, "Thanks."
'Hmmph. Okay, she's good at this. I'll give her that.' Max thought.
As the class ended later that evening, the meerkats went off to find some cozy places to sleep.
"Hey," Timon said to Zina, "thanks for helping me out. I'm still kinda new at it."
"Oh, no problem." she said.
"So, uhh… you gonna come to next week's class?"
"If your uncle doesn't force me to leave by then, sure."
"Don't hold your breath!" Max shouted to them.
Timon put his hand on Zina's shoulder and said, "Don't listen to him. You'll win him over somehow."
"Thanks." Zina said, "Well, good night."
"Sleep tight. Oh, and dream of bedbugs tonight."
'Mmmm… bedbugs!' Zina thought.
Timon watched her walk off, then let out a happy sigh.
"You know, I really like her." he said to another male meerkat; who was passing him by.
"That new Gina girl?" the other meerkat asked.
"Her name's Zina. And yes."
"Hmmm… well, she is kinda cute. And she did catch some good scorpions. Good luck winning her heart."
Timon smirked and said, "Thanks."
Meanwhile, as Zina looked around for a place to sleep, another female meerkat passed by and glanced at her.
"You seem pretty happy." she said.
"Well, yeah." Zina replied, "I love this place."
"Who doesn't? But I think it's more than that. You've got a crush on someone, don't you?"
Zina sighed and said, "If you really must know, yes. It's Timon."
"…Really?"
"Yes. I think he's funny, he's sweet, he knows how to have a good time, and he invited me here."
"Well, he has also been looking for a mate. Not many of us are available after all. Good luck at winning his heart."
Zina smirked and said, "Thanks."
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To be continued
