Meena nervously adjusted the neckline of her new dress as she looked at herself in the mirror. The mayor had invited them all to a fundraising gala at his mansion where he had insisted that Johnny perform a song of his choice. Flattered that the mayor wanted to him to preform, Johnny had quickly accepted the invitation and the wheels were set in motion.
Rosita immediately got a sitter for the night of the gala and a week before the gala she had taken Ash and Meena shopping for the proper formal attire. Both girls had been especially reluctant to shop but Rosita had been so insistent that they were left with no other option. After an entire day of shopping they each had a dress that met Rosita's standards and they were dropped off at their homes with strict instructions not to show Johnny.
The confused gorilla had bugged his roommate and his girlfriend for days about seeing their dresses but both had held fast in their promise and he didn't even catch a glimpse until the night of when Rosita had pulled both girls into the women's dressing room to get ready.
So here Meena was standing in front of the mirror and hoping against hope that Johnny would like her dress. She was wearing a floor length forest green gown that hugged her torso before flaring out at the waist into an elegant train. The dress was held up by one strap that wrapped diagonally across her chest. Her mother had given her a simple gold necklace with matching earrings to wear that night and her outfit was complete. Where normally she would be marveling at the dress rather than worrying about the fit, the thought of her new boyfriend waiting to see her was sending her into a self-conscious worry fest.
And that's why when Ash stepped out of her changing stall in a classy red and black strapless dress she found her best friend still in front of the mirror adjusting imaginary flaws in her dress. If she were honest with herself Meena looked breathtaking and she found herself thinking that Johnny was one lucky guy. At the same time she knew that Meena only saw a mess of flaws rather than the beauty that everyone else saw so she hurried over to comfort her. When Meena saw Ash's form in the mirror she gasped and immediately began gushing over her appearance.
"Oh my gosh Ash you look amazing!" She exclaimed and Ash gave her a grin in response. She grabbed Meena's hand and squeezed it once, trying her best to comfort her friend.
"So do you Meena. You look gorgeous." when Meena tried to protest she gave her hand another firm squeeze and the comment died in Meena's throat.
Just then Rosita bustled in, already ready in her short but elegant black dress, and began fussing over both of them. Once she was satisfied that they looked as good as she imagined they would she ushered them out of the dressing room. Nervously, Meena squeezed Ash's hand tight, and in response the porcupine gave her an encouraging smile.
When she exited the dressing room Rosita headed straight for her husband who was waiting nearby. The easygoing pig good-naturedly let her fuss with his tie, an affectionate smile gracing his lips. Ash lead Meena out of the dressing room and over to where Johnny was chatting with Buster and Eddie. Buster was wearing his normal blue suit since he dressed formally everyday. Eddie, who had been forced to attend many such events by his mother, was wearing a tailored tuxedo. Johnny was also dressed in a new suit with a green fest that matched the color of Meena's dress. Silently, Meena thanked Rosita for secretly making sure that they matched.
Ash cleared her throat and the men immediately turned their attention to the two women. Johnny's gaze went straight to Meena and instantly his jaw dropped and his heart tried to leap out of his chest. Slowly, he walked up to her and ran his hand up her arm until he was cupping her cheek and pulling her in for a slow, passionate kiss. Meena's ears flared out slightly in surprise at the sudden kiss and when he pulled back her cheeks were adorably red.
"I'm sorry love but ya just looked so bloomin' beautiful tha' I couldn't 'elp myself." He whispered, grinning crookedly when she blushed harder and looked down in embarrassment.
"You look very handsome too." She said shyly and Johnny's grin widened in response. He leaned in and gave her another kiss, which was interrupted when Ash cleared her throat and raised her eyebrow at them.
"You think we could head out sometime today lovebirds?" She asked snarkily but both animals knew she was too happy for them to actually be upset that they hadn't left yet. They both laughed and followed the rest of the theatre family out to the car.
The entire ride to the Gala Johnny couldn't look anywhere but at Meena, much to her embarrassment. And when they pulled up to the mayor's mansion he insisted on opening the door for her and escorting her inside like the true gentleman that he was. There were reporters lining the walkway into the house and when they saw the famous theatre family making their way up, they immediately swarmed towards them. Meena stiffened nervously, still nervous in the face of the press, but Johnny just tightened his arm around her waist and pushed past the reporters easily. Meena smiled up at him gratefully and amidst the flash of cameras he leaned over and placed a comforting kiss on her cheek.
The comforting effect served to drown out the now frantic press as Johnny led a smiling Meena into the mansion where everyone else was waiting. Neither of them noticed the slim gazelle glaring up at the couple as she gripped her camera in her hands. Her glare morphed into a devious grin and she slipped through the crowd towards a back entrance.
Inside the mansion Buster was gleefully introducing his performers to various socialites, including a few movie stars. Finally the mayor himself joined their little group and began to chat with Buster and Johnny. By this time Gunther and Eddie had snuck off to the snack table while Rosita and Norman were twirling around on the dance floor. So as Johnny and Buster talked with the mayor, Meena and Ash secured glasses of champagne from one of the servers.
They had been there about an hour when the mayor suggested that Johnny go check the piano he had set up for the evening. Johnny agreed and before he left he leaned over and gave Meena a quick kiss on the cheek.
"I'll be right back love." He said and then he and Buster followed the mayor to a small stage. Meena watched him go and turned back to Ash to finish the conversation about guitar brands that they had been having. However, before she could even open her mouth to say anything a pretty gazelle with a tape recorder in one hand an camera in the other appeared in front of her and Ash. Startled, Meena jumped slightly and then gave the gazelle a wary smile. Ash just frowned as she looked over the mysterious woman. She was petite and pretty but Ash could see that her smile was forced and her brown eyes were hard.
"Well hello there, you must be Meera?" Her sugary sweet voice was almost too nice and every one of Ash's quills stood on end as soon as she mispronounced Meena's name. She couldn't be sure but she was pretty certain that she had done it on purpose.
"Um it's Meena actually." Meena timidly corrected her but the gazelle just laughed it off and moved closer to them.
"Well Meera, I just thought that I should come over and introduce myself seeing that we have one thing in common. Ash crossed her arms over her chest and glared at the gazelle when she mispronounced Meena's name yet again but she went ignored as the gazelle went on.
"My name is Carol Antlerson and I-" Before she could get out whatever she was trying to say Ash interrupted, a smug grin pasted on her face.
"Oh I know you. You write for that dishrag of a magazine, Gossip Gal." She grinned when the gazelle stiffened and forced another smile over at Ash before turning back to Meena.
"That's me." She laughed awkwardly and when Meena and Ash just looked at each other in confusion she kept on talking.
"Anyways. I heard that you and Johnny Bannerton are a thing now." She said 'thing' like it was the most disgusting word she could think of. Ash's eyes narrowed and Meena looked around nervously, wishing that she was anywhere else.
"Um yes we-" Meena stuttered out but Carol decided to interrupt her with the bombshell she had eagerly been waiting to drop.
"Well I wish you luck. Maybe you'll last longer than he and I did. That really was the best year of my life." She laughed breathily as Meena's face went paler than Ash had ever seen it. Her fury was trumped by the deep concern she suddenly had as Meena gaped at the smirking gazelle.
"Y-you and J-Johnny... a year?" She stuttered out and Carol grinned maliciously as she watched the elephant flounder for words.
"You know it really surprises me that Johnny is dating a girl...well...like you." She gave Meena a toothy smile and Ash shook with fury.
"What the hell do you mean by that?!" She tried to come to Meena's aid but it only seemed to make everything worse as the gazelle took her outburst as a queue to lay out all of the differences between her and Meena.
"Well I mean look at us darling. I'm small and you're so...big. I have nothing against larger mammals of course but I never thought Johnny would supersize after me." She giggled at her own joke as Meena began to shake slightly next to Ash, who stood gaping at the Carol's audacity.
"And I mean are you really sure about that dress because that cut...well it's not quite flattering on a figure like yours. And green is definitely not your color. I on the other hand look absolutely fabulous in this little pink number if I do say so myself." She giggled maliciously as she did a little twirl for them.
"Oh and when it comes to the spotlight I'm not shy about performing for an audience. I have a wonderful voice you know, Johnny always used to tell me. He loved my confidence and my voice." She patted Meena's shoulder lightly and pasted on a fake sympathetic look, "But I'm sure he likes your lack of confidence too sweetie."
Meena opened and closed her mouth but nothing but a tiny squeak came out and her eyes began to fill with tears. Ash decided in that moment that enough was enough and Meena obviously couldn't defend herself against this harpy. But Ash had plenty of experience with prissy girls like her. She stepped forward, using her tiny body as a makeshift shield for her friend to hide behind.
"Listen bitch. Johnny dumped you for a reason and I'm pretty sure it's because you're a petty little brat who attacks people for no reason. Now..." she plucked a quill out of her back and pointed it at the startled gazelle, "I suggest you get out of my face and stay away from my friends. Capisce?"
She stuck the quill in the gazelle's leg for emphasis and she gave Ash a dirty look before stomping away, her hands clenched tightly on her equipment. Ash turned around to comfort Meena and found her friend standing right where she had left her, her face securely shielded by her ears as fat tears streamed out of her eyes and stained her cheeks.
Ash grabbed her hand and pulled her off of the dance floor and into a empty room off to the side of the dance hall. Meena collapsed into a chair just as deep sobs began to wrack her body.
Ash hovered over her nervously, unsure how to comfort her friend. She settled for pulling her into a tight hug. Meena huddled against her and tried to halt her sobs with to no avail. Ash rubbed her back but when nothing had changed after a few minutes she pulled back and looked into Meena's bloodshot eyes.
"I'm gonna go find Johnny." She said soothingly and dashed out of the room, searching desperately for the familiar form of her roommate. When she found him next to the stage, chatting with the mayor she hurried over and grabbed him by the sleeve.
"Ash? Wot-?" He was cut off as she yanked him away, practically dragging him across the dance hall towards the room where she had left Meena. When they reached the door
Ash opened it and shoved him into the room before following him and slamming the door behind him.
Before Johnny could question Ash about her odd behavior he heard sobbing coming from behind him. He spun around and as soon as he saw that Meena was the one sobbing into her hands all of his attention was on her.
He gathered her into his arms and she cried into his chest as he stroked her back soothingly.
"Ash wot 'appened?" He said quietly as he kissed the top of Meena's head.
"Some bitch named Carol Antlerson showed up, said she dated you for a year, called Meena fat, antisocial, a bad singer and insulted her dress!" Ash felt her blood start to boil as she remembered what that gazelle had said to Meena.
Johnny growled at the thought and then sighed deeply as he realized the damage that Carol had caused in the minutes that he had been gone. He gently lifted Meena's head so that she was looking him in the eyes. He wiped away a few tears but they were quickly replaced by more.
"Oh love. Ya can't believe what that girl said. Ya are the most beautiful, talented, and amazing animal that I 'ave ever met." He stroked her cheeks and Meena looked up at him with uncertainty in her eyes.
"B-but she-" Johnny cut her off before she could say another word.
"Is a vindictive, cold-'earted, lonely bitch. An' I dropped 'er the moment I realized tha'. Ya 're nothin' loike 'er and that's wot I love abaht ya." He whispered and Meena smiled for a second before it faded back into sadness. She ran her hand over the material of her dress and let out a heavy sigh.
Hearing those words from Johnny was enough to stem the flow of her tears but her sadness still haunted her gaze like a ghost that won't be banished. Carol had stirred up all of her insecurities in one go, as if she knew all of Meena's fears. They wouldn't settle back down so easily.
Johnny frowned when she refused to look at him. He wracked his brain for some way to help but came up with nothing, even Ash looked completely lost. He glanced at a nearby clock and thought to himself 'almost time for my song'.
"My song!" He suddenly gasped and leapt to his feet gleefully. Both girls looked up at him in confusion but Johnny didn't stop to explain as he gently pulled Meena to her feet and began leading her towards the stage. Ash followed close behind, keeping her eye out for a certain unwanted reporter.
When they got to the stage he sat Meena on the piano bench and then gathered the other band members to discuss the change in song. When he was ready he sat next to Meena and signaled the mayor to introduce them.
The mayor gave him a puzzled look but announced their performance anyways. Every eye in the room was on them in that moment and Meena felt herself start to panic. Before she could hyperventilate Johnny gently positioned her face so she was looking away from the crowd and at him instead. With a secret smile he began to play.
Oh, her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shinin'
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her trying
She's so beautiful
And I tell her everyday
Yeah
He looked at her as he sang, that smile still perched on his face. Meena turned bright red immediately and tried to look away from him but he pulled her gaze back up to his.
I know, I know
When I compliment her she won't believe me
And it's so, it's so
Sad to think that she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me, "Do I look okay?"
I say,
Meena saw the brief sadness in his eyes as he sang and for a moment she wished that she could see what she looked like through Johnny's eyes. Maybe this song was the best way for him to communicate that. She took a deep breath and a small smile began to bloom on her face as he sang to her.
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause, girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are.
Yeah
Meena couldn't fight the feeling as her smile began to grow and the blush faded. He was drawing her in with his words and the sincerity in his eyes. It gave her an indescribable feeling to know how he felt about her. That she was special to him.
Her lips, her lips
I could kiss them all day if she'd let me
Her laugh, her laugh
She hates but I think it's so sexy
She's so beautiful
And I tell her everyday,
The crowd watching them started to fade away as Meena became absorbed in the song and the negative emotions began to fade away. Rationally she had no reason to doubt his feelings for her but she couldn't help but feel inadequate. In this moment, however, she felt like the most beautiful animal in the world.
Oh you know, you know, you know
I'd never ask you to change
If perfect's what you're searching for
Then just stay the same
So don't even bother asking if you look okay
You know I'll say,
When Johnny saw the smile returning to her face he grinned and began to sing louder and with more passion. His goal was to make her feel like nothing could touch her because in his eyes she was beyond perfect.
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause, girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are
In the crowd Ash grinned and gave Johnny a thumbs up even though he couldn't see it. She was terrible at cheering people up but in this case she knew that she had made the right decision in getting Johnny. Those two were meant to be and she wasn't going to let anyone mess with them.
The way you are
The way you are
Girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are
As Johnny slowed down the song and Ash hoped that he was finally convincing Meena that she was beautiful because her best friends deserved to be happy.
Out of the corner of her eyes she caught sight of a flash of pink as Carol moved to the front and glared at the couple, watching with disdain as Johnny serenaded Meena.
Grinning mischievous Ash pulled a quill out of her back and snuck through the crowd until she was standing behind the gazelle, poised and ready for her attack.
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
'Cause you're amazing
Just the way you areh
And when you smile
The whole world stops and stares for a while
'Cause, girl, you're amazing
Just the way you are
As Johnny finished his song the crowd erupted into cheers and Ash jabbed the pointy end of her quill into the gazelle's butt. She let out a shrill screech and jumped away, creating enough of a diversion for Ash to slip away. Carol screamed in frustration when no one admitted to poking her and began ranting that no one at the party was worthy of her and how she would see them all in hell. Before she could get much further two burly bears appeared and carried her out of the party.
Meena and Johnny watched the whole exchange in amusement and When she was gone Johnny leaned forward and kissed Meena, softly, slowly and passionately.
"Was tha' enough proof for ya?" He asked teasingly and Meena giggled happily, the only evidence of her sadness was the slight redness in her eyes.
"I might need a little more." She whispered and pulled him in for another kiss.