Ravi underestimated how hungry he was. He'd tried to play it off to say he was fine, but then blushing when his stomach chose that moment to hungrily growl. As he ate his French toast, he was careful not to do it too fast so they didn't see him acting so rude. Why would you care? You don't even like them. After they were done, Mr. England paid, deliberately ignoring Ravi when he tried to say that he could pay for his own. The older man wasn't having it. He jovially informed Ravi that he was taking care of it. That this was their day to relax and he was going to treat them.

Ravi, not used to such kindness, didn't know what to say.

When they were finished, they hopped back into the car but this time, Shelby sat with him in the backseat so he didn't get lonely. That's what she said, what she believed. It wasn't true. Not the slightest. Ravi would have preferred to have it all to himself so he could simply breathe instead of feeling cramped and suffocated with her beside him. Thankfully there was the middle seat in between them so he did get some space. Mr. England was driving through the traffic, whistling. The radio was turned up for some song that he didn't know but was a favorite of Shelby's. She hummed along, every once and a while busting out and singing. Miraculously, it wasn't loud like he'd have expected it to be. She was dancing to it as well, swaying her body as much as she could while having the seat belt around her midsection.

The drive was a little over half an hour according to the GPS that Shelby's dad was using on his phone, which gave plenty of time for Shelby to walk and Ravi to get lost within his own thoughts. His cell phone was in his jean pocket and the sound was turned down to vibrate. Nervously, he would pull it out slightly every couple of minutes to press the on button to check if Jessie was messaging or calling him yet. So far so good. She must not have known yet. At least, that's what he thought. If she did, he imagined his phone would be springing to life constantly with her trying to get ahold of him.

"I was thinking," Mr. England said, glancing at them in the rear view mirror, "we'll walk around for a while, see if we're done by lunch and then we'll catch some food after. I can bet you the zoo cafes will be expensive so we'll avoid all that. Is that okay with you two?"

It's not like you have a choice

You can't say no

"Yup!" Shelby agreed.

Ravi didn't think his input mattered all that much. But it did. Mr. England was looking at him expectantly. He flushed. "Oh. Erm, yes. That is fine."

"Great," Mr. England said. "You'll enjoy the zoo, Ravi. I have a feeling you will. My kids love it."

I doubt it

He probably wishes you weren't here right now

He probably wants to be with his daughter but since you were there, he felt obligated to take you

You're such an inconvenience

Don't you feel bad?

You should

You're ruining their day

"Oooh," Shelby said, "we should take a bunch of pictures for Elliot and Mom. It's too bad they couldn't come. Should we get something at the gift shop for them? I've got money. I've saved up a bunch of it. I can get them a stuffed animal or a giraffe shaped lollipop or a keychain or-"

"I think you should save your money, honey," Mr. England chuckled. "I think mom will be satisfied with pictures and if you really want to get Elliot something, we can pick up some food for him on the way back." Then, to Ravi, he added, "my son is easy to please...most of the time."

"Can we get him a milkshake?" Shelby asked with another bounce.

"Is that because you want a milkshake also?"

She giggled. "Maybe."

"You've got to watch this one, here," Mr. England said to Ravi with a nod toward his daughter. "Sneaky little one she is."

"Daddy," Shelby said playfully.

"I'm serious. You're just like your mother in that aspect."

Ravi felt like he was intruding on this father-daughter moment. Like some outside, a useless third wheel that would have been better left behind. He had no way of going anywhere. He kept his body rigid; his legs were crossed at the ankles and he kept himself from touching anything. The conversion between Shelby and her dad was flowing and all the while, Ravi felt like there was some invisible barrier that was somehow muffling things, making them sound like they were a great distance away.

He didn't want to participate in the discussion, quite frankly. He also couldn't idly scroll through his phone because then Mr. England would think he was rude and likely would tell his wife all about it later. So he sat there, as Jessie would say, like a bump on a log.

Because you're too good to talk to them

Isn't that right?

Don't you feel guilty for that?

If you don't, you should

They're being nice and you can't be the same

I bet your mom would be so ashamed of you

That hurt. That stung. That throbbed. For so long, especially during that period of his life, he yearned to be the boy his mom would have wanted him to be. He wanted to know that she was proud of him-wherever she was.

He wished he knew where she was. He needed that closure.

You'll never get it

She ran away because of you

She didn't want you

You ruined her life

You were something she couldn't bear to be around any longer

So she left

And it's all your fault

So how does that feel?

They did eventually get to their destination.

The GPS wasn't as reliable as Mr. England believed it to be. The older man was slightly disgruntled when it instructed him to take an extra left and then a right which caused him to have to turn back around. When they pulled into the zoo parking lot, Ravi's anxiety was heightened. It didn't appear to be too crowded but it was also nowhere near vacant either. What if someone saw him and told Jessie?

"I'm so excited!" Shelby squealed when they were out of the car. She took a hold of his arm, jumping up and down like a lunatic. "Are you excited, too? This is gonna be so fun! Oooh, what's your favorite animal? Do you have a favorite? I have a favorite. I have a lot of favorites. I like snakes and giraffes and zebras and monkeys and hippos and elephants and rhinos. They're so cute! Aren't they cute? I think they are!"

"Careful, there," Mr. England came up behind them and perched his sunglasses on top of his head. They weren't the kind his dad or brother would wear; they were the cheap looking kind that he was probably going to use until they physically broke. "Don't break him. I don't want to have to explain to your mother why Ravi has a broken arm."

Shelby grinned. "Okay!"

Mr. England yet again paid for both of them. The zoo had an admission fee although technically today was the one day out of the week where admission was free; however that was only when people reserved tickets ahead of time which he did not because this was a spontaneous visit. So, it only further drove Ravi into debt with the England's. They walked through the isles that led toward the large doors and into the park itself. Along the way, there were statues of the animals with golden plaques that told visitors some information about them, including whether or not they were endangered and any kind of protection efforts that were done for them if they were.

Out of habit, Ravi began to rub his wrist. He was starting to feel overwhelmed by being in this new place. His skin pinkened and started to hurt.

They got outside and the sunshine hit him in the face. He squinted his eyes, having not brought his own pair of sunglasses to fend off the merciless sun. "Well, what do you want to do first, kids?" Mr. England asked, stepping aside for the people behind him to pass by.

"Ravi, you decide!" Shelby suggested, bobbing her head up and down. "What do you wanna see? Do you like lions? Or tigers? Or penguins? Oooh, I looked online and they have a neat penguin exhibit! What do you think? Have you decided yet?"

Ravi shifted from one foot to the other. "I...I don't really know."

"That's quite alright," Mr. England said warmly. "We can just walk and see what we find along the way."

They made a right and began to walk down the long pathway for visitors. There were trees planted which gave some much needed shade from the bright sun. Shelby was practically skipping and all smiles. She had her phone out, ready to take pictures. Ravi didn't plan on doing the same. For one, there was no need and second, he didn't want any evidence of today's trip to be found.

One of the first exhibits they came across was for the lions. It was huge and deep, with a protective robe and shield to prevent anyone from falling in or the animal getting out. The lion must have been tired. He-which Ravi could tell it was from his mane-slowly trailed back to the shaded area, letting out a wide yawn and showcasing his razor sharp teeth.

From beside him, Shelby squealed. "Oooh! I got a picture of him yawning. See?" She showed it to him and her dad. "That looks so good!" She nudged him and he gave her a look, a weak glare really. "Aren't you gonna take pictures?"

"No."

They moved on from there. The next nearest one was for the tigers. While Shelby and her dad were trying to get a good picture of the feline, who was soundly sleeping on a large stone within the enclosure. Ravi leaned against the railing, waiting.

Try to have some fun

Mr. England took you here and you're being a debbie downer

How ungrateful can you be?

You could've been left at school

But you're here

Before he says something

He fidgeted with his hands. Perhaps he should say something. They took him here and he was acting like a brat. Like Zuri when she dragged her feet and had an attitude when she didn't want to be somewhere that Jessie forced her to. Why do you care? I thought you didn't care what they thought of you. Yet, you don't want her dad to think badly of you. Interesting.

When the two of them were done, Ravi tried to sound upbeat and cheerful but he felt that it fell flat. "Can we, er, go see the giraffes?"

"Of course," Mr. England agreed.

"Great idea!" Shelby burst out. "I love giraffes! They're so cute! Oooh, what if there's a baby one? That would be so cool! I've never seen a baby giraffe besides on a video. Aren't baby animals just the best?"

"I suppose so," Ravi said.

The giraffes weren't too far away; Shelby took him by the wrist, dragging him over and pointing with her free hand at the two fully grown giraffes that were currently eating. "Look at its tongue!" She cried out, causing some people to look in her direction. "It's so long!" It was indeed. Ravi gave a half nod and Shelby sighed with contentment. "I love animals, don't you? Oh that reminds me, when I was looking online I found out they have a reptile house!"

Ravi almost hated that his curiosity was piqued. He didn't want it to be. But it was. Curses. "They do?" He said casually.

"Yeah!" Shelby said enthusiastically. "You wanna go see it? Dad! Can we go see the reptile house, please?" She turned around to ask her father.

"Sure," Mr. England pulled out the wrinkly park map he'd picked up at one of the stands on their way in, unfolding it to read. "Seems we're close. Just over the hill and it's right there."

"Ooh, awesome!"

The reptile house looked like an actual house. The windows were enormous and they climbed up the stairs to the front door. Mr. England opened it first, allowing then through. Once inside, Ravi was filled with amazement at all there was to see. It was really magnificent. He stood there, taking in everything.

"I'll leave you two alone for a second," Mr. England said. "I've got to use the restroom. Excuse me."

"What should we look at first?" Shelby asked. "You can choose. I don't mind."

"Err," Ravi didn't know. There were many things. Was...was this what excitement felt like? He'd almost forgotten, having not felt such a thing in...years. "I think the snakes are over there. We can make our way around."

"Okay!"

The first snake was a Burmese Python. It had yellow and white blotches and was around five feet in length. It was curled up in a ball in the corner. Like a little kid, Ravi's face was nearly pressed to the glass. It was brilliant.

"Aww," Shelby cooed. He expected her to say something along the lines of how cute she thought the reptile was. Typically, in his very limited experience, girls weren't the type to be drawn toward a snake but Shelby was a vastly different girl. So he couldn't rule that out. But she didn't. That wasn't what she said at all.

"You're so happy! I love it!"

He paused, peeling away from the railing. Blinking, his mind mulled over what she'd said. He supposed he was...happy. This was his element. It wasn't overly loud like the sports games Luke liked to go to, the air wasn't filled with a perfumy aroma that simultaneously choked him up and gave him a lasting headache like it was at the fashion shows his sisters watched. It was nice. It was peaceful-even with Shelby.

Wow, for once you're not complaining

It's a miracle

And funny enough, you don't even seem to mind Shelby

For once

Isn't it funny how she says she loves it that you're happy

Don't you get what it means?

Ravi couldn't decipher that part but figured it was unnecessary to. She was happy about a lot of things. Just because she was happy about this didn't mean much. He was overthinking again. That was it. It had to be. Anything else was absolutely preposterous.

"I suppose I am."

"That's good," Shelby said with great honesty. "You deserve it."

He didn't know why he flushed at that.

It was hot in there, he reasoned with himself. They had to keep the temperature up for the animals. That's why. Nothing else.

They moved on. The next snake was bigger and could've ate a whole person if it wanted to. "He's so pretty," Shelby gushed. "I've always wanted a snake but my mom's terrified of them. We had a snake crawl in our house once back in Iowa. Course, it wasn't as big as this fella is. Just a wee little garden snake about this big," she used her hands to show him, for imagery's sake. "What?" She giggled when he chuckled. That was unintentional, too.

"It's nothing."

"No, tell me," she protested, lightly hitting him with her elbow.

"It's just," he had to smother another laugh, "I definitely heard a bit of a drawl when you said fella."

And why is that so funny?

You sound stupid

And weird

Stop being weird

"I can do better," Shelby challenged. She cleared her throat. 'My granddaddy likes to sit on his porch, drinkin' some sweet tea. Did ya know he also gots a shotgun? Y'all I ain't joking. Course, he don't use it. He just likes it for show. He also yells at them neighbor kids all day long I swear."

It was in a stereotypical way that New Yorkers thought people from where she was from and around that region spoke to each other. Ravi shook his head, still chuckling. "You are crazy."

Shelby laughed too. Probably more obnoxiously and louder than the situation called for. "I didn't even make that up! My Granddaddy really does do that."

"You're joking."

"Nope," she popped the p. "He sits in his corner in his rocking chair with his big ol shotgun next to him. Have you ever shot a gun before? I have. It's fun. Especially in the open field. Me and Elliot have done target practice before. Oooh! You should totally come with us whenever we go back for a visit! Wouldn't that be fun? I think Granddaddy would love you!"

"Who would your Granddaddy love?" Mr. England was back from the restroom and found them.

"Ravi," Shelby answered and then bombarded her dad with questions. "Can Ravi come with us whenever we go back for a visit? Oh, please, please, please? He'd love it! And I wanna introduce him to everyone! Can he? Please?"

"That depends," Mr. England, "on whether Ravi wants to go and his parents are okay with it."

Shelby said to Ravi, "Ooh, you should ask them!"

"If you want to go," Mr. England cut in. "Don't let my daughter pressure you. We don't be offended if you aren't interested. And besides, we aren't sure if we're going yet."

"Mom said she thinks we might go next summer or for Christmas."

Mr. England huffed out a laugh. "There goes your mom's fabulous communication skills again. Alright whenever we go, if Ravi and his parents are okay with it, then he can come."

This doesn't make any sense

He barely knows me

He's only seen me less then a handful of times

Yet he's inviting me on a trip

To visit his family

There has to be a catch

There just has to be

Shelby beamed. "Yay! Oooh, Dad, look at this snake! Ravi likes reptiles, remember? We're gonna see the lizards next."

"Very nice," Mr. England nodded, observing the resting snake. They walked over to where the different lizards were being kept. Ravi felt some old enthusiasm come back, even just for a split second. It felt refreshing and...nice. "Say, Ravi, how long have you been interested in lizards?"

"Oh, er, since seven or eight."

He remembered seeing a lizard cross a road in India once-which now sounds like the beginning of a bad joke-, instantly becoming intrigued by it. Then he eventually got Mrs. Kipling.

"That reminds me!" Shelby spoke up. "Can you take a picture of Mrs. Kipling and send it to me, please? I was telling Caleb about her and he was wondering what she looked like."

He still found it strange how she willingly talked to him to her friends.

"I suppose," he said slowly.

"Great!"

When they finished up at the reptile house, Ravi had to admit it was nice getting out of the humid air and back outside where the cool breeze could flow against his warm face. Shelby wanted to go see the penguins next, even more so when Ravi said he'd never seen one before. The penguin exhibit was dome shaped and as soon as they made it there, right before they opened the door, he felt the frigid air hit him.

"Oooh, it's cold," Shelby said as they went in. Ravi's arms immediately up, crossed against his chest. His plaid flannel wasn't enough to keep him warm and since the temperature outside wasn't getting seasonally colder, he hadn't any reason to bring an actual jacket with him. "It's definitely a bit chilly in here. Are you cold? I can't tell. Course, you've got a flannel. You're lucky. I didn't bring anything. I forgot my jacket at home. I should keep it in my backpack just in case, don't you think?"

There was a wide glass area filled with ice cold-at least he presumed-water for the penguins to swim in. Ravi watched them waddle around and jump in the water. Shelby rushed to take multiple pictures, hoping to get a clear one of them in the water, repeatedly tapping on the button on her phone. Every so often, she'd shiver.

A real gentlemen would give her something to keep warm

That is more of a boyfriend's duty and I am not her boyfriend

You're supposed to be her friend. Act like it

She is fine. We won't be staying here long

Ugh

You're useless

Completely useless

She straightened up her posture and while still looking ahead, leaned in to Ravi. He stiffened in shock, eyes darting over to her father but he was a bit in front of them, talking to another visitor there because he'd evidently noticed the man's shirt and recognized the cartoon character on the front of it.

"You're warm," Shelby chirped.

Ravi felt uncomfortable to say the least.

Especially when his stomach did a little flip flop.

So I hope this isn't too choppy. I didn't wanna go through all the animals b/c I figured that might not be the most entertaining to read

Also, a couple things

1. Next chapter will skip to Halloween

2. Apparently according to google people from Iowa don't really have accents but the England's do in my fic b/c...why not

3. As I said, Shelby's old friends will meet Ravi at some point. I briefly thought about the Englands going on that road trip to Iowa during Christmas and Ravi tagging along but I don't think their relationship will have progressed enough for that by then (then again idk, I don't plan really. I just write) so I might have them visit her as a surprise

And of course thank you SO much for all the comments, kudos and bookmarks!