Johnny ever so gently squeezed her back, cheek rubbing unintentionally across her forehead. Her fur was so soft against his skin, god he never wanted to let go. The hug was lasting longer than what was considered platonic, but Johnny didn't care. He was in heaven. A small paw starter smoothing through the fur at the back of his neck, making him shudder. Flushing, he was glad ash couldn't see his face. He listened to the porcupine humming gently, feeling peaceful.

That peace was suddenly broken by a tap on the window. Johnny shot up and away from ash. He caught a glimpse of Meena peering through the opposite window before he fell through the door, which apparently hadn't shut properly. The wind was knocked from him as he hit the ground, stones crunching under his weight. Rosita's concerned voice drifted over to them.

'Everything ok over there?' Johnny groaned and called back, attempting to save himself from further humiliation.

'Fine, Rosita, don't worry. Everything's…. Fine.' Pushing himself back onto his feet, he spotted the pig stood in the doorway to the theatre. She frowned slightly, before relaxing. A quick glance to Ash, who seemed to be holding back laughter, and Meena, who looked a bit shocked, seemed to be enough for the mother. She smiled at them, before stating,

'Well if you're all ok, I'm going to head off. I'll see you all tomorrow.' As soon as she had disappeared, Ash looked questioningly at Meena.

'We done already?' the porcupine got out between soft giggles and a grin. Meena shook herself from her daze.

'Yeah, Mr Moon seemed very unwilling to do anything after all that. Said we could all go home.' The elephant shrugged. Johnny brushed the grit from his head and jacket. At least the focus was now off himself. Ash frowned.

'Are you telling me I got up at this stupid time for an hour?' Johnny couldn't help but smile. She looked adorable with a little frown and pout. God was he blushing again? It was a wonder his face hadn't turned permanently red. Gazing between the two girls, he guessed he could at least be polite.

'Would you two like a lift? Easier for me to drive you home than let you walk.' Meena nodded whilst Ash swung round to beam at him. God she was pretty. His heart might have just stopped. If only he could get her to look at him like that everyday… the noise of the truck door jolted him back to earth. Meena had climbed into the cab and was belting up as she handed the porcupine her guitar case. Johnny flashed ash a toothy grin (her eyes widened, he wondered if he'd scared her), and sat behind the wheel. Turning on the engine, the music flickered for a moment. He jabbed some buttons until the radio tuned onto a mixed station.

Ash looked miniscule between the two larger animals, with only the central lap belt for protection. She turned to look up at Johnny, question in her eyes.

'I thought you said you can't legally drive this.' The gorilla grinned as Meena squeaked.

'Don't worry, we'll be fine.' Jamming the truck into gear, he revved the engine. Pulling to the opening of the alley, he saw a gap and went for it. Swerving into traffic, straight into the right lane, he shot for Meena's home. And they almost immediately slammed on the brakes at the noise that came from his passengers. Two shrieks reached his ears, reminding how this wasn't a getaway situation (no matter how much he wanted to leave what had happened behind). Slowing down dramatically, he glanced at his friends. Meena had one hand on the door, the other clamped to the dash. Poor Ash couldn't reach any car parts so had just flung arms out to grab a fist full of Meena's hoodie and Johnny's jacket. Oops.

'Sorry, guys. Not used to driving with anyone but my da' in the car.' Johnny shot them an apologetic smile, rubbing his neck. Slowing down for some lights, he concentrated on the gears. Ash and Meena slowly relaxed.

'Christ Johnny, it's a wonder you've never been pulled over,' Ash stated. She had calmed considerably, their elephant friend still squeaking lightly every time he took a corner too fast, tyres squealing. Johnny grinned back at the small mammal.

'Doesn't mean the police haven't tried.' His cheeky statement made them all start laughing. It seemed completely absurd. He still couldn't help the flutter of disappointment when the small paw let go of his jacket. Somewhere during the laughter they arrived at Meena's house. She shot them a smile.

'Thanks for the lift Johnny, even if it was slightly scary. See you both tomorrow.' And with a look to Ash, the elephant disappeared up her drive. Johnny glanced at his friend. She seemed a bit flushed. He was tempted at ask, but knew it was rude to interfere. Instead he pulled away from the house as Ash slid over to Meena's vacated seat. The porcupine looked lost in her thoughts, far away from where Johnny sat glancing at her. After a few minutes he decided she wasn't coming back out of her head, so the gorilla watched to road, singing softly along with the radio.

Pulling up outside the porcupine's flat, he turned to her. She didn't seem to notice their location, or Johnny watching her. Carefully, as to not spook her, he lent over.

'Ash… we're at yours. Are you ok?' a shake of a head later, she returned to earth. Glancing at her taller friend, she smiled, if a bit awkwardly.

'Sorry big guy, lost myself there. Suppose I should go inside then…' she trailed off not moving. Her gaze floated over his shoulder, making him nervous. What was she thinking? He glanced nervously around the truck, suddenly noticing the quills. One was stuck in his jacket arm, the other two in the seat. He gingerly pulled them out, praying Meena hadn't been caught. Holding them out to her, he chuckled.

'I guess I gave you a fright with my driving, huh?' Ash focused on him, taking the spikes back. She glanced at them before chucking them into the foot well. She grinned up at Johnny, temporarily stopping his heart again.

'Chill dude, I'm tougher than that. Just didn't expect you to drive quite like that.' Her gentle teasing made him flush and smile.

'Heh, yeah, I guess so. So I'll see you in the morning?' Ash's face said all when it came to her opinion on that. Hoping from the truck, guitar in hand, she bid her goodbye with a mix of grumbles about supposedly early starts. Turning with a wave, she shut the door and walked up the steps. A split second decision had Johnny rolling down the window, calling out to her.

'Ash! Thanks for earlier…' he trailed of. The porcupine peered over her shoulder, black lips quirked in a smile. She shot him a wink, before disappearing through the door. That wink…. Who knew those icy blues could have such an effect on him. Sitting back in his truck, he grinned to himself.

Ten minutes later, he was shutting the garage door behind him. Standing in the still strange silence, his smile had yet to falter. Leaning against the door, he sighed. Then immediately blushed wildly, again. Christ, he was like a lovesick puppy. Glad no one was around to see him, he wandered towards the staircase. A final glance at the truck stopped him. Slowly approaching it, he opened the passenger side door. Under the light of his phone, he found them. The quills Ash had thrown. They were oddly shiny, a mix of cream and soft brown.

Johnny couldn't help feel a bit weird as he pocketed them. Finally wandering upstairs, he looked at the mess of various pizza boxes and take away containers. They were still around from his dad, but he hadn't quite brought himself to throw it all out yet. Deciding to forgo lunch, he pattered to his room. Shoes kicked off, and jacket hung up, he flopped face first into his pillows. It was still quite early, late afternoon sun spilling through his window. He pulled out his phone, finger hovering over Ash's contact before groaning. Tossing the phone away, he knew that is was borderline obsessive thinking about calling her when he just dropped her off.

Rubbing large hands against tired eyes, he relaxed into the bed. Hand dipped into jeans pocket to pull out the three quills. He admired their shape and shine for a moment before gently resting them on the bedside cabinet. Gazing at them a moment longer, he turned to stare at the ceiling. Christ, after today he wasn't going to be able to look his new friends in the eyes ever again. Humming to himself, he wondered how on earth he was going to cope.