Ash plodded into the theatre the next morning, unsure if she's see Johnny. He had run out of her flat with such speed, she was sure she had gone too far. Huffing a sigh, she took another mouthful of mocha. Money was short, but she was up so late last night that she thought she'd treat herself to a coffee from Cowsta. She reached the stage, spotting Meena straight away. The elephant was moving a couple of microphones on stage, in front of a podium. Ash strolled up to her.

'Sup, what's this stuff for?' was the porcupine's greeting. She had never been known for her subtleness, finding it a waste of time. Just as Meena went to reply, Buster trotted out from behind the curtain. Waving to get her attention, the koala started speaking.

'Ash! Perfect, you're here. We're moving rehearsals onto the stage to try and really get into the presentation. Johnny explained that you'd perfected your character, well done by the way, and I thought we could really get the show on the road.' His enthusiasm was manic, waving his small arms around his head in emphasis. Ash just stared.

'Uhhhh, ok then.' She turned back to Meena, grinning slightly. The younger girl shrugged her shoulders, as if to say she was just as lost. Their employer was mad at the best of times, let alone when a performance was on. Ash watched her friend glance up and smile at the space behind her. Before the elder could turn to inspect, a deep voice came from behind her.

'Do you need a hand Meena?' Ash nearly shot out of her skin. Johnny had been somehow managed to creep up on her, leaving only about a foot and a half between them. He was lucky not to get a face full of quills. She spun, thumping him on the arm.

'Oii you git, announce your presences before walking behind me,' she grumbled lightly. The gorilla gave her a small smile.

'Sorry Ash, didn't mean to spook ya.' His accent seemed a bit thicker than usual, practically making Ash's fur stand on end. The conversation was also eerily similar to their lines last night. Ash attempted to shake those memories away, just glad her friend was talking to her. She rolled her eyes at him, before turning back to Meena.

'So, what's the plan?'


This was a going so much better in Johnny's eyes. When practice began, Ash had no trouble slipping into the person she became the previous night – not surprising given it was basically her own personality. She hadn't even mentioned him running out, much to the teen's relief. He wasn't entirely sure if they had been about to kiss, but he had panicked anyway. Too terrified of messing it up, he acted like an idiot instead.

Currently they were reciting various lines, whilst Buster threw out instructions. Johnny felt lost in the constant stream of 'walk to the left', 'shrug more there Johnny, that's it', and 'look deeply at each other, feel the love between the characters'. The last one had him feeling uncomfortably hot around the collar, Ash's icy blue eyes rolling as she attempted to maintain eye contact. The height difference didn't help, even if Buster thought it added volume to the relationship.

Ash had explained to Johnny the basic plot of the original story, and how it had been adapted. Instead of two giraffes in the early twenties, destined to be in arranged marriages with others, it was now the forbidden love of a porcupine and gorilla in the 21st century. Whilst interspecies relationships weren't frowned upon as much nowadays, animals still tended to veer towards those of similar size and characteristics. So pairing such as pigs and sheep, or a bear and a lion. Johnny was seen as quite lucky in that respect. Gorillas had many other animals of their size and musculature. Large cats for one were a popular matching. Or elephants, bears, cows, buffalo, deer, even some large reptiles and birds. But nobody had ever seen such a pairing of a gorilla and a porcupine.

Which put Johnny in a bit of a sticky situation. He had always found his eye drift to smaller animals, finding their stature to be almost adorable. And whilst for any other animal he had glanced with appreciation of their looks, never had he gone any further. Hell, Ash was the first person he hugged that wasn't family. So the play was hitting a little too close to home to be comforting. Rosita's voice bust him away from those thoughts.

'Toni, be realistic. He's not bad looking, but you are worlds apart. He's break your heart in a second, and a porcupine with a gorilla?' Ash snorted.

'Cath, I am not saying I would date him. Hell no, I'm just saying he ain't bad looking.' Came with an eye roll. Currently, Toni was talking to her friends Cathy (Rosita) and Harriet (Meena) about the various guys at their school. The focus had turned to the character Dennis, meaning Johnny had to stand over to the side and look busy. It was one of the very first scenes in the play, and was coming together nicely. Meena was next to pipe up.

'Yeah, and I heard that Victor Stanley had his eye on you, Toni. Word is that he is going to ask you to half way prom.' The deadpan, bored voice was strange on the youngest, but the elephant pulled it off well. It reminded the gorilla of the cheetah secretary at the prison. 'Toni' had a snappy reply.

'And over my dead body will I be accepting. That dude couldn't tell his tail from his leg.' The look on Ash's face was amusing. To Johnny, it looked like she had tasted something horrid. He almost laughed. Meena started again.

'Come on girl, look at your options…' was slightly tuneful. The scene cut there, as the first song was meant to begin. Buster clapped to catch their attention.

'Excellent! Just add in some props and background characters, and we will be perfect. I shall see you all tomorrow, same time.' Johnny started, was it really the end of the day? He had been drifting for too long. And apparently he still was, as the others were all packing up, ready to leave. He shoved his script in his pocket, jogging after Ash and Meena. He caught the tail end of their conversation.

'…. Got a birthday party this weekend, and homework. Sorry Ash, I really wish I could,' the younger girl apologised. Ash grinned at her.

'No, it's chill. Just thought I'd offer.'

'What you guys talking bout?' Johnny interjected. Both girls shrugged.

'Just trying to meet up over the weekend. Mooching around the flats a bit boring now.' Ash said casually. Johnny tilted his head.

'I'm free Sunday if you want to meet up.' It was an offer of friendship, he told himself. Nothing to do with spending more one on one time with the beautiful porcupine. Or at least that's what he told himself. Meena giggled suddenly, giving Ash a look. The smaller glared at the girl, before turning back to himself.

'Sure big guy, sounds like a plan. I'll text you later, and we came decide what to do.' Johnny beamed, not even giving Meena's reaction a second thought.


He would never admit that he's spent all evening checking his phone until Ash text. He was so nervous about missing a message, when a ping did ring out, he jumped. Grabbing his phone, he unlocked it with trembling fingers.

*heyy, wat you thinking for sunday?* he began typing frantically.

*hello. Not sure really*

*skill big guy. Wanna catch a movie*

*I did say I had nothing planned :P. Sure, but its your pick.*

*the new goatbusters?*

*never seen the original, but sure :)*

*I swear you haven't lived, we are so having a group movie night with the classics*

*whatever you say Ash*

*wise move, agreeing. Or youd be dragged kicking and screaming*

*I definitely believe that*

*good* before he could type anything, another ping came through.

*Right, so see ya tomorrow?*

*will do. G'night Ash and sweet dreams*

*you even text like a brit. Night Johnny*

The last words glowing on his screen made him smile. He spent the rest of the evening re-reading all of their messages, wondering if he was just crazy, or if there was an actual connection between them. He felt so comfortable around the porcupine, even if he did spend the whole time blushing. He had never been so close to someone, had such a friendship. And whilst he adored ever second of what they had, he could only wish for more. To be able to hold that small paw, cuddle into soft fur at night, kiss those soft black lips…

Snap out of it Johnny. The teen shook himself before his thoughts could go any further. He shouldn't be thinking about his friend in such ways, no matter how beautiful she is. He was raised better than that. Which seemed strange, due to his background, yet to him, it wasn't. Johnny had always been taught to respect women, his father clearly stating,

'We act like men rule the world, but every single man out there has one weakness. Tha' one special lady that he'd do anything fer. Yer mum was mine, and one day, yer'll find yours.' At the time, Johnny had been young, and just thought girls were icky. Now, he couldn't agree more. Ash was becoming his everything. His world rotated around the porcupine, as did his mind. And that night, so did his dreams.