Sugar Rush

That was how they ended up in the zoo watching Jordan and Loraine being disgusting with each other. They found time to make fun of the two before they parted ways. Sidney grimaced as they walked through the Snake pit. Allison gripped his thick forearm as one of the pythons moved. Suddenly he felt a little braver against his fear of snakes. He subtly took her hand in his and squeezed it. Allison looked up at him and smiled at his gesture.

“So? Wanna get out of here as fast as possible?” Sidney whispered down at her. She nodded in pure relief. Laughing he led her along and out into the open air of the rest of the zoo.

Both let out small breaths of relief and looked around the Zoo not sure what to do.

“Do you realize Jordan and Loraine have completely vanished?” Allison asked lightly. Jordan and Loraine, though the group had divided had always been just a few yards ahead, in yelling distance at the most.

Sidney began to look around, even craning his neck to see.

“In all honesty, I think this was there plan.” Sidney stated. Allison rolled her eyes at them. “Ice cream?” He pressed almost childishly.

“If I recall,” She pointed up at him. “Ice cream is not on your diet, we had quite the fight about that while making lemon squares…also not on your diet.” She stated. He pursed his lips in a soft pout, as if debating her words.

“If I recall.” Sidney shot back. “I don’t remember saying anything about me getting ice cream. I thought you might like it, but no.” He waved his free hand. “Never mind. I’ll stop trying to be nice.” He sniffed dramatically.

“Oh dear.” She giggled. He smiled down at her. “Well in in that case,” She shot back just as dramatically. “Thank you, but no thank you.” He shrugged.

“Worth a shot, but,” he pointed. She eyed his finger. “Since we’ve been successfully ditched…” She eyed him as he spoke a touch softer. “Wanna call a cab and get out of here?” Her eyes lit up at the idea of leaving the nightmare of a Zoo.

“My knight…” Allison stopped as Loraine could be heard. “Hurry.” She gasped. Sidney laughed pulling her along.

They stopped as Loraine and Jordan seemed to cut them off, as if anticipating where they’d be going. Sidney gave her an apologetic look as the couple dragged them through the Zoo again. Allison slammed her head against Sidney’s bicep halfway through the second round around the Zoo to simply see the animals they’d missed on the first loop. He chuckled softly at her actions and removed his hand from hers. She’d forgotten they were holding hands, it seemed too natural. He looped his arms around her shoulders in a comforting manor.

“Let’s go see the Hippo’s.” Loraine gasped happily.

Allison could feel the cool drain from her face. The Hippo seemed to be her arch enemy and she hated it. She always felt huge whenever the animal was brought up, like that’s what she looked like. Big, round, dark purple brown, huge nose, bad teeth, small ears on a big head, and simply fat; that’s all she felt when around them or when the animal was brought up.

Allison watched her feet as they moved through the zoo. She lightly shrugged out of Sidney’s grasp, missing the look of concern and hurt across his features. She didn’t even take notice of the fact he’d gently taken her hand in his once more.

“Allie?” Her head snapped up at his words. She looked at his startled. “You okay?” He asked worried. She blinked a bit startled. He was waited for a response.

Giving a weak smile she nodded at him. What did he see in her? She was huge, ugly, and completely opposite of what he should want, or be chasing after. Her eyes shifted ahead of them to the happy, a picture perfect model couple in front of them laughing, smiling, and having a good time. Then there was them, not even technically together, but still. He was that perfect model type in every way, and she was the chubby nerd who liked to bake and feed her emotions - the one that usually sat in the back of the classroom in high school with her head down because no one wanted to be her friend.

“Allie?” He pressed again. This time he came to a stop, gently tugging her to a stop as well.

“I just… I don’t like Hippos.” She sighed heavily. Looking up at him like a terrified child she gave a weak shrug. “I hate them actually.” She added. Worrying her bottom lip she torn her gaze away from his questioning, almost scrutinizing gaze.

“Are you afraid of them?” He pressed.

Was she afraid of Hippos? She wasn’t sure if she actually afraid of them of the ones at the zoo which held horrible memories for her. She’d have to say she more so felt sorry for them, they didn’t ask to be fat or ugly – just like she hadn’t. Granted they didn’t go to a gym all the time like her and not lose weight like she did, but she still didn’t ask to be fat and ugly.

“Yeah…” She whispered finally. Still unsure of her answer as she looked back at him sadly she shrugged again as if the simple shrug would make everything better. His large shoulders seemed to raise slightly at her simple utterance, almost in a protective move.

“We don’t have to go if you’re afraid of them. I’m sure Loraine and Jordan won’t notice…” He looked up and around at his words. Jordan and Loraine were at the gate to the Hippos habitat watching them concerned. Allison followed his gaze to the couple and looked back at him with a pointed look. “We can tell them you’re sick.”

“You’ve clearly yet to meet Loraine.” Allison deadpanned. “Woman gets what she wants even if the other person if dying.” Sidney shrugged.

“She’s never had to deal with me before.” Sidney countered. Allison eyed him funny. “I always get what I want, even if the other person is dying.” He added lightly. She rolled her eyes.

“You go tell her we’re leaving and not get the look of death from her.” Sidney nodded at her sad spoke words.

“Consider it done.” Sidney didn’t even hesitate as he walked towards them, lightly pulling Allison along who began to slowly hide behind him like a frightened child as they grew closer to the habitat.

The closer they got, the fatter and uglier she felt. She kept her gaze on the ground to keep from looking at the animals she identified herself with.

“Hey, we’re going to go.” Sidney started.

“Why?” Jordan and Loraine both demanded. Jordan couldn’t help but smirk and lightly wiggle his eyebrows at Sidney who glared slightly.

“Allie’s not feeling good.” Loraine looked at Allison’s hiding form and stopped her eyes went wide and she glanced behind her at one of the Hippos. “You okay?” Sidney asked her confused as Jordan looked back at the Hippos confused.

“Yeah, fine.” Loraine shot quickly. “Make sure she gets home safe, okay?” Allison looked up confused and a bit stunned at her best friend who only smiled at her weakly with a sympathetic smile. “Feel better sweetie.” Allison only nodded.

Sidney pulled her along as Allison tried to figure out what had just happened till it clicked. She’d meet Loraine in middle school, they were both in the eighth grade together. They hadn’t been friends till after the school annual trip to the horrid zoo they were in- it was the fourth time Allie had been to the Zoo. Loraine had silently watched at the Hippos as Allison was picked on and through most of the trip and then she’d snapped and defended her halfway through the trip stunning everyone – even Allison.

Glancing back at her friend she gave a grateful smile which she got a real smile back.

“I win.” Sidney stated down at her. Allison rolled her eyes at his smugness.

“I bet you she realized with us gone she could do whatever she wants with Jordan.” Sidney grimaced.

“So didn’t need that visual.” He grumbled. Allison only shrugged at him slowly.

“Truth hurts sometimes, other times it’s just disgusting.” She admitted. Sidney laughed with a nod.

“So, now what? We are officially free to completely leave the zoo. Where do you want to go now?”

“Home.” Sidney groaned at her simply utterance. She just wanted to go home and crawl into bed.

“No.” He stated boldly. “We’re doing something. You never do anything with me. So we’re doing something.”

“We baked three days ago.” She pointed out.

“Lame.” She gasped, smacking him, listening to his dorky laugh as he curled slightly to avoid her swing. “I’m kidding!” he laughed loudly. “I meant something outside of your apartment…” He trailed off watching her. She could see the wheels turning in his eyes as hers began to turn as well.

“No.” Sidney sighed and nodded.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to. It was that she didn’t want to get halfway into it and when he started to take her clothes off realize he only liked her with cloths on and not want to anymore – not want her anymore. Her self-esteem and confidence level had been low enough before the zoo and the zoo had decided it wanted to kick the crap out of what little self-esteem and confidence she still did have.

“Okay.” He didn’t even protest. He could wait till she was ready. She was all he wanted, so he’d wait. “Then what do you want to do?” He asked in place of any other comment.