ambience [h.s]

CHAPTER 10.

There are paparazzi waiting when we get to the zoo. They begin flashing immediately. It’s not until we enter the gate that the 200 screaming girls come flying in out of fucking nowhere. I almost scream. Diana runs to the side of the concrete and onto the grass to talk to one of the guards. They surround us, circling and screeching. They begin to grab, some are crying. They are vicious. One yanks on my hair. A yelp escapes my lips. Harry looks at me asking if I am alright, and what happened. I just shake my head and continue plowing through them. My head is throbbing slightly, but I forget about it when somebodies arm comes from the sea of people and scrapes down my neck, drawing blood. I cry out in pain. I feel a strong arm wrap around my shoulders, pulling me close, tucking me into a strong chest. The stinging draws unwanted tears and I fight to keep them back. Harry is shouting something that I don't hear because the wind is blocking out the noises. More hands pull on my clothing. My jacket is partially ripped off my shoulder, exposing skin to the coldness. Large hands pull it back up, muttering something in my ear. It sounds like an “we’re almost there” so I nod. I concentrate on matching my breaths to Harry’s. When the ground I am staring at turns to hay and I see cages out of the corner of my eye, and the door closes, I look up. I am still in Harry’s arms, my neck is still burning, though it’s better now that the wind isn't pushing it into further pain. Harry unwraps his arm and takes my face in his hands. I am surprised by the gesture, though I try to hide it. I think I see him realize what he is doing as he drops his hands, looking embarrassed. 

“What happened?” His soothing voice rushes over me.

“Nothing, I’m fine.” 

“Rose, I heard you cry out. I felt them pulling on you.”

“Their nails got my neck a little, that’s all.” I turn so he can see. 

“There’s blood!” He exclaims. 

“Good observation.” I retort. He rolls his eyes but I see his mouth twitching up at the corners. 

“Do you need a-“ He begins, his face concerned, but before he can finish, a woman walks in a zookeeper uniform. 

“Hello Harry! Welcome! Are you ready to go out there and hold some tigers for us?” She asks excitedly. Diana slips in through the door and stands next to me professionally. 

“Yes, thank you. I hope you don’t mind that I brought along Rose and Diana, two friends?”’ Harry smiles sweetly. That beggar. 

“Of course not! I am sorry about the girls, I hope they weren't to bad!” The lady turns and motions for us to follow her through the empty cages. I hold in a couple of snide remarks and follow behind Harry. Diana squeezes my hand from beside me, raising her eyebrows in question if I am okay. I nod. She lets out a breath. We catch up to Harry and he looks like he is fighting some internal battle. I touch his shoulder and he snaps his head to me. His eyes meet mine. I don't say anything I just stare back into his eyes, wishing I could see inside that curly head. The lady leads us to cages that have tigers in them. I break eye contact and walk to the cages. I kneel down and he kneels next to me. The tiger in the cages is laying down, the open door behind it leading to its “habitat” of open space, yet it stays in this cage. It has beautiful stripes and vibrant orange fur. All I can do is stare at this captivating creature with black eyes. It’s amazing. I look to Harry to share the beauty with, but find him already looking at me. I try to stop the fluttering of my heart. 

“It’s amazing isn't it?” He says, his words almost a whisper. 

“My thoughts exactly.” I try not to look at his full pink lips as they curl into a small smile.

“The cubs are over here!” The lady- Veronica her name tag reads, calls out to us, Diana already with her. Without a word I stand up. Harry does the same. 

“Is your neck really okay?” He asks gently.

“Harry I’m fine I swear. Are you?” He nods in response. He turns to walk to the tiger cage and I follow close behind. I gasp and hear Harry snicker at my reaction when I see what’s in Diana’s arms. It’s a white baby tiger. She looks at it with complete adoration. I reach out and stroke it’s head, it perks it up, meeting my touch. I smile and pet it like I used to pet Diana’s cat.

“Harry you take this one.” Veronica hands a normally orange and black striped one to Harry. He looks startled but takes it in his arms. “Now go out there and answer questions! And talk about the zoo and how great it is!” He nods. “Are you ladies going out?” I shrug. Why not? Veronica hands me a white one, like Diana’s. It’s so cute I almost want to hug it hard. But instead, I cradle it like a puppy. 

“Go!” Veronica insists, shooing us out. When we step out onto the small landing, the crowd of girls and parents and some boys screams. I resist the rising urge to cover my ears and run back inside remembering my neck. Veronica comes out with two mics. She hands one over to Harry and talks to the crowd about how they are going to ask Harry anything they want. I drone out the crowd and the questions, letting the general sound of Harry’s gravely voice take over my hearing and the tiger take over my vision. I don't even know what the audience is saying until I see Harrys arm tense up next to mine. I snap out of my zone and let myself hear things again. 

“What was that?” Harry growls. What the fuck is going on? I glance at Diana but she is paled and frozen. 

“I said-why do you keep hanging around with that slut Rose?” A high voice comes from the audience. It takes a moment to find the source. Its a light haired girl with pale skin and braces, looking proud of her question. Harry glares. 

“She isn’t-“ Harry begins, raking his free hand through his curls. “This is Rose.” He gestures to me. “Rose isn't a slut. So shut up please.” He says, the anger lingering in his voice. He seems like he wants to say more but stops. More lights flash as I smile sweetly at the girl.  

“That is all we have time for today!” Veronica calls stepping onto the stage and grabbing mic from Harry. 

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s'cute. 

more to come. hooray! vote and comment and share this story!!!!! 

-sage