Chapter Thirty Six

Lyla's Point Of View

"If I give you fruit snacks will you stop poking my cheek?" I asked Elisa.

She sat up from my shoulder and immediately shook her head yes.

I sighed and dug through my purse and brought out a bag of fruit snacks. I handed a small pack to Elisa.

"Thank you!" She announced as she opened the packaging.

I heard a whine from across me.

There sat Peter, Ben, Sammi, and Nalla.

"We want some too." Ben begged, sticking out his bottom lip.

I sighed and handed them their own small bag.

"Thanks Lyla!" They all cheered.

I handed two to Nick and Jameson, who were staring at me with wide eyes. "We're almost there." I looked at the signs passing by the bus we are taking.

"It's so far away." Nalla whined and leaned against the window.

Simultaneously they all groaned, "Shut up Nalla."

I laughed

~~~

"Woah." Ben stopped on the stairs leading out of the bus to stare at the outside of the Zoo.

"Go dumbass." Sammi shoved Ben forward.

Ben turned to stick his tongue out at Sammi before scrambling out of Sammi's hitting range. I felt Jameson slip his hand into mine, eyeing the people milling around us nervously. "It's okay Jameson." I reassured, squeezing his hand. "Just ignore everyone."

I saw him swallow then offered me a smile. He's just trying to act brave.

After buying the overpriced tickets, I handed the boys each a map of the zoo. "As long as we don't get separated, you all will be fine." I said with a smile.

"What if we do get separated?" Jameson whispered, staring at me with wide eyes.

Again, I squeezed his hand reassuringly. "We won't." I promised.

~~~

"Goddamnit Ben." Sammi cussed as she pulled Ben back, saving him from swimming with the stingrays. "Be more careful."

"Oh thank you Sammi!" Ben hugged the unwilling Sammi. "I almost died and you saved me!"

Sammi scoffed but didn't try to get Ben off of her.

They're so cute.

"Smile Lyla!" Nalla hugged my shoulder and took a selfie with me.

"Hey, is that my phone?" I asked, watching her smile down at the phone.

Nalla lowered my phone and looked up slowly. "Maybe...." Nalla tried to hide her smile.

I held out my hand and he sighed and handed back my phone. "Thank you." I scrolled through my photos.

A good hundred or so pictures were taken by Nalla himself. The youngest three (Elisa, Nick, and Jameson) posed for most of the pictures.

I saw a picture of Jameson eating an ice cream cone.

"Hey," I looked up. "Where's Jameson?" Noticing the bunny was no longer clutching my hand

Nalla shrugged her shoulders. "Ask those two." She pointed to Nick and Elisa. Nick was trying to restrain Elisa from scratching the tank of fish.

"Nick, Lisa, where's Jameson?" I walked over to them, clutching my purse nervously.

"He went to the bathroom." Nick replied, smacking Elisa's hand.

We weren't near a bathroom.

"How long ago did he leave?" I could barely breathe.

Nick let go of Elisa and looked over at me, probably hearing the panic in my voice.

"30 minutes ago?" Nick said hesitantly.

"Oh God." I looked down at the ground, feeling my heart beat go even faster.

My chest tightened and my hands grew clammy. Everything was spinning.

"Lyla, Lyla?" Nick stepped towards me.

I didn't answer.

"Where is he?" I whispered over and over.

"Nalla!" Nick shouted over at him.

"Lyla," Nalla grabbed my shoulders softly and made me look at her. "What's wrong?"

"Jame-Jameson." I mumbled, feeling everything just go, dead.

I can't breathe.

I wheezed, trying my best to get some air into my unwilling lungs.

Shoving Nalla's arms off of me, I slowly made my way to a bench and sat down, closing my eyes.

Someone touched my knee.

I opened my eyes and saw Peter crouched down in front of me.

"Take as long as you need." He nodded, looking up at Elisa standing beside him.

Everyone nodded.

I took a deep breath.

"We need to find Jameson."

Jameson's Point Of View

I dried off my hands with the paper towel and threw it into the trash can.

I paused, frowning at the other crumpled up paper towels disregarded on the ground.

Bending down, I picked up all of them and put them in the trash.

Then I had to wash my hands again.

"Remember to always use your manners and help when you see where help is needed."

I stared at Lyla as she readjusted my coat.

"Ok?" She smiled at me.

I looked down at her and felt a wide smile grow across my face.

"Ok Lyla." -

I smiled, proud of the good deed I just accomplished.

Lyla is going to be so proud when I tell her!

Not able to contain my excitement, I rushed outside, ready to meet Lyla and the boys.

But, no one was out there.

I felt my ears shake inside of the beanie on top of my head.

"Lyla?" I called out slightly, turning in a circle.

Everyone was walking everywhere. Children ran past me, parents chasing after them in distress.

There's so many people, they're all closing in around me.

My foot tapped the ground quickly, agitated. I felt my breathing become faster and more shallow.

Lyla?

Nalla?

Anyone?

There's no one.

I rushed into a dark room just ahead of me, tears filling behind me.

Lyla's Point Of View

"Maybe he's in here?" Sammi glanced back at me as she pointed to the room where all of the baby mammals were held.

I ran my hand through my hair, reminding myself to take deep breaths, trying to calm my panic attack.

"Let's look." I walked into the dimly lit room.

"Jameson?" Ben called out, causing stares from some adults.

Someone sneezed from a few rooms away

I've heard that sneeze before.

"That's Jameson!" Elisa jumped, running towards the sound.

I ran as well, hoping with all my heart that it really is Jameson.

"Jamie!" Elisa tackled the bunny with a hug, sending them both tumbling to the ground.

I laughed out loud, feeling tears of relief threatening to spill.

I joined the two on the ground in their hug.

"I'm so sorry Jungkook! I thought you were with us! I was so distracted I'm really, really sorry." I apologized over and over.

Jungkook shoved Taehyung out of his way and hugged me, burying his face in my hair. I kissed his cheek.

"It's okay Lyla. I know there's a lot of us." Jungkook spoke, his voice muffled from my hair.

"That's no reason I should not have realized you were gone." I sat on my legs, holding Jungkook's hand.

"It's okay Lyla. I was only scared for a little bit. But the baby animals talked to me and we played some games! I told them stories of the outside world and about you! They said they wanted to meet you! Can you meet them? I told them that you would." Jungkook spoke, barely pausing to take a breath.

I could only sit and smile at him.

"Of course I'll meet them Jungkook."

Maybe my little Bunny really is all grown up.