No Place Small Enough

By Fern

Distribution: This is a commission. Please do not use or distribute this story in any way, both as the original or an altered copy, without the permission of the commissioner.

"That's when she swallowed the shrimp along with the wine by accident. I just couldn't hold in my laughter. There was cocktail spewing out of my nose!"

"Uh-huh. Um, can we talk about something a little less disguising over dinner, if that is alright?"

"Yeah-yeah, sure. Just let me finish. Oh yeah, she hit her own stomach with her fists. She spat out the shrimp in one go and it landed in this other chick's hair! She was screaming bloody murder while I spat out my drink in laug... hey! Where are you going? We haven't even ordered yet.

Nika pulls up her jeans as she wiggles her way out of her seat. She doesn't even look at him as she replies, "I lost my appetite." That's quite a feat to do to someone who loves food as much as her.

Harthrone, one the regulars at the local gym, pulls a bus bench upward while two ladies were still sitting right on it. He basks in the glory as the sun radiates a glow of pride.

"That's the third thing you ripped out of the ground on the way here," Nika giggles, not minding the gun show. "We're gonna be at the restaurant by tomorrow if you keep stopping~!"

Hathrone grins as if a death-row inmates' firing squad missed their mark as the two ladies give him plenty of attention. Lipstick and makeup smear on the horse's face along with the other smudges from the earlier babes.

"... and that's the third time you start to ignore me," continues Nika, quickly losing her sense of humor and her patience.

"... my body isn't good enough for you?"

"Heyheyhey, I have nothing against you. I just have to look good for the upper management and that includes a significant other they can agree with. Surely with your line of work, you can understand that," the goat chuckles with a sly smile as he readjusts his tie for the fourth time.

"But my job requires that I have this figure," she grits her teeth in annoyance. Despite the generous meal of steak the goat has ordered paid in full, Nika no longer wants to touch the stuff.

"After the promotion I earn with you on my side, you won't need to work anymore. I'll provide for us both and you can lounge around the house to your heart's content! Now, my boss is a sucker for the hourgl--"

"Save it," Nika interrupts as she puts the cloth napkin back on the table. "I love my job. I'm not going to sell out just so that you reap the benefits." She promptly takes her leave without taking a single bite, leaving the goat confused as he still doesn't get why she wouldn't take such a "great" deal.

"Uuuugh," bellows Nika as she plants her huge bum on the couch, covering about half of it with her rear alone. Maybe I should give up this internet dating business. No matter how often technology improves, some just like to weasel their way around their bad personalities with careful wording. It also doesn't help that I had to remake my account thrice in order for the press to get off my tail.

The hot "BBW Supermodel" has been feeling lonely as of late. Living in an apartment that is designed for someone like her has got her thinking about something to fill up all that extra space. Mainly, someone she can snuggle. She does visit people, but they can rarely visit her due to some of the other celebrities in her neighborhood being quite imitating toward the lower class. Don't get them wrong. They constantly have to deal with creepy fans and snooping paparazzi on a daily basis, so some of them have their hopes about the common public being a bit dashed and misunderstood. Nevertheless, it makes it hard for Nika to invite anyone over to her place. Online socializing, formal parties, and visiting friends can only fulfill so much before the heart aches for romance.

Nika lies down on the couch as she raises the volume to hear some court TV. She hasn't made any formal dates yet as she prefers simple dates that don't gather much attention. Fans and photographers giver her plenty attention, so she likes to have dates where she can get away from it all for a while as her attire shows: just a simple pair of blue jeans and a white tee with grey sleeves.

The panda pulls out a photo of a white tiger. The name "Rourke" is written on the other side. He has a wonderful headshot, so professionally cropped and cleaned up. He gives out a proud, yet friendly smile. Nika feels a bit warmer inside from looking at it. Then again, a few of the other guys also had great pictures that made her feel the same.

Pulling out her phone, Nika sighs as she checks the time. The couch creaks as she gets off it. Alright, I can't risk making another account due to my manager's advice, she thought, still looking at the photo. You're my last hope to see a relationship I can actually picture myself being happy in.

As if on cue, the doorbell suddenly rings. Promptly opening the door, Nika is surprised to see her date! The white Bengal tiger gives a causal wave, his other arm behind his back. His attire, like Nika, is causal. He dons a pair of faded blue jeans, showcasing years of use. He has a white jersey which the panda notices has a bit of sweat on the chest. A white leather jacket with red shoulders covers his arms as well as any embarrassing underarm spots.

"Are you alright," asked Nika as she continues to observe the Rourke from head to toe. "You didn't had to run all the way to pick me up. We promised to meet at the Jerry's Catch for some seafood."

"Heh, yeah about that. Well, you've told me last chat the press has been giving you some trouble. When I arrived at the place, I noticed there was a reporter at one of the tables. She thought she was being clever by being undercover, but her camera was sticking out of her handbag by a nautical mile. I took the food on the go and tried to call you, but I forgot to charge my battery overnight. So... here I am!"

Nika was speechless as she blinked at him. For a while, there was nothing but silence between the two of them. The panda took the time to notice his shape. His biceps can be seen plumping out his jacket with curves as gentle as a sandy plain. His thighs are thick and defined like a jogger’s legs, stretching out his jeans in a similar fashion. Nika notes that he looks the same as the photos on his online profile.

"Sooo... where would you like to have our meal?"

Nika politely smiled and replied, "you know what? I had enough going out to the public for a while. Let's just dine on the balcony where no one will bother us."

The tiger smiles in return and follows Nika inside. The tiger reveals the hidden arm as he hangs up his leather jacket. Going back outside, he lifts and carries in a huge box of seafood combo meals with ease "I hope you don't mind about my appearance," Rourke apologizes as he places the food on a table next to the balcony door. He takes a few sniffs in the air. "... or the smell."

"It's fine," Nika giggles as she places several pieces of wrapped food on her side of the table. "Just come sit down and eat. You ran all this way after all."

The tiger chuckles as he nearly slips off of his chair. Despite his wide stature, the seat is made for someone with a more exaggerated figure. "Nah, I'm fine. I run a mile every Saturday morning to keep in shape. Even with the box, it was a... cake... walk..." Rourke blinks as he sees Nika has already went through two meals before he even finished unwrapping his first one. "Heh, I guess you got to watch that figure for your line of work?"

Nika giggles even more. She can't help but like how fast she can eat compared to most people. "Yes, but mainly it's because I looooove to eat!"

The gym buff tears a big chunk of his halibut. "Even if it is a different kind of figure, it shows how hard you work to keep up your image. I like that in a woman."

Nika blushes, feeling all warm inside.

"More importantly, you're doing what you love, right?"

"Heh, well, technically I was aspiring to be an artist. That gig didn't work out so well though, but I had other interests!"

The tiger chuckles as Nika finishes her fifth one, "I can see that!"

For the rest of the night, the both of them just conversed. Rourke continued to explain about the klutz reporter that he spotted at the restaurant. Having seen her fare share of amateurs, Nika couldn't help but stifle her laugher in the middle of the story. Rourke didn't make fun of the reporter though; he only explained what was so amusing. He's not only gentle and friendly with his tone, but he's subtle too. Rourke was happy to explain what he does to keep himself in shape as Nika does the same in return. That warmth she felt ever since she looked at the photo hasn't faded because Rourke showed just as much interest to her as she did with him. Before they realized it, sundown started to glare past the horizon.

They didn't do as much in their date as Nika had planned, but she didn't care. Good food and conversation: simple pleasures, but they're the bread and butter of a date for her. Instead of lazing around on the couch with low expectations, she now watches television with anticipation as she waits for a call for a second date.

Nika and Rourke are property of Devin Lesang.

2011 © Fern (Pen name.)