Jessica stared at me with an enormous grin upon her lips and lowered her voice to a whisper. "Later." She winked for effect, and I felt butterflies spin in my stomach.
Giddy, we held hands like two kids on their first date, and enjoyed each other's company.
At least, until the row behind the beautiful giraffe began to fill. The three seats behind us stayed open until some teenagers entered and pushed their way into the theater, not noticing what they were sitting behind. A long neck towered above them.
It began as laughing behind us. Obvious laughing. I sighed heavily and I exchanged brief eye contact with my date. She shared my sigh but kept her smile.
"He's probably into fucking dogs." One whispered, and the giggling resumed.
Jessica gulped, and looked down at me nervously. She could see the red flushing in my face, but held my hand tightly. She raised her other arm and put her face in her palm, sighing loudly. "I'm sorry," She whispered, clearly mortified. "I get this a lot."
I felt my blood boil as the taunting got louder, and I squeezed the giraffe's hand harder.
"Just ignore them." Jessica said calmly, though I could see her brow furrow in annoyance as she tried to follow her own advice.
"Hey, fur freaks! Down in front!" The laughing and taunting began in earnest again. By now all eyes were on Jessica, and she was clearly uncomfortable.
I was about to act and started to rise from my seat to crack some skulls, but I was held down as the giraffe rose instead. The theater went eerily silent, watching the confrontation play out. "Listen, boys. There are plenty of other seats in this theater. If you can't see, then move."
"Or what?" The lead boy with the backwards cap sneered. "You gonna fuck us to death, whore?"
There was an audible gasp from several people and Jessica's face fell. It looked like she wanted to cry, and I felt my heart break. Instead, the giraffe stood tall and proud, and knelt down ever so slightly to stare the lead bully in the eyes. She remained unshakably cool, not even her voice wavering. "I'd be careful, young man. You're liable to make an even bigger ass of yourself than you already are."
"Whatever, bitch!" The boy scoffed, and was suddenly startled as somebody threw a bag of popcorn at his head. This was joined by others throwing something else, until all three boys were being pelted with various food items and candy while the audience booed them viciously.
"Come on!" The bully finally stood with his cronies. "We don't need this shit. Let's go."
As they left the theater the audience roared with approval and began clapping and cheering Jessica as she sat back down, having lost none of her pride.
"That... that was amazing." I blinked, looking at the giraffe in new awe. "How did you stay so calm?"
She smiled and looked down on me, taking my hand once more as the lights began to dim. "Let's say I believe in karma."
The previews began to play.