Firebird (Revised)

Chapter 4- Show Off

   I stayed sitting by the ribbons a moment. The tent was surprisingly empty and quiet. I heard commotion outside but nothing unusual. Only music and laughter as always. It had becoming a comforting sound.

   Once I mustered the energy to walk, I went to the trailer to get out of the leotard I’d worn all day. I changed into a loose shirt and comfortable pants. I stood in the mirror and took the pin out of my hair letting it fall over my shoulders. I didn’t like the way it looked when it was down. It was tangled and knotted. My bangs were too long and tucked behind my slightly pointed ears. It made my sharp nose and dull green eyes less noticeable though and I didn’t like my hair up either.

   The door to the trailer suddenly burst open and Astley hopped inside. “Come Bella! We must hurry! No time to waste-“

   “What’s wrong?” I asked, worriedly. It wasn’t until I looked into his sparkling blue eyes that I realized nothing was wrong at all. I laughed. “You know this is the girls trailer?” It was empty for once but still smelled of all the perfumes and hairspray.

   He grinned and looked around at the frilly pink decor. “Yes, I know. Lovely isn’t it? Smells much nicer in here than the men’s. Now come! Hurry!”

   I slung my bag over my should and I took his hand. We ran across the sharp, grassy field to the camp. It was hard to keep up with him, for his legs were much longer than mine. I could tell he ran a bit slower than he normally would because of this.

   There was a large group of performers gathered in a cluster, watching something within them. Astley and I broke in to see a couple of red haired jugglers. They tossed up flaming torches and huge knives without flinching. The strangest thing was, they were wearing blindfolds.

   I didn’t feel safe so close to blind jugglers but Astley pushed me along towards them. He was without fear as always. Maybe it came with being here so long. He shouted along with the others who cheered amongst them. Most were Irish, red-haired and bearded.

   The juggling men stopped and the circle when one dropped his torch. Half the crowd cheered, the other booed. The men removed their blindfolds and clapped each other on the shoulder. The winner between the two spotted us watching and held out his arms. “If it isn’t our very own Astley Rickett! Come to play a bit o’ Show Off?”

   He was a big man with large hands and nose and a pudgy red face. His beard hung over his neck in frizzy curls. The Irish in him was very apparent. With a hearty laugh, he slapped Astley on the shoulder nearly throwing him off balance.

   “Yes I wanted Bella to see how we like to have fun around here. Any spots open?”

   “You’re just in time.” He saw me and glanced back at Astley. “Found yourself a lady friend, did you?” He let out another laugh and turned to the group. “Astley’s finally got himself a girl!”

   They whistled at me and laughed at Astley. I felt my face go red but I smiled along with them. Astley winked at me and squeezed my hand then  mock scowled at them. “What? Didn’t think I could find a girl? Shame on you, Gallagher.”