Looper Circus

Chapter 10

Sorry it took so long to put this chapter out! Finals killed me and I needed a few days of recovery. Then I kind of got writers block. But I'm back! I'm going on vacation in a few days, but I'll try to bring my laptop to keep writing while I'm on the beach. 

Enjoy, guys!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I woke up smiling.

I could hear the birds singing and I could almost feel the sunshine on my face. I glanced at the clock, it was almost noon.

I jumped up and decided to get ready. I decided to wear my only dress that I had. Thankfully, it was a summer dress. It was a t-shirt dress, it had thin black horizontal stripes against a white background. I paired the dress with some gold flats and even made the extra effort to paint my toes. I threw my hair up into a messy pony-tail and looked in my small, hand held mirror. I was missing something. I snapped my fingers as I realized what was missing. I dropped on my hands and knees and crawled under my rickety old bed. An old leather suitcase sat on the floor, covered in dust. I grabbed it and pulled it out. I drew in a shaky breath as I opened it. Pictures of my parents and what was left of their belongings were stored in this suitcase.

I found my mother's gold hoop earrings. I glanced at myself in the mirror once again. This is the most dressed up I've been in ages. Was it too much?

I decided I looked fine and headed out into the main tent.

Lucas and Thomas were in the main ring, shouting orders at the stage-hands and vigorously pointing in various directions, getting ready for the show going on tonight.

"No! We want the elephant rides over THERE! Over there, you imbecile!" Lucas's face turned red as he let out a slew of insults and curse words at a poor, brown haired man who looked terrified.

"Good morning, guys." I greeted, "It's a beautiful day, isn't it?"

Thomas gave me a puzzled look, "What are you dressed up for? And it's pouring rain."

"What?" I walked over to the exit of the tent that lead outside. I pulled the flaps opens and raised my eyebrows in shock. A gloomy, dark sky greeted my sight and small rivers were forming in the dirt that surrounded our tent.

Lucas came to stand behind me, "Why is this a shock? It almost always rains on your birthday."

"I heard birds chirping this morning..." I was so confused.

"You heard birds chirping?" Lucas's face dropped.

"Yeah, that's so weird. Maybe it just started raining or something." I shrugged.

I turned to walk away but Thomas caught my attention, "Get the elephants ready for tonight. You know how much I hate those stupid things."

I had a few hours until Weston came go pick me up, so I decided to help out.

I all but skipped over to the holding facility for the Elephants.

Tuska trumpeted in delight as he saw me, his trunk arched in the air.

Gunda grunted at me, eyeing my hands for the treats I always had for them. I smiled, holding out some peanuts, making the elephants squeal happily.

I started cleaning the elephants, getting them ready for the show tonight. I grabbed a brush and started to brush away any dirty residue from their rough skin. They talked quietly to each other while I painted them.