One Heart- The Greatest Showman

Chapter 53

Phillip's Pov 

We were dragged away from each other the moment we step foot into the circus tent. Anne and Lettie had basically picked Lizzy up by the arms and moved her towards her dressing room, where her mother was waiting patiently. The others had basically surrounded me when I had come in, asking me questions about what was happening in this evenings show. I looked up to see W.D leaning up against the trapeze post, smiling smugly at me due to everyone crowding around me. We had becomes pretty good friends over the time of the circus, especially after he stepped in on the night of the fire. 

I brushed everyone off telling them I would tell them soon and to just begin practise. The snow storm had pasted rather quickly, I think, I don't have the most reliable source but it felt like it did. Hesitantly everyone had began to walk away and return to their acts, allowing me to clear my head as I walked towards W.D. 

"Having fun?" He asked as a smirk made its way onto his face. 

I balled up my coat and threw it at him as I lent against the post beside him, shaking my head at his statement. He threw the coat back at me once I had let my guard down, hitting me dead centre in the face. It didn't hurt but the laughing part did.

Catching my breathe I asked him if he knew what the girls were doing. 

"No idea. Probably working on a new routine or something like that. Lettie and Anne were talking earlier but I couldn't really hear anything." 

I nodded my head and was about to ask W.D something else before someone else cam and asked for tonight's schedule. 

"That's my cue to leave." I said, walking away and beginning to make the set list up. We needed a group song and I needed to establish the new order for tonight's show. I went up to Barnum and I's shared office and lit a few lanterns to attempt to brighten up the room. Barnum would come back in every so often to check how everything was going. So his old office became my new office. Not much had changed to be honest, just the fact that it was my office now. Other than that everything was the same. 

I pulled out a quill and a bottle of ink from the drawer and began to draw up the set list for tonight. Lizzy would be doing her trapeze with Anne and W.D, Lettie would basically instruct the dance numbers, helping me where every possible, Charles would be leading the show on his elephant that Barnum some how managed to get, don't ask me I have no clue how he got it. 

I finished the set list in a little over an hour before the show ( Yes is does take that long), posting it on the board outside for everyone to see. Lizzy was no where to be seen and I couldn't really help myself, so I went looking for her. Cautiously and slowly, I made my way towards her dressing room. Hoping not to get stopped by anyone. Somehow I managed to get to her door without anyone noticing me or ambushing me. I softly knocked on the door, asking permission to enter, to which Anne yelled come in. 

Pushing open the door, I could see the three women huddled around Lizzy, each doing separate tasks. Lizzy's mother was just finishing with her hair, Anne was smudging something onto her cheeks, glitter I think, and Lettie stood back looking at Lizzy's outfit. The three of them stood back, away from Lizzy. Allowing me to see her completely. 

"Well?" Lettie asked as Lizzy's eyes darted to the ground. It was the first time I had noticed that she wasn't wearing her usual show attire and instead looked completely different. Not different in a bad way, but different in a good way. She wore a red costume with black detailing, particularly a black swirl on the bodice. It was jewelled with small shiny sequins, allowing the light catch upon it. The skirt of the costume was several pieces of black and red fabric, each piece compiled next to the other. She wore a similar pair of boots, like Anne's gold ones, but in a red. The red complemented her skin perfectly and the black just brought out her amazing features like her eyes. She didn't wear a wig, her hair was tied back so it didn't hit her face and her makeup was light enough toe embrace her features more. No elaborate wigs or complex make up. She was just Lizzy. Beautiful. 

"You look good." I stated with a smirk, as she playfully hit my arm. I couldn't help but stare for a little bit before Anne cleared her throat, breaking me out of it. "Sorry, I came to notify you guys that the show is going to start soon.  The three girls said goodbye to Lizzy as the exited the room, leaving me alone with her. 

"You look really pretty." I admitted, brushing a piece of hair behind her ear. 

"Thanks, I thought it was time to take a stand." 

I looked at her puzzled for a second before asking " A stand against what?" 

"I have hid who I am under a wig and make up. And I don't want to hide anymore." She admitted. 

"It is beautiful." Picking up a piece of her natural hair, twirling it around my finger. "You're beautiful." 

I slowly leant forward to place a kiss on her forehead before someone began to yell my name from outside, asking for me to come out and greet people as they walked through the doors. 

"You have to go." Lizzy said, with a smile. 

"Do you think we could get away with hiding in here for the entire evening?" 

She smiled, looking up to me. " And who will run the show?"

"No one. Let it fall to pieces. So long as Ihave my  Elizabeth in my arms."

She pushed on my cheek, turning my head to the side. 

"Yeah, somehow I don't think that is going to happen." She said with a giggle before she began to walk out the door, pulling me along besides her. 

"Next time?" I question, with a childish amusement.

"Maybe." She laughed as the bright lights blinded us as we walked into the arena.  

A/n

Hey guys,  am currently working on the playlist chapter by chapter so I am still taking any recommendations.

Have a great day/ night. 

Love, Maya