Popee x Reader - Running From Scars

Chapter 3

I felt my bags slipping from my shoulder as I walked. At times, I closed my eyes and growled. I quickly slipped the strap back on and sighed.

I had been walking for two hours. Two boring, lonely hours. I kept walking by the directions drew on my arm. I looked down at the markings and turned down a new road. I looked up at the pattern of streetlights at the edge of the sidewalk. I was almost there...I think. I can see the sign for the town over ahead of me. I looked up abandoned buildings in the town while I ate on a bench on the sidewalk.

They weren't deep in the town. Almost right at the entrance of my town. I found out that there are a lot of theories say that the circus is there, you just have to walk through a lot of sand. It should be worth it though. I wanna meet them and I want to become a performer.  I smiled once more and jogged to the town sign, my bags beating on my back, making me cough slightly. 

What would it be like there? What is Popee's father has a blog of some sort and talks about it? What is Popee's father gave up? Is Popee even there, or his sister? Was Marifa his sister? 

My mind was racing. Even if they were thoughts that hurt in a way, reminding me I left my family for nothing or for a terrible experience, but I must know what it was like and if everyone is there. If anyone is there. I sighed.

I passed the sign and looked from side to side. I looked at my arm and smiled. "This way," I whispered and walked down the sidewalk, "I better make it." I pulled the straps of my bag back up again. 

I walked down the sidewalk, looking back and forth seeing small stores lit up and two types of teens handing out free samples. One who seemed happy to be there and one ready to just leave. I quietly laughed and continued walking.

I looked at one girl across the street, high, brown ponytail, light green baseball cap, and an apron to match. She had a tray of small, clear cups with some kind of muffin inside. She had a hand on her hip as she carried the tray with one arm. She looked proud the be working. She looked like she had made her dream. I bet her parents called it stupid, but look at her. I smiled and took a deep breath with closed eyes.

Then I felt something hard against me and fell back. My bags broke the fall.

'I hope I ran into someone and not a streetlamp and I hope they are okay. What is wrong with me?'

"Are you alright?" A male voice asked. I slid my bags off, I needed a break anyways. "Yea, I'm fine." I smiled.  I saw there hand held out in front of me, I grabbed it and he pulled me up. He smiled at me. Blonde hair, blue eyes. Then his eyes narrowed as if he was in thought. "I'm sorry for running into you, I wasn't paying attention, I-"

"You're that girl. It was...(L/N)...(Y/N) (L/N)." My eyes widened. "Are you Popee?" I asked, beating myself up for not immediately saying sorry. "Yea," he smiled, "you cost our business." His smile never faded. "I'm sorry, I never-" He cut me off again. "Wanted us sued? I watched the interview, it's whatever. I never wanted to get Papi rich off of my talent." He smirked. "Papi?" His attention went back to me. "My dad. He started the circus. I don't know where he is now, it's just me and Keda...the wolf, remember?" He looked desperate for me to remember.

"Of course, the only reason I'm here is that of the circus, your show." I smiled. "I ran away to find the circus and become a performer." He smiled back and slightly laughed. "You wanna be a performer? After what happened? I thought your parents hated the circus or something based on the interviews." I sighed. "They do." His smiled faded. "And you still...wanted to join?" He looked at me deeply. The laughing had stopped quickly after I said that, but his smile grew back quickly.

"You're brave, you know that? What can you do?" He looked at me with new determination. "I can do flips and juggle...knives." He laughed again. "Juggle knives." He shook his head with a grin. I laughed slightly. "Ya. I can't really do much. It's hard to teach yourself and keep it a secret." He nodded. "That's fine, I'll teach you." My eyes widened with excitement. "Really?" I smiled.

He nodded and reached down for my bags. "Yup. We're just gonna carry these to the circus and start tomorrow." My smile grew. "Thank you so much!" I said and began walking to the circus, by his side.