The Greatest Girl // discontinued

3 - The history behind her

"Hey Barnum," I say as PT walks into the building for the first time today.

"Yes Jones?" Barnum asks me smiling.

"Do you actually know my history?" I question as I walk backwards into a ledge.

I pull myself onto the ledge backwards and cross my legs.

"No I don't actually, care to inform me?" Barnum says smiling at me.

"Not at all, my dad and I moved over here when I was a baby from New Zealand and our Tribe, my dad was in need of a job ASAP so he thought New York was a worthy place to start and he got into business immediately and quickly built a following of people who wanted to see and hear his every move because of how successful he was. He met my mother when I was three and she fell in love immediately, with him. Not me as such, she sort of threw me to the side and pretended to love me some days. She's only in it for the fame, money and controversies on social media. They've been together about 22 years, I'm 25 this year, my
Mother actually almost disowned me a couple times, even recently, and I'm sure she definitely will after the first show. She's always hated the circus for some reason, but I always loved it. I've wanted to join it for years, it's just for reputation sakes I've always said no and trained myself not to want to join. Your position is incredible and when I was a little girl, I watched the people before you do everything and I loved it. I said to my mother once I wanted to be a ringmaster when I was older and she slapped me and told me it was unlady like and I would be a disgrace to the Jones name, yet here I am breaking those rules," I say as Barnum listens intensely.

"I'm glad you told me because I knew you were perfect for this job but now you're even better, you are just, I can't describe it but you're amazing and you know that," Barnum says lifting my head to look at him.

I smile at him and nod.

"Good, now, if you ever need anything I'm here to talk to and anything else, we have a show to rehearse, come with me. I'll introduce you for everyone," Barnum says holding his hand out for me, which I gladly took and he dragged me around to introduce me.

I look around at all the incredible people here, trapeze artists, knife throwers, Lettie Lutz - the bearded lady - and so many more and I met every single one of them.

One girl in particular caught my eye, her gorgeous pink hair and purple outfit, I walk over to her and smile as I stop.

"Hi, I'm Jane Jones, pleasure to meet you," I say putting my hand out to shake.

She shakes my hand in return and smiles.

"Anne Wheeler and what would your act be?" The girl asks me with a smile.

"I-I don't have an act..."

As I say that I feel Barnum stand behind me with his arm on my hip as to say that he was there and wanted to join in the conversation.

"Course you do, everyone must have an act," Anne says smiling at both me and Barnum.

"Huh, I guess I'll just have to find mine then," I reply.

Anne smiles and nods as she turns to go get ready. As Anne walks away I turn my head to look up at Barnum who is holding onto me tightly and smiling like a goof.

"What are you smiling at?" I ask playfully hitting his chest.

"Oh, nothing, let's go get you your costume," Barnum says smiling.

I nod and follow Barnum as he leads me to his dressing room and presents me with a ringmaster costume that is tailored for a person my size.

"It's so pretty! I'm a ringmaster?!" I say quickly realising what he's wanting me to do.

"Yes you are my dear, now try it on and see if it fits, I'll be helping the others get ready, show me when you're done?" Barnum explains.

"Yep!"

"Good, I'll see you soon," Barnum says kissing my forehead before leaving.

As soon as Barnum has left I turn to the mirror and start to get excited.

"I'm a ringmaster!!!" I squeal quietly. "Also he totally has fallen in love with me, it's so obvious!"

Knock knock.

"Come in!" I shout through the door.

I hear the door creak open and see Anne in the mirror as she closes the door behind her and approaches me.

"How'd you know I was in here?" I ask turning around to face the girl.

"Barnum told me," Anne says.

"Right."

"Want help?"

I nod and Anne helps me get into costume and once I'm in my costume and everything is adjusted I look at myself in the mirror and smile.

"This is the day my life changes, for better or for worse maybe we will never know!" I exclaim turning to Anne who is smiling at me. We both start to dance around each other before we realise we need to find Barnum again.

Anne and I both leave the dressing room, running like small children around people to find Barnum. I occasionally run backwards for a few steps to look at Anne swinging around backstage. I come to a halt as I enter the arena with Anne close behind me.

"This is it isn't it," I say.

"Yep, different from inside the ring right?" Anne says touching my shoulder.

"So different."

I spin on the spot imaging the performance and how I fit into it. I step back just in time for Anne to swing past me on a rope - I suddenly feel jealous that I can't do that.

"I wish I could do that!" I say to Anne as she lands next to me.

"I'll teach you!"

I smile as I hear Barnum's voice from behind me.

"Miss Jones, let me see your costume," Barnum's voice booms.

I turn around to face Barnum, I'm smiling like a two year old.

"I'm so happy to be here, thank you so much!" I say happily as I run over to Barnum and hug him tightly.

Barnum lifts me off the ground and swings me around in a circle, arms tight around my waist and mine around his neck. Both of us in ringmaster uniforms.

Anne leaves the arena to go find her brother as Barnum puts me down.

"I'm glad you're happy, because you're so incredible and you know that," Barnum says softly as our foreheads rest against each other.

I let out a soft laugh as we get interrupted by Lettie calling for help with something.

~~~~~~

A/N

Here we go. An iffy part.