The Greatest Girl // discontinued

5 - her demons and controversy

Jane's POV

"You are a horrible person Samantha! I can't believe how I was friends with you! You're horrible, no one will love you, no one will accept you and your parents will realise what a spoilt brat you are!" An ex-friend of mine shouts at me.

I stand there with tears in my eyes, shocked at what she just said.

"I-I'm sorry," is all I can muster.

"Don't even start you bitch!"

She slaps me before she leaves and slams the door. I fall to the ground with my hand on my red, sensitive cheek, knowing what she said is true.

"AH!" I shout sitting upright and looking around the empty, dark hospital.

I hear footsteps in the dark walking towards my bed and see a light approaching, the persons face is lit softly by the flame of their lantern.

I softly smile at them which they return, they look about 20, female and look ever so sweet.

"Hey, are you okay?" The girl asks me as she turns on a light next to me.

"Yeah, just had a horrible nightmare, where am I?" I ask.

"You are in hospital, you were pretty beaten up by some drunk men," The girl says.

I can faintly read her name tag; Lillian.

"How long have I been here?"

"A week."

I gasp in shock, Barnum must be so upset.

"What time is it?" I question as I look out at the dark window.

"3 am, visiting hours are in 3 hours, you've had two visitors for a week, Phineas Taylor Barnum and Anne Wheeler, they really care for you," The girl, who is Lillian says.

I smile knowing that both of them came to visit.

"Thanks, is your name Lillian?"

The girl nods.

"That's a pretty name," I say.

"So is Samantha Jane," Lillian says.

I break inside, I haven't heard that name in years. Actually 10 years in fact. I changed my name when my ex friend ruined me, I needed a change.

•••••

6 am rolls around and I finish my drawing, it's a drawing of me in my ringmaster uniform holding hands with Anne and Barnum as we finish a show, all super happy and our bodies rushing with adrenaline. Unlike now...

I hear doors open and two very familiar voices, my head snaps to the two adults. Anne and P.T.

"Anne!" I shout.

"Jane? You're awake!" Anne says as she rushes to me and hugs me tightly.

Barnum walks over with tears threatening to fall from his eyes as he picks up my drawing and smiles.

"Barnum...."

"I know, I'm sorry you had to hear what you heard... I want you to know I won't ever dare hurt you in any way," Barnum says replacing Anne's spot on my bed as he places the drawing I drew next to both of us.

"It's not that, it's just stuff that's happened before I've never told you about," I say softly rubbing my arms nervously.

Barnum sees this and holds my hands, causing me to look at him.

"I won't ask but trust me, please?" Barnum pleads with the most softness in his voice I've ever heard.

"I'll give it a shot I guess..."

Barnum smiles at that and kisses my hands before picking my drawing back up. Anne sees the drawing and takes it from Barnum.

"Jane, this is incredible, you drew this?" Anne says showing me the drawing.

"Yeah, took me from 3 am when I woke up, I finished it as you arrived," I explain.

"We might just have to make this a reality then shan't we?" Anne says with a beaming smile.

I nod.

Barnum squeezes my hands and gets up, he kisses my forehead before going to talk to Lillian, the nurse.

"So, you can leave in a couple days and we will come back to get you, but for now we will stay with you as long as we can," Barnum says.

I nod and look at Anne and her incredible, natural brown curly hair.

"Anne, I don't think I've seen your natural hair yet, it's so pretty," I whisper.

Anne smiles and mouths a 'thank you'.

"Have I missed much at the circus?" I ask smiling.

"Not really, people have been asking where you are though," Barnum says smiling.

"Aw that's sweet," I reply putting a hand over my heart.

Barnum laughs at my actions and so do I.

"Where's my phone by the way?" I ask looking around my side table.

"Uh, it's still at the circus with your costume, we took all that stuff back there," Barnum says quickly.

I give him a questionable look before nodding.

"Can someone get it for me please? My roommate is at home and I want to talk to him," I say softly.

I know Barnum is hiding something he's a horrible liar.

"I'll go," Anne says standing up and motioning for Barnum to sit next to me on the bed.

Barnum sits down as Anne walks out the door to go to get my phone for me.

"I've missed you so much Jane," Barnum says softly as he rubs his thumb over the back of my hand, our hands interlocked with one another.

"I've missed you too, it's been a bit quiet being unconscious for a week," I say with a laugh.

Barnum blushes at my comment.

"PT, it's obvious you have a thing for me, everyone knows, I even know, you're blushing for Christ sake," I whisper.

Barnum blushes even more at what I said.

"I admit it, it's true, that's why I don't want to hurt you ever, I love you so damn much," Barnum admits to me.

It's my turn to blush now as Barnum chuckles at my reaction.

"I know you don't want to hurt me, I love you too, but it's all rushing a bit quickly, everything has just whizzed by and before I know it I'll be shoulder deep in trouble," I say.

I feel a tear fall into my hand from Barnum.

"I know, I understand," Barnum says.

I lift Barnum's chin so he looks at me and we exchange weak smiles. Our moment is interrupted by Anne handing me my phone.

"Thanks Anne," I say taking my phone and turning it on.

My eyes scan the screen of my phone, thousands of text messages from family, friends and media companies who have started controversy.

I scroll a little bit more and see;

Samantha Jane Jones, seen outside the Barnum circus talking with Phineas Taylor Barnum quite closely.

Samantha Jane Jones, has she ruined her career? Phineas Taylor Barnum was seen getting quite close with her outside Barnum Circus.

Samantha Jane Jones seen in Barnum Circus ringmaster uniform when beaten by drunk protestors and sent to hospital.

"Barnum... why didn't you tell me?" I cry.

"I wanted to...." Barnum says tears falling.

"Save it for the press, leave me alone, I only want Anne to be here right now," I snap.

~~~~~~~~