Hood - Runaway 2 Circus

Julian's Lockpick

••Luke••
I turn around and look at my back in the mirror. It had a big bruise on it from when I was being chased by Reg and Tud.
"Oh, that. I got it while training. I guess juggling sandbags is not a good idea."
Julian rolls his eyes.
"Leave it to you to make a stupid mistake like that." He says.
Everyone goes back to what they were doing. I put my red shirt on and sign a breath of relief. As I finish changing Ringmaster comes into the shower room and starts getting ready. Ringmaster raises an eyebrow at Julian as he styled his black hair.
"Are you still okay with training Hood? Do you think she will cause more problems?"
Julian looks down at the sink. He was avoiding Ringmasters gaze.
"I'm sure she won't be any more of a problem sir. She will be working hard today to makeup for her mistakes."
Ringmaster nods.
"I'm glad to hear that. Just don't overwork her okay? She is still human."
I finished getting ready so I left the shower room and headed to Jills cart. When I walked in she was already changed into her tight preforming outfit.
"Hi Lukey Pie! Are you going to train some more with me today? We need to work on your performance more."
I scuff my shoe on her wooden floor.
"Sure Jill. We can star-"
Jill claps her hands.
"Oh! I almost forgot! Van is sitting with us for breakfast today, so don't embarrass me." She said.
I frown at her insults.
Why is Van sitting with us today?
Jill comes over to me and wraps her arms around my neck. I wrap my arms around her body. She looks up at me and bats her eyelashes.
"Your so handsome Luke."
I smile.
"Your so beautiful." I say.
She pulls my face closer to hers and we kiss. I thought it would feel amazing like it always did. But her kiss gave me a rotten feeling. I pull away from her.
"I'll see you at breakfast." I say.
She licks her lips and smiles.
"Don't be late."
I leave her cart and feel angry with myself. Jill is my girlfriend! Why don't I feel love for her like I used to!

••Hood••
I enter the shower room with my backpack on my back. Jill and her friends came in after me. Leona was at the sinks, flawlessly putting on makeup. I started heading for the bathroom stalls so I could change in them. Leona eyes Jill.
"Hey Jill! Do you want me to do your makeup this morning?"
Jill smiles at Leona.
"Of course! I have a date tonight! I'll be ready in just a bit."
A date....
My heart felt heavy at those words. I buried the feeling as I lock myself in the stall and take off my hood and disguise. I set it in my backpack and change into a new set of clothes. I hear Jills voice from the other side of the shower room.
"Did you get what I asked for?"
"Yeah! I don't know why you want it though."
"Just watch, and you will see."
I finish changing and putting on my hood and mask. I was about to grab my backpack when someone bangs on the stall door.
Jills voice comes from the other side.
"Hey Hood! It's me, Jill. I've heard that you've been trying to steal my boyfriend. We don't do that here in the circus."
My eyes grow wide in shock. Leona lied to me! I fall to my knees when I realize that I hurt Luke for nothing.
I clench my teeth. I stand up and unlock the door. Then I try to open it. It was to hard to open. Jill laughs.
"We are blocking the door. You can't leave when you haven't showered yet!"
Shower? What is she talking about?
I look up and see Jills friend holding a bucket of water above my head. I shield my eyes and she dumps the cold water on me. I hear laughter from the other side of the door as it swings open. The three girls on the other side look at me. Jill laughs.
"You look awful! Oh! You might want to clean this mess up. You wouldn't want Ringmaster to kick you out, would you?" Jill laughs and walks to the other side of the shower room. Tears fall from my eyes. I shiver from the cold water that was dripping off of me. I look at the puddle of water on the floor and sigh.
I deserve this don't I?
Luke could die because of me.
I deserve more than just this.
——
I leave the shower room when I was done. I head to the meeting room and sit next to Julian. I was still dripping wet. I saw Jill point at me and laugh. Julian hands me a plate then narrows his eyes at me.
"What happened to you?"
I can't tell him that Jill did this.
I remember his words from this morning.
If us circus members don't like you, then you better start packing.
Julian shines his apple on his magician outfit.
"Did you shower with your clothes on or something."
He takes a bite of his apple. I toss mine into my bag to eat later.
"Yeah. That's exactly what I did."
I look at Luke. He was staring at Jill, who was chatting with another guy.
Julian scoffs.
"Your lying to me."
"I'm sorry."
Julian shakes his head.
"We will talk about this later.... You must be freezing."
Julian takes off his jacket and puts it across my shoulders. I smile under my mask.
"Thank you Julian."
He shrugs.
"If you get sick then you can't work." He mutters.
I watch Jill as her knees touch the other guy. She was smiling so much. Julian notices who I was looking at.
"That's Van. Van Rensburg. He's the circus survivalist."
"Survivalist?" I ask.
Julian nods.
"He eats swords, walks on fire, gets shot out of a cannon. You know, survives."
Luke looks Van up and down. Then a girl taps on Lukes shoulder and they start talking. I could feel my heart dying at the sight. Ringmaster intterupps everyone's chatter.
"Good morning everyone. As you all know we have three shows tomorrow. Please make sure you all are prepared and we will do a test run tonight. We will have lunch at the usual time so don't be late."
Ringmaster smiles at everyone. I could tell that he cared for everyone here.
Julian gets up.
"You didn't eat." He states.
I wrap my food up into a napkin and put it in my bag.
"I rather eat alone."
Julian motions for me to follow him.
"If your going to act like an outsider, then don't feel bad when you get treated like one."
I frown. I'm doing this for everyone's safety. Why does everyone seem out to get me?