This, is Touri Cowell.

Tightropes and Leather.

After I dropped the boys off at my parent's house I decided to go see my uncle Slim in some dirt lot where he and his “Circus” resided. After Uncle Slim ended up having a heart attack 2 years ago they stopped traveling. When I was younger, 12 or so (Before my dad had won custody over me. Before I was born my parents divorced and when I turned 15 they got back together and been together ever since.) My Uncle had brought me along with his show. Me and my cousin lead the show, me wearing black tights a red leather coat and a top hat I was “Co-ring leader.” God, did I love that show. Now it was probably boring, bland, and cliché. I pulled up into the dirt driveway in front of my Uncle's trailer and closed the door. I heard a hoarse voice shout from afar,

“The show doesn't start for another two hours! Fucking rich-ass!” Uncle Slim!

“SLIMMY!” I shouted back, “Don't you talk to your niece like that!”

I ran up to him standing in front of a old Chevy truck. I had my hair pulled into a tight pony tail and I was wearing Ray Bands glasses, he thought I was some crazy lady. I pulled my glasses off and held my arms out,

“Uncle Slim! It's me! Touri!”

Don't let the name fool you, Uncle Slim is a big guy. Not fat, like my dad, but big. Maybe because he's a strong-man for his show. He took me into a big hug and picked me up off the ground,

“Touri! What are ya doin' here!?” He asked in his thick New York accent.

“I took the boys from my parents and I had them with me for a few weeks, I was just bringing them back. Thought I'd stay with you and the show for few days.” I smiled.

“You're always welcome Tour,” He said warmly before looking over my shoulder, “Where're those band-mates of yours, they didn't want to come visit me and Betty?”

Betty was a llama that my Uncle used in the show, one day, when we came to visit the show while we were on your the Betty had gotten a hold of every single one of them and drench them in spit. I chuckled,

“No. Not today. They're busy at home, doing god knows what. Sippin' tea and nibbling on crackers.” I said pretending to snuff my nose up at him.

He laughed, “Your accent is so weird.” he commented.

“Well, that happens when you live with British people and and Irish man, and when you're raised half of your life by a Irish man and the other half by some weird mix of Hawaiian and some other shit,” I shrugged and nudged him, “What's going on in the show tonight?”

“Well... We've added a few acts.” He nodded, “We had to take away the retards, something from human resources,” he added blankly, “Strong men don't entertain as much, but we've got Lions, Tigers, Elephants, Ostriches, Llamas, Zebras, Bears, and show horses. BUT. We've got trapezes now.”

“Oh cool!”

“Yes,” Uncle Slim took my arm before I rushed off to the various trailers to see the many people, “I need you to do a job for me Tor.”

Oh HELL no. I'm not going to do it. Nope not in twenty years.

“Common, it's a big job but it'll be easy for you.”

Okay, now I'm curious. When I lived with Uncle slim I was a bad kid. A bad, bad, BAD kid. When they were traveling he taught me how to transport large quantities of counterfeit money through seafaring trade and computer hacking. It was fun, and frankly I kind of wanted to do it.

“Alright, what is it?”

“Tomorrow morning we're sending some of our Llamas out to Panama, I need you to handle them and then there's a guy, his name Ruben, he'll be waiting with a van and he'll have the money.”

“How much are we talking about?”

“About the size of 4 very large Llamas put together.”

“Fine, I'm in. Starch free paper right?”

“You've got it, only the best.”

“Great, where's my cousin?” I shoved him to the side a bit and searched around for my cousin Bam Bam. Bam Bam's the ring leader and she's aged to about 22 since I've been to the show last. Bam better be going with me on the run tonight. I need her to. She and I did a few runs when I was 12 and she was 16 and it's always a blast when she comes along. Our antics never end.

“She's in the trailer--” I darted past him slipping in my heels before he could say thing else. I just wanted to see my Bam Bam. I threw the tin door to the small trailer door open and almost fell hard against the thin linoleum floors,

“Bammyyyyyy! I shouted before throwing my self onto a figure that I recognized as Bam Bam with her wavy black hair shoved into a tight bundle of red and black quilts. Her hoarse voice muttered something as I just slumped on top of her waiting for her to shift a bit more. She shot up, probably not recognizing me and she shouted,

“Who the fuck--” She gaped at me.

“That's right slut! I'm back!” I laughed as she hugged me tightly.

'Are you here to stay? Are you coming with me tomorrow? I haven't seen you since you were 16! Where are you? What are wearing?” her questions spewed out in a jumbled mess.

“I'm staying for a week or two, I'm going on the Run with you, I live in London, and as of right now... I'm wearing Gucci.” I smiled tilting my head down a bit and winking.

“Where's that hunky boy entourage you always have with you?” She winked back.

“They're in London.” I giggled.

She smiled, “Speaking of which, which ones have you slept with already, ALL I suppose?”

“No, I wish,” I giggled some more, “Just one, Zayn. It was a drunk-lay though, nothing special. Except for well... I was kind of...”

“Ohhhhhh-hoooo-hooo! Giiirl! Tell me more on the boat ride tomorrow! We've got to lead the show tonight. You lead with me? It's been a little lonely out in the Ring lately.”

“Yes! You have extra clothes?”

“Mmmmhmm! New wardrobe though babygirl, it's a bit more revealing.”

“That's cool, I'm good.” She tossed me a pair of black leather shorts and a half of a red button up shirt with a black leather coat. She lead me to her room and presented many pairs of black shoes. I plucked out a pair of fake lacey ballet flats. I checked the time before pulling my long hair out of a pony tail and letting it pour down my shoulders. 30 minutes before show time, I topped my look off with with a flat, sequence top hat. We skidded out and rushed to the tall red and white tent, pushing past the many people. We giggled cracking jokes as the men checked us out and the women gave us disgusted looks. It was just like 6 years ago, the families, the set up behind the gates set for me and my cousin, a package of Oreos and 2 glasses of water for after and during the show. 5 minutes till show. I giggled with my cousin as we picked up the Microphones off the speakers, everything. The same. All of it. I pranced to the middle of the dirt circle that we named the Ring and waved at the crowd. I scanned the first row in front of me as Bam Bam went over the schedule for tonight. Angry mom, happy dad, astounded children and then a few more families like that. Finally my eyes rested on a curled blob of hair. 2 sets of blue eyes gawked at me as did the green eyes that belonged to the blob of hair. Zayn was gawking as well but Liam had his face stuffed into his palms,

“What are you guys doing here?” I smiled and pretended like I wasn't talking to them as I waved at the rest of the crowd. I tuned out Liam's answer as I waited for Bam Bam to introduce me,

“And... Might I introduce my Co-Leader, Ms. Touri!” I got up on the tight-roped railing in front of Zayn and balanced on my tippy-toes as I bowed for the crowed while I juggled myself on rope. Zayn's eyes shifted to worry as he held his hands out to help me down. I giggled and did a hand stand on the rails before doing a back flip off,

“I... Am.. In love.” Harry muttered winking at me and blowing a seductive kiss. I laughed and licked my lips before joining Bam Bam who was already holding a metal ring for me. We held it out for the Lion the jump through, I held mine over my head while Bam held hers at her hip.