Don't Invite the Clowns
A/N: Hello all! I decided to make another Holly Black one-shot… this time KayeRoiben.
Disclaimer: No I don't own any of the characters…
Kaye woke up to Kate's screaming. She sat up quickly, looking for the source that disturbed her sister.
Suddenly, she was pelted with something hard: an orange. It was probably Kate's breakfast.
"Get up, you stupid pixie. You're supposed to teach me how to be human today," Kate said, dodging the fruit Kaye sleepily threw back.
"Kaye, dear, I have to practice with the band today. Watch your sister for me. Maybe you guys could go to the circus that just came into town. It would give you two some time to, ya'know, bond together." Ellen suggested, shrugging on her leather jacket while lighting a cigarette. "Love you guys, have fun."
"Yeah."
Kaye, Kate, and Ellen were visiting their grandma in Jersey for Thanksgiving. A large, faded yellow and red tent had been pitched on the north side of town, hoping to draw in customers with the promise of exotic animals and performers. Flyers promoting the circus were strewn all across town, enticing kids and cheating moms and dads out of cash.
Kaye led a doubtful Kate up to the main entrance. "Come on, you want to be normal, don't you?"
"It smells bad and everyone looks ridiculous." Kate replied while holding her nose.
"Whatever."
Kaye paid their way in with glamored leaves and led Kate to the front row.
Kate watched the acts boredly as Kaye absent-mindedly picked at her nails. Lions and tamers and trapeze-artists performed for the sparse crowd, trying too hard at some things and not hard enough at others.
A little car raced out into the area, letting out a dozen mix-matched men with crazy wigs and bulbous noses. Clowns.
Oh no…
They raced around the crowd, juggling and pulling down each others oversized overalls; one had a water gun.
Strange cackling sounded in her ears as her feet left the ground. Kaye screamed in panic as the ugliest-looking clown picked her up and spun her around.
Elbowing him in the gut helped free Kaye as she grabbed the laughing Kate and raced for the exit.
"It's not funny." she growled.
"Oh no, of course not. That was fun, though. Let's go back." Kate said, wiping the tears of mirth from her almond-shaped eyes.
Hmph. Was Kaye's reply as they walked back to their grandma's house.
Kaye was running through a maze of red and yellow fabric. A maniacal laugh echoed around her as she ran deeper into the fabric. Distorted, white faces with hideous red noses swam around her, making her heart beat wildly. Kaye skidded to a stop in front of a large spotted thing with long arms reaching out. She tried to scream as the hands came nearer to her throat…
"KAYE!" Roiben yelled, shaking her awake.
She sat up, breathing heavily. "Yeah?"
Roiben smiled faintly as he sat down next to her on the couch in his royal chambers. "I came in to ask if there was anyone you want or don't want to come to the wedding, but instead I found you screaming. What's wrong?"
"N…Nothing. Just a dream," she was able to reply.
"Good. Now about the guest list..."
"Invite anyone. Just don't invite the clowns."
A/N: I know how she feels. I can't stand clowns. They're creepy.
I hope you liked it. Please review!
Holly