ONE
It was a Sunday like any other Sunday for Maps and her cohorts. The gang had decided to go out into town for a stroll. Everyone was there: Maps, Olive, Kyle, Colton, Pom, and even Warren had come along for the journey. The boys were in the lead; Kyle and Colton were busy chatting away about something and completely forgot about Colton's sidekick.
The girls followed a little way behind. Maps and Olive giggled about how "adorable" it was that Warren trailed after Colton. Pom stayed quiet; smiling to herself about how the others hadn't noticed Colton giving doe eyes to the totally oblivious Kyle.
They were on their way to the re-opening of Haly's circus. It had been over two years since the Joker had attacked and after 25 agonising months of difficulties in regards to safety regulations, employee dissatisfaction and legal issues the circus' management had finally decided to open Haly's doors and keep them that way for good.
As they joined the queue at the crowded gates into Haly's circus Maps and Olive grabbed each-other by the hands and jumped up and down while squealing. Kyle chuckled at them while Pom and Colton both scolded them for being so embarrassing.
"Ah, let them have their fun guys," Kyle said.
Colton left them alone at the scolding but it didn't stop Pom. "Seriously, stop. Someone will see and my reputation will be ruined."
Maps broke away from Olive. She folded her arms across her chest and jutted her hip out to the side. "You're reputation was ruined when you cried because you were going to get to see Zatanna the magician performing live."
"That never happened." Pom scoffed and turned up her nose.
"Yes it did," Olive said. "We have proof."
Maps produced her phone from her pocket and waved it in the air. "I filmed it."
"Hey, blackmail is my thing." Pom smiled.
The gang laughed and the crowd started moving through the gates en mass. Soon they were through into the circus that had been behind locked doors for so long.
They all gaped at the mesmerising scene before them. Colourful stalls lined the paths serving all varieties of food, snacks, treats and drinks. A half dozen tepees were jotted around the area with signs outside labelled snake charmer, fortune teller, and more that the gang couldn't see. Vibrantly costumed performers showed off their talents with fire, stilts, juggling balls, and various other skills as bunches of onlookers watched in wonder.
But the most wonderful site was the centre tent that towered above everything else. It's red and white stripes glimmered with pride under the bright sun's rays. That was where the main show was taking place.
"It's amazing," Olive said. "This place was a dump a few years ago. You couldn't imagine that now."
"Yeah, it's brilliant," Kyle said. He held his arm out to Olive. "Wanna take a look around?"
Olive reluctantly took Kyle's arm. She wouldn't have done it if Tristen had been there but he'd declined her invitation; he hadn't wanted to be mistaken as one of the acts. "Sure." Olive smiled.
"See you guys later," Kyle said as he led Olive away.
"You lovebirds have got two hours until the show starts," Pom called after them. "Don't be late."
Olive glanced back at Pom with blazing eyes. A few moments later they disappeared into the crowd.
Pom turned to Colton who looked peeved. She smiled smugly. "I told you."
"Yeah, doesn't make it easier though, does it Pom?" His voice was deep and sombre.
Maps and Warren shared looks of confusion.
When Pom next spoke her voice was sympathetic. "You're just gonna get hurt Colton. They'll never like you in the way that you want."
Maps yelped. "I just realised something."
"What?" the other three said in unison.
Maps pointed at Colton. "You like Olive.
"I don't."
"You like Olive. You like Olive," she chanted.
Pom put a hand on her shoulder. "Maps. Stop."
"You like Olive."
Colton stormed away from the group, pushing his way through the crowd. Warren looked quickly at the other two then run after his friend.
"It makes so much sense. Colton used to be so horrible to Olive but it's because he likes her." Maps was jumping up and down in her excitement.
"Shut up Maps." Pom started walking in the direction of the centre tent.
Maps followed quickly to keep up. "I can't wait to tell Olive."
"He only likes Olive as a friend."
"Then what did you mean?"
"Stop talking."
They walked in silence for a few steps.
"You can't tell anyone about what just happened," said Pom. "Especially not Kyle. Or Olive."
"Okay…"
Pom held her pinkie finger in front of Maps' nose without so much as a glance at the other girl. "Promise."
"Fine." Maps twirled her finger with Pom's before quickly letting go.
"Good."
Pom and Maps bought some Cotton candy from one of the vendors to munch on as they wandered around the rest of the circus area. Maps tore off a piece and shoved it in her mouth. "Mmmm," she mumbled as the sugar melted on her tongue.
They made their way into the fortune teller's tent and had their palms read. They both giggled about how Maps was going to meet her future husband within the next month and Pom was going to have ten marriages before having one that lasts.
"She was a fake," said Pom. "You can tell because she was looking at her notes all the time."
Maps agreed. "Hey, look." She pointed somewhere in front of them.
"Where?"
"There." Maps jabbed her hand at the air. "Isn't that Damian Wayne?"
"I dunno what the kid looks like. Oh I see." Pom spotted the boy who looked about Maps' age. He did look like Bruce Wayne. He was with another boy a little older than Pom, he also looked like a Wayne.
"It is." Maps clapped her hands together in front of her grinning face.
"So?"
"I'm gonna say hi."
"Do you even know him?"
Maps zoomed off with Pom trailing at a snail's pace in her path.
"Damian," Maps said when she reached him. Damian didn't turn around.
"Someone wants you," said the older boy.
"There are many people called Damian, Drake. How do you know they are specifically asking for me?"
"Well, she's stood right next to you."
"Damian Wayne?" Maps asked.
Damian rolled his eyes at the other boy and turned to face Maps. "I don't know you."
"I recognise you from somewhere," the older boy said rubbing his chin.
"I know him," Maps pointed at Damian. "But I don't think I know you. Sorry."
"Well, I'm Tim," the older boy said. "I'm Damian's brother."
Damian scoffed. "He's not my brother."
"I'm adopted. Damian hasn't accepted me yet."
"Oh, hi." Maps held out a hand for Tim to shake. "I'm Maps.
Tim smiled and shook her hand while Damian muttered something under his breath about how he will never accept Tim as a brother.
"This is Pom," Maps gestured to Pom who had just joined Maps. "She's pretty cool."
"Tim." Tim pointed at himself for Pom's sake. Then he put a hand on Damian's head who shoved Tim's hand away at the touch. "This is Damian.
"Hi." Pom gave the boys a half-assed wave.
"I don't mean to sound rude but Maps and Pom aren't names that I've heard before."
Maps laughed. "My parents called me Mia but my friends call me Maps 'cause I make awesome Maps. They're so awesome that Robin even stole some because they were so awesome."
Pom put a hand over Map's lips to stop her from fangirling in front of the boys. "There she goes again, on about her maps, hehe."
Tim raised an eyebrow at Damian but said nothing. Damian looked away from Tim.
"Pom is short for Pomeline," Pom said.
"Oh," Tim said. "So how do you know him?" He gestured to Damian.
"Me and Damian went to school together for a few days," said Maps.
"I don't recall that." Damian glared at the ground as if he could make it swallow him up. His cheeks were flushed red.
"But our hands got stuck together and we saved each-others' lives and you gave me a…"
"Oh alright, I remember, okay?" Damian scowled at Maps but it wasn't very intimidating to the girl because his cheeks were like angry strawberries.
Tim burst out laughing. "How did your hands get stuck together? How does that even happen?"
"Don't say anything more." Damian said to Maps.
"Oh, I remember now," Tim said. "Damian hasn't stopped talking about you since it happened."
"Aw, that's adorable," Pom said in her signature monotone voice with just a hint of interest.
"You shut your lying mouth, Drake."
"'Oh, Maps is just the sweetest girl I've ever met,'" Tim mocked in a high pitch girly voice. "'Tis such a shame to have been parted from her. I do so hope that I get to see her again.'"
Maps and Pom sniggered.
"That's it, Drake," Damian said. "You're dead."
"'My heart shalt be broke if I never set eyes upon her again.'"
"So help me father, I will end this miserable sods life right here if he doesn't get lost." Damian thumped Tim on the shoulder.
Tim's smile fell. He rubbed his shoulder. "Anyway, I'm gonna wish Dick good luck and try to convince him that his surprise act is a bad idea."
"His surprise act is a good idea. I suggested it."
"For Dick's sake, I hope you're right."
"-tt-, I'm always right."
"Sure you are." Tim turned to the girls. "I'm sorry but I've gotta go somewhere. It was lovely meeting you. Maybe I'll see you around." He left but not before taking advantage of the chance to mess with Damian's hair.
Damian cursed under his breath.
"You don't really like your brother, do you?" Maps asked.
"He's not my brother. And I hate him but he's not the worst of them."
"When he said Dick, you meant Dick Grayson, right? He owns the circus?" Pom asked, feigning disinterest. Maps knew better than to be fooled by Pom's cool façade; she'd been talking about this Dick Grayson guy for weeks, ever since she'd decided Haly's circus was her new passion.
"Yeah. He's my brother."
"So Dick's your brother but Tim's not even though they're both adopted by your dad?" Maps asked.
"Yes."
"That's confusing."
"-tt-, Dick's useful. Tim's useless. Jason's stupid."
"Jason?" Maps asked.
"Doesn't matter."
"Is it true that you wouldn't stop talking about me?" Maps clasped her hands in front of her mouth to hide her grin.
"No, Drake was teasing me. To be honest with you Mia I had completely forgotten about both you and our altercation until now." Damian watched her carefully as he spoke.
"Oh," said Maps.
Pom glared at the boy with her mouth gaping open. She was as much at a loss for words as Maps.
"Now if you excuse me, you are wasting my time. I am needed elsewhere." Damian disappeared.
Pom put an arm around Maps's shoulders and awkwardly pulled her into a hug. "Don't worry about that jerk, Maps. You won't have to see him again."