Cirque Degrassi

01

A/N I'm a vet writer, but new to the Degrassi circuit. The music video for The Boiling point inspired me…so I decided to write a fic about it. It will have all the darkness and heavy suggestion that the actual show lacks…basically, I'm pushing it to the limit. This first chapter focuses around two particular characters, but more development will unfold as the chapters progress…think of this first one as a teaser to what's to come. Reviews make me love you ;) Onwards!

Round & Round It Goes…Where It Stops, No One Knows.

"Roll the drums, please," a voice whispered out of the saturated darkness. Then followed nothing. An impatient tapping of what sounded like very expensive shoes proceeded.

"Can someone for once do their job around here please?" exasperation. Some shuffling, sounds like several people awkwardly bump into eachother.

"oof"

"ow, eff, my toes!"

"MOVE it."

Finally. A precision drum roll pierces the night, and a yellowing spotlight casts its dust-filled glow down on an ivory stage. A small hand expertly whips open the heavy red velvet curtain that drapes along the stage. Holly J appears, striking an attractive pose, a dark purple satin bustier wraps her frame, her shoulders topped with a black and silver colonel's jacket. Her red hair spills loosely over her shoulders, and a mini top hat, strategically placed fits snugly atop her head. A flick of her gloved finger turns the microphone on.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Her voice rings through the crisp night air. She gazes out to the audience to a sea of faces, young, old, hairy, fat and foreign. Like meaty confetti, the audience of about 2,000 or more erupts in applause. Holly J smiles to herself. This is what she lives for.

"I would like to welcome you to Cirque Degrassi. My name is Holly J, your ring leader. Beneath my tent, you'll find Love, deception, lies, betrayal, magic tricks, and high-aerial flips," she saunters gracefully across the stage, gesturing to the audience who howl as she turns in their direction.

"However, I must warn you," her voice lowers, and she can feel the soft shift of fabric as everyone tries desperately to lean in closer from their seats. "My show is not for the faint of heart. Not in the least. If you're up for the challenge, then I extend my invitation for you to stay and witness some of the greatest performances ever gathered in one place."

An explosion of applause. She grins.

"For our first act, I would like to allure you into the hypnotic abilities of our handsome, charming debonair…Declan Coyne," a coy half-smile plays on her lips after saying his name. But she straightens, becoming very serious, raising her eyebrows slightly.

"Be careful, however. A being with this much attraction…it could be fatal," she flips the off switch on the microphone and quickly slips behind the plush curtain. Despite the volcanic audio of cheers from the audience, the heavy velvet curtain provided Holly J with an idyllic sanctuary of darkness. She exhales a sigh of relief, wiping her glistening brow.

First show of the season. So far so good, She thinks to herself. There is such a huge turnout this evening, it's truly mind-blowing. The idea that word of her show has travelled to the ears of so many made her giddy for a few seconds. Gathering her composure, she turned to head to her dressing room. Before she could take a step, what felt like a cold gust froze her in her tracks. It was dark behind the curtain, and her eyes scanned the blackness. She swallowed, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. Something was watching her, and that something was very near. She felt her heart beating in her ears.

"Holly J," a silky satin voice whispered. She felt the breath of this unnatural intruder only inches away from her face, and before she could react, an arm slipped around her waist, while another hand gently covered her mouth.

She should have been terrified.

Instead, she scowled, and nipped the ice cold hand covering her mouth with her teeth. A low, humble laugh came from the invader, and he removed his hand from her lips, and stroked her cheek.

"Declan," she breathed, but couldn't find it in her to hiss at him. "Have you lost your mind, you are supposed to be out there!" Her nerves began to rattle in panic.

He tucked some loose strands of hair behind her ear.

"Relax, you know you love me," she could feel him grin," The light transitions are still going. I have another twelve seconds," he leaned his head down and kissed her neck softly, suggestively. Holly J gave in completely.

"Well. Better make it good, then, right?" She hated losing. When it came to him though, she'd trade in her tiny top hat for a white flag. He met her mouth with his and kissed her softly, holding her warm body close to his, for what seemed like an eternity. He swiftly parted from her.

"Show time," he kissed her forehead, and dashed out of the curtain, on stage. Her eyes closed, she smiled to herself.