So, I'm posting this early because I couldn't wait. You're welcome.
Green Meadow1870: I made Timothy so cruel because I feel like there are people that are cruel in the world - plus I needed Rose to have a few certain people that haunted her nightmares. As for the singing, I'm afraid you'll have to wait for the next chapter to find that out. For now, I hope you enjoy this one.
Chapter Seven
"Rose, are you sure you're ready?" Anne asked nervously. Rose turned around and sighed as she gazed at Anne.
"Anne, I'll be fine. It's just a performance. I've been doing this for three years. Besides, I've already been here for a month. I'm ready."
"Yeah, but never in front of this many people. Besides, that dream from last night-"
Rose winced a bit as she remembered the nightmare. It had been...a bit worse than usual.
"Anne, I said I'll be fine," Rose said firmly, pushing away thoughts about her nightmare.
"You'll never be able to perform!"
"Just go away!"
"Worthless!"
She unconsciously ran a hand across her neck, as though she could still feel the cold fingers clamped around it.
"Rose, I see you touching your neck. What was the dream about?"
Rose looked down at the ground. Anne didn't need to know.
"I was dreaming about some people trying to hurt me while I was on the street," she said simply. "They were trying to choke me."
"But that's never happened before, right?" Anne asked slowly.
"You deserve to die!"
Rose tried to push away the memory as she shook her head. Anne gave her a suspicious look, and Rose braced herself for the grilling. Though she would never admit it, Anne and Lettie had quickly become like her aunts. They knew when she lied.
To her relief, her cue came a moment later and she had to run out. The young girl smiled a bit as people gaped at her appearance. She was wearing an outfit a bit like Anne's, but white and with long sleeves. Her frizzy black hair was pulled up into a ponytail, making her violet eyes even more visible. She remembered her first reaction to the costume.
. . .
"Rose! We've picked out an outfit for your first performance!" Phin called.
Rose ran up to them and her eyes widened when she saw what she was going to wear.
"Phin, are you crazy?" she asked. "That is white. It'll only make my skin stand out more. And a ponytail only brings more attention to my eyes-"
"Rose-" Phin started, but Anne interrupted.
"Actually, I think I should handle this," she said. The others nodded and left, leaving Rose and Anne alone.
"Anne, you know I can't wear something like that," Rose said.
"Rose, did I ever tell you what Phin said when WD and I decided to try out for the circus?" Anne asked.
Confused, Rose shook her head.
"We were feeling awkward since everyone else was white, and WD told Phin that people wouldn't like it if he put us up there. His response was simple, but perfect. 'I know.' He wanted people to see us for our differences, even if they wouldn't like it. And that's how he feels about you. Your skin doesn't define you here or ever - no matter what people say."
Rose looked up into Anne's brown eyes.
"Are you sure?" Rose asked slowly. When Anne nodded, she smiled.
"Then...I guess I can wear that."
Anne smiled happily.
"And you will look perfect in it."
. . .
Rose had thought a lot about what Anne said, and she had realized that she actually liked the outfit once she got past her skin. It was easy to move in, but better for performing than what she wore during practice. And having her hair out of her face actually made contortion easier.
She started, and it was fun. Like always, she forgot people were watching her and just became one with her body.
When Rose ended, they clapped. Or at least - most of them did. She caught a few people booing, but just ignored them and walked off stage.
Next was the big ending musical/dancing/performing number, which Rose wasn't in because she still refused to sing and didn't want to take part in something where singing was a big focus.
As she stood off stage, she sang quietly along to the song. So quiet that no one could hear her. She couldn't even hear herself.
When it's covered in all the colored lights
Where the runaways are running the night
That was all Rose was. A ranaway. But she still ran the show - along with everyone there.
Impossible comes true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show
Impossible was one word to describe it. It felt impossible that freaks like Rose could have a safe refuge, yet she wasn't still sure it was that. After all, maybe it was impossible.
We light it up, we won't come down
And the walls can't stop us now
But Rose's whole life was walls. Sure, she was particularly free when performing or at the circus - the freest she'd ever been - but her life still had a wall around it. One that she couldn't climb
I'm watching it come true, it's taking over you
Oh, this is the greatest show!
Rose smiled a bit at that. She was definitely watching not only Phin's dream come true, but maybe her own. Yet, she was still afraid of what would happen to her if she did. It hadn't taken over her. Yet.
She was snapped out of her thoughts by the song ending. Rose raced onto the stag as they all got up for the bows, and took Lettie and Anne's hands to do it.
After everyone had left, they headed to their dressing rooms. Rose had just changed into her favorite blue dress when she heard the songs of shouting outside.
Thinking it was just another person screaming at them, Rose ignored them as she pulled her hair out of the ponytail.
Suddenly, she smelled something that made her freeze and brought back buried feelings of hopelessness and fear.
The circus was on fire.
Dun, dun, dun! Sorry, but I'm ending this chapter here. Rose's past will mainly be shown through flashback paragraphs, but you will learn quite a bit more about her next chapter. Until then, please review!
-Creator of Magic