JustAnotherFanGirl2004: I'm glad the nightmare thing is something that works in real life! Like I said, I had no idea if it would work on nightmares. And Rose's nightmares symbolize her growth. As she learns to get past what happened to her, the nightmares will fade away. They come back occasionally because she can never fully heal, but she learns to control them the way she learns to control her life.

Green Meadow1870: Their relationship will change a lot, but once Rose understands that he's someone she can trust things will change. They're definitely going to be close. As much as she loves her family, Rose needs someone to relate to when it comes to physical and mental abuse. Yes Anne was neglected, but she had her brother. Phillip was also neglected in a way, but it didn't have a scarring effect on him. They were all treated like freaks, but Rose is probably the one who suffered the most.

I'm sorry for the long wait! I had this chapter written but forgot to publish it. The next one should be out sometime soon (hopefully by tomorrow).

Also, I want to apologize for how often I have to use the word negro in this story. I don't like it, but I have to remember the time period and how Rose probably wouldn't be referred to as 'African American' or 'black.' If anyone has a problem with it please let me know.

Chapter 18

More time passed, and everyone noticed Jackson and Rose slowly growing closer to each other. But no one knew why.

The truth was, after he helped her with her nightmares, Rose decided to give Jackson a chance. That was the way it was with her - you needed to prove yourself and then she could choose to trust you.

She talked more with him, and found out he also had a past, not quite as big of a secret as hers but still a secret. They came to an unspoken understanding - the past was the past, it was hard for both of them and they would talk about it when they were ready.

They weren't ready yet, but someday they would be.

Rose liked how he never pressured her. He would ask her questions, but if she didn't want to answer he wouldn't insist she told him. And he never treated her as less than him. In fact, he really enjoyed her company.

Once Rose lowered her guard, it was clear that she was a very smart girl with a kind and caring heart. She never lied, but when she didn't want to say something, she would answer as simply and confusingly as possible. She wasn't very energetic, but her eyes had this spark that showed exactly how happy she was on the inside.

She still wasn't very comfortable with touch, and Jackson was able to figure out that her past probably included abuse from somewhere, but never asked about it.

Finally, three months after he arrived, the day of Jackson's first performance arrived.

He had needed more time to prepare than Rose, who was used to performing, but was fine with that.

Still, staring at the crowd, he couldn't imagine going up there. There were so many of them...he would surely freeze.

"Hey," Rose said, walking up to him and crossing her arms over her chest. Her hair was pulled up in a bun and she was wearing her white performance leotard. "You ready?"

He sighed.

"I doubt it. How are you so good with performing in front of so many people?"

"Years of practice."

He gave her a confused look.

"But I thought you lived in an orphanage before coming here?"

She froze, caught in her lie, and turned away.

"I did."

Another of her cryptic answers. He sighed, and just nodded.

"Any pointers?"

She was relieved he didn't press her to tell him the truth.

"Don't think about anyone around you. Just...focus on yourself. Just...think of the knife as a part of your body and tune everything else out. It's just you and the knife...and then do your act."

He nodded, and smiled at her once it was his turn.

"Wish me luck!"

And he was great. Rose watched with a proud smile as her friend performed and-

Wait, friend?

Since when was he her friend? First thinking of Anne and Phillip as her parents...now this...What was with these titles?

Rose shook her head, trying to shake the thoughts away. Maybe he was her friend. Maybe.

When Jackson walked into the circus with Phillip the next day he heard raised voices.

"This is unbelievable!" Rose was yelling when they came in. She was holding a newspaper in her hand and waving it around.

"Flower, please calm down," Anne urged her, but Rose just looked even angrier.

"Calm down?! 'Why such a well-privileged man would adopt a circus freak with a Negro is confusing many people. His best friend James Carter says, 'Phillip is a smart man, and I agree with his mother that these freaks, the black woman especially, have brainwashed him.' ' Racist jerk!"

She threw the paper across the room, and Jackson caught it, a look of fury appearing on his face once he read the headline itself.

"I hate reporters," Phillip sighed, throwing the paper in the trash can.

Phillip Carlyle Adopts Negro Girl

Under it was a picture of Phillip and Anne hugging Rose after a performance. She had that small, happy smile and her violet eyes were twinkling. Jackson had heard Rose talking about the paper, and guessed it was a very racist one.

"How did they find out?" he asked angrily.

"Who cares? It's out there!" Rose groaned. People didn't know how little they really knew about the circus performers. After their big kiss, Anne and Phillip kept their relationship in the dark, and people didn't even know Rose's real name. She was introduced as 'Rose' when she first joined, but now she was 'Rosalyn Violetta' when performing. People didn't know that Violet was really her middle name or that she was Anne and Phillip's daughter or that her last name used to be Levy.

Rose had to admit, Rosalyn Carlyle had a better ring to it than Samantha Levy. She couldn't even picture herself having that name. Or growing up in that house, with siblings and parents.

It didn't matter anyways. Her life made her who she was, and she was Rosalyn Violet Carlyle.

"You know what?" she said suddenly. "Why does it matter? They would have found out someday anyways, better sooner than later. Now I can be introduced by my real name, and we don't have to hide anything. So what if more people hate us for this? If they want to hate us for being ourselves, then let them be idiots."

Jackson gave her a surprised look. A moment ago she was ranting about reporters, and now she was being calm and mature. Maybe she just had to get the whole anger thing out of her system.

"Now," Rose stood up, a small grin gracing her lips. "Shall we practice?"

Rose performed that day, and she noticed some people looking between her and Phillip. Deciding that confirming the rumors would be easier than having people look at them like that, she raced forward and hugged him and Anne once she finished performing. She could have sworn she heard someone snap a picture, but ignored it. The press would write what they wanted, and she wouldn't let it get to her.

The show was over soon and Rose changed into a dark blue dress, letting her hair fall down. While she loved her performing outfit, she couldn't stay in it long.

She stayed a bit after closing, but soon started to yawn.

"I was up early today, I'm gonna head home and sleep," she muttered, and waved to everyone. "Bye."

She started to leave, and Jackson bit his lip. He had a bad feeling...

"I'll be back in a moment," he said, as casually as possible, although his heart was pounding. Something was wrong.

The moment he was out of sight, Jackson ran to the front of the circus. He didn't see anyone, until he turned. There were some angry protesters, blocking Rose's way to her apartment.

He sighed and raced forward to Rose, who hadn't seen him yet. Soon, he heard what she was saying.

"Look, I just want to go home, so please leave me alone and let me go," she said, trying to keep her temper under control.

"You really think we'd let a Negro freak walk away from us unharmed?" one person spat, and Rose crossed her arms over her chest, unmoving. "Nu-uh, you're gonna pay for parading yourself as though you're actually worth something."

Rose was used to these remarks, and though Jackson seethed as hearing them, he saw her eyes sparkle a bit as she answered, "Well, I like to think I'm worth something, but then again we all imagine things. Like you, imagining that you're actually better than anyone."

"You little brat!"

He looked ready to hit Rose, and Jackson decided to interfere.

"Excuse me, is there a problem here?" he asked politely, but with veiled anger that they didn't seem to hear. However, he nearly smiled when seeing Rose's relief at seeing him.

"We're just trying to teach this freak here a lesson," one man said.

Jackson frowned.

"Please don't call her a freak. And if you so much as hit her I will report you for hurting a minor. Now, Rose, you should get home. And I need to get back, but I think I'll walk you there."

He would have put an arm around her and steered her away, but then remembered how she didn't like touch and just motioned for her to follow him, which she gladly did.

"Thank you," she whispered once they were out of earshot.

"No problem," he smiled at her.

I hope you all enjoyed Jackson defending Rose! While I do believe she can protect herself, she's only twelve and people likely won't listen to her. Even writing her, it's easy to forget her age sometimes because she feels so much older.

Anyways, please review! Also, I know I've never asked before, but I'm wondering what people think of the cover for this story. Should I change it, or is it good? Anyone have ideas? Also, keep in mind that I can't draw so drawing Rose is out.

-Creator of Magic