Booth looked over at Tempe who was asking her parents if they could go find the clown. He felt sick to his stomach and wanted to sit down. Jack came over and looked at his face.
"You don't look so good." He said. "Are you ok?"
Booth swayed a little and leaned on the rail that led out to the sand "I don't…" He said swallowing. "I don't like clowns." Jack put a steadying hand on his friend.
"Hey, whoa" He guided Booth down onto a park bench as his friend lost his footing. "ummm, should I tell someone?" Jack wasn't really sure what Booth needed right now.
"No!" Booth said quickly "No, I just…" He took a deep breath and stood up again. "I'll be fine." Booth slowly made his way over to where Tempe as standing.
"Come on Ange!" She exclaimed excitedly. "Let's get hats" She paused when she saw booth walk up. He was still slightly green. "Are you sure you're ok?" She asked.
"Fine." Booth said as brightly as possible.
"Ok let's go." She pulled him into step behind her and they hurried to get in line.
The clown was exactly what Booth feared. One of those guys with the huge pants with orange and yellow stripes and red suspenders. He had painted his face entirely white and put an oversized tie and flower on his shirt. Around his mouth was a creepy red smile and he had on a rainbow hippie wig. Once booth got near enough he remembered the real reason he hated clowns.
They had the creepiest laugh. It sounded like some kind of homicidal maniac who laughed maniacally while killing people with a chain saw.
Booth involuntarily shuddered. Tempe who was holding his hand in hers felt it. "Booth, are you cold?" She asked. The night air was cool but she was comfortable enough.
"No, I'm fine." Booth said as he caught his breath.
They were in line now and slowly moving closer to the dreaded thing in circus clothes. A few more steps and they would be face to face. Booth took a deep breath and took another step foreword. There were only three now, then two, the one then the clown was right in front of him.
Booth shrunk back behind Tempe as he giggled and asked for a red and orange hat. The clown quickly obliged twisting two long balloons into a crown with a heart in the front. He placed it on her head and she hugged him in thanks.
Angela was next and she wanted a green and pink crown. Again the clown worked his magic and took 3 balloons braiding them into a head band. Angela smiled and said thank you as she skipped to stand next to Tempe.
"And what would you like little boy?" the clown asked smiling at him with his large eyes staring.
"Uhh," Booth looked up into the pale face. His breath caught and he could feel his heart beating in his throat.
"How about a blue and purple hat?" The clown asked him still smiling.
Booth nodded desperate to get away from it, but not trusting his voice. In a matter of seconds the clown had twisted a few balloons into a hat much like a baseball cap.
Booth stayed perfectly still as the clown placed it on his head. "Uhh, thanks." He whispered looking wide eyes at up at him.
Quickly Booth retreated and once clear of the clown he ran back to the group.
"Did you like the clown Booth?" Mr. Brennan asked.
Booth nodded mechanically and didn't look up. He sat on a bench and said nothing.
Tempe sat next to him. "Booth what's wrong?" She asked
"Nothing I'm f-" He started but she cut him off.
"Don't say your fine. I saw you up there you were shaking in your shoes. Tell me Booth what's wrong?"
"I don't like clowns." Booth whispered.
Tempe's eyes went wide as she understood. "Oh Booth why'd you go then?
"You were excited. I didn't want to ruin it for you." He smiled a little.
"Booth if I had known I never would have-" She took is hand.
"It's ok, I'm ok now. I guess it's stupid to be afraid of clowns right?"
"No Booth, I don't think it's stupid at all." Tempe smiled at him.
"But you're not afraid of anything are you?" He asked.
"Booth remember that field trip to the Zoo and how I didn't want to go into the reptile house cuz it was too hot?" She asked.
"Yeah so?" He asked back
"It wasn't too hot. I, I'm afraid of snakes." She hung her head. "So there I'm afraid of something."
He laughed then. And smiled and took his hand and they joined the group once again.