Hey, here's another chapter for you
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Molly's POV
"Are you sure about this?" I asked as we approached the giant tent.
"No, but Jack says it could work, we just have to sell it," Max answered.
"But-" I started but Max quickly shushed me as Jack walked out through the flaps.
"So do ya know the plan?" he asked and Max nodded. I shook my head. Jack smiled down at me. "Don't worry little Sheila, just follow Max's lead." I nodded unsurely.
"Oh, ok," I mumbled. Max looked down at me and took my hand, giving it a squeeze.
I blushed, feeling tingles down my arm from his touch. Stop it Molly! It's just Max. Letting go of Max's hand, I stepped up to Jack and wrapped my arms around his shoulders (Even though he was pretty much four inches taller then me) and gave him a hug.
"Thanks for everything Jack," I said as he hugged me back.
"No problem little darling," he said. I was going to miss his thick accent.
I felt a hand grab mine and Max pulled me away from Jack. "Thank you Jack," he said, shaking Jack's hand. With a last nod Max pulled me into the tent. "Wow…" I breathed, staring at the giant inside of the tent. "It's so much bigger," I whispered.
"Yeah, but we're only looking for the ringmaster," Max whispered back, pulling me along.
We passed many different people, a lion tamer, a couple clowns and even a bearded lady. I wanted to stop and say high but Max just kept pulling me along. I could tell he was nervous so I didn't do my usual fight against him, I just let him pull me along. Finally we stopped, Max looking around in distress.
"I can't find him!" he groaned.
"Don't worry, we'll find him," I said, rubbing his back.
"Why would it be a him?" we both jumped, turning to the voice.
Standing behind us was a tall slender woman with fiery red hair that was flowing out from under a top hat. The clothes adorning her body consisted of a long red coat that was placed over a white button shirt and a pair of dark purple leggings. Finally her feet were covered with knee high black boots.
I couldn't speak and it looked like Max was having the same problem, his mouth hanging open like his jaw had been un-hinged.
"Well?" the woman asked again. This seemed to break Max from his daze.
"Uh…J-Jack said there was a position open for some help on the boat," he stuttered.
"Ah, so you're the two hard working kids that need a lift," the woman said with a smile. We both nodded.
"Yeah, we've been working on ships for a few months now," Max said without missing a beat. The woman arched an eyebrow and I shrunk back.
"Why? Shouldn't you kids be in school?" she asked. Both me and Max paused, not expecting that. Quickly Max took my hand.
"We were in school where we met. We fell in love but our parents didn't approve of the relationship so we ran away to see a world that would accept us," he said all in one breath. My eyes widened and I stared at him, as did the woman.
"Really?" I held my breath as she stared down at us, Max stared back, still clutching my now trembling hand. "Well the circus accepts everyone, welcome aboard!" she said with a wave of her hat. I let out the breath I didn't know I had been holding. "My name is Ramona and welcome…to the Circ Delesouir!" she exclaimed with another theatrical wave of her hat.
After the ship had been packed, Max and I having to help, we were shown to where we would be sleeping. It was a small cabin with a single bed. As soon as we saw this, Max opted for me to take the bed. He can be such a gentleman sometimes…others he's a imbecilic moron who manages to get us halfway around the world.
Once settled we headed up on deck. I broke away from Max's side to stand by the side. The boat was already off, sailing across the ocean towards…Max never actually specified on that. Turning away from the side, I found Max sitting among some crates with the other circus hands, chatting about whatever random thing Max could think of.
I paused my walk, watching Max be Max. I smiled at the way he would laugh at one of the circus hands jokes, or the way he would run his hand through his soft brown hair, his brown eyes alive with warmth.
"Hey Molly!" I was broken from my daze by Max waving me over. I smiled, fighting the blush that threatened to take over my cheeks as I walked over to the guys. "Molly, this is Jake, Matt and Harry," he said, introducing me to the three men. They all gave me a small wave, Jake giving me a toothy smile.
"Hello young lady," Jake said. I smiled at him. He seemed nice. "Max was just telling us about your trip so far." I nodded, smiling still.
"Yeah, it's been a wild ride," I said. The others nodded in agreement while Max looked to the floor.
"I'll bet, that snake bite must have been real scary," Harry said, shaking his head. I nodded again.
"It was, I'm just glad Max came and found me when he did," I said, looking over at him. His head was still down, staring at the floor. Matt patted him on the back.
"Hey cheer up mate. It's all behind you now. Once we get to Kenya I'm sure those Russian guys won't be able to find you," he said, trying to sound reassuring.
Wait! Kenya! That's where we were going? I'll have to ask Max about it later. Speaking of Max, when he still didn't look up, I went and sat next to him on the crate, taking his hand in mine.
"Are you ok Max?" I asked. He finally looked up and I could see the amount of distress in his tired brown eyes.
We both stayed silent, just staring at each other while silently communicating. Finally Jake broke the silence.
"Hey, don't feel bad buddy. It would be hard on anyone to watch the person they love suffer." I nearly forgot our cover story, but quickly caught myself before I denied it. Max nodded.
"It was the most painful thing I ever had to watch," he said in the most serious voice I had ever heard, staring into my eyes. I was captivated by his eyes, getting lost.
"Maybe we should give these two some privacy?" Matt suggested as the others got up. I broke my eyes from Max's, watching the guys leave.
I ducked my head, determined not to look back at Max. You can't let it get to you Molly. It's for the best and you know it! I mentally scolded myself. I'm not going to lie, Max was cute, handsome even, and he was sweet, kind and one of the bravest people I had ever met…but I couldn't let those traits take over my better judgement. Max and I couldn't be together, not when what I was could get in the way.
But for now I could at least enjoy Max's company. We sat and talked on the deck for a few hours watching as the sun started to leave the sky.
"Come on lads, lets do a sunset concert," Max and I both turned to the heavy British accented voice, watching as a bunch of guys piled onto the deck on the other side of the deck with instruments. There were two violinists, a flautist, clarinettist, some trumpeters, a saxophonist, a guy hauling on some drums (Not assembled in a kit, just the drums) a guy dragging on a big double bass and even two guys pushing up a piano.
"What's going on?" I whispered to Max, who shrugged.
"I guess the circus has it's own band," he said, watching as the men set up. One man, who had dark brown skin and was tending to his trumpet, looked up and spotted us.
"Well hello there children," he said in a thick southern accent. My eyebrows shot up as he waved us over.
"Uhh hi," I said timidly as Max and I approached them.
"Hello children, we're the Circ Delesouir band, made up of musicians from all over the world," the trumpeter said and I smiled.
"That explains that," I mumbled to Max.
"So you guys know pretty much every song there is?" he asked. The British one who spoke first shrugged.
"Well that depends," he said. Max smiled.
"Do you know Down In New Orleans?" he asked. The trumpeter grinned.
"Well I should hope so or my name isn't Ray 'Swing King' Jackson," he laughed. With a nod to the other members of the band, Ray lifted the trumpet to his lips while the Piano intro started up.
In the South Land there's a city
Way down on the river
Where the women are very pretty
And all the men deliver
Max grinned at me as he took my hand, spinning me into him then back out. "Max no, I can't dance," I mumbled. He just shook his head, continuing to dance with me. I sighed as I let him control me.
They got music
It's always playin'
Start in the day time, go all through the night
When you hear that music playin'
Hear what I'm saying, it make you feel alright
Grab somebody, come on down
Bring your paintbrush, we're paintin' the town
Oh there's some sweetness goin' 'round
Catch it down in New Orleans
Ok I'll admit, dancing with Max is fun. Amazingly fun actually. I was laughing with him as he continued to spin me.
We got magic, good and bad
Make you happy or make you real sad
Get everything you want, lose what you had
Down here in New Orleans
Hey partner, don't be shy
Come on down here and give us a try
You wanna do some livin' before you die
Do it down in New Orleans
Stately homes and mansions
Of the Sugar Barons and the Cotton Kings
Rich people, old people, all got dreams
Dreams do come true in New Orleans
I panted, smiling up at Max. That was…fun, despite my lack of dancing skills. Max was smiling as well, panting heavily.
"Any other requests?" the British man asked. I nodded, looking away from Max.
"How about Blow, Gabriel, Blow?" the saxophonist grinned while the other musicians murmured excitedly.
"Oh hell yes!" he cried. "Mona, get up here! The little girl suggested your song!" I felt a cold feeling spread through my stomach as I heard the sound of Ramona's boots hitting the steps. As she emerged up onto the deck I took a couple steps back.
"So you suggested my song?" she asked. I nodded slowly and she smiled. "Well then, Ray?" Ray grinned as he signalled for the others to start.
[Ramona]
Brothers and sisters, we are here tonight to fight the devil...
Do you hear that playin'?
Other people started coming up on deck, all smiling as they listened to Ray and Ramona play and sing.
[Band]
Yes, we hear that playin'!
Max looked at me confusedly. "Just wait," I said, taking his hands.
[Ramona]
Do you know who's playin'?
[Band]
No, who is that playin'?
[Ramona]
Well, it's Gabriel, Gabriel playin'!
Gabriel, Gabriel sayin'
"Will you be ready to go
When I blow my horn?"
Oh, blow, Gabriel, blow,
Go on and blow, Gabriel, blow!
I've been a sinner, I've been a scamp,
But now I'm willin' to trim my lamp,
So blow, Gabriel, blow!
I started to move with Max, letting him get the beat of the song as it slowly started to speed up.
Oh, I was low, Gabriel, low,
Mighty low, Gabriel, low.
But now since I have seen the light,
I'm good by day and I'm good by night,
So blow, Gabriel, blow!
Once I was headed for hell,
Once I was headed for hell;
But when I got to Satan's door
I heard you blowin' on your horn once more,
So I said, "Satan, farewell!"
And now I'm all ready to fly,
Yes, to fly higher and higher!
'Cause I've gone through brimstone
And I've been through the fire,
And I purged my soul
And my heart too,
So climb up the mountaintop
And start to blow, Gabriel, blow
[Band]
Come on and blow, Gabriel, blow!
[Ramona]
I want to join your happy band
And play all day in the Promised Land.
So blow, Gabriel, blow!
Come on you scamps, get up you sinners!
You're all too full of expensive dinners.
Stand up on your lazy feet and sing!
[Ramona and Band]
Blow, Gabriel, blow, (Blow, Gabriel!)
Go on and blow, Gabriel, blow. (Blow, Gabriel!)
I've been a sinner, I've been a scamp,
But now I'm willin' to trim my lamp,
So blow, Gabriel, blow.
I was low, Gabriel, low, (Low, Gabriel!)
Mighty low, Gabriel, low.
But now since that I have seen the light
I'm good by day and I'm good by night
So blow, Gabriel, blow.
I knew what was coming now, the long musical section that slowed down. I danced the fast part easily but once it slowed down I didn't know what to do. Max's head tilted, listening to the music. Slowly his arm slipped around my waist, pulling me to him as the music turned low and sultry.
We moved together easily, our bodies in sync until the music started to speed up again.
[Ramona]
Once I was headed for hell,
Once I was headed for hell;
But when I got to Satan's door
I heard you blowin' on your horn once more,
So I said, "Satan, farewell!"
And now I'm all ready to fly,
Yes, to fly higher and higher!
'Cause I've gone through brimstone
And I've been through the fire,
And I purged my soul
And my heart too,
So climb up the mountaintop
And start to blow, Gabriel, blow
[Band]
Go on and blow, Gabriel, blow!
[Ramona]
I want to join your happy band
And play all day in the Promised Land.
So blow, Gabriel!
[Band]
Go on and...
Blow, Gabriel, blow
Blow, Gabriel, blow
Blow, Gabriel, blow
I wanna join your happy band
And play all day in the Promised Land,
So blow, Gabriel, blow, Gabriel, blow, Gabriel, blow!
I stared up at Max, not expecting him to dip me at the end of the song. "Wow…" I breathed for what could be the tenth time that day. He nodded.
"I know," he whispered, pulling me up.
"I think it's time we slow things down," the British man said. Ramona nodded and smiled at the song the band started playing.
I recognised this song instantly, watching as Max bowed to me in an old fashioned manner.
"I'm guessing you know the song too?" I said. He smiled.
"May I have this waltz?" he asked, holding his hand out. I blushed as I took it, letting his arms circle my waist again.
[Ray]
It's one-two-three and suddenly
I see it at a glance -
She's radiant
And confident and born to take this chance.
I taught her well.
I planned it all!
I just forgot...
Romance!
Ray, how could you do this?
How will we get through this?
I never should have let them dance!
The musical outro wasn't long enough, Max and I gliding to the music as it slowly died down. It was just us, out in the sunset on this boat. I stared up at Max, watching as he held my body close to his. "Maybe we should…" he trailed off as his eyes became half lidded.
"Yeah…" I tried to say but my eyes closing and me leaning up caused me to trail off. I waited for Max to kiss me, wanting it more then I had ever wanted anything.
Stop! You know the consequences! Max could di-I stopped listening to my brain as I felt Max's hand cup my cheek.
"Dinner is on! Come and get it!" Max and I broke apart at the shout from down below.
"We should…go," Max mumbled, walking past me before dashing down the stairs. I sighed, watching him leave. I noticed Ramona and the band watching me.
"Don't worry honey, you'll have another chance," Ray said. I shook my head as I walked past them.
"I've already had three," I mumbled as I searched for the dining cabin.
It's a bit of a tease I know but this is just a fluff chapter. Hope you liked it.
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