What a circus

The car beeped and the lights flashed when she pressed the button of her car key. She rushed as fast as she could with her heels on and her jacket thrown over her shoulder. Her standard ringtone rung and she struggled with holding her stuff as she fished up her phone from her bag. She pressed her cheek against her jacket as she swiped over Kim's caller ID. "I know I'm late. I'm sorry, work was hectic―"

"Don't worry about it." Kim quickly cut her off.

Her eyes fluttered with confusion as she adjusted her grip on her jacket. "You're not mad?" That was unusual. It belonged to the usual banter of theirs whenever Maka arrived late because she stayed at the office and worked. Kim always chewed her out when she worked too much. But she guessed being invited to dinner she would pay for belonged to the unusual category also.

"Of course no!" Kim chirped happily as Maka burst through the double doors of the restaurant. "I know this was sudden after all."

Her rushed steps ceased as she gazed toward their usual booth at their favourite restaurant. Instead of seeing bubble-gum pink hair and a phone pressed to her ear, the familiar circus woman Kim had introduced her to rested her chin against the back of her hands.

She was waiting for her.

"Kim." Maka growled.

"Gotta run. I love you."

"Kim! Wait―"

A monotone tune was left ringing in her ear.

She sighed as her nails dug into her professional suit jacket. She should have known. Kim was never that understanding when it came to people running late. She always detested when she was running late due to her work as a college professor. She was going to kill Kim next time she saw her. Or not generously buy her lunch.

Maka was about to turn around and sneak out before Tsubaki could notice her (she had essays to correct and she'd to prepare a presentation for her specialist class) just when Tsubaki lifted her face and her eyes set on her from across the room. Tsubaki raised her hand and waved at her as if she hadn't spotted her. She grimaced.

No turning back now.

She sighed and mourned the sleep she would miss after catching up with her college duties. She plastered on a fake smile as she marched over to the booth Tsubaki sat in. "Hi!" Tsubaki said kindly. "Nice to see you again."

"Yeah. Nice to see you too." She slid into the booth and discarded her jacket and bag. "Although I have to admit, I had expected Kim to join us."

"Yes, I believe she took on another shift at the hospital or something like that."

It was a lie. She knew Kim wouldn't willingly take another shift. Her precious time with her fiancée was her top priority along with baby proofing their apartment.

"I guess." She sighed. Why did Kim have to leave her alone? She knew she was very busy with the exams dawning and her pile of essays grew larger and larger for every day and her work phone rang constantly with students asking questions about the material. A potential dinner date that could grow into friendship wasn't on her priority list at the moment. But it would be very rude of her if she left now when Tsubaki had been waiting so patiently for her to arrive.

"I heard from Kim you work as a college professor." Tsubaki asked, resting her chin on her palm with her menu closed. Most likely she'd already decide a long time ago what she wanted to order.

"Yes. I teach psychology to novices and specialists."

"Really? Specialists already?"

She did indeed work hard to achieve a spot at the prestigious college and quickly climbed to the top to teach specialists decades older than her. All the hard work and late nights studying had been worth it in the end. And she was working hard to keep her spot at the top.

"Yes. And you work at the circus." Oh had she remembered. The skimpy sparky corset to please the adult male part of the circus. Or the female side for that matter.

"Yes. I've worked on the circus since I was sixteen."

Maka's eyes bulged out with surprise. "Sixteen?!" Tsubaki nodded proudly. "Did your parents allow it?"

She shook her head as Maka waved toward a waitress who acknowledged her with a smile. "I ran away from home. I sent them letter occasionally to tell them I was okay."

The waitress arrived and she took their order. "And your parents were okay with it?"

"Not exactly. They tried to find me but since I was always on the move with the circus, they never did. They understood when they saw me perform. When we're in the area they always come and watch the show."

"Sounds like a tough thing to do."

"Not compared to a dedicated college professor." She smiled friendly toward Maka. "I earned my GED on the road and I couldn't imagine voluntarily go back to school to become a professor."

"It's not that bad. It's actually very rewarding." The waitress returned with their drinks and disappeared to attend other dining guests. Maka grabbed her drink and watched the see-through soda swirl in the glass. "It's very rewarding watching the journey the student takes. I enjoy teaching students who actually likes the subject."

"But it has to be a lot of work, right?"

"It is. I've about one-hundred-fifty students in my cognitive psychology class and it takes some time to correct the essays and exams. I also lead a team of scientists exploring different cognitive mechanisms in the human mind."

Tsubaki took a gulp of her water and set it down on the table. "Sounds very sophisticated."

"It's very abstract. Some students never seem to understand the gravity of impact on the human mind."

"I see." She stirred her straw in her water. "So what do you do in your spare time?"

"What do you mean spare time?"

"Don't you have any hobbies?" Tsubaki's voice rose with shock.

"The thing is, I don't really have that much free time. My work keeps me busy."

"But don't you have any hobbies you enjoy when you do have time?"

She sighed and leaned her chin on her hand. "I enjoy reading." She certainly wouldn't be able to continue her book any time soon. Not with this friend date and the workload she'd staking up on her desk. Tsubaki proved to be a good girl who went through a lot of interesting things. The food arrived and Tsubaki munched on her salad as she talked about every country, city and culture she'd explored on her adventures on the road with the circus. She'd been in every continent around the world and experienced a lot of adventures with the circus crew.

Jealousy snaked under her skin at all the places she'd visited and all the people she'd met. Since she entered her first school year, she'd never been on a vacation outside of the state. The only travel she'd done was related to her research and then the furthest away she'd been was two states away. Never before had she truly taken a vacation and left to a tropical country for relaxation. What did people even do on a vacation? Read books? Sleep in? She was ashamed she didn't have a clue.

"Right now we're free for a week before we'll travel to Brazil and perform."

"May I ask why you decided to take a week off here?"

She nodded as she placed her utensils down on her clean plate. "Of course. Most of the crew lives in Las Death but there are a few who live here in Death City. We always try to fit in with our schedule so we get a little free time with our friends and family."

"So do you have any family here?"

She shook her head. "No. My family is in Japan. I've a couple of friends outside of the circus but I don't see them that often. It's mostly me and Black*Star."

"Is he your boyfriend?"

Her pale cheeks heated and a gentle smile spread on her lips. "Yes. He's the magician you saw on the show. The one with blue hair."

She grimaced. The obnoxious guy who constantly demanded more applauds for every magical trick he did. "I see."

"Some other crew members have their parents or siblings here, but some of us are like me, no family or friends outside of the circus crew."

"How come?"

"Well, we're always on the road. It's not like we can see them that often. It's very hard trying to sustain relationships when you're always away." She looked down at her empty glass as if she thought back at something in her past. "We're just never… there."

"If it isn't working then it isn't working." Maka said, trying to brighten the suddenly sad atmosphere. "You're not meant to be then. I've always thought if the person doesn't accept your work, then they don't deserve to be in your life."

Her own history of boyfriends could match Tsubaki's. The few dates and the handful of boyfriends she'd experienced were lacklustre. It was a drag trying to schedule for dates and the guys called and texted her during workhours. She knew how to multitask, but trying to text and focus on correcting essays was beyond her capability. The guys needed more communications and they wanted to see her more often, but she simply couldn't because of her work.

From the little information she'd received from Tsubaki, she most likely experienced something similar to her. With her always being on the road, she couldn't see her partner that often. Being months and months away to only return for a couple of days, maybe two weeks at tops, strained any relationship. No wonder she never saw her friends outside the circus because the friendship corroded.

"You're right." A smile spread on her face and she looked prettier with that kind of smile she made. "I'm happy I've Black*Star. He's the right guy."

"Well that's… great." She tried to maintain a smile for Tsubaki's sake, but she was all alone. The only friend she'd was Kim and there was no potential guy in her life. Sometimes when she'd corrected all her essays and prepared the morning's classes, it would've been great to cuddle with a guy and discuss books or just… talk. Enjoy each other's company. Just being with a guy she genuinely liked was something she missed in her life. But she was too busy and the work wouldn't be worth the few good moments they'd share.

She was better off alone.

"So do you have a partner in your life?"

She shook her head. "No. I'm focusing at my job."

"I see." She picked up her empty glass. "Would you like another drink? I would like one."

She pictured all the essays in her inbox on her work email that needed correction. "You know what, I think I better―" Her voice died as Tsubaki's eyes ripped from hers and looked passed her, suddenly waving to someone.

"Hey guys!"

She looked over her shoulder toward the tall blonde woman and― Soul, the trapeze artist she'd offended. His half-lidded eyes set on her and slightly widened when recognition dawned on him. He looked away from her and shoved his hands in his pockets dismissingly.

"Hey Tsu." The blonde woman, if she remembered right, Liz went over to Tsubaki. "I didn't know you were here. Where's Black*Star?"

"He's at the gym."

"It's unusual to see you two separated."

"I'm not alone." Tsubaki gestured toward Maka. "You remember Maka, right?"

Liz shifted her attention to Maka and her blue eyes locked with hers. "Oh yeah, you're Kim's friend?"

"Yes." She couldn't help but notice Liz's attire. She looked completely… different now when she wasn't dressed in sparkly skin-tight spandex. She dressed like a tough girl with her baggy jeans and tight shirt. From the show she appeared to be responsible and elegant while now she got a completely different vibe. One that screamed "I'm tough and strong and don't you dare mess with me or I'll break your neck".

"Hey Soul." Tsubaki waved at Soul standing a few feet away. "Why don't you come and join us?"

His jaw tightened and he hesitated before slowly he slouched over to them. His zip hoodie didn't hide his broad shoulders and jeans hugged his skinny hips. Perfect body for a trapeze artist. Or a model. She didn't want to admit it, but he was attractive with his toned body and his intriguing unique white hair and blood red eyes.

"Why don't you join us? Maka and I were just about to order some drinks."

"N―"

"Sure." Liz pitched in and Soul glared at her as she slid into the both beside Maka. "We didn't really get to know you that much after the show." Liz waved over a waitress as Soul reluctantly slid into the booth beside Tsubaki. He really didn't like her after her slip up before the show. Soul literally directed his body away from her and refused to look at her like a stubborn child. The waitress returned and took their order and she was once again stuck for another hour.

Liz, Tsubaki and Maka engaged in conversation while Soul sipped on his beer, completely disconnected. Liz and Tsubaki glanced toward his direction and tried to engage him in the conversation, but he was unenthusiastic. They must've noticed how he didn't want to be associated with her.

Geez, she didn't even want to be around a rude guy like him.

"Oh look." Liz raised her empty cocktail glass with a sheepish grin. "Mine's empty. Tsubaki, why won't you join me and get drinks for all of us?"

Soul choked on his beer and he and Maka shook their heads madly. "But you can only call over a waitress to get them!"

"There isn't even a bar here!" Both of them exclaimed at the same time. They gazed at each other baffled before they huffed and crossed their arms over their chests.

"You two need to chill." Liz said as she stood up with her empty glass. "We'll be back soon."

"I could come with you." Maka insisted.

"You just sit back and relax. We only need two pair of hands." Tsubaki smirked knowingly as she rose from her seat. "We'll be back before you know it." Maka's mouth opened and closed repeatedly as the two women left the booth with their empty glasses in their hands. Silence hung heavy between Soul and Maka as they sat with their arms crossed and legs pointing away from each other. The moments went by and so did minutes. They were taking far too long grabbing drinks. Her nails dug into her shirt as she grimaced. They had either ditched them or they were hiding somewhere.

Great. This was great.

Kim was most likely behind the appearance of Liz and Soul. She just had to be.

"I don't think they're coming back," Maka said.

"No shit." They sat in silence, still stubbornly with their backs turned toward the other. How childish both of them were. They'd both jumped to conclusions and gotten off at the wrong foot. She, as the higher person among the two, should start to make amends. For Kim's sake.

She sighed and turned toward him. "Listen. I'm sorry." His eyes widened with shock and he gazed at her. "I was wrong. The whole show was amazing and your performance was off the hook."

"Y-you liked it?!" he stuttered and untied his arms from over his chest.

She nodded sincerely. "Yes. I'm very happy Kim invited me to come. It was worth every penny."

He stared at her and his jaw resting on the floor.

She grabbed her jacket and her bag from the floor and stood up. "There! I've said it." She fished up her wallet and slapped a bill on the table. "Keep the change." He silently watched her as she left the booth and the restaurant.

The cool night air of the night chilled her bare arms. She threw her jacket on and searched for her car keys in her pocket. Receipt. Gum paper. Headphones. Ah! She retrieved her keys from her pocket and they slipped from her fingers. They chirred as it hit the ground. A sigh left her vocal cords and she picked up her keys. The car bleeped and the lights flashed when she pressed the button.

"Wait!" He halted her movement and whipped around, seeing Soul running toward her in full speed. He came to a shrieking halt in front of her. His warm large hand grabbed her and a weight was placed in her palm. His warmth disappeared from her hand and a bill and a couple of coins rested in her hand. "I don't need your money."

She cocked her eyebrow and slowly nodded. "Okaaay. You could've given the waitress a large tip then?"

His jaw tightened as he shoved his hands deep into his pockets. "I guess I'm sorry too." He ignored her previous statement as he stared into her eyes with determination. "I shouldn't have reacted the way I did. You've every right not to like the show. It doesn't make you a bad person."

A smile blossomed on her face. "Your apology is accepted."

"Cool." He smirked wide, showing off his intriguing sharp teeth. "Um, bye then."

"Goodbye." He turned on his heel and walked away with his back slouched. She rolled her eyes as she opened her car door. Even though he performed so beautifully, he'd the most hideous posture she'd ever seen. She slid into her car and slammed the door shut. The engine roared to life and she drove out of the parking lot.

She most likely wouldn't see that awful posture of his ever again.