~Mary Pickford
"Why do you keep looking over at the door?" Jane asked.
"Sorry," I said, going back to the warm-up stretches. "Shin left to try out for the circus that we're going to travel with this summer. He's supposed to get back today, and I'm hoping he'll stop by and let us know how it went."
"I hope he gets picked. Shin's the hot Asian guy with the blue streaks in his bangs, right?" Jane asked wagging her eyebrows, her right eyebrow looked like it was lifting weights with its barbell piercing.
"Shin is Korean, and he's cool."
Jane hummed through her smirk.
I rolled my eyes. "First of all, I don't date. And second, he's like three or four years older than me. Anyway, having another friend traveling with us would be nice."
Jane stretched over her legs. Her hair was gelled into short spikes, and I could see spots on her scalp where she dyed her skin pink along with her hair. "How are things going in fairy-tale land?" she asked.
Over the past month I told Jane a lot about Gavin, Anali, and growing up in group homes. I'd left out the Phoenix and magic bits. I hadn't planned on telling Jane much about my life, but with my sudden name change, Jane was curious and a surprisingly good listener. "Okay, I guess. I still don't know if there are any house rules. I keep my stuff tidy, clean up after myself, and go to bed about the same time every night. So far, no complaints from the adults yet."
"Not all houses have rules. I say do what works for you and see what happens." Jane moved into a one legged stretch, groaning as the muscles slowly relaxed.
Jane's mom worked two jobs, and her dad had been gone for years. She took care of the apartment and helped out by cooking and cleaning. Jane liked being independent and doing what she wanted.
"I guess. I don't like not knowing what to expect. Everything has been so mellow and free at Gavin's house. I don't know how to act. Seriously I think if I stayed up all night watching horror movies and skipped school the next day to sleep, no one would care."
Jane laughed. "Most kids would love that."
I shrugged and moved into a wide leg stretch. How could I explain that I didn't like not knowing the rules or consequences? That sleeping in a room alone scared me? And that, while I loved having a bathroom all to myself, I still rushed through my shower as if there were kids were waiting for me?
I suppose someday I'll adjust to life at Gavin's house. I bet it will happen right before we leave to travel the world in an RV.
Jane poked my foot with her big toe. The lime green polish on it made my eyes hurt. "Don't worry so much. This is a big change, give it time."
"You have no idea," I muttered. Looking for a way to change the topic, something shiny caught my eye. "Is that a new necklace? Maybe a Valentine's Day gift?"
Jane's blush clashed with her newly pink hair. "I think I told you about Jason?" I nodded yes. "Well, on Valentine's Day he brought me a rose, a card, and this necklace."
"It's very nice." The heart pendent was lacquered black with a pink rhinestone skull in the center. A perfect gift for Jane.
Jane smiled as she stretched her arms. "Thank you. He’s very sweet, and he's in a band."
I wanted to go to Jane's school and make sure this Jason person was good enough for her.
"Okay, everyone, gather for class," Taliesin called out.
The Perky Girls reached Taliesin first, forming a half circle around him and blocking Jane and me from getting close. We rolled our eyes. They acted far more passive aggressive since Philip talked to them. They glared, interrupted, and stood as close to Taliesin as they could. Taliesin kept taking small steps away from them and, his jaw tightened every time they interrupted him.
"Today, as you can see, we have a trapeze, ring, and silk hanging up. Divide into pairs and practice the basics I've already taught you. I'll watch everyone to give advice and help," Taliesin explained. "We'll do about twenty minutes at each station and then switch."
Jane and I were put on the silk first. We chatted about school, and her new boy while going through the warm-ups. Then we climbed the silk. Jane went first since she lost at Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Spock.
"You're doing great," I cheered as Jane pulled herself up the fabric hanging from the ceiling.
When she climbed half way up, she stopped and secured her feet and arms into a resting position. I watched as she looked up the silk to the ceiling trying to decide if she should push herself further. I was about to say something when Taliesin spoke.
"Jane, don't push yourself too hard. You have gone much further today than you have before. I can tell you're doing the exercises at home." Every once in a while Taliesin would say something nice. It made me wonder if he had multiple personalities.
Jane nodded and slid down the silk.
"Very good. If you overdo it, getting down will be less controlled and could be dangerous," Taliesin said. "All right, up you go, Sapphire."
It took a couple tries to get my feet secure, but once in place, I pulled myself up the silk. I took my time, and used my legs and arms, as Taliesin taught us. I startled a bit when my fingers touched a hard knot. I made it to the top! Looking out over the school, I saw Gavin waving to me. I waved back delighted and scared to have made it to the top. The floor seemed far away.
"Rest for a minute before coming down," Taliesin said.
I locked my arm around the silk and checked my feet and hung there for a bit, before I slowly lowered myself back down.
My feet barely touched the ground when Jane squealed and hugged me. "That was so great!"
"Thanks, you did great too, you went so much further up today!" Oh, yeah, we rock.
"Please, we could do that on the first day!" Perky Girl number four said, the others agreeing with her instantly.
"So what improvements have you made?" Philip asked, appearing out of nowhere. "Can you go up more than once? Can you go up without using your legs? Taliesin, show them what they should work towards."
Taliesin sighed, but went to the silk and began to climb. He flew up the fabric using only his arms. Then came back down again with complete control. Holy crap, he’s strong.
"Jane and Sapphire, you both have improved a lot. You should be very proud," Philip said, before going back to his office. Philip also rocks. And what is that I hear? It's the blissful sound of Perky Girls shamed into silence.
"All right, back to work everyone, we're not done yet," Taliesin said, shooing everyone back to their place.
Jane posed in hip-hang while I kept track of the time. We decided to help push each other into holding the poses thirty seconds longer each time. Suddenly, strong dark arms surrounded me and spun me around.
"I did it! I got accepted, and I'll be touring this summer!"
"Shin, that's wonderful," I turned in his arms so I could hug him. He laughed as he spun around again, his blue and black bangs tickling my neck. "What are you going to be doing?" I asked
Shin's black eyes shone with happiness. "Chinese pole."
"That is great, we'll get to hang out," I said, stepping back.
"That's right, Gavin and Anali are touring with the circus, too. So cool." Shin squeezed me again and lifted me off the ground. While I wasn't thrilled with being picked up, it did do wonders for my ego.
"Shin, could you please stop distracting my student?" Taliesin interrupted, his voice sounding colder than normal. What was wrong with him?
"Sure, sorry. I'll see you Tuesday." Shin blushed and went to share the good news with the others.
"Taliesin didn't seem happy about Shin holding you," Jane suggested, once Taliesin walked away.
I turned and saw Taliesin glaring at Shin's back. "Which of us do you think he's jealous of?"
Jane smacked my arm. "Oh, you're so bad!"
"Switch to the last station," Taliesin snapped.
I quirked an eyebrow at him, Taliesin turned and went over to the Perky Girls. Wow, he was pissed.