The Dream Circus: Part 1

      I always loved the circus. The towering tents, the cheerful harlequins, the delicate acrobats, the fierce lions, and the delicious smell of fresh popcorn. I awaited that time of the year when a traveling circus would come to town. I lived in the small town of Luton, so not many came by. I would often go alone, but I didn't mind at all, since the performers and attraction keepers kept me perfect company.
     One day in fall, as the golden leaves fell from the trees, carriages and trailers rolled down the road that led to my humble and cozy town. I excitedly watched them roll by, and read the colorful writing on the side of the wagons. "THE DREAM CIRCUS". I had never heard of it defore. Although my town was small, it was near the big city of Eldham, so we got news fairly quickly. Something did seem different about this circus. I didn't know what though, the wagons were colorful, the animal sounds I heard were from normal animals, and the people driving the wagons were average humans. I couldn't put my finger on it, so I brushed it off and watched them go by. I counted a total of 30 wagons, so to my excitment, it would be a huge circus. I hopped down from the tree I was sitting in, and ran home to tell my sister and friends. They didn't care about circuses, saying they were too old for them. I still tell them every time, hoping that maybe this year one of them would go with me. I got the standard answer, confirming my thoughts they wouldn't come. I shrugged and went to my room, dreaming about what the Dream Circus would be like.
      I awoke the next day and immediately looked out my window. It faced the empty field, where the circus would set up its majestic tents. Three were already 3 up, and more seemed to be raised. My excitement only grew at the sight. I Ean down the stairs to the kitchen, hurriedly grabbed breakfast, wich was an apple and a piece of warm toast. I ran out the door, chewing on the toast, and down to the field to watch the tents being raised. I could see why people called me a child at heart, since I was always excited by such things. I stumbled a few times on my dress, but regained my balance, and ran on to the lush, green field. I passed the last house and slowed to a walk. As I neared my favorite perching tree, I watched the men pull up the tents, and the women help put up the fences and decorations. "They have fences?" I thought to myself. It was the first time I saw fences at a circus, but brushed it off as they didn't want unwanted visitors. Munching on my apple, I spotted a group of boys and girls my age. They seemed to be performers since they wore colorful and intricate costumes. They laughed as they walked, making big gestures and imitating voices. I watched them curiously, but one of the boys saw me and pointed at me, making the rest of them look in my direction. Panicked, I rushed down the tree and ran back to the town, my skirts making me trip more than ever. I reached the market, and stopped to catch my breath, receiving confused glances from passers-bys. I ignored their questioning eyes, and headed home. I hoped the kids I saw wouldn't recognize me when I went to see their circus. Little did I know, one of the other circus performers was watching me from a nearby fruit stand.
 ~To be continued

Opposites Attract

She was an old fashioned girl. She wore 1980's dresses and cross-stitched in her spare time. He was a modern guy. He wore graphic t-shirts and played video games in his spare time. They were complete opposites, but opposites attract. They met at the corner café. She was sipping on a cup of Earl Grey tea, her favorite. He saw her sitting alone, so he invited himself to sit with her. Not that she minded, since he was extremely attractive. They talked about their differences, since they had nothing in common. She liked how he was so energetic and alive, and he liked how she was polite and delicate. They did seem like star crossed lovers, like modern Romeo and old fashioned Juliette. Onlookers would point them out and whisper to each other "They're so different, how can they stand each other?" The two didn't pay attention to anyone else and kept talking for what seemed ages. After all, they were ment for each other. The day grew late and they had to part, but before leaving, they agreed to meet again at the same café the next day at 4. They said their goodbyes and parted, each thinking of the other the whole way home.