Love Is in the Air (16 page)

“I thought you liked sparkles,” I say.

“Sure, when I want to be wearing them. Otherwise, it's the patriarchy, man.”

I laugh. “Okay, okay, so to fight patriarchy we're going to do a dance juggling routine.”

“Yep!”

“I don't see how that helps any.”

“It probably doesn't,” she says with a shrug. “But that doesn't mean it hurts to try! If nothing else, it will keep your mind off things.”

“Wait . . . this isn't just some grand scheme of yours to get Branden back for me, is it?”

She gives me her most innocent, winning smile.

“Me? Scheme? Jennifer, it's like you don't even know me.”

“Oh, I do,” I say with a laugh. “And that's precisely why I'm asking.”

She just keeps smiling and changes up the juggling pattern. I don't ask her again, but I've got a funny feeling I already know the answer.

Chapter
Nineteen

B
y the end of that
afternoon's practice, we have the rough skeleton of an act. Which is good, since according to our instructors, we'll have only one more session to practice our act before everything gets put together for the first run-through tomorrow afternoon. So, a few more hours to fine-tune, and then we get to practice with the rest of the camp. Then it's showtime.

“I can't believe it's almost over,” I tell Riley as we walk to the cafeteria.

“I know,” she says. “Stupid spring break not being long enough. But don't worry, we'll all still be in touch. This is just the ­beginning!”

In spite of her enthusiasm, I still feel low. I was getting used to the circus life—up early for breakfast and training, practicing
all day, and hanging out with friends every night. It's going to be really hard to go back to normal school after this.

As we're heading back in, one of the acro boys I've seen hanging out with Branden jogs past. His short brown hair kind of glimmers in the sunlight.

“Hey, you're Jenn, right?” he asks, turning around and keeping pace.

“Yeah,” I answer.

“You were awesome last night.” He gives me a grin. “You've got a great voice. Anyway, I'll see you around.”

Once he's turned around and headed into the cafeteria, I turn to Riley and give her my
what was that all about?
look.

“Looks like someone's making new friends,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows.

I laugh. She loops an arm around my shoulder. “Kinda nice living in the spotlight for once, isn't it?”

I nod. “Especially when it's not for something embarrassing.”

“Just wait until the end of our act,” she says, giving me a squeeze. “It's going to blow everyone out of the water.”

“You're really optimistic.”

“Nope, I'm a realist. I just know.”

We're in line by that point; the cafeteria is already filled with the other troupers, all of them looking a little winded and tired. But there's an energy here, an excitement, and I'm not certain if it's because we're about to go see a professional circus or because we're all part of one. I glance over and see Branden sitting at a table with
his other acro friends. He's facing away, so he doesn't see me, but I still look away immediately. Riley catches my gaze.

“Ignore him,” she says. “He'll realize he made a big mistake soon enough. Maybe even in time for the dance tomorrow night.”

“So much for being a realist,” I say. She doesn't respond.

We grab our dinner and head over to where Tyler and Kevin are already sitting. They seem deep in discussion, but when I sit down, it's clear they're talking about routines.

“I just don't know if we're going to have enough time,” Kevin says.

“Time for what?” Riley asks.

“He wants to do a duo act. Hand-to-hand.” Kevin doesn't seem very excited about it.

“I just think it would be fun,” Tyler says. “You've already admitted to basing acro before, and I can easily handstand off you. All you need to do is not move.”

“Sounds fun. And dangerous,” I say. “Are you going to do a full act?” Because if my little experience has shown me anything, it's that these routines take loads of time.

“No way,” Tyler replies. “The acro group is doing a big finale sort of thing after our individual acts. I just thought it'd be kind of cool to do some hand-to-hand during it. No one else is.”

“No one else could,” Kevin says with a smile. “Fine, twist my arm. I'll do it.”

Tyler hugs him. “I knew you would! There's a hand-to-hand
act tonight that I'm hoping we can steal some tricks from.”

“Um, I don't think I'm comfortable doing tricks you haven't tried before.”

“Well then, we'll just borrow some choreography or something. Speaking of,” Tyler says, turning to Riley and me, “have you two decided what you're going to do yet?”

I don't even have time to open my mouth and respond; Riley immediately launches into her grand plans for our act, including the music and a few moves she credits to Tyler.

“It's going to be fabulous,” she finishes. “We tried some of the choreo this afternoon, and it fits with the passes perfectly.”

“Do we have a theme yet?” I ask, because I can't imagine them doing a full show without any sort of story line.

“It's going to be really loose,” Kevin says. “I overheard some of the coaches talking. They'll announce the official theme tomorrow, but I guess it's just going to be something like Space Exploration.”

“Oh man, I hope so.” Riley's eyes practically glow. “We could do our routine in space go-go outfits, kinda like in
The Jetsons
.”

I laugh. “I don't own a go-go outfit. And I only watched
The Jetsons
, like, once.”

She shrugs. “I'm sure the costume department will have something.”

At that moment, someone slams into my back, making me spill the glass of milk I was holding all over my tray.

“What the—,” I begin, then cut off when I hear Megan's snicker. I'm also pretty certain I hear Sara mutter, “Really, Megan?”
I try to take a deep, calming breath, but Riley beats me to the punch. Almost literally.

“Watch it,” she warns, jumping to her feet. Her hands are clenched into fists, and she's glaring at Megan with spite in her eyes.

“This doesn't involve you, nerd,” Megan says coolly. Her sisters flank her like a pair of blond bodyguards, though neither of them look entirely comfortable with what Megan just did. Especially Sara, who's staring at her sister like she's the biggest jerk in the world.

Which, of course, she is.

Riley's knuckles go white. Even Tyler and Kevin are standing on the other side, watching the show warily. I reach out and grab Riley's arm to prevent a swing. I'm still sitting down; I'm not about to engage in this. Not with all the coaches around.

“She's not worth it,” I intervene.

“Funny, that's what Branden told me last night.” Megan's words slash at my heart. Sara puts a hand on her arm, though Megan's not gearing up for a fight. Physically, at least. She's working the emotional damage angle. “Guess that's why he chose me.”

I grit my teeth. My own hands clench.

“Is there a problem here, ladies?” comes Leena's voice. She strides up behind the sisters and places a hand on Megan's shoulder.

“Of course not, ma'am,” Megan says, putting on her sweetest voice. “Jennifer was just a little clumsy, that's all. Leaned back and accidentally bumped into me. That's all.”

Then she flips her hair and walks away, her sisters trailing
obediently behind. Another apologetic glance from Sara. Which is fine and all, but I really do wish she could put a leash on her sister or something.

For a moment, all of us stand there, staring at the retreating sisters. Leena looks bewildered.

“There's always one,” she mutters to herself. Then she shakes her head like she just caught what she said, her cheeks flushing pink. “Is there something going on between you two that I should know about?” she asks, going all businesslike again.

I shrug. “Not really.”

Riley opens her mouth like she's about to protest, but I yank her arm and force her back to sitting down. She says nothing.

“Okay,” Leena says, disbelief clearly laced through her words. “If something happens, let me know. We don't want any bad blood in this show.” She glances back to the triplets, sighs, and looks to me. “Anyway, great job last night. We're looking forward to what you guys pull off for Saturday. Enjoy the show tonight.”

Then she leaves.

“Ugh,” Riley grumbles once Leena's out of earshot. “I really want to deck that girl.” She looks to Kevin. “If only you were doing hand-to-hand with her. You could drop her on her stupid face.”

Kevin tries to hold in his laugh.

“Just leave it,” I say, before they can start complaining. “She's not worth the waste of breath.”

Thankfully, they don't push the subject, and we go back to
talking about the show. Well,
they
do. I just sit there and stew silently. A part of me really wants to ask Sara what's going on. But I have a funny feeling that, nice to me though she is, she's still on Megan's team.

Which is interesting, because I don't ever remember signing up to be part of this game.

Chapter
Twenty

I
've seen the Karamazov Circus
every year for as long as I can remember, but the show we go and see—which is almost an hour away by van—is a completely different sort of spectacle. The Karamazov show was always in a big top; even though there were sparkling outfits and grand music and bright lights, it had a sort of old-world charm, like it was all kind of antique. But this show, which is just called Nine Limbs, is entirely different.

For one thing, the show takes place in a theater. Riley and the boys and I grab a row of seats together near the front and pass our giant tub of complimentary popcorn back and forth between us. The stage is curtained with light-blue fabric that almost lets you see what's going on behind it; there are shadows moving back there, shadows that look like people warming up and setting up props.

“This is going to be amazing,” Riley whispers into my ear. Then she pauses. “Uh-oh.”

“What?” I ask. But I follow her gaze, and the question is answered. Megan and Branden are sitting down a few rows in front of us. I can just see their heads sticking out above their seats. “Great.”
Now I get to watch them make out the whole show!

“Ignore them,” Kevin murmurs beside me.

Thankfully, I don't have long to watch. A few moments later the lights in the theater dim, and the show begins.

Like I said, I've seen the Karamazov Circus for years. What happens onstage with Nine Limbs takes my breath away.

Once the houselights go dark, the shadows behind the curtain start to move in unison. The music is driving but somber, all instrumental, and the shadows join and separate, making shapes that look like buses and skyscrapers and taxis. Then the backlights go bright and the curtain billows away.

Everything that happens onstage is a gorgeous mix of dance and circus and theater. The first act is a duo acro pairing that is honestly beyond words. They leap and twist in each other's arms, the ballerina-like girl contorting into impossible shapes with her partner. It's breathtaking, and the aerial silks routine that follows is just as spellbinding. It's almost impossible to tell where one act ends and the other begins—everything weaves together, drawn by the gorgeous music and a trio of clowns that are dressed like lawyers.

Even though it's beautiful, even though it's impossible to look
away, I can still see Megan and Branden. I don't see them kiss, but she does lean her head on his shoulder once the show starts. For his part, he doesn't wrap an arm around her. It's a small victory. Very small.