Chapter 4: The First Day at Dream

Since Risa and Sara are still students at Rika Academy, so they both woke up early to attend classes throughout the day and heading off to Dream late afternoon. During this time, Risa could not focus on classes or duties as she could not get Theo out of her head. No matter how hard she tries, she cannot get him out of her head since he makes her feel something she never have thought she would ever feel in a long time.

During lunch time, Risa checks her messages and there were quite a few.

“Busy as ever I see,” Sara said observing taking a seat next to her best friend.

“Yes, well, being student rep does keep me busy,” Risa simply replies.

“I know the feeling. Even my phone is buzzing with news,” Sara replies, looking at her phone too.

“Hum…this is interesting.”

“What is?”

“It seems we will be on TV soon to be introduced as the newest cast members of Dream. How irritating,” Risa explains, reading the message to Sara.

“What do you mean by that? It’s exciting to be on TV.”

“Not when you have been interviewed every night since the age of ten.”

“You really do dislike the spotlight after that incident.”

“Sara, I told you to never mention it again.”

“I know and I am sorry, so who sent you the message.”

“I think it is from Cassidy, Theo’s sister.”

“Theo’s sister? How did you get her number?”

“We met afterwards and exchanged numbers. I also have Mina’s too,” Risa explains.

“Huh, I wonder why you didn’t get Theo’s too.”

“Shut up!”

“Fine, but I do want to know why the prince of the circus wanted to speak to you after you left last night,” Sara asks in a teasingly tone.

“It is none of your business, but if you must know, he was congratulating me on making it to Dream and asked me if I wanted to perform with him some time.”

“That is interesting. I wonder if he developed a crush on you.”

“I am really not interested in your opinion regarding Theo at the moment, so we can talk about it later. We should be getting back to class now. Do not tell this to anyone.”

“I promise.”

It is around four o’ clock, when classes ended for the day, so Risa and Sara gather their things and headed to the main gate to walk over to Dream together.

“I wonder what we will be doing today,” Sara asks wondering.

“I do not know and I do not care.”

“Hey Risa,” a voice shouts.

Risa turns around and sees Emily running towards her.

“Sara, go wait for me at the gate, I will be there soon.”

“Alright.”

“What do you want Emily?”

“Nothing really. I wanted to congratulate you on making it to Dream, even enough you did break your own rule of not performing. I wonder what your father would think,” Emily mocks.

“Well, I was only on stage to save Sara’s life, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. As you know I do not like the spotlight unlike you,” Risa replies defending herself.

“Uh, well, in any case, I did want to let you know my team including myself made it to Dream, but we decided to pass on this circus this time around,” Emily explains.

“Good for you, now I don’t have to see you every day,” Risa mocked back.

“Yes, well, I would rather torture you at school. Speaking of which, how was it performing with the prince,” Emily asks trying to be nosey.

“There is nothing to say besides the fact he is a very talented performer and being forced to perform with him was not my cup of tea,” Risa explains annoyed.

“Huh, good to know. Well, see you around Miss Rep,” Emily said walking away.

After Emily left, Risa joins Sara at the main gate and resume their earlier conversation.

“So, what did Emily wanted,” Sara asks.

“She was just being nosey and passed on Dream,” Risa explains.

“Oh, I see she will be missed. We better hurry before we are late,” Sara says kindly.

“Yes, let’s go.”

As Flora Unity City, is a port city, the weather is a bit cooler than other cities, so people tend to dress warmly. Since they did not have time to change, Risa and Sara had to wear their school uniform to Dream freezing their legs off. With Dream in their view, they are still mesmerized by the beauty of the circus being here and are excited for being part of this new adventure. This was not the only thing catching Risa’s eye, she sees Theo staring out at the sea aimlessly wondering. Risa had a thought of wanting to speak to him, but something in her changed her mind and decided to head inside to avoid him.

“Risa!” Melody shouts flying fast to greet Risa.

Risa saw her fairy flying towards her trying to giver a hug but quickly avoids her sending her flying away. “Melody, we just saw each other yesterday,” Risa says greeting her fairy. “I know, but I miss you,” Melody replies a little sad. “It is nice seeing you too Melody.”

“Did you miss me too Clear?” Sara asks her fairy.

“Yes, I did, and I am glad you are here now,” Clear responds with pure grace.

“Me too. Now how about we head inside, it is getting cold. Are you coming Risa?” Sara shouts calling her.

“I am coming,” Risa replies, as she is distracted with Melody and briefly stares at Theo from afar.

“Jeez, I never thought of you as being a space case,” Sara teases.

“Sorry. I was a bit distracted.”

“Is it the prince of the circus?”

“Never mind.”

Risa and Sara made their way to the practice room where they are to meet the others to begin the meeting.

“Risa! Sara! Over here,” Mina shouts getting their attention.

“Oh, hi, Mina,” Risa greets her new friend.

“It’s great you were able to make it,” Mina says excitedly.

“Yes, thank you,” Sara replies.

“I take it these are the two upstarts who stole the show at the auditions?” a voice said coming over.

“Oh, hi Cassidy. Yes, this is Risa and Sara, the newest additions to the main cast,” Mina said introducing them. “Ladies, this is Cassidy Grant, Theo’s older sister.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Risa and Sara say together.

“It’s a pleasure little darlin’s. I just hope you can bring more excitement to this little’ ol’ place,” Cassidy said excitedly.

“Why do you talk like that?” Risa asks wondering. “I am sorry if it sounds rude.”

“It is not a problem darlin’. You see I am a former western movie star where I spoke in a southern accent, so ever sense then I have not stop speaking like this,” Cassidy explains.

“Wait, you’re that Cassidy Grant. I love your movies,” Risa said remember her movies.

“Oh, seems I have a fan here. Then it is my pleasure to be friends with you,” Cassidy said. “Especially a circus prodigy,” she whispers.

“Thank you,” Risa whispers.

Conversations continue all around the room until everything became silent when Theo, Laurel, and their boss arrive in the training room. “I am glad you all made it here in such short notice. I first want to say congratulations to all of our new additions to our little family. In order to show off our new additions to our little family, I would like all of you to perform in the upcoming TV performance in two weeks. This will be broadcasted live, so try not to make any mistakes,” the boss explains to his performers.

“This should be interestin’” Cassidy says to herself.

“Yes, I would also like to add a little more excitement. Risa, I would like you to perform a duet with Theo. From what I saw in the auditions, you two are great together,” the boss orders.

“I refuse,” Risa replies.

“And why not?” the boss asks.

“I only came here for Sara and perform when I am needed, not to be used as a public advertisement, so if you do not mind,” Risa refuses walking out of the room.

“Risa, wait,” Theo says, trying to get her to stay.

“Leave her, now for the rest of you, Laurel will be handing out your roles for the commercial. After, I would like all of you to begin training at once. This is not like our performances, so you are free to come up with any routine,” the boss says before dismissing everyone.

“Yes, sir,” everyone in the room agrees.

As the cast are receiving their assignments and getting to work, Theo manages to slip away to search for Risa. He searches for her in all of the training rooms, but no luck. Then he comes to realize why he is caring so much for a girl he barely even knows. It is like she ignited a fire within him like he was waiting for her his entire life. He continues walking through the halls until he heard noises coming from the nearby training room. He peeks inside and sees Risa performing on the tightropes with a few trapezes out with Melody performing with her.

Risa jumps performing a back flip while cartwheeling to the other end of the tight rope. Then quickly she jumps off the tightrope grabbing the trapeze. She spins and swings herself gaining speed to fly in the sky to catch the next trapeze. She releases gracefully posing and spinning upside down catching the trapeze with her feet. Then swings backwards to do a hand stand one handed and uses her strength to flip herself over ready to swing herself to the next trapeze. Risa swings the trapeze faster and faster in order to spin in a spiral forward to the other trapeze in a form of a dragon flying in the sky. She ends the routine by jumping high spinning again like a dragon trying to eat the sun.

“That was beautiful. I never thought you were able to perform this kind of stunt,” Melody says praise Risa.

“Yes, it is something I use to perform a long time ago,” Risa explains to Melody.

“I think it was wonderful,” Melody says happily hugging Risa.

“Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure. Oh, you have a visitor,” Melody finally noticing Theo.

“Huh, Theo, what are you doing here?”

“I came to see if you were ok, that routine was beautiful.”

“No one was supposed to see that,” Risa says jumping down to meet Theo.

“Why not? Clearly you are amazingly talented and on a whole different level than any of us, you are very talented, why do you hide it?” Theo asks.

“Because it is part of my past and I do not want anyone to know about it. This is my former life,” Risa admits.

“It seems to me you are running away from something, but every time you do it keeps reminding you that this is your life,” Theo confesses.

“Perhaps, but like I said before, it is part of my past and I am here to work, not to flirt, now if you do not mind,” Risa said, but ready to leave.

“Wait,” Theo says grabbing her arm.

Theo swiftly grabs ahold of her arm and without thinking kisses her on the lips. Risa seems to be enjoying this but quickly pulls away. She could not look at Theo, so she walks away. Theo being confused decides to follow her.

“Would you stop following me,” Risa demands.

“No.”

“What do you want from me?”

“I want…,” Theo said putting his hand on her shoulder.

Their conversation is interrupted with the appearance of Laurel standing by Theo. “Good, I found you, Risa the boss ask me to see your trapeze work, so please head over to training room three,” Laurel orders.

“Right duty calls,” Risa obeys and heads there now.

Laurel follows close behind to training room three. Risa did not want to waste any time, so she climbs up the ladder ready to begin. “Ok, Risa, I am going to give you some moves and I expect you to perform them,” Laurel instructed. “Sure thing,” Risa only replies. Laurel gives her the usual common routines of trying to catch the trapeze gracefully. She does this well and moves on to the next commands of Laurel. One after the other, Risa performs them flawlessly and it frustrates her for the many hours until she finally calls it a day.

“Well, you do have potential, I can see why you are a great addition, but you need some work, we will pick this up again tomorrow,” Laurel says leaving.

“It seems the young princess sees you as a threat,” Cassidy says coming in to greet Risa.

“Meaning what exactly?” Risa asks.

“Meaning you are now her rival in Theo’s heart and spotlight,” Cassidy points out.

“I saw it too Risa, you cannot deny it,” Melody teases.

“That is ridiculous, Theo having feelings for me, I refuse to believe what he feels about me,” Risa rejecting the idea quickly.

“It is just an observation, see you tomorrow,” Cassidy said walking away.

Risa is left alone with her thoughts, as Sara comes over to greet her.

“So, how was the training?” Sara asks.

“It was fine, but interrupted a few times from Theo and Laurel,” Risa explains.

“Really, Theo found you,” Sara says wondering more.

“Yes, we had a chat and in a split second he kisses me on the lips,” Risa explains.

“That does not surprise with me. He really is into you,” Sara teases.

“That is super true. I saw it for myself,” Melody teases.

“Shut up! Let’s say good-bye here because we have classes tomorrow,” Risa says wanting to change the subject.

“Risa! I am going to miss you!” Melody shouts while in tears.

“Do that again and I will hurt you,” Risa threatens.

“Sorry,” Melody response scared.

“Right, it was nice to spend the day with you Clear, see you tomorrow?” Sara kindly says to her new friend.

“Yes, it is a pleasure. Have a safe walk home,” Clear politely say.

“I will be waiting for you” Melody said hugging Risa.

“Take care Melody,” Risa politely says.

“Take care Clear,” Sara said as she was walking away, and Risa follows.

Risa and Sara left Dream and return to school for some much-needed rest.

“Today sure was hard. I never thought they will have us go all out on our first day,” Sara points out.

“Yes, I never thought on the first day would be complicated. I have a prince who is in love with me, a circus diva who I can barely stand and hates me, a western speaking sister who likes me, a new friend that loves us, and knowing fairies and magic exists. All of this is too much to handle,” Risa said lying on her bed.

“Yes, it is a lot to take in, but it sure is exciting,” Sara replies with joy.

“Yes.”

“What’s with the vague response? You usually have something to say or is it because the young prince took your breath away.”

“I do not want to talk about it, good night,” Risa responds as she went to sleep.

“Whatever you say,” Sara says as she too went to sleep.