Chapter 13: Training for the Circus Showcase

“What! Theo kissed you again?” Sara asks in shock. “It shouldn't be a surprise at this point since he has taken a liking to you.”

“What makes you think that?” Risa questions.

“It is obvious he has a crush on you and besides he is the only person these days that got you into enjoying performing again,” Sara trying to spell out for her.

“Oh, come on, Sara. That is so not true.”

“Then explain to be as to why you are able to use magic now?”

“Well...well. It is because I didn’t know that magic was really and I was still having a hard time to believe it was even real in the first place, so I am sorry.”

“That might have been part of it, but I believe your magic block, unblocked, is because of Theo. It seems he was your block the entire time. He made you to believe in great happiness again.”

“Fine, if you believe it is true, then I should tell you that I did kiss him back.”

“See right, there is proof. Risa, you cannot deny knowing Theo has feelings for you.”

“I am sorry Sara, but I cannot believe it is the truth. Now if you don’t mind, I am heading over to the training hall. Feel free to come when you are ready.”

Risa storms off heading over to the training room, trying to avoid her conversation with Sara. How can Sara think Theo could be in love with her and her in return? She cannot have any feelings for everyone after what happened to her the last time she was in love. The only problem is she could not stop thinking of the kiss. It was the only kiss she ever felt she could feel safe and perhaps there could be something new in this potential relationship.

Twenty minutes later, Risa arrives at the training hall, quickly changing into her workout outfit, and begins to climb up the ladder to begin her training. She pushes the button on the wall, releasing the trapezes. Taking a deep breath, she runs off the platform and onto the first trapeze.

At first, she is playing around, trying to come up with something to wow the audience to reclaim her crown. The circus showcase is not an amateur show; this is where the elite compete to prove who is the best. She swings herself back and forth for a while only to find out nothing seems to come up with anything. Continuing to jump around for a while, as she spins, jumps, and twirls around, nothing really seems to come out of her mind. She thought of quitting at this point, since it is getting late and returning to the platform.

It is already nightfall since she finished training. She did feel ashamed of herself for not being able to come up with a routine right away and on the first day, but she is not going to give up.

She closes the training hall and walks back to her penthouse dorm. She uses her key to unlock the door only to be caught by Sara, who is still awake.

“Well, how was training coming along?” Sara asks, as Risa walks in.

“Nothing yet, but I will figure out something soon.”

“I wish you the best as always. But I do hope you come up with something soon, since you only have two weeks left.”

“Thank you, Sara, and don’t worry, I will come up with something, I do love a challenge.”

“Yes, I know. Before I forget, there is a text for you from the circus community which came for you while you were training.”

“Oh, what did it say?”

“It seems the circus community wants you to open the circus showcase with Aliya.”

“Really? I wonder why.”

“Maybe because since you are the former Snow Majesty perhaps, they wanted to show you off along with the current one.”

“Interesting. I guess I can do it. Let’s show them, that I have officially came out of retirement.”

“So, should I send them a reply?”

“Yes, please do.”

“Thank you.”

“I do hope you get your title back. You deserve it and your mother will be proud.”

“Yes, everyone better be watching their backs.”

“Yes, maybe you should do as well.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“It seems Dream has asked me to perform with them for the circus showcase.”

“Huh, that will be interesting to see a group performance.”

“Ha-ha, we will see.”

“Anyways, I am going to sleep, have a good night.”

“Good night.”

Early next morning, Risa sneaks out of the room and runs over to the training hall hoping today will be the day she gets a routine down.

Meanwhile at Dream…

“Ok, everyone. As you know, we only have two weeks left and we still have not come up with a routine, so I will be taking suggestions all day,” Laurel announces to the cast.

“Well, darlin’s I guess we have our work cut out for us. If we want to stand a chance to compete with the elite circuses,” Cassidy said in a cheery mood. “So, what should we work on first?”

“Yes, I cannot wait to see what you come up with. We will meet up with you later,” Laurel said, walking out.

“I cannot wait to see how our routine will turn out to be,” Mina said, being her bubbly cheery self.

“I hope so too because I do not think we would want to wing it up there,” Cassidy admits, a bit worried.

“Yes, well, that is what it is going to make this so much fun. Collaborating with everyone will be so much fun,” Mina continues to be cheerful.

“Yes, let’s get this party started,” Cassidy teases.

“Yeah!” The girls cheered on.

“Oh, I am sorry I am late,” Sara said, rushing in catching her breath. “Did I miss anything?”

“It's fine littl’ lady. I am just glad you made it,” Cassidy said with good cheer. “No, just Laurel taking charge in figuring out a routine.”

“Oh, that is so like her. So, shall we get started?” Sara says, catching her breath.

“Yes, let’s get started,” Cassidy said, as they are walking towards the training room.

“So, tell me, how is our littl’ Risa doing?”

“Trying to get some intel. All I can tell you is Risa has been working hard since yesterday in coming up with a routine, but has not come up with anything yet,” Sara confesses.

“I see. I do hope the littl’ lady does come up with somethin’ since I don’t really want Laurel to win,” Cassidy admits openly.

“Well, that will be fun to see. Anyways, since we have a bit of a free time, can we head over to the fairy garden because I would love to see Clear?” Sara asks.

“Yes, let’s go,” Mina agrees, being so bubbly.

The three girls walk together to the garden to play with their fairies.

Overhearing their conversation, Theo becomes distracted hearing about Risa.

“Hum, hello Theo. I am speaking to you,” Laurel said, frustrated.

“Sorry Laurel. Did you say something?” Theo asked.

“Um...I was wondering if you want to work on the trapeze or get something to eat,” Laurel explains.

“Sure, I can use something to eat, should we go out to the cafe you like?”

“Ok, but how about we go to your apartment,” Laurel suggests.

“Sorry. We cannot go to my apartment; I am doing some remodeling, so it will not be ready until after the showcase,” Theo said, making up an excuse.

“Ok, maybe next time,” Laurel agrees. “Let’s get back to training.”

“Sure thing.”

Laurel and Theo begin training in silence.

As for the girls, they arrive at the fairy garden, where it seems all the fairies are playing together and apparently singing. It seems so lovely as it appears to be some sort of healing touch.

“Sara!” Clear shouts flying towards her.

“Clear, it is so good to see you. I am sorry I haven’t visited lately,” Sara apologized.

“Yes, it is quite alright, I do know you have other obligations,” Clear politely says.

“Thank you.”

“What was that song you were singing it was so beautiful?”

“Oh, it was an old folk song we used to sing for festivals.”

“It was beautiful.”

“Righ’ so how about we have some good ol’ fun,” Cassidy suggests ready to have fun.

“Yes,” Mina agrees.

The girls begin to have fun forgetting that there is a performance to prepare for.

As for Laurel and Theo, they simply spend the rest of the day performing some old routines hoping something will come to mind.

“Well, that is a total failure. Nothing is going to work unless we work together.”

“Laurel, you have to calm down. We will come up with something soon.”

“Right, not in the pace we are going in.”

“Well, we will have something I promise you, so shall we call it a day?”

“Fine, let’s go home then.”

“Good.”

It’s been days since Risa decided to enter the circus showcase. It has been so stressful. Upon agreeing to enter the competition, she also discovers she must perform a routine with Aliya during the opening ceremony. Her routine still has not been a successful find, and it is going to be a failure if she doesn't find something soon. The routine for Aliya is simple and easy to get done, but it needs more.

There is only one week left, so she had to work harder than she has ever done before.

Taking a break one day from training, Risa thought of going for a walk in the gardens for a while before she needed to return to her dorm to finish her homework.

On her way back, she bumped into someone she never thought of bumping into.

“Hey, watch it?” The voice says angrily.

“I am sorry. Emily, it is you. What are you doing here?” Risa said, a bit surprised. “I heard you joined a different circus,” Risa asks.

“Risa, good to see you too. I am only here to get the rest of my things from the dorm. I moved so fast to Circus Celeste. I should tell you that our circus is also entering the showcase as well, so I am back for now. I assume you will be entering as well,” Emily explains.

“Yes. I am. As a solo act,” Risa replies.

“Interesting. I thought you would, your majesty,” Emily says to Risa.

“You knew?” Risa asks.

“Of course, I knew. Who else would be able to pull off the Dragon’s Roar,” Emily confesses.

“Yeah. That was so long ago. You can expect me to pull off an even better routine,” Risa said, rolling her eyes.

“Well, good to see you. I am heading over to the archery club to see an old friend’s practice, care to join?” Emily offers.

“Sure, I have some free time,” Risa agrees, as she tags along.

Emily and Risa begin walking together towards the back of the school to the archery club practice area.

When arriving at the archery club training area, the club members were in the middle of their practice, so the girls went to the viewing gallery to watch. The first group of archers took their positions, loaded their bows, and fired at the targets. With great concentration and focus, the first arrows hit their targets. Each of the arrows landed a bull’s eye. Then one arrow after another the arrows kept hitting their targets with such grace.

“Wow, they are amazing,” Risa complimented.

“I know. They really are improving.”

“And how do you know that?”

“I come here to think when I am stumped on a routine,” Emily confesses.

“I see. I guess this is relaxing.”

Risa and Emily continue watching the archers trying to come up with an idea. Then as fast as a windstorm, an idea finally struck Risa on the head for her routine. “Emily, thank you for letting me come, I have to get started on this routine before I forget,” Risa said, rushing out of the area.

“Hey wait. What did I say?”

Risa runs to the training hall quickly as she can and gets to work at once. She climbs up the ladder and releases the trapezes and glowing targets. As everything is set now, she grabs the archery set from the platform and begins to jump to the trapeze. As she flies in the air, she quickly shoots her first arrow to her first target which seems to be a success. This continues for the rest of the routine, but it is going to be difficult to come up with the timing. This is not going to stop her from completing her routine.

While Risa continues to find a solution to her routine, it seems Dream finally came up with a routine and are finallly learning it together.

“Come on guys, you have to be faster. I know you want to win,” Laurel shouts.

“She sure being a pain as usual,” Mina whispers to Cassidy before jumping in the air.

“Well, sugar puddin’ we just have to follow her lead,” Cassidy reassures her as she did her routine.

Back in Risa, she continues practicing her routine. Instead of focusing on the beauty of the routine, she is focusing on her balance and strength to time it right for the target practice. She swings on the trapeze as fast as she can and fires her arrow to the target. It seems this time she manages to succeed. She finally hit the target. Now she has to master this routine in just four days.

Risa has a good feeling about this routine, so she must tell someone, so she called her Aunt Becca. The phone rings and her aunt answers.

“Hi Aunt Rebecca, how are you?”

“I am fine. I am excited to see the family again for the holidays. Will I be seeing you this year?” Aunt Rebecca asks.

“Not this year Aunt Becca. I think I am going to skip Christmas this year and head to the island,” Risa answers.

“Alright sweetie. Anything else,” Aunt Rebecca.

“Yes, I will be performing in the circus showcase,” Risa says.

“That is great honey, so are you doing this to win back your crown?”

“Of course, will you be watching?”

“Of course I can, the whole family will. They are going to miss you this year.”

“I know just send them my love and the gifts should be arriving on Christmas day. I cannot wait for you to see the routine I came up with. It will blow your mind,” Risa said with excitement.

“Yes, they will be excited seeing you perform again. I cannot wait. Did you tell your father?”

“Like he cares. He is always working.”

“Risa, he loves you. He will so anything for you.”

“I know Aunt Rebecca, but I wish mother was here.”

“I know dear. Right take care and break a leg.”

“Thank you, Aunt Becca. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Risa hangs up on the phone and continues working on her routine.

Two days before the Circus Showcase, Risa invites Sara to watch her final walk through her performance. Risa performs her routine for Sara. Every move she makes with such grace and beauty that when Sara is watching, she thinks she is watching an angel flying.

When Risa finishes her routine, she poses in the air and lands on the trapeze.

“Wow, Risa. That routine is simply amazing. You are going to win for sure.”

“Thank you. I am sure your routine will be great too.”

“I doubt it. Laurel is in charge and it can be annoying.”

“I wish you the best.”

“Thanks, take care. We better get some rest with only two days left,” Sara replies.

“OK, let’s go,” Risa agrees to leave with Sara.

Next chapter is the showcase, so turn the page and be ready to be amazed.